It's not fair, but if Ford doesn't testify next week....

[scheming daemons]

..... Kavanaugh will be confirmed.

Our only hope is to get two of Flake, Corker, Collins, and Murkowski to cave.

And our only hope of that is for her to testify. That's the only thing that gives them cover.

It sucks for her. It really does.

But if she doesn't show up Monday, this is over. He is on the court by the end of next week.

[elleng]

1. I agree (generally,)

sad as it is, she SHOULD appear, just to shut them up (briefly.)

[Sneederbunk]

2. No matter what happens, women will vote Nov 6.

As far as the November elections, the Kavanaugh appointment is a lose lose for GOP.

[Solomon]

11. No it's not. The asshole will be on the bench for the next 40

years.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

32. Yup, that's the sad truth...the damage will be done, like the tax cuts, trillion dollar deficits...

we're fucked!!! Why we can't let that happen!! There has to be something we can do... hell, I say start by buyin this brave woman all the security she needs, for as long as it takes, just get her to testify... I'll contribute right the fuck now!! Or, hire the best P.I.'s IMMEDIATELY to track down other "kids" who were there, or who spoke to Dr. Ford about the incident, who can corroborate her story. Do SOMETHING!!

[Hoyt]

15. Lots of women voted for trump, knowing he is a cad.

[COLGATE4]

23. No, Kavanaugh's appointment is a lose lose

for the entire country, starting with the fact that he'll give legal cover to Sharty to be able to avoid a subpoena from Mueller to testify. That will embolden Trump beyond belief. I don't even want to think what the next 2 years will look like when he thinks he has the whip hand.

[Separation]

30. You think that is bad?

What happens if Trump were to be reelected and thereby giving him a good shot at Ginsberg seat, and possibly another.

That's it, game over. The only coming back from that would be a civil war, and that is just as a horrifying thought.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

33. Horrifying, yes, there's nothing civil bout a civil war... alternative?

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

40. ToadDick won't get reelected if we choose the right candidate who can take his ass down.

Unfortunately, with that rapist on the Supreme Court, the damage will already have been done. Guess, we'll just have to impeach KKKavanaugh too... that should be our rallying cry for 2018 if the Rethuglians confirm him... TWO impeachments for the price of one... BOGO!!

[Amishman]

3. Yup, she has to do it in order to be truly heard

Sad but this is the world we live in.

The request for an investigation first should be reasonable but with the politics involved it is too easy to spin.

[DeminPennswoods]

4. This is exactly right

If she doesn't testify, she might as well have not put herself and her family through this.

[FBaggins]

5. I disagree on a couple points

It may not defeat the confirmation... but it provides plenty of cover for red state Dems to vote no... and (more importantly) they’ve already likely crushed any republican turnout bump from the “don’t like Trump but love his appointments” crowd

[BigmanPigman]

6. The FBI should conduct an investigation BEFORE

the GOP Senate takes a swing at her. Hillary Clinton said the same thing and I'M WITH HER!

[scheming daemons]

7. I agree. But you and I both know that isn't going to happen.

[BigmanPigman]

12. Hatch apparently doesn't know that the FBI does investigate

issues like this one since he said today that the FBI doesn't do that. The GOP lies like a rug. I just left a message at one of his local offices and told him he doesn't know the law and is living in 1991. I don't know if he will get it but I made it clear that he and the GOP will not get reelected if they don't get their heads out of the sand and realize women vote and will NOT be voting for them if they continue to live in the past. I have been calling for the past two weeks and the phone lines are getting busier...now I have to leave messages after hours. I hope the others who are calling are saying the same thing I am.

[Garrett78]

16. Except that the FBI did conduct an investigation in 1991, and Hatch must know that.

The FBI questioned both Thomas and Hill, and maybe others.

[BigmanPigman]

25. He's a liar and a misogynist.

I hate him, Grassley and McConnell as much as the fucking moron.

