Flake concerned by Kavanaugh's 'partisan' interactions at Senate hearing

[JudyM]

Source: Reuters

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Republican U.S. Senator Jeff Flake on Tuesday expressed concern about Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh’s interactions with members of the Judiciary Committee during last Thursday’s hearing on sexual misconduct allegations against the judge.

“I was very troubled by the tone of the remarks. ... The interaction with the members was sharp and partisan, and that concerns me,” said Flake, who was instrumental in initiating a week-long FBI investigation into the allegations. “I tell myself, ‘You give a little leeway because of what he’s been through.’ But on the other hand, we can’t have this on the court. We simply can’t.”

Kavanaugh, nominated by President Donald Trump, lashed out at Democratic senators during the hearing, frequently interrupting them. He also accused Democrats of orchestrating a political “hit” against him.

Read more: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-court-kavanaugh-flake/flake-concerned-by-kavanaughs-partisan-interactions-at-senate-hearing-idUSKCN1MC22M

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Hopefully he won’t walk this back. Read in another article that when subsequently asked if this statement meant he’d vote No he demurred.

[oberliner]

1. Do you think Flake will be a no vote?

[JudyM]

10. His comment yesterday suggests he feels more free to vote No than he would if he were trying to

keep his seat. He may be gaming us all, but he may also at some level have either a conscience or a desire for a bipartisan-lite legacy. So I have no firm opinion, just a lot of hope and a return to Kamala Harris’ call to action:

Link to tweet

?s=20

[BigmanPigman]

19. Harris is worried...that is why she said to call and protest NOW!

She gave the number for the DC Senate directory. Call their local offices too! Pleeeeesese!
[phone]. Call as many as you can each day! RESIST!

[zentrum]

22. THIS

202-224-3121

Thank ( hard as it may be) Flake.
Call Collins.

[riversedge]

26. [phone]. Call as many as you can each day! RESIST! PLEASE CALL NOW.

[honest.abe]

2. This is sounding good.

I think Flake is leaning towards a no vote.

[bearsfootball516]

3. Ah, very troubled!

Tomorrow, he'll say he's "Gravely concerned"...and then vote yes.

I'm just a pessimist lol

[violetpastille]

13. He's really milking this Hamlet act.

But I'm thinking he's a yes too.

[Beakybird]

4. He's asking for money from the Koch brothers

In the form of future job opportunities.

[CrispyQ]

5. Call him.

(202)224-****

Collins (R-ME) 2523
Flake (R-AZ) 4521
Graham (R-SC) 5972
Murkowski (R-AK) 6665

Manchin (D-WV) 3954

Remind him this is his chance to retire with some integrity intact. I left a message with Lindsey Graham, too. I asked if his last decency died with Senator McCain.

[JudyM]

17. Great stuff, CrispyQ. "Chance to retire with some integrity intact"

And that “decency died” line is a bullseye message that I hope Graham gets. What a pathetic show he put on.

[BigmanPigman]

20. Thank you for calling!

I have been calling tons too! RESIST!

[niyad]

6. hey, jeffie--grow a spine, please???

[demmiblue]

7. When I caught Flake after the event to ask if this meant he wouldn't vote to confirm, he appeared...

Link to tweet

[RhodeIslandOne]

14. Jeff Flake is a crisis actor

He hated the "optics" of that woman confronting him in the elevator, and begged the Senate Democrats to help him delay the vote so that he didn't become the face of the war on women. He will vote yes in the end and flee Washington as fast as possible.

[PearliePoo2]

8. He also said that Kavanaugh lied during his hearing that would be...

disqualifying.

[catbyte]

9. Until he comes out and announces he's a "no", he's nothing but a lame concern troll.

I don't trust him.

[marylandblue]

11. As long as he demurs, he has power and attention

So he will drag this out at least until the FBI reports.

[brewens]

12. His history of being a white-wing operative along with his remarks about the Clinton's, a

political hit and so on, are reason enough to disqualify him. The confirmation process is on a "national disgrace" because it's him being confirmed.

[TryLogic]

15. Partisan, disrespectful, belligerent

Members of the Supreme Court spend many hours together debating, etc. You cannot put someone like Kavanaugh on the court regardless of whether he is a liar, sex offender, heavy drinker, etc.

[Freethinker65]

16. Concerned? JFC, Kavanaugh's spewing partisan hatred should be disqualifying!!!

The guy lies about anything and everything to protect his image and then blows up at the hearing spewing hatred for all things Clinton and the "left". He does NOT belong on any court. He is incapable of being impartial. He will rule not by constitutionality and has absolutely no intention of ever doing so. That is why he was chosen.

You either believe in the constitution or you don't. Kavsnaugh does not care about the constitution.

[SunSeeker]

18. Jeff Flake on Kavanaugh's 'Sharp and Partisan' Temperament: 'We Can't Have This on the Court'

https://www.thedailybeast.com/jeff-flake-on-kavanaughs-sharp-and-partisan-temperament-we-cant-have-this-on-the-court?ref=home


I think the Daily Beast headline is better at highlighting the key statement Flake made. We can't have this on the Court.

[Power 2 the People]

21. I pray he has the courage to vote NO

[DeminPennswoods]

23. Flake is clearly wrestling with himself

I think he does want to have the moral courage of his convictions. Right now, he needs more encouragement to do the right thing. Think of it as his "Grinch's heart grew 2 sizes that day" moment.

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

24. Is that going to make a difference in his vote?

Probably not.

[ck4829]

25. Kick