No Hearing; Just Vote on Kavanaugh Nomination

National Review ^ | September 21, 2018 | ANDREW C. MCCARTHY

[reaganaut1]

This is about preventing a conservative justice from being added to the Supreme Court, nothing more. Senate Democrats’ blatant abuse of the hearing process, their “delay, delay, delay” strategy, continues to pay dividends. Putting a stop to it would be long overdue.

Thursday was the day Judge Brett Kavanaugh’s manifestly meritorious nomination to the Supreme Court should have been voted out of the Senate Judiciary Committee and sent to the full Senate. Instead the nomination languishes because of an eleventh-hour stunt pulled by committee Democrats — led by ranking member Senator Dianne Feinstein (D., Calif.).

Notwithstanding that Feinstein was well aware almost three months ago of a flimsily supported allegation against Kavanaugh — to wit, that 36 years ago, as a 17-year-old high school student, he groped and tried to force himself on a 15-year-old girl at an underage beer party — the senator sat on the information rather than submitting it to the hearing process. Although she met face-to-face with Kavanaugh and later questioned him when he was under oath at the hearing, Feinstein did not utter a word about the ancient, unverifiable claim to Kavanaugh.

Instead, the senator referred the allegation to the FBI, without identifying the self-proclaimed witness, despite knowing that:

1) The FBI had no jurisdiction to investigate a state-law assault claim.

2) Even if the FBI had had jurisdiction, it is federal practice not to investigate and prosecute minors, especially for offenses that state authorities have jurisdiction over, except in rare circumstances involving heinous crimes.

[reaganaut1]

Ford's demands -- that Kavanaugh testify first, that he not be present when she is, that she not be questioned by lawyers -- are absurd. Grassley should schedule a vote if Republicans make a case.

Some Republicans are scared that they will be accused of being insensitive women. The Democrats will always say that. GOP leaders have wisely not attacked Ford personally, and they should make the point that the Democrats believe that men, especially white men, do not deserve due process. Man-hating women will never vote Republican, but decent women will.

[djpg]

Thanks for the suggestion, Andy, but the Republicans can be relied upon to cave. It’s part of their job description.

[circlecity]

If Grassley gives in to any of these demands there will be more demands. And this stuff will be guaranteed to happen to republican men routinely in the future. They will know it works and the repubs will bend to whatever they ask. This stuff needs to be shut down now. If she wants to testify Monday under normal conditions let her. If she doesn’t, then vote on on the nomination.

[V_TWIN]

“Some Republicans are scared...”

You said a mouthful with those 4 words my friend.

[PSUGOP]

Schedule the committee vote for Tuesday. Full Senate vote Thursday.

You got Monday or Wednesday lady.......pick one.

[SkyPilot]

According to Britt Hume, Senator Grassley and other Republicans are paralyzed with fear of the #MeToo movement. That is why they are allowing this charade to take place. They don't care that Judge Kavanaugh and his family are made to suffer. The politics of placating the screeching #MeToo movement is more important.

Grassley should immediately issue a statement that this woman can appear before the committee on Monday, and she is entitled to NO special conditions, demands, or dictates. The hearing is Monday, or nothing.

But I believe that Grassley will fold like a tent.

[SkyPilot]

Ford's demands -- that Kavanaugh testify first

Of course they want that!

What is the poor man supposed to testify to? That he is refutes details and allegations that he isn't even allowed to hear first!

Outrageous!

Then, the Pussy Hat Wearing, Abortion Loving "Dr." can come along afterwards and spill her lies.

WHAT.

A.

JOKE.

[Howie66]

That this Ford bitch has been given any consideration at all is outrageous!

I sincerely hope and pray that everybody who loves this country keeps that in mind when the elections are held in November. Liberals must be made to pay the price for their low down, underhanded and odious actions!

[Jack Hammer]

‘This is about preventing a conservative justice from being added to the Supreme Court, nothing more.’

No sh*t, Sherlock.

The dems are just screwing around in an attempt to seize upon anything at all to derail a fine man and brilliant jurist

They care nothing for the US; their only concern is to hang on to power.

