I believe the man.
1
Kavanaugh should withdraw. No question about it
These proceedings are increasingly strange and bode badly for those who may be involved in future US Senate Supreme Court confirmation proceedings. Once, the nomination was made and before any testimony was received from the nominee, members of the Senate Judiciary Committee began publicly expressing their support or opposition to the nominee. The nominee's testimony might offer other Senators some reason to support or oppose the nominee; but the testimony falls away once an accuser publicly comes forward. The accuser and the Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee are then locked in seemingly protracted negotiations surrounding the conditions under which the accuser will testify while the nominee is quiet, having lost all freedom of choice and must pursue his confirmation. It seems as if the hearings have become nothing more than a spectacle.
The President said that he could shoot someone on 5th Avenue and still win the votes needed to become President.
The Republican party has said no matter how many women accuse Brett Kavanaugh of assault, rape or sexual attack, they intend to vote him in as the next Supreme Judge for Life.
Both the President and The Republicans act as if they are blessed or deserving of complete Immunity from and by what they do.
They behave with contemptuous impunity to do the things they do seemingly without any fear of retaliation or consequences to themselves in doing them.
And they are often done not caring at all of the damaging and destructive consequences their actions and decisions may have and often already have had, on many Americans.
Vote Democrat in November to end the Republican "Impunity Immunity" mindset that has emboldened both a Party and a President to embark on policies and actions that best benefit themselves and their sponsors with little regard for or fear of the majority of Americans whose best interests they neither share nor care above their own, if at all.
November 6th, is when Americans can show there is no Impunity without Cost or Immunity without Good Reason.
Neither the President or Republicans have good reasons for what and why they do what they do, good reasoning behind their actions which are often no good and lacking in all reason.
On November 6th show them there aren't enough good reasons they deserve to stay in power any longer.
11
A new accuser. And I'm really not liking this 200k debt either. Pardon me for saying this but it triggers the "mobbed up" reflexes in my spidey sense. Money of uncertain origin. I'm getting a tip of the iceberg feeling. I don't feel like his finances have been thoroughly explored.
As a grown up, I know that we're going to get a conservative justice one way or another. Stopping Kavanaugh will not give us a liberal alternative. Not going to happen.
But there should be a good conservative candidate out there without these issues. There has to be!
10
Sorry, but one is innocent until proven guilty. And just because most women have been harassed or attacked at sometime in their lives, doesn't mean that all men are guilty and all women are innocent.
Ye olde Twitter Machine will be firing at full steam ahead, in the A.M..
Guaranteed. He literally can't help Himself, and apparently won't accept help, or medication, from Others. Seriously.
4
If Kavanaugh was honorable in his outlook, he would withdraw his nomination to the SCOTUS out of respect for the institution. Regardless of the outcome of the upcoming Senate hearings on Blasey-Ford’s accusations, Kavanaugh is forever tainted. I guess his greed does not allow that viewpoint.
9
The headline is inaccurate. The president hasn't been constrained from fighting -- he's been constrained from cyber-bullying.
5
Its very weird that Kavanaugh has Calendars from 1982 to give Senators to back up his denial of attending a party where he supposedly assaulted a girl, just as it was also weird that almost as soon as the allegation was made, he and prepared for had a document at hand from 65 females testifying to his great character and strong moral values!
This guy can produce the most obtuse "evidence" of his innocence of whatever he may have done or be accused of far too readily to warrant such a person to be so impeccable and without wrong as promoted, pushed and believed by those who want him Supreme Judge at any cost.
An innocent man would not be so pre prepared with material so specific and apt to protect himself from that which "he never did, where he wasn't at or would ever do"
What kind of person has such material ready on hand ...just in case?
Hmmm....
7
The actions of the Democrats led by Pelosi, Booker ,Harris,etc and the treatment of the accusations by the Washington-New York media should give any Independent doubt to vote for a Democrat. They are no better than Trump. It’s all about ME. Washington is indeed a swamp that needs to be drained but not by any of the crowd that is currently there or planning to run in the next election. Maybe someone like Bill Gates could do the job but I doubt he would want it.
Ron Bonjean calls this "a stalling game by the Dsmocrats". And what did he call it when the Republicans, led by Mitch McConnell, refused to even hear Merrick Garland, President Obama's nominee?
12
The appointing of judges seen as an island of calm...... Until they decides that they must shove through a poorly vetted radical judge before the elections just in case the President might loose the house and senate and run the risk of impeachment.
