Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

Polls are now a reliable indicator of what corporate Republicans want us to think.

“And when the Committee says to “report your income,” that could mean anything!

You don’t get to peddle hatred on saturday and offer condolences on sunday.

Pessimism assures that nothing of any importance will change.

You are so fucked. Still, I wish you the best of luck.

White supremacy is terrorism.

Too often we hand the biggest microphones to the cynics and the critics who delight in declaring failure.

Fight them, without becoming them!

It’s easier to kill a dangerous animal than a man who just happens to have different thoughts/values than one’s own.

Thanks for reminding me that Van Jones needs to be slapped.

Jack Smith: “Why did you start campaigning in the middle of my investigation?!”

DeSantis transforms Florida into 1930s Germany with gators and theme parks.

“woke” is the new caravan.

In short, I come down firmly on all sides of the issue.

I’d hate to be the candidate who lost to this guy.

‘Museums aren’t America’s attic for its racist shit.’

Speaking of republicans, is there a way for a political party to declare intellectual bankruptcy?

Battle won, war still ongoing.

if you can’t see it, then you are useless in the fight to stop it.

New McCarthy, same old McCarthyism.

Hi god, it’s us. Thanks a heap, you’re having a great week and it’s only Thursday!

We’re not going back!

Despite his magical powers, I don’t think Trump is thinking this through, to be honest.

Accused of treason; bitches about the ratings. I am in awe.

You are here: Home / Politics / Activist Judges! / Bart O’Kavanaugh is Exactly Who I Said He Was

Bart O’Kavanaugh is Exactly Who I Said He Was

by | 250 Comments

This post is in: 

I told you who he was the other day. I know guys like him. I’ve dealt with guys like him. I wrote with guys like him when I wrote at Red State. He’s all that and an angry, bad drunk. He shouldn’t be on any court.

Reader Interactions

250Comments

  3. 3.

    chopper

    and mcconnell is going to do everything in his power to give this douchebag a lifetime appointment to the highest court in the land.

  5. 5.

    Renie

    Is anyone surprised the GOP like Kavanaugh acting like a bully? This is a perfect example of how white privileged men treat women in our society and why they get away with sexually assault.

  6. 6.

    Elizabelle

    We have to keep him off.

    I am not going to be all cynical. I think some Republicans see what a disaster Trump has been, and you don’t seat this asshole on the Supreme Court.

    It’s different times, but time for a few of them to go John Warner on Trump and McConnell’s ass. He stood up against Oliver North as a Senate candidate in 1996 — the Virginia GOP was trying to put him on the ticket — and Warner was bulletproof until he retired in 2009. Huge margins. Virginia voters appreciated courage, real political courage.

    In fact, John Warner just endorsed the Democrat — Tim Kaine — for Senate over the white supremacist the GOP is running.

    Be brave. All of us.

  10. 10.

    PJ

    Unfortunately, the entitled rage, self-pity, and blubbering is probably something that most Republicans identify with, and, unless something else breaks, I think they will go ahead and confirm him.

  12. 12.

    The Moar You Know

    He needs to be fired from the DC Circuit. He is too emotional to perform his job with fairness.

    I disagree. He should be fired because he is a practicing alcoholic.

  14. 14.

    pk

    I think the GOP are going to vote him in. The talking heads are all putting equal weight on his “pain and honesty” in his opening statement and that of Ford’s. I don’t think Murkowski or Collins liked the way he treated Feinstein or Klobuchar but I don’t think any of them are going to have the guts to vote no. I hope I’m wrong. This just seems like Anita Hill part 2 only much worse because they’ve shed any pretense of a non-partisan advise and consent role. It’s all a partisan battle for the GOP.

  16. 16.

    lamh36

    @chrislhayes
    Follow Follow @chrislhayes
    More
    The GOP men on the committee are just erasing Dr. Ford. Like she never sat before them today.

    5:27 PM – 27 Sep 2018

  18. 18.

    dmbeaster

    That picture is amazing. Wish I knew which odious remark he was making when the picture was snapped.

  19. 19.

    Mary G

    Here’s some patronizing treacle like #BlaseyFord had to suffer: I hope #BrettKavanuagh gets some help for his anger problem, his self pity problem, and his profound sense of entitlement….Also the idea that he was drinking hard as a teen and never passed out? Puh-lese.— Mary Karr, Author (@marykarrlit) September 27, 2018

  20. 20.

    Elizabelle

    These GOP senators should shut the fuck up.

    They could have called the FBI in for a more comprehensive investigation. They did not.

    I hope they all lose their seats.

  22. 22.

    Elizabelle

    I am proud to be a Democrat, and proud of the decency shown by all the Democrats on the Judiciary Committee.

    And Kamala Harris is excellent. I am proud to have people of her caliber on our side.

    They have nasty old men. I like us.

  34. 34.

    MisterForkbeard

    @lamh36: That’s the intent. Ignore all of her statements because they can’t poke any holes in it. Instead focus on their outrage and how “honest” and “outraged” Kavanaugh is about his utterly despicable treatment, as well as push discredited conspiracy theories about Democrats making all this up and… violating process?

    But basically, if they can reduce the amount of attention paid to her very damaging testimony then that’s what they’ll do.

  35. 35.

    Elizabelle

    Why would Susan Collins vote yes?

    There’s that huge warchest. Maine is not reliably Republican. This is a vote too far if she does.

    And maybe we will get another surprise too.

    Deeply disappointed by Flake, but he is one, isn’t he?

  38. 38.

    Elizabelle

    We can turn “doubt” on them.

    I seriously doubt that these men are qualified to represent their states as senators. And I think a lot of women saw what we did.

  39. 39.

    JWR

    @Elizabelle:

    Jeff Flake talking about doubt. He is not going to come through and do the right thing.

    Sadly, yes. At first, he seemed to be wavering on the side of right, but by the time he finished, well, he Flaked out.