[Russ]

I think Grassley won’t schedule a vote because he doesn’t have enough votes to confirm right now. Flake, Collins Corker, Murkowski are all uncertain. It would be unwise to take a vote without those 4 on board.

[Pollster1]

Never run from a barking dog. Never run from a growling bear (unless you’re with a leftist who runs slower). Never show fear. It’s sad that our “leaders” seem likely to ignore that advice. Again. I keep hoping and praying that we will be able to avoid another civil war, without losing our freedom. That prayer now looks like foolish optimism.

[cuban leaf]

The purpose of the hearing is not to get information. It is to appear “nice” and “fair” to the poor female’s claims.

This is what diplomacy looks like.

Remember when Kamala Harris was questioning Kavanaugh, what I’m sure he wanted to do was call her out for the idiotic lunatic she is, as demonstrated by the vapid, confusing and worthless questions she was asking. But he was as respectable as he could possibly be and just acted “confused”. :)

[pepsionice]

Other than the private committee hearing offer....Grassley has offered nothing much else. It’s Monday or nothing. Kavanaugh will not be denied a seat in the room. The FBI request chatter is finished...it won’t go any further.

I don’t think she will show up at 9:30 AM on Monday, and I suspect that they will do rollcall, someone will recommend closure and vote the committee done. Republicans will have a majority, and it’ll close out by 9:45 AM.

I also suspect that Ford is in fragile condition and probably not ready for some ‘show’ like this. Basically, they will ask her if she shows up....how much alcohol she consumed in this period of her life, and if she blacked-out any....then turn to the hundred-plus boys that she partied with and knew in a personal way. So it’ll turn into a ‘I admit I’m a drunken-sl*t’ session. It’ll be like a Jerry Springer show and pure entertainment.

[Architect of Avalon]

Have a hearing with a very comfortable empty chair, illustrating that the individual was invited, but chose to not show.

[SkyPilot]

I also suspect that Ford is in fragile condition and probably not ready for some ‘show’ like this. Basically, they will ask her if she shows up....how much alcohol she consumed in this period of her life, and if she blacked-out any....then turn to the hundred-plus boys that she partied with and knew in a personal way. So it’ll turn into a ‘I admit I’m a drunken-sl*t’ session. It’ll be like a Jerry Springer show and pure entertainment.

I read that one of her conditions was that they would not allow other witnesses to come in and refute her allegations, And that they would not be able to bring up past aspects of her personal life, such as alcohol use. Unbelievable.

[Alberta's Child]

I don't think the Republicans would go there with her background unless they have a lot of compelling evidence -- and even then they would treat her delicately.

I think the GOP would be more interested in questioning her about the details surrounding her letter and her dealings with Feinstein, her own rabid partisanship, and the freaks who are behind this effort to derail Kavanaugh's confirmation.

[Mr Ramsbotham]

Some Republicans are scared that they will be accused of being insensitive women.

Well, they are insensitive women, at least metaphorically speaking. If they'd grow a pair we might think otherwise.

[Will88]

Grassley gave Ford until 10 am this motningg to state whether she would appear at the Monday hearing. He should reject all her ridiculous demands and schedule the committee vote for Monday if she does not agree to appear and testify with no special conditions.

That deadline is less than two hours away.

[richardtavor]

It is apparent that the Democrats are the biggest SEXUAL HARASSERS OF ALL TIME. THEY ARE SEXUAL PREDATORS OF THE WORST SORT. Time to tell them to go to hell in the next election.

[browniexyz]

Senator McConnell, Senator Hatch, and Senator Grassley need to lead a full-scale investigation of the shenanigans going on with Senator Feinstein’s staff.

First, we find a Chinese spy.

Within a week of that, we get a leak from departing staffer Paige Herwig about a “Kavanaugh accuser”, then Paige we discover coincidentaly goes to work for Soros’ “Demand Justice” for Ford foundation, and that there is a connection with FUSION/GPS.

SENATORS:: Get control of the United States Senate!!! Paid for by tax dollars, supposed to be doing America’s work!!!