[WillowTree]

53. The FBI investigated the Hill/Thomas allegations because a federal crime was being alleged.

That's not the case in this instance and, thus, the Feds do not have jurisdiction to investigate. She needs to file a complaint in the locale where it happened and the local authorities may, probably will, investigate. But the FBI can't and won't.

[Garrett78]

60. What federal crime was being alleged in 1991?

It's my understanding an FBI investigation was done in 1991 simply because the White House "promptly directed the FBI to conduct a full, thorough and expeditious investigation."

And, as Brian Williams pointed out tonight, Orrin Hatch at the time said that was the right thing to do, that it was standard operating procedure.

[WillowTree]

61. Sexual harassment in a federal government workplace.

In fact, I think almost any crime committed on federal property is considered to be a federal offense.

[Garrett78]

62. Here's what a Washington Post article had to say about this:

At the time of his alleged interactions with Hill, Thomas was a federal employee, which some have argued gives the FBI jurisdiction that it lacks in the Kavanaugh case. The FBI does have an established role in vetting federal nominees, though, predicated on unearthing information that might inform whether a candidate was a security risk. That process generally doesn’t extend back multiple decades to a candidate’s youth, former FBI agent Asha Rangappa indicated on Twitter, but it’s not at all clear that it couldn’t.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2018/09/19/why-federal-investigation-into-kavanaugh-allegation-is-far-impossible/?utm_term=.34bf73fd4c15

I've not read anything that indicates Hill was alleging a federal crime, and I'm not sure crimes on federal property are necessarily federal offenses. A federal crime is simply a violation of federal law.

Maybe you're right, but I'd like to see something more definitive than "some have argued."

[WillowTree]

55. See #53 below.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

34. I agree with Hillary... glad she's out there lending her name to this cause. #MeToo

[UTUSN]

8. My first gut reaction was dread. I mean, they're going to ram KAV through no matter what.

But to me her not being there gives them that much more free rein. And the consensus otherwise among cable pundits who are on our side haven't taken away my dread. I've been wrong before and hope I am here.

[bigtree]

9. looks like the WH is hiding something on Kavanaugh

Why wouldn't Kavanaugh want FBI to make a determination of the charges before the hearing?
https://www.democraticunderground.com/100211149707

[Andy823]

18. Exactly!

Only someone with something to hide would "not" want an investigation that would prove he was telling the truth. I also think there is a lot more out there that republicans tried to hide, that might come out in any investigation.

The Democrats need to drive home the fact "she" took a polygraph, and passed, he should do the same. He should also be OK with the FBI looking into this, after all "she" is OK with having an FBI investigation.

[Yupster]

29. How could an investigation prove he was telling the truth?

The best they could do would be to say they couldn't find any evidence to back up her story. That wouldn't help him any.

He couldn't even have an alibi since she's not sure where or when the attack happened.

[GusBob]

10. Sad truth. Everything else is wishful thinking

A veteran legal analyst, Mark Joseph Stearns of Slate noted this today

No testimony they go right to vote

Can't blame her. No testimony, no death threats

And a rapist overturns Roe vWade

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

35. Oh, great!!

[Fred Sanders]

13. Just need one R no on Judiciary Commiitee. Flake? Maybe Kennedy...he looked a little shaken

with some of the testimony and what he know secretly via the committee cone of silence rules.

Kennedy may not be buying the Catholic boy image for a football and baseball varsity player.

[bettyellen]

14. Flake has said he wants the FBI investigation. Murkowski is under a lot of pressure from Native

Americans who she owes everything to. Collins wants the cover of either of these. I think if the GOP keeps botching the process, it could give her cover to vote no or at least delay.

[fallout87]

20. Nope... Flake says to vote to proceed if she doesn't show up monday

Jeff Flake: If Kavanaugh Accuser Fails To Show Up, I'll Support Move To Push Nomination Forward

https://townhall.com/tipsheet/mattvespa/2018/09/18/jeff-flake-if-kavanaugh-accuser-fails-to-show-up-ill-vote-to-move-ahead-n2520288

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

36. Well, why not come up with a strategy to get Flake & others to change their minds to buy more time?

Is it really THAT hard?!