  42. 42.

    Mandalay

    Rapey crybaby:

    I have not questioned that she MIGHT have been assaulted…

    That’s mighty white of him. To return his kind words:

    I have not questioned that he MIGHThave assaulted several other women…

  43. 43.

    What Have The Romans Ever Done for Us?

    Stuff is going to continue to come out. Also, too, this guy is dirty. Like I said, you can’t sit on the Supreme Court bench from prison. Would not be surprised to see him disbarred well before that which would be a major embarrassment to be on the court with that status. At which point the American Bar will be a liberal plot, just like the FBI and everything else.

  45. 45.

    sgrAstar

    I really appreciate you jackals. Couldn’t have made it through today without all of the passionate, witty, and insightful comments here. Despite BK’s rampant paranoia and hysteria, they’re gonna vote him in. I am sick. We just have to kick these people to the curb. The one thing I can do is give more money to actblue…gonna do that right now.

  46. 46.

    Steve in the ATL

    @Elizabelle: my fraternity brother! Uh, separated by a few decades. We had pictures of when he brought his wife Elizabeth Taylor to the house for alumni weekend.

  49. 49.

    pk

    I was thinking how terrible it’ll be if he’s confirmed after all this. It’ll be awful for Ford who’s gone through so much pain over the years culminating in having to testify in front of the world. I can’t imagine how traumatic it’ll be for her if he gets onto the court. I watched the Anita Hill hearings and Thomas is on the court. I hope history does not repeat itself. It’s so disheartening. None of these republican men have changed, they’ve gone from hateful middle aged men to angry old men. Worst is at least with Thomas they didn’t know about Hill. With Kavanaugh they knew about his background and went ahead anyway. To paraphrase Melanie they really don’t care do they?

  51. 51.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    @Elizabelle: Why would Susan Collins vote yes?
    I’ll defer to MomSense or other Mainers, but the explanation I’ve seen is she’s afraid she can’t survive a primary from the right or risk going indy. Also, she’s a McConnell loyalist– but for two votes that I can think of, the recent O’Care vote and the Stimulus– and these days that means a trumplican.

    I still remember her gushing introduction of John Ashcroft in 2001. Pro-choice my ass.

  54. 54.

    Leto

    So Kavanope used “search a mad destroy” in his opening statement and now Trumpov tweeted out “search and destroy”. Nope, totally didn’t coordinate that. No collusion!

  56. 56.

    guachi

    There’s a reason Kavanaugh went second. It’s to erase Dr. Blasey Ford’s testimony. She goes second and he’s toast.

  58. 58.

    trollhattan

    @pk:
    Sadly agree. I think Turtle has his votes counted as indicated by Trump’s “attaboys.” Trump, he don’t back no loser judge. Ugh.

  59. 59.

    MJS

    This shit is reallly depressing. No, not the hearing. These fucking comments. The Republicans are making a show of supporting their rapist, unqualified nominee? What an absolute shock! Why, that has never happened before! Well, at least not since 2016. Not only are the Republicans pretending Blasey-Ford didn’t even testify, many on here are, too.

  62. 62.

    Mike in DC

    Flake–retiring
    Cruz–up this year
    Hatch–retiring
    When are the other 8 fuckers up for reelection?

  64. 64.

    Patricia Kayden

    @guachi: Dr. Ford’s testimony was riveting and credible. She has nothing to gain. Kavanaugh blustered his way through his testimony. He has much to gain.

  65. 65.

    khead

    @??? Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)  ??:

    I had a response to someone else ready but I though the thread was gonna die. This is probably the time to tell you that I grew up in what is now one of the Trumpiest counties in ‘Murica.

    @MisterForkbeard:

    And that’s when you unfriend those people for being gigantic sexist assholes.

    Let’s call them acquaintances then. I’m not really talking about close friends. Folks I know from home, high school, etc. I like having my finger on the pulse of wingnut nation so I keep them around. Every so often I throw a Molotov into one of their threads by being and they ditch me.

  69. 69.

    Patricia Kayden

    @Corner Stone: I disagree with that being a waste of time. If he’s confident, he shouldn’t have a problem with a FBI investigation. That was the point of Dems’ questions.

  71. 71.

    Mnemosyne

    The only thing I can see derailing this now would be if a conservative woman who was assaulted by Kavanaugh comes forward at the last minute. Sadly, I doubt that will happen, because most of them have been propagandized to believe that they have to sacrifice themselves to save Teh Baybeez, so their pain after being assaulted is less important than The Cause.

  72. 72.

    WaterGirl

    I just checked Avenatti’s twitter feed, hoping he has something up his sleeve. Nope, just more letters insisting that they talk to him, which they are clearly not going to do.

    The only hope I have left is that his wife tells him he has to withdraw or she will leave him and take the kids. She has to know by now that this will never go away and looking at him must make her skin crawl.

    We just need two republicans to do the right thing. I know it’s asking a lot, but someone in that group must have some standards, even if they are pathetically low.

    I’m so angry that my heart was pounding, and i screamed at the TV and the only thing i accomplished was to scare my dogs. I am now at Level 5 of my anger alert system.

    Anger Alert System

    Code 5: Preternatural Calm and Tears, No Words
    Code 4: Black Hole of Rage
    Code 3: Fury
    Code 2: Rage
    Code 1: Anger

    Closing the laptop and walking away.

  74. 74.

    Corner Stone

    @Patricia Kayden: Asking him is great. Nailing him when he won’t answer is great. But at least 5 of them asked him about it and acted it like it was a sno-cone treat when he refused to go along. Waste of time when each had 5 minutes.

  75. 75.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    @Mike in DC: How so?

    we’re not making the perceptive and world-changing comment this person would make, or imagines someone could make, or wishes they would make, or something.