The Senate is trying hard not to alienate women any more than they are by the actions of sexual predators. They know that they have a thin margin of error when accusations against Democratic senators are made they are forced to resign. But they still are trying to force this through.
The arguments about boys will be boys sound sickening coming from a party that espouses personal responsibility while defending a judge who has stated that women need to bear the cost of mistakes made when they were 17......
5
Duterte is a wonderful man, according to Trump. How reassuring to know Kavanaugh is also a wonderful man, according to Trump.
16
To read about this controversy, few politicians seem concerned about whether Kavanaugh may be guilty of these crimes. They are far more concerned about the political ramifications of how they frame their position on the question. This speaks volumes about what's wrong with the American political system. I seem to remember reading a book about this called "Profiles in Cowardice" or something of that nature by an ex-President a while back.
5
Sen. Graham's comment about potentially "ruining" the life of a powerful, connected white man over the accusations of his prior sexual assaults made by mere citizens, women no less, is another Exhibit A in the Banana Republicans' daily demonstration of their new hit programming, also called Faux News: "We Just Don't Get It, And Never Will."
12
What we need is an executive order from PDT absolving anyone of actions that occur in one's formative years. For most folks, this would be up through graduation from college. In Kavanaugh's case, this would be through law school graduation. However, some folks would have to be extended the courtesy through 72 years of age.
6
I love it when Republicans take umbrage at Democrats using the same tactics R's have used. It was ok to deny Merrick Garland even a hearing, and to sit on a nomination for over a year. And now the R's are complaining about a week or two? I'm also recalling that McConnell was not a fan of Kavanaugh initially. Given what has and is transpiring- R's refusal to release records, to share information with D's, ramrod a nomination of a person who's repeatedly lied under oath- it appears to me that the R's have engaged in a cover up of mammoth proportions. Kavanaugh couldn't even get a job at Walmart for heaven's sake; they do background checks there. Keep up the "Wile E. Coyote" strategy Republican senators; it'll be fun to watch all of you go over the cliff.
17
It seems to me there is a simple way to handle this. Unless it’s all fake news, Kavanaugh admits or has made statements about being roaring drunk back in high school/college. Nothing terribly unusual there. Lots of men and women could say the same. Why can’t he simply say something to the effect that I have no recollection of such an encounter, if in fact it was me, I do not recall. I am appalled and terribly sorry that you have carried this for so long. Although I don’t remember, if I ever did any thing like this while I was drinking at that age I sincerely apologize. In fact I would like to volunteer my time to help young men do better, yadda, yadda, yadda. This would give all the old men cover. What is it with conservatives these days that they simply can’t admit to a wrong? Deny, deny, deny.
10
That might have worked before his second and probably not last victim/accuser came forth. Now he’ll have to go back to pure perjury like his soon-to-be colleague Clarence did.
1
Good comment zoe. If Kavanaugh did as you suggest, it would be the best, and likely the most honest response. He’s admitted to drinking a lot in prep school and college (who doesn’t?) and it’s possible that he has no memory of the event. That probably would disqualify him from an appointment, yet it would very likely be the truth.
Alas, the “truth” doesn’t get much traction in America today. “Deny and Lie” is the mantra of Trump, and it flows down the sewer from there to most of the GOP.
3
Well, that "news analysis" turned out to be wrong pretty quickly.
By scheduling to meet with (and presumably fire) Rosenstein on Thursday, Trump put some serious dampers on Blasey's testimony.
The latest messy episode? Since January 20, 2017, the entire Trump presidency has been one monumental mess.
10
Trump is probably experiencing all this vicariously, as a man who's been accused of sexual assault by multiple women, whom he subsequently threatened and said he would sue.
We know Trump takes everything personally as reflecting directly upon himself, so the likelihood is Trump has decided to die on the hill of stubbornly supporting Kavanaugh, and smearing Kavanaugh's accusers as liars, as Trump treated his own numerous accusers.
This presidency is a minefield of Trump's bizarre psychological issues, many occurring as a result of Trump's defensiveness & ego issues. Trump has a powerful sense of grievance & believes people are out to get him. Observing the accusations and mounting protests against Kavanaugh, Trump may be re-experiencing the huge protests by millions of women worldwide following his inauguration.
If Trump can hold the line on Kavanaugh & get him confirmed, Trump can then crow that the confirmation is a victory for his administration and a blow for justice against "witch hunts" and "false accusations."