[bettyellen]

47. That's push nomination forward. Not vote for him.

[Fred Sanders]

46. Nothing gets done until out of committee...Murkowski and Collins are not on the committee.

Only Flake, on the committee, counts, regarding delaying the vote of the full Senate.

Doubt Grassley would call for a committee vote without knowing he has the Senate vote as well. Only obvious.

We will see Monday if he does.

[COLGATE4]

24. Flake will do what Flake always does - make lovely speeches

and then vote straight party line.

[Garrett78]

17. Republicans might be forced to bow to public pressure on this one. We'll see.

[DeminPennswoods]

21. Costa said on Last Word that Rs

are going ahead with their plan, but are monitoring public opinion and reaction. I suppose enough outrage could change things.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

37. There you go!! Who's organizing the street marches this weekend?! I'll be there!!

Time to raise some hell!!!

[Alhena]

19. I agree

[Jakes Progress]

22. That makes us just as evil.

She was attacked. She gets the abuse.

If it isn't fair. Don't do it. Neither she nor her lawyer is stupid. Without the FBI report, Monday just becomes she said/they said. And the republicans do what they were always going to do. Collins is a liar and a dupe. If the others won't vote no because of Kavanaugh's lying to congress and desire to take away women's rights, what makes you think this will make a difference?

It isn't up to the girl who got attacked to take abuse for what the country won't do. Her testifying without the FBI report won't make the slightest difference.

If he gets on the court, let's see if the new congress can set up impeachment on any one of the dozen breaches and illegal actions that Kavanaugh has demonstrably committed.

Republicans are willing to sacrifice any scruple and any one to get their way. We shouldn't be.

[scheming daemons]

41. No, you're wrong.

The only hope of stopping his nomination from succeeding is for her to show up monday.

If she does not, it is over.

It is horrible for her that it has come down to that.. but it has.

We have to hope she changes her mind and shows up Monday. I hope she can summon the courage.

[Yupster]

45. The only hope of stopping the nomination is out of everyone's hands

If three other women pop up and say he did a similar thing to me, he's toast. If no one else pops up he's in.

People generally don't do this kind of thing once.

[Jakes Progress]

49. I would not blame her for not showing up.

Last edited Thu Sep 20, 2018, 09:42 AM - Edit history (2)

This country doesn't seem to deserve that kind of sacrifice. The whole trump mess has uncovered a dark and nasty side of our population that we had kept hidden for the most part. I know people like to tout the polls that show how unpopular trump is. But polls don't get it. Voting gets it. And when it comes to votes, the good part of America's people lose.

When we stoop to their level, we are them. If we would sacrifice this victim for our hopes because we couldn't seem to do it any other way, we are them. And all it would get us is the loss of our principles. The asshole republicans are going to confirm him anyway. They've been bought or threatened already, and you don't have enough money for them to give a shit what you think. They know that come election week, they will find an immigrant who sat on a flag or a transexual who went to the bathroom or a black man who just existed. That will be enough for the crappy people who vote republican.

There are no saviors in the republican senate. We keep hoping collins or flake will fulfill our dreams. That is futile and shows how gullible we are. Both are mendacious whores who get joy out of dangling decency in front of Democrats and watching them drool. Torturing Professor Ford again will not accomplish a thing. Why is it her job to save a country that repeatedly condemns itself?

I believe this is the last election we will have for America. If, by some fluke, we gain house or senate, we can see how serious the people we have trusted and elected are. Kavanaugh should be prosecuted for lying to congress. He should be impeached. Trump should be impeached for crimes beyond counting.

[Grasswire2]

26. and her coming forward will have been for naught UNLESS....

.....the Republicans are seen as venal bitter old men enabling sexual assault coverup.

[Kath2]

27. I an not religious.

But I pray she appears.

[meadowlark5]

28. She and her family have gone through a lot of hell this past week

and, even though I fully agree the FBI should investigate, if she doesn't show up Monday, she'll have suffered a lot for nothing, really. No chance to tell her story. Oh, she'll probably tell it in an interview with Anderson Cooper or Good Morning America. But if she showed up and told her story and let the country see her and hear her, then republicans voting yes for Kavanaugh might come at a cost.