  76. 76.

    geg6

    Glad I didn’t watch. It’s over. That mother fucker is going onto SCOTUS and so have to figure out how to live with that. I hope Dr. Blasey Ford can get the hell out of this country. If I was her, I would head to Canada. If I could, that’s where I’d go.

  77. 77.

    ??? Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)  ??

    @Bobby Thomson:
    Shouldn’t she be afraid this will come back to haunt her when she’s up for reelection? There’s a huge fund for her eventual challenger.

  79. 79.

    remima

    @guachi: Yep, I think there would be a completely different dynamic if Kavanaugh had testified first, which is why Grassley insisted on the opposite.

  80. 80.

    MJS

    @trollhattan: By predicting confirmation simply based on the last thing they see and hear. We knew the Rs would act this way. We knew Kavanaugh would protest and dodge. So if that’s all it takes to come to the conclusion that he’ll be confirmed, what was the point of any of this?

  83. 83.

    Elizabelle

    @MJS: Thank you, MJS.

    I hope that this nomination will not succeed, and if the GOP did not think they could eat safely in restaurants already, they are going to be hounded.

  86. 86.

    Fair Economist

    @Schlemazel: I don’t think any D will vote for him at this point. Kavanaugh exposed himself as a creep, legally incompetent, and probably rapist in this. It would be politically lethal for them.

  87. 87.

    ??? Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)  ??

    @MJS:
    Perhaps we fooled ourselves momentarily with Ford’s credible testimony and hoped that the Republicans, Kavanaugh, or Trump would somehow have a moment of clarity and vote no, withdraw, or yank his nomination.

    I hate them with every fiber of my being and I’ll repeat what I said below: Kavanaugh better have good security for the rest of his miserable life. That goes double for Gasbag Grassely and the rest of the Senate Rs.

  88. 88.

    Elizabelle

    You know what I would love?

    If Mueller time, with some juicy indictments, arrives tomorrow morning before McConnell time. Doesn’t have to be the whole show, just enough to remind the GOP that donors and their base base voters are not the only ones following their actions with interest.

    Why would Mueller want to do all that meticulous work if it can be undone by Kavanaugh, who hates Democrats and anything not pro-Republican, from the bench?

  89. 89.

    Mary G

    @WaterGirl: Right there with you, maybe at a level six that is incandescent with white-hot rage and calm and calculating at the same time.

    I have some coins my grandfather collected (valuable only for silver because he was poor and so they are worn) and two sets of sterling silver – my mother’s and my grandmother’s and I have been cleaning out possessions of things I never use, and these certainly qualify. I’ve kept them as a rainy day fund in case I am ever short of money, but the truth is I have a house near the beach in California bought by my then-penniless widowed mother in 1968 by semi-fraudulent means, and that means I will never want for food or shelter unless California does fall into the sea. So the silver and coins are going to be sold and the money will be donated to the opponents of every Republican senator who votes yes on Kavanaugh when their terms come up in 2020 and beyond. Extra for Grassley and Lindsey Graham.

  90. 90.

    gene108

    @MisterForkbeard:

    I caught the very tail end of the hearing, and the Republicans sounded like they had a very good line of closing arguments, from Cruz and Grassley saying DiFi didn’t follow process, and the whole thing could have been investigated confidentiality back in July by the FBI to DiFi’s office leaking the info out and putting her on the defensive to Kennedy letting Kavanaugh close with statements saying he never assaulted anyone.

    I sort of tried to follow the hearing on via internet updates and Wonkette’s live blog.

    If the closing arguments reflect how the day went, I think Republicans have done sufficient damage control to sail his nomination through next week and put pressure red state Dems to vote to confirm.

  91. 91.

    psycholinguist

    Avenatti’s got the balls to file a state level complaint with his client I would think. Wonder how that would go

  93. 93.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    Ronald Brownstein @ RonBrownstein
    “A good judge must be independent…a good judge must be an umpire,” declared #Kavanaugh in his statement 9/4. But has any judicial nominee ever delivered a more partisan statement than his attack 2day on Dems, Clintons, the left & those allegedly trying to overturn Trump’s win?

    didn’t hear that last one, but the whole “revenge of the Clintons” thing was straight up nuts, and should be disqualifying

  94. 94.

    Percysowner

    @Schlemazel: I actually think even Red State Dems have enough cover to vote against him. He’ll still be confirmed, but I think it will be a party line vote.

  95. 95.

    SiubhanDuinne

    @pk:

    The talking heads are all putting equal weight on his “pain and honesty” in his opening statement

    “Pain and honesty” my 76-year-old wrinkly white ass. He was a fucking scenery-chewing diva. Come back next week when he plays “East Lynn.” That was both farcical and utterly disgraceful this afternoon. Stomach-churning.

  96. 96.

    tobie

    I’ve just left messages on the voice mails of Senators Flake, Collins, Capito, and Rubio telling them (yet again) that being on the Supreme Court is a sacred trust and Kavanaugh has not demonstrated the candor or the temperament to be seated on the bench. Will leave messages with Murkowski’s office as well…maybe this time emphasizing Ford’s courage and the steadfast refusal of the Judiciary Committee to call for an FBI investigation. Anyone else I should call? It may not do much to leave a voice mail but it’s all I can do at the moment.

  98. 98.

    Schlemazel

    @Corner Stone: @Fair Economist:
    I wish I had your faith.
    Sadly we have seen this before. if the shitty thing is going to happen then there are some red state Dems who will vote for it also simply as an insurance policy back home.

    We need more Dems so that those guysvotes don’t matter

  99. 99.

    YetAnotherJay formerly (Jay S)

    @WaterGirl: If Avenatti’s client has a case, it doesn’t go away just because of a committee vote or even a senate confirmation. A seat on the bench might complicate things but Avenatti has reached high before.

  100. 100.

    Elizabelle

    @tobie: Proud of you! Call the Democratic senators too, thanking them for standing up for Americans by keeping an unsuitable judge off the Supreme Court. Tell them you have their backs!