The truth, of course, is that if Kavanaugh is confirmed, it will be under an enormous cloud that the accusations against him are true, that the accusations were never sufficiently investigated & that Dr. Blasey has been treated with disrespect & contempt in this process. An ugly outcome.
Millions would view a Justice Kavanaugh as illegitimate.
But then we've spent the last 1.7 yrs viewing President Trump as illegitimate -- so what else is new?
10
You can add Clarence Thomas into this mix.
No matter the outcome of Dr. Ford’s testimony, or whether Kavanaugh is ultimately appointed, this shadow will follow him. And in November, that shadow will follow the GOP to the polls. A Blue Wave is now almost assured, thanks to what should have been a routine appointment, and the only thing Trump has really accomplished as a president.
Sad.
5
The saddest thing is that the men are always claiming they are being unfairly attacked for political reasons. It is just wrong that men think they can do anything they like & not suffer any consequences. Mr. Kavanaugh apparently continued his partying & drinking into college. He may not be guilty of all the assaults that will be coming forward but he left himself open to accusations by continuing the behavior. My other comment is trump complaining about women coming forward now to ruin these wonderful, marvelous, really great men. The ones accusing him should keep coming forward & pressing for justice. And Mr. Kavanaugh, how did you just happen to have a 36 year old calendar handy? What was so important that you kept that calendar? Are there other calendars available from your blameless youth? Have you kept 36 years of calendars stored & moved every time you moved to a new place? WOW Present them all as evidence. Other women may be coming forward & you'll need all those years to back up your denials.
16
Perhaps the smart thing to do is confirm Kavanaugh on Monday, then listen to all accusers on Thursday.
5
The Presidents meeting with the deputy atty general is scheduled to the same day in order to divert media attention away from the Kavanaugh hearing.
8
There are a couple of things missing from the article that have an impact. First, there's more than one other accusation against Mr. Kavanaugh, there are at least two right now and there will be more. His character is simply not befitting a Supreme Court seat, like Clarence Thomas, and the nation should not make that mistake again.
Two, Trump's past does not include mere allegations of sexual misconduct. His first wife testified that he raped her. So Trump is an accused rapist. That's on the record, no need to skirt the issue. He's also bragged about sexual assault, and I've seen him in an interview, after his daughter Ivanka was born, talking about her in sexual terms.
Kavanaugh should step aside now, but he's too hungry for power, like the rest of the swamp critters. As it is, the GOP stands a good chance of becoming the blatant party of Anti-Women, and that should destroy them.
10
Remember when Lindsey Graham was considered a reasoned voice?
10
How Trump responded, in order, to questions about Roy Moore and #Metoo on January 9, 2018, back when he sort of did press conferences:
"Well, he denies it. Look, he denies it. I mean, if you look at what is really going on, and you look at all the things that have happened over the last 48 hours, he totally denies it. He says it didn’t happen. And, you know, you have to listen to him also. You’re talking about, he said 40 years ago this did not happen. So, you know —"
"Let me just tell you, Roy Moore denies it. That’s all I can say. He denies it. And, by the way, he totally denies it."
"Women are very special. I think it’s a very special time because a lot of things are coming out, and I think that’s good for our society, and I think it’s very, very good for women. And I’m very happy a lot of these things are coming out, and I’m very happy it’s being exposed."
"Well, he denies. I mean, Roy Moore denies it. And, by the way, he gives a total denial. And I do have to say, 40 years is a long time. He’s run eight races, and this has never comes up. So 40 years is a long time. The women are Trump voters; most of them are Trump voters. All you can do is, you have to do what you have to do. He totally denies it."
10
This nomination is on the ropes. If the senate ignores all these women and confirms Kavanaugh anyway at some point down the line some woman is going to file charges against him and he will eventually be impeached. 3 women so far indicates there will be many more. He's just not Supreme material.
5
Not terribly difficult to figure out why no one wants a proud, self-proclaimed sex offender defending someone alleged to have committed a sex offense.
10
What is sickening to many.. is he is suppose to be an adult male, being his own man, > B. Kavanaugh, He should have withdrawn his name by now. The SCOTUS is not likely to be pleased to see him on the Bench with them. What is he waiting for in withdrawing? Daddy? When Daddy gets back from .. ahemm.. a U.N. Meeting? At what price his family, the country, this person is weak period.
5
If the judicial standard of conduct is to be "above reproach", this guy, by virtue of the damage done by the type of accusation, and now, that there may be more than one, is not. One wonders how he could ever be a suitable candidate now. Even if he is affirmed, the taint will remain forever. A Supreme Court justice accused of sexual assault just sounds very very wrong. It seems Republicans are slowly backing away, looking for alternatives.