[KWR65]

31. Murkowski and Collins will not vote for Kavanaugh

You can take that to the bank and they need them in a 51-49 Senate. Don't underestimate those two Senators just because they are (R)'s They are pro-choice and pro-woman even if they believe in fiscal conservatism.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

38. SO hope you're right, but, SO not getting my hopes up... if that makes sense.

[Jake Stern]

44. The same Collins and Murkowski that voted to confirm anti-choice Neil Gorsuch?

Unless footage of Kavanaugh actually trying to rape Ford surfaces or she makes extremely compelling testimony, these two "pro-choice and pro-woman" senators will dutifully vote to confirm.

With Collins, it wouldn't surprise me that even if videotape of the incident DID exist she'd claim it was too grainy or out of focus to make out anything.

[Jakes Progress]

50. Sorry, but you are wrong.

If you put your faith in the future of the country in the hands of these two liars, you are not well informed. Show me the evidence beyond the talking heads on cable that these two have voted for the people in any way. They campaign on pro-choice, but vote differently. The campaign as pro-women's rights, but vote with trump and turtle over and over. (After getting lots of press and attention for dangling their scrappiness before the camera, then voting lock step with republican leadership every time.) They campaign on fiscal conservatives but voted for the grotesque tax cut without so much as a whimper.

You put your faith in liars and charlatans.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

54. McConnell will lean on them and they'll fold like cheap lawn chairs, like they did with Gorsuch.

[steve2470]

57. Collins is too cowardly to vote no....

Yes, sometimes she votes with us, but I am sure McConnell put major pressure on her to vote yes or suffer major consequences.

Murkowski ? She's under tremendous pressure by the Alaska Native people to vote NO, so she just may vote no. She is also an Independent now and not a Republican, although she is really a Republican.

[Cosmocat]

39. They will weasel out on it unless more

Come out ...

[airmid]

42. He will be on the court even if she shows.

[scheming daemons]

43. Likely true. But there is ZERO chance of stopping him if she doesnt

There's a small chance if she does.

[honest.abe]

48. Yes. That is our best option at the moment.

Last edited Wed Sep 19, 2018, 05:36 PM - Edit history (1)

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

51. He will also be confirmed if she does.

It's all Kabuki theatre, like the Clarence Thomas confirmation hearing, whose purpose was simply to beat up on and discredit Anita Hill. He was going to be confirmed no matter what she said, and Kavanaugh will be confirmed no matter what Dr. Ford says. Flake, Corker, Collins, and Murkowski will vote for him because that's what they always do. Dr. Ford's testimony may influence public opinion but it won't stop the confirmation.

[steve2470]

59. I think our only hope is with Murkowski, who is being leaned on heavily by the Alaska Native people

Apparently the Alaska Native people were key to her winning her write-in election as an Independent instead of an R.

Otherwise, I totally agree. Flake, Corker and Collins will all vote for him no matter what Dr. Ford says.

[oberliner]

52. She isn't going to

Nor should she be required to.

[Poiuyt]

56. So the question is just how much does Dr Ford want to prevent Kavanaugh from being

Seated on the SC. She seems to be the only one who can stop him now.

It's pretty obvious that the republicans are itching to vote him onto the court. But if Dr Ford testifies on Monday, that will at least give some food for thought for some of the moderates. It might give enough time for pressure to build from the public to hold republicans accountable. Only if she testifies will there be a chance to stop Kavanaugh. Without her testimony, she will get no sympathy from republican senators.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

58. The problem is that she can't stop him, just like Anita Hill couldn't stop Thomas.

Of course it's her choice whether to testify. I hope she does, because at least she can present the facts of her experience to the committee - which, unfortunately, will be condescending and hostile, just like they were to Hill. Kavanaugh will be confirmed anyhow, but there might be some positive effect on public opinion, which could help Dems in November. But we'll still be stuck with another justice on the Supreme Court who doesn't belong there.