    I am going to do some calling tonight too. Wish I had a fax machine!

  101. 101.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    Manu Raju @ mkraju
    HIGH DRAMA: Flake, Collins, Murkowski and Manchin – the senators who will determine whether Brett Kavanaugh gets a lifetime seat on the Supreme Court – are privately huddling NOW. @tedbarrettcnn

  102. 102.

    dlwchico

    I had to stop watching due to work, but did somebody ask him how much beer he drinks and how often? He sure seems like somebody with a drinking problem.

  103. 103.

    But her emails!!

    Kavanaugh was not the only abuser in that room. every Republican Senator is as big a piece of shit as he is.

  104. 104.

    burnspbesq

    @Mary G:

    He needs to be fired from the DC Circuit.

    He would have to be impeached by a majority of the House and removed by a two-thirds vote of the Senate. Not likely to happen any time soon.

  106. 106.

    SiubhanDuinne

    @Brachiator:

    I disagree. He should be fired because he is a practicing alcoholic.

    Practicing? He looks like a pro to me.

    Wasn’t sure anything could make me smile today, or even laugh, but this did it! Thanks.

  107. 107.

    gene108

    @khead:

    Wingnuts are loving them some Lindsey Graham.

    Of course they are. It is the sort of tough talk they love and scores him points to avoid a primary opponent and maybe be Trump’s next AG.

    @Elizabelle:

    Mueller time, with some juicy indictments, arrives tomorrow morning before McConnell time. Doesn’t have to be the whole show, just enough to remind the GOP that donors and their base base voters are not the only ones following their actions with interest.

    We will never know the full depth of the corruption and collusion Trump and the Republicans have engaged in. I think Mueller is just scratching the surface.

  108. 108.

    ??? Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)  ??

    Speaking of Cruz, a thought experiment, and not something I endorse, because I was thinking back to that Cole post about him getting chased out of that restaurant in DC. What struck me was Cole or somebody else’s comment about minority rule and people being pissed that BK was being forced onto all of us and that shaming was the first step on a ladder none of us want to climb.

    What if he had gotten stabbed to death Julius Ceasar-style by all of those protesters or something? What consequences would have flowed from that event, including on this nomination process?

  110. 110.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    Don’t know who was speaking 43 minutes ago, but… yeah

    Tommy Vietor @ TVietor08
    43m43 minutes ago
    WHY ARE WE STILL ASKING ABOUT THE FBI INVESTIGATION THIS IS SUCH A WASTE OF TIME

    that particular horse was dead. I saw Durbin talk about it, get a truculent, silent blank stare in response from BK, and that could well have been the end

  113. 113.

    gene108

    @guachi:

    There’s a reason Kavanaugh went second. It’s to erase Dr. Blasey Ford’s testimony. She goes second and he’s toast.

    People usually remember the last thing they hear in a conversation. Brett getting the last word means that is what a lot of people will remember.

  115. 115.

    Martin

    @burnspbesq: Well, the Dems just need a majority to start impeachment hearings. Then they can call Judge and everyone else. Then we see where the vote winds up.

  117. 117.

    C. Isaac

    @gene108:

    In a sane world, that performance last would be the death sentence for anyone’s career.

    But this is not the sanest or smartest reality.

  119. 119.

    Aleta

    Put these in the wrong thread:

    1. Something like 147% increase in calls to RAINN today. Hope the volunteers are OK emotionally, have enough support themselves.

    2. Just donated a little more to RAINN–They let you specify someone’s name to donate in honor of; it’s OK to leave the address area blank. I put in my deceased sister. I believe her virulently anti-gun control rants in her 40s were related to many incidents of sex abuse in her 20s.

  120. 120.

    guachi

    Sure, the public at large will get news after the fact that will make who went first less relevant. But it *is* relevant for the Senators voting and I assume all of them were watching.

    There needs to be (from somewhere. Anywhere) quick and heavy push back from people reminding them of how good and credible Dr. Blasey Ford was and how (among other things) Judge Kavanaugh showed himself unfit with his rant against the left and the Clintons. It doesn’t matter (the argument to wavering Senators can go) if the accusations are true or not, Kavanaugh will hold a grudge that makes it impossible for him to be a Supreme Court judge.

  123. 123.

    tobie

    @gene108: I hope CNN shows a lot of footage from Ford’s testimony tonight. Her trembling voice at the beginning says everything. And if that’s juxtaposed next to Kavanaugh’s outrage, he comes out looking really bad. Lots of people working today have no sense of what went down in DC. What follows now is narrative shaping. I have no faith in the media but their love of the “he said, she said” format means they’ll play clips of Ford and Kavanaugh next to each other.

  124. 124.

    Mnemosyne

    @??? Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)  ??:

    What if he had gotten stabbed to death Julius Ceasar-style by all of those protesters or something? What consequences would have flowed from that event, including on this nomination process?

    Kavanaugh would have been voted in 99-0. Every single Senator would have voted for him because of the assassination. Do you still not understand how W was able to get so much power?

  125. 125.

    Jay

    Everbody going full metal Eeore, needs to remember,

    2 weeks ago serial violent gang rapist perjurer pay for play black out alcoholic Special K was a “slam dunk”, “unstoppable”,

    Yup, he’s going to get out of Commitee Friday AM on a strictly partizan vote.

    Yurtle the Turtle will try to ram through a vote this weekend, but as Adam has repeatably noted, if Yurtle the Turtle had the Senate votes in “the bag”, serial violent gang rapist perjurer pay for play black out alcoholic Special K would have been confirmed for the bench last week.

    Between now and a confirmed vote, if Yurtle the Turtle can get the votes:

    – multiple criminal complaints can be filed in Maryland,

    – the Chair of the DC Courts, one Judge Merrek Garland can open hearings into o serial violent gang rapist perjurer pay for play black out alcoholic Special K’s disqualification from the bench under the Morality and Ethics Clause’s,

    No shortage of complainants with standing can file to have o serial violent gang rapist perjurer pay for play black out alcoholic Special K removed from the Bar.