On another note, she is believable; he, by his across-the-board denial, is not. This event impacted every facet of her life, which is, I believe, why she wants to (finally) be heard. He, likely, has no memory of the incident, as it meant little beyond let-me-get-away with-as-much-as-I-can-while-drunk-as-a-skunk behavior.
8
Mister "Know Better" also considers himself a successful businessman, and has racked up six bankruptcies.
He wouldn't know failure unless Vladimir Putin pointed it out to him.
9
I don't believe either accuser. The only reason this is "messy" is because of the politics involved not because either of these women is fair or credible. The #metoo movement that started out as a shield has turned into a sword and it loses supporters every day.
Why don't you believe either accuser? Do you believe the other two that have just turned up? What about the next several accusers, do you disbelieve them before hearing anything they have to say?
2
I say, keep the Donald ranting and raving through this spectacle!
Every word Trump speaks make Kavanaugh look even guiltier.
It's up to Hannity and Ingraham to try and keep Trump from going off the deep end. They created this Trump monster, they need to contain him.
3
Not enough thought given the very real possibly Kavanagh may be an alcoholic.
1
Waiting for Karma:
1. Teenage boys don't keep calendars---I raised ones of that species with their typical Y chromosome related memory loss, especially in the summer---luckily mine recovered, became respectable men and didn't abuse women (I told them I'd get them before the police if they did!)
2. Abusers are not the norm; nice kids like mine, are!
3. Republicans have severe learning disabilities---they didn't learn from the horrid Hill Hearings and apparently, have no motivation/interest/ability to do so.
4. They lack civility; with the creed of power and control like all abusers, they want what they want for themselves without regard for others---they abuse our America with their selfish greed.
3. We, the American People deserve better---a government of, by and for the people, not just for the few, who have perfected evil manipulation to a fine skill.
4. Mostly, Republicans in power have perverted the notion of equality.
5. McConnell, Grassley, Hatch, Graham and their peeps are poster boys for Term Limits!!
11
There are 5 articles today about Kavanaugh, in NYT today relating to nebulous accusations from many years ago, yet nothing about Ellison and his much more recent and credible problems with Domestic violence.
The hypocrisy of the NYT and the liberal dem elites is amazing
This so-called president does not know when to keep his mouth shut. So let me tell him that NOW IS THE TIME!
1
Where is a John Danforth in all this, who stood up for Clarence Thomas when other Republicans wanted to cut and run?
Mr. Graham said, “Unless there’s something more, no, I’m not going to ruin Judge Kavanaugh’s life over this.”
I'd like to point out to Graham that there are nearly 326 million people in the United States. His affection for one of them shouldn't mean a lifetime sentence with a tainted Supreme Court for the rest.
Kavanaugh will do just fine. He'll coast along on the sympathy of every entitled white male groper in this country, including its president.
10
Defending Kavanaugh from two claims of sexual assault is the best thing the GOP & Trump can do. They can only reduce their standing with women voters.
7
So let me get this straight: Donald Trump (and some GOP senators)thinks every hour of delay in ramming through this nomination just gives the Democrats more time "to dig up allegations."
Well how inconvenient!!! Yes the Democrats are focused on hypocrisy--not only did they get stiffed by not receiving Kavanaugh's extreme paper trail with solid evidence of reasons why this nominee is a true judicial outlier; but now they aren't allowed to consider what I predict will be a torrent of similar allegations related to drinking and sex and overall "debauchery"?
This is far from "ancient history--it speaks to character. Moreover all this stuff will be discovered at some point, resulting in potential impeachment of Kavanaugh for lying under oath.
So I'm sorry GOP: its not the Dems' fault you guys are trying to vote in a man who doesn't deserve a lifetime appointment!
Get a grip and let the full truth come out.
25
@ChristineMcM
Why, EVERYTHING is the Democrats' fault! Everything!! Haven't you been listening to Kellyanne and Grassley and Graham and the mushroom? Unfortunately, I predict that a few conservative Democratic senators may support Kavanaugh, ie., Doug Jones for one. We're cooked.
1
“They have been more than fair to Professor Ford, and if they continue to capitulate to her lawyers, it will cost them in the November elections.”
That's just it, isn't it? For Republicans, this nomination is all about solidifying political power, and not about the role of the Supreme Court in our system of government as a check and balance on the other two branches. Fill in the blank on your own.