    Don’t give up, GOTV, campaign, donate and for FSM’s sake, vote.

    The whole ReThug/Russian agenda is to try to make you feel powerless and that change is impossible.

    We always knew this Hearing was going to be a shit show, but the ReThugs blew it. Serial violent gang rapist perjurer pay for play black out alcoholic Special K blew it. The Mask is Off.

    The “game” ain’t over yet.

    Millions of American’s who thought there wasn’t a Civil War going on, just had the veil lifted hard.

  126. 126.

    Gravenstone

    Friend of mine posted something that might explain the rush to confirm. It’s to ensure he’s seated at the start of the upcoming supreme court session to be able to weigh in on Gamble vs. US. This is an attempt to abolish the ‘separate sovereigns’ exception to double jeopardy in order to keep Trump (or anyone else) from being charged at the state level following a federal pardon. Legal eagles, please correct what I’m sure are glaring errors in this explanation.

  127. 127.

    HAL

    Kavanaugh is probably a high functioning alcoholic with a ton of skeletons in his closet. Oh and does anyone know how all that debt got paid off yet?

  128. 128.

    What Have The Romans Ever Done for Us?

    None of the folks on Chris Matthews’s Hardball are buying the Kavanaugh schtick. Hammering his honesty, evasiveness and temperament. I know it’s the liberal network but they’re not usually all in on the same side. They all thought Blasey-Ford was much more credible.

  129. 129.

    Corner Stone

    @guachi: There’s really only one way to stop Kavanaugh at this point – Avenatti Bomb. His client has to file criminal charges in MD against Kavanaugh.

  131. 131.

    Mnemosyne

    @burnspbesq:

    Fire up your voters, demoralize theirs.

    I’m pretty sure that “demoralized” is not the right way to characterize Democratic women right now. Try “cold murderous rage” and you’ll be slightly closer.

  136. 136.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    @What Have The Romans Ever Done for Us?: Tweety is like trump, a boorish wannabe who will never be completely accepted by the Establishment whose approval and acceptance he desperately craves, and whom he sometimes pretends to look down on.

    Lemme guess, Susan Page is one of the panelists. Michael Steel? That one Bloomberg reporter who always presents the trump POV? Shannon something, IIRC. Just be glad the godawful Alex Witt never gets called in from her weekday job, whatever that may be

  137. 137.

    burnspbesq

    @Jay:

    disqualification from the bench under the Morality and Ethics Clause’s,

    Lol. That may work in Ontario. This isn’t Ontario.

  138. 138.

    Aleta

    @Aleta: Also, message from RAINN and some links:

    RAINN @RAINN
    2h
    We are experiencing unprecedented wait times for our online chat. If you are able, we encourage you to call 800.656.HOPE (4673) or reach out via chat tomorrow. If you are in immediate danger, call 911.

    Hearing about sexual violence in the media and online can be very difficult for survivors and their loved ones. Remember to take care of yourself during these times. Below is a thread of resources:
    * 

Physical and emotional self-care after trauma: https://www.rainn.org/articles/self-care-after-trauma …

    * 

Practicing self-care when sexual violence is present in the news and on social media: https://rainn.org/articles/tips-survivors-consuming-media …

    * 

Managing flashbacks: https://rainn.org/articles/flashbacks …


Self-care for loved ones of survivors: https://www.rainn.org/articles/self-care-friends-and-family …

    * 

Every survivor has different methods of self-care and managing the effects of sexual violence. Explore to find the ways that work best for you and remember, the National Sexual Assault Hotline is available for support: 800.656.HOPE & http://online.rainn.org .

    * 

Local help is available. Find a sexual assault service provider near you at http://centers.rainn.org .

  143. 143.

    Mnemosyne

    @Mary G:

    Interesting. That doesn’t seem to be the action of a majority leader who thinks he has the vote in the bag.

    I think the Republican senators were a little more shook by the credibility of Dr. Blasey Ford’s testimony than we maybe realize. We’ll see.

  144. 144.

    Jay

    @Gravenstone:

    Nope, current law allows the Feds to use States evidence, on exactly the same charges, to bring a criminal case, against someone already convicted and sentenced on State charges, to add Federal time to the Sentence, if convicted.

    A favorable ruleing would require that the Feds bring new charges and new evidence of a different crime.

  145. 145.

    Elizabelle

    I would love if the GOP loses some what they thought were reliable votes because BK demonstrated he lacks judicial temperament and cannot be fair to Democrats.

    There was nothing in that nominee’s performance that merited elevation to the Supreme Court.

  146. 146.

    Elizabelle

    @Mnemosyne: And Crying and Snarling Brett may not have gone over too well either, despite the “antics” of the men on the Judiciary Committee.

    Wonder if Rebecca Miller is already airborne, having a double scotch as she wings her way home.

  147. 147.

    Aleta

    @Aleta: Also, message from RAINN and some links:

    RAINN @RAINN
    2h
    We are experiencing unprecedented wait times for our online chat. If you are able, we encourage you to call 800.656.HOPE (4673) or reach out via chat tomorrow. If you are in immediate danger, call 911.

    Hearing about SV in the media and online can be very difficult for survivors and their loved ones. Remember to take care of yourself during these times. Below is a thread of resources:
    * 

Physical and emotional self-care after trauma: https://www.rainn.org/articles/self-care-after-trauma …

    * 

Practicing self-care when SV is present in the news and on social media: https://rainn.org/articles/tips-survivors-consuming-media …

    * 

Managing flashbacks: https://rainn.org/articles/flashbacks …


Self-care for loved ones of survivors: https://www.rainn.org/articles/self-care-friends-and-family …

    * 

Every survivor has different methods of self-care and managing the effects of SV. Explore to find the ways that work best for you and remember, the National S Aslt Hotline is available for support: 800.656.HOPE & http://online.rainn.org .

    * 

Local help is available. Find a S Aslt service provider near you at http://centers.rainn.org

    .

    (I had to abbreviate se—- vio—- and s as—lt to get out of moderation.)

  149. 149.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    @Mnemosyne: the main pages/front pages of local papers, which still matter, especially to older voters, are gonna show side-by-side photos of sincere, thoughtful Christine Ford, and the angry, bellowing fool featured in the OP. BK has rallied angry white men and the woman who own “He can grab my P****Y anytime!” T-shirts and have framed pictures of Palin on their wall

  150. 150.

    Gravenstone

    @psycholinguist: I would like to see all three of the victims who have thus far come forward publicly to meet immediately following the committee vote tomorrow and jointly file charges. Won’t happen for any number of reasons, but it would be a hell of a lightning bolt.

  151. 151.

    PeakVT

    Who knew the Senate was full of rape apologists? I suppose it always has been, but at least they had the sense to do it behind the scenes.

    Nowadays, every Republican that matters is just plainly and proudly an awful, awful human being.

    I don’t get it.

  152. 152.

    ??? Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)  ??

    @Mnemosyne:
    I said I didn’t want to see it happen for a reason; not because I think Cruz is worth the space he takes up, but because I knew such an action would do vastly more harm than good. I just wanted to hear what people think would happen.

    I also was wondering about consequences beyond just this nomination

  154. 154.

    KithKanan

    @Elizabelle: He’ll degrade and debase our Supreme Court by his very presence. Not that it’ll make a damn bit of difference, but I’m girding myself to always refer to it as the Disgraced Supreme Court until he’s gone.

  155. 155.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    Paul Szoldra @ PaulSzoldra
    The WSJ reports Kavanaugh watched Ford’s testimony, contradicting his later testimony that he did not.

    Stephanie Ruhle @ SRuhle
    WHY WOULD JUDGE KAVANAUGH LIE ABOUT THIS?

    Because he’s a lying liar who lies, and he didn’t have an answer for a follow up like: “and did you think she was lying?”

  156. 156.

    khead

    @tobie:

    Sorry I have not gotten back to you. The very short version is that I can’t participate in anything partisan due to my job.

    Also, please be careful out in the nether regions of Ceciltucky.

  159. 159.

    Elizabelle

    @catclub: Yeah. I think the constant questioning about the no FBI investigation was actually good. An honest nominee would welcome one. An honest POTUS (I know, I know) and Judiciary Committee would request one, because it would confer an imprimatur. As it was, they did not think their nominee could withstand it.

    And people may have been tuning in from time to time; not everyone is a political junkie like us.

    I don’t think this is a done deal.

  160. 160.

    Cacti

    The most ironic part of today:

    The R’s were expecting a sobbing, emotional train wreck in today’s hearing testimony.

    They just didn’t think it would be Brett Kavanaugh.

  161. 161.

    Elizabelle

    And how do we know that Team Mueller hasn’t picked up some tendrils that lead straight to Brett Kavanaugh? Those icky finances. The insistence by Kennedy that he be the nominee.

  162. 162.

    What Have The Romans Ever Done for Us?

    @Jim, Foolish Literalist: Don’t know who any of them were. I never watch cable news and find Chris Matthew’s I’m totally a working class Joe schtick obnoxious. Nevertheless none of them thought the day went well for special K.

  163. 163.

    Mary G

    @Mnemosyne: The commercials for Democrats write themselves – shit, just videos of Dr. Blasey Ford’s trembling and Kavanaugh’s spittle-inflected rage will get women thinking.

    Just called all seven of Senator Donelly’s office in Indiana and DC. All with voicemail full or busy signals. Sent him an email that I contributed to him in 2012 and now and I expect him to do the right thing.

  165. 165.

    Jay

    BTW, those disappointed by the instapundit bothsiderish horse race coverage, just remember, they arn’t journalists.

    The few real journalists are going through the piles of transcripts on their desks, making notes, and will start racing for headlines tomorrow, Saturday, Sunday, as long as it takes.

    The shitshow’s just getting started.

  166. 166.

    Another Scott

    I read the threads during the day, but haven’t caught up on this one. Thanks for the commentary.

    I agree with Elizabelle that this isn’t over yet and we can’t just give up.

    People don’t get put on important committees like Judiciary without their party leadership understanding how they would vote on important issues. Him being voted down in committee was always going to be very difficult.

    The real battle is in the floor of the Senate. Graham’s rant got him in the news, but I don’t think it will have much sway on the floor. Women (and men) need to let their Senators know that this deranged, hyper-partisan, lying, drunk has NO business being on the SCOTUS. Or on the DC Circuit for that matter.

    The old white men on the committee can yell and scream, but women know what’s at stake.

    This isn’t over….

    Cheers,
    Scott.

  170. 170.

    Elizabelle

    @Cacti:

    The R’s were expecting a sobbing, emotional train wreck in today’s hearing testimony.

    They just didn’t think it would be Brett Kavanaugh.

    That was a great line.

    Seriously though: people at home can see that too, and if they caught some of CB Ford’s testimony too, the difference in quality could not be more apparent.

    BK is a nasty, crying, dissembling guy and he does not belong on the Supreme Court.

    If he was your surgeon, you’d be cancelling your operation right now.

  171. 171.

    Skepticat

    @Jim, Foolish Literalist: She’s a shallow, out-of-her-depth, gullible person who bought into her own myth of being a moderate. She used to show a tingle of actual independence, but now she’s terrified of the Nation of Spite. This Mainer will vote for any D who runs against her, and I’ve committed to the fund for her opponent.

  174. 174.