59
Kav is "fantastic." Trump always uses adjectives to support his cause. Anyone can throw around adjectives.
I write about my legal field. I almost never use adjectives. Don't say somebody/something it "great, fantastic, bad, sad, etc.". Instead, tell us why they are so.
20
@Mike G
And I was an English teacher. Trump's non-specific adjectives are vague -- poor usage. The best writing/speaking is detailed and specific. Check any usage guide, and you'll see it. The first year college composition course always includes a strong emphasis on usage... Check out any text, and you'll see: "Select words that are exact idiomatic and fresh." (Harbrace)
2
Since when not confirm someone on the Supreme Court is "ruining his life" ? By this standard, we should say that Republicans ruined Merrick Garland's life for less than that...
128
@DJD
Trump and his EVIL EMPIRE of Republican men are behaving like high school drama queens and mean girls with their histrionic and totally fake emotions.
PUHLEEZE! At their ages they should know how to behave with a modicum of dignity.
6
@DJD
The GOP has already "ruined his life", by allowing this known flawed candidate in front of Senator hearings to lie, perjure himself and stumble to evade questions thereby looking guilty from the beginning.
He is already refusing to answer "personal" questions during his WH rehearsals.
Ask him where he got the $92,000 to join his country club?
10
Lindsey Graham needs "more" to determine Kavanaugh's fitness, and now he's getting it times three, with the possibility of additional credible allegations to come. Let's see if that's enough to change his mind about Kavanaugh. Doubtful.
Any woman--indeed, any person of any gender -- who continues to support the Republicans is contributing to our current national crisis.
43
@NYCtoMalibu Graham needs to get his own house in order. He accepted money from Russia and is running like a scared little boy.
4
Is it possible Kavanaugh doesn't recall ever encountering Dr. Blasey, not because he was drunk, but because that was his modus operandi with girls as a teenager and, as such, there are too many to recall a specific one? Or were his late teens and early 20's one long ethanolic blackout?
It is high time the 15 or more (potentially many more) women who were sexually harrassed and/or assaulted by Donald Trump united and came forward with one voice and file charges against him. Keep that suit on the front pages of every major daily newspaper in America and as the lead story on the 5:30 news every night.
Trump hates the FBI. That is the reason he has not ordered it to investigate Dr. Blasey's claim. He fears substantiation, not refutation. And if he ordered the FBI to not start or to halt investigations into the claims of his accusers, then we have obstruction of justice, clear as crystal, and impeccable grounds for impeachment.
30
Trump and the GOP/culture of corruption is just receiving bad karma and the chaos from this White House and Congress I hope will stop in a few more weeks when the culture of corruption group is removed from office. We need to watch that exit very carefully. This culture of corruption/GOP has radicalized and when ever a group talks about violence as much as Trump that needs to be watched. I hope they go out in handcuffs since they don't play an honest campaign game any more. Their time running the country also is all for the rich mentality also. Only they get wealthy.
19
The MAIN reasons sexual harassment claims of 30 years ago are now coming to the forefront is because 30 years ago (and more and less years ), women were always treated with "BOYS WILL BE BOYS" - they didn't have a chance to have anything legally done about any claim(s) they may make.
35
@betty sher Dont forget the locker room talk.
1
No one is ruining Kavanaugh's life, he applied for a promotion at work for crying out loud. It's a lifetime job (something Republicans generally hate in all other walks of life). He is not suitable for the job so get over it. He is not automatically entitled to the job.
64
@David Karoly
Maybe ask McConnell about his first choice(s).
2
McConnell voices concern about barreling through Christine Blasey Ford's story with the putdowns Trump seeks. But his concerns are based purely on the political reality of alienating crucial votes like that of Susan Collins.
Neither McConnell nor Grassley nor any other Republican with the power to force a change has shown the slightest concern for getting to the truth of Ford's story or Kavanaugh's denial. And they have shown even less for the possibility they may be elevating a man with a history of sexual assault to the highest court in the land--or that their confirmation under such a cloud of doubt will damage the respect for that court for at least a generation.
45
The truth doesn't matter now. This is a show trial.
2
If Republicans confirm Kavanaugh, he'll taint the GOP for a very, very long time. Time for Collins and Murkowski and Flake to show a profile in courage and state that without a full non-partisan FBI investigation, they simply will not cast a vote.
41
I wonder if trump has ever even met Kavanaugh.
25
@Steve
He's met him, but I doubt he'd recognize him if he ran into him in a hallway.
3
Nor would Kavanaugh remember Trump if he were drunk. (I don't drink, which means unfortunately, I can't forget him).
5
I completely disagree with Dr. Ford + I am a woman. To attack a grown man of 53 years, from an incident of 36 years ago, is ugly, cruel + unjust. Dr. Ford cannot remember the exact time, date and her witnesses will not testify, due to an unclear memory of a time long ago. Mr. Kavanaugh's wife + children are affected as well as his character. When all is said and done, he should sue Dr. Ford for defamation of character, libel and slander caused by this woman.
4
@JoansGate What did you have for breakfast on this day 36 years ago?
6
@JoansGate So sex crimes are ok if they they happened in the past. You should maybe talk to some women about that.
1
So all the raped altar boys should stay quiet as well?
There is nothing preventing the nomination of yet another super-right wing candidate with either a well hidden sordid past, or without one.
Unless of course we can delay, and delay, and change the world to a better place this November. For the first time in months, I am holding out hope.
30
@Kalidan it would have to be February because even if the Democrats win the senate showing that the people have "spoken" they will ram anyone through before then. The GOP are destroying our country.
7
The only "messy" part of this Presidency is the seditious acts of the Democrats. They have committed themselves to do EVERYTHING they can do to subvert this president. Its disgusting.
3
Have you paid any attention at all to Trump's actions? He claims something one day and the opposite thing the next day. He pulls out of treaties, insults our allies, negotiates with dictators and gains nothing. His entire administration has been incredibly messy. How are you incapable of seeing that?
6
@Patrick McCord
Merrick Garland.
Mitch McConnell.
5
Kavanaugh is a flawed pick who was chosen just because of his wild ideas of presidential power being almost unlimited, and one opposed to even investigating a sitting president. Kavanaugh made that very clear in his application, which is why Trump picked him from the second string.
I see it as Conspiracy to Obstruct Justice.
51
@George Kamburoff
Just speculation of course, but I wonder if DJT was able to get a loyalty pledge from Kavanaugh in exchange for some big bucks $$$.
Kavanaugh suddenly got out of major debt as well as purchased a $92,000 membership to an elite country club.
Hmmmm....
10
It's certainly ironic that the groper-in-chief is being leashed in his defence of Mr. Kavanaugh!
49
A dopey dildock is Don Trump
His instincts rule his way
Hope he gets his comeuppance
On next November Day!
47
@Larry Eisenberg
There once was a boy name of Kavanaugh
Who supposedly all were in awe
But that's not the case
Ford wished she'd had mace
To fight off his hands on her jaw
27
“The Republicans need to stop aiding and abetting Chuck Schumer’s extreme delay strategy,” said Penny Nance, the chief executive of Concerned Women for America, a conservative group, referring to the top Senate Democrat.
===
Extreme delay strategy? Wasn't that a Republican plot to deny Obama a chance to have his Supreme Court nominee a hearing before the Senate? Thanks for reminding us, Republican spin lady!
125
We have one serial sexual predator (Trump) protecting a rapist (Kavanaugh). Is anyone surprised? This is life in Trump's America.
I wonder, I really do, if we ever return to "normal" and what this era will look like from a distance. I bet there are a lot of Republican elected officials living in fear of exactly that.
25
@Mike - When the history of this period is written, Donald Trump and the Congressional Republicans who supported, aided, and abetted the worst POTUS in our nation's history, will be named. They have disgraced themselves and destroyed their party. They will live in ignominy.
27
@Mike
In a "JUST" world, the hundreds of immigrant children would lock up Trump, Pence, Kushner, Donnie Junior Mint and Steven Miller, all together in a cold damp cage.
What a great image!
1
They don't care. They'll come back as lobbyists,with their government pensions and health care plus the millions they made while in office.
6
The GOP, trump's party, is looking more and more like the herd of rich white males, using death threats toward witnesses, Gerrymandering, voter suppression, and Dark Money's hundreds of millions of dollars to their ignoble ends.
What ignoble ends? How about expanding and perfecting their Jim Crow laws to harm not only Blacks, but women, immigrants, and those whose sexuality clashes with the GOP ideal of locked doors and hands covering the victim's mouth?
The Catholic Church has for decades moved grabby priests to Elsewhere, Idaho. But where will the GOP exile itself in order to avoid public scrutiny?
27
Mixed feelings on this...
What Brett Kavanaugh did as a teenager was long ago. Many of us, unfortunately, did stupid things in our teens (not just sexual, but in many ways). They