    Immanentize

    Y’all. Avenatti is not a criminal lawyer, he is a civil lawyer. Specifically a tort lawyer. Kavanaugh gave him everything he possibly needs to sue him for libel. Kav repeatedly said maybe. swetnik’s statements we’re likes and a joke. Libel suit, here we come. I suspect filing within a month.

  175. 175.

    TenguPhule

    @WaterGirl:

    The only hope I have left is that his wife tells him he has to withdraw or she will leave him and take the kids.

    He will threaten to kill her. She will not run.

  176. 176.

    MagdaInBlack

    It may have been said, if so, I apologize; its obvious to me this is the first time in his entire life he has ever had to face any consequences for his behavior.

    (Was he drunk? My experience with this type tells me yes)

  181. 181.

    TenguPhule

    @Elizabelle:

    I don’t think this is a done deal.

    i think the committee vote is a done deal. Now the pressure moves to the entire Senate. Democrats need to go balls to the wall here.

    No Disaster funding vote for any Red State who’s Senators vote for Kav.

    Let us toss comity to the curb and just say “Fuck you” for once to the GOP.

  182. 182.

    Dan B

    Kavanaugh had a gay roommate at Yale who just spoke up, or just now was discovered by the MSM. Another already spoke up. The newest to speak said the bathroom the three if them shared was always covered in vomit. Yhe cleaners came on Monday and the rest of the time the bathroom was a mess if vomit.
    The gay guy spent every weekend he could away from the dorm. Kananaugh was the heaviest drinker of his group of friends. One day a dead pigeon was nailed to the door to the room.

    Boys will be boysand some will get worse.

  186. 186.

    tobie

    @khead: Thanks for letting me know! Maybe we can aim for a Philadelphia/Wilmington meet-up at some point. It’s a bit of a ride but still do-able from Ceciltucky.

  187. 187.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    @Dan B: One day a dead pigeon was nailed to the door to the room.

    Is this some WASPy frat boy twist on the fish wrapped in SPOILER ALERT Lucca Brazzi’s vest?

    @Miss Bianca: the cult of “Bipartisanship”

  188. 188.

    Miss Bianca

    @lamh36: “We are all undecided”?

    Fuck you, Joe Manchin. If you can *dare* to say that, you are beneath contempt. And if you vote anything but “no” when called upon, I hope your ass gets primaried.

  191. 191.

    ??? Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)  ??

    @TenguPhule:
    That’s not necessarily a bad thing because that included Murkowski, Collins, Flake, etc. But yes, I would prefer Manchin be a hard “no” on this

  192. 192.

    tobie

    @TenguPhule: The Supreme Court is the one thing that even a red-state Dem has to hold the line on. Manchin needs to be reminded of this. RealClearPolitics has him up on average by 9.3% in his Senate race. What’s his problem???

  194. 194.

    khead

    @tobie:

    I’ve mentioned a meet up before. Wilmington maybe? There are a few jackals in our neighborhood.

    Also, thank you for what you are doing – and again – be careful out there. I caught your last post about knocking on doors.

  196. 196.

    Elizabelle

    Maybe Manchin was speaking for Murkowski and others.

    Some of them have to have been horrified by BK’s temperament. Maybe once folks have a little distance, they will realize that.

  197. 197.

    TenguPhule

    @??? Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)  ??: Manchin’s voting yes on Kav will do to the Democratic party what all the people who said Franken had to go were afraid of and then some. “Democrats also support rapists too, some of them even voted for Kav!”

    This is one of those defining lines between us and them. Manchin steps over it and he’s one of them.

  203. 203.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    Jim Sciutto @ jimsciutto
    Four key swing votes – Flake, Murkowski, Collins and Manchin – meeting now in private on Kavanaugh @mkraju reporting

    Susan Hennessey Retweeted Jim Sciutto
    One risk they have to account for here is voting yes only to have Mark Judge eventually confirm the story in whole or part. Small risk, but not zero.

    I I think the greater risk: Kavanaugh’s bellowing arrogance pissed off yet another woman he doesn’t remember, maybe one in Boulder, Colorado.

  205. 205.

    tobie.

    @khead: Let’s see if we get some Wilmington energy going. Jeffro spent time in Middletown, DE. Maybe he’d like to make a return trip?!? And, yes, I will be careful out there. I never canvass alone and I avoid large groups of people or anyone who seems particularly angry. Ceciltucky has some tough neighborhoods.

  206. 206.

    TenguPhule

    Like Trump, rank-and-file Republicans in the Senate reiterated their support for Kavanaugh after Thursday’s hearing, with several calling on leaders to hold swift votes.

    Within a few minutes in the 7 p.m. hour, Sens. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.) and Rob Portman (R-Ohio) issued statements of support.

    “I believe Judge Kavanaugh,” said Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) when caught by a reporter.

    Even more senior Republicans seemed ready to move forward.

    “He’s going to be confirmed, and he should be,” said Sen. Orrin G. Hatch (Utah), the chamber’s longest-serving Republican.

    Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn (R-Tex.) said he didn’t “see any reason why we wouldn’t proceed to the markup tomorrow and then go to the floor Saturday.”

    “We did what we said we would do for Dr. Ford and gave her a fair opportunity to have her say. It still remains uncorroborated by all the people that were there,” he said.

    The fix is in.

  208. 208.

    Immanentize

    @tobie: They could be having an — all for one, one for all –meeting. Really discussing strategy, not decision.

    But I am a total optimist

  209. 209.

    ??? Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)  ??

    @TenguPhule:
    The military is not going to round up registered Democrats, I’m sorry. Unless that was hyperbole on your part I don’t see it.

  211. 211.

    frosty

    @MomSense:

    Spider-Man with Tobey Maguire.

    The best Spider-Man. And Kirsten Dunst was the best M-J. I got a crush on her even at my advanced age. :-)

  212. 212.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    FiveThirtyEight @ FiveThirtyEight
    Republicans have a 2 in 3 chance of keeping control of the Senate, while Democrats have about a 1 in 3 chance of winning control of the Senate.

    I’m not counting any chickens, but I’m pretty sure Dems chances were 1 in 6 a week or so ago. I’m not even sure if that was 538, or who 538 is anymore, but a few months ago it was a given that Dems were goin to lose seats.

  214. 214.

    Immanentize

    @Mary G: It’s not him suing for libel. It is him as Swetnik’s attorney suing Kavanaugh for libeling her. For calling her a liar and a Democratic pawn, and a joke. Swetnik’s is definitely NOT a public figure.

  215. 215.

    catclub

    @Elizabelle:

    and he does not belong on the Supreme Court.

    If he was your surgeon, you’d be cancelling your operation right now.

    this. if he gets stopped it will be that our side emphasized that they can find someone better. if.

  217. 217.

    trollhattan

    @frosty:
    Good chemistry between them and Toby McGuire had the right balance of awkward, gangly teen and whoa, I can do that?!?

  218. 218.

    ??? Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)  ??

    @TenguPhule:

    “We did what we said we would do for Dr. Ford and gave her a fair opportunity to have her say. It still remains uncorroborated by all the people that were there,” he said.

    The people pointing out how the R’s were framing the hearing by saying they were going to give Ford the “opportunity” to talk were right. And it’s only uncorroborated because you refused to call any witnesses, like Judge.

    “I believe Judge Kavanaugh,” said Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) when caught by a reporter.

    Christ, it’s like a twisted version of #MeToo.

  226. 226.

    Immanentize

    @Jim, Foolish Literalist: It wouldn’t take a day. But I don’t think he will jump it that quickly. I would wait to see what happened with confirmation first. In fact, maybe his client, like Ford, would be satisfied with a no confirmation result.

  228. 228.

    janesays

    Good Lord, it’s Eeyore fucking central here.

    I’m terrified, too, but goddammit, this thing ain’t over. The votes haven’t been cast, and he hasn’t been confirmed. I don’t see how this defeatist bullshit helps anything. I saw the exact same shit happen when the ACA repeal vote came up in the Senate a year and a half ago. I get wanting to temper expectations so you don’t get your heart broken, but we’ll never win anything if we automatically give up everytime it feels like victory might be unattainable.

    Get on the goddamn phones. Rant over.

  229. 229.

    PaulWartenberg

    This was something I’ve been thinking about, and haven’t really posted it elsewhere, but…

    given that rage Kavanaugh displayed early on, with a slight amount of incoherence thrown in, I could swear the guy was drunk.

    I’ve seen rage like that before, from someone who’s gotten about five beers into him before yelling at me about a disagreement from our high school years.

    For all that a high-functioning alcoholic can seem in public, there’s some things they can’t hide, and that’s losing the sh-t too soon and too loudly.

  230. 230.

    TenguPhule

    @janesays: Committee vote is a given at this point. They have the votes there. The fight is now in the general Senate.

    Time to Redeploy and fire for effect.

  232. 232.

    tobie.

    @janesays: Manchin’s and Murkowski’s voice mail boxes have been full at all office locations. This is a good sign. No? Need to vent anyone? Call Capito, Flake, and Corker and tell them Kavanaugh is unfit to serve on the highest court of the land.

  233. 233.

    Another Scott

    @Gravenstone: Immantenize commented on this recently (last day or so). It’s far more pedestrian than that. Google doesn’t have it in its cache yet, but should be easy to find here if you just search for his comments. (I’m afraid I’ll mess up the explanation, so I won’t try.)

    Perhaps he’ll comment on it again.

    HTH a little.

    Cheers,
    Scott.

  236. 236.

    Elizabelle

    @janesays: Thank you! Agreed.

    Tomorrow is another day. Kavanaugh is not gonna look or sound any better to any concerned senators after a night’s sleep.

    And no Eeyores!

  237. 237.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    Thinking right now of Susan Sarandon of all those who just couldn’t bring themselves to vote for Hillary.

    Now would be a swell time for Uncle Bernie to work that magic and have mill-youngs and mill-youngs of young to appear outside the windows of certain Senators.

  238. 238.

    janesays

    @TenguPhule: Agreed, the committee vote is a given, but that was always something of a longshot. Flake was the only potential defector, and I never had a lot of faith that he would do it. I never really expected the committee to block his nomination.

  239. 239.

    Miss Bianca

    @PaulWartenberg: Nice!

    And yeah, I just wish one of the Democratic Senators had looked at him and said, “Are you drunk? Or high? Because only chemical impairment can excuse the performance I just witnessed.”

  244. 244.

    Dan B

    @Elizabelle: thus is not an Eeyore. I don’t believe the committee vote is a slam dunk, depends on the MSM coverage this evening and the Koch brothers’ calls. They’re monsters but not openly hostile to women.

    What I’d like to know is are the Women’s March people thinking of a Friday evening or early Saturday protest? What’s the forecast fir DC? Even if K gets confirmed a great protest would keep the GOP on edge.

  247. 247.

    burnspbesq

    @Jay:

    Great. Now show me the part that authorizes removal, and trumps the Constitution.

    You dumb shit. You’re severely annoying.

  248. 248.

    Mai Naem mobile

    I am not going to be shocked if McAsshole manages to get the votes but,honestly, I don’t see how this works out well for the GOP even on the USSC. This shit will follow this dickwad to the Court and with cell phone cameras and other recording devices he will probably get recorded doing stuff. Also, I’m pretty sure he’s a drunk. Does the GOP really want a drunk on the highest court?

  249. 249.

    SFAW

    @Miss Bianca:

    And *Manchin*? WTF?! What is Manchin to them, or they to Manchin?

    They were horse trading: Collins offered to trade a “no” vote for Manchin voting “yes.” That gives her the “cover” she needs, and Manchin didn’t really need his arm twisted too hard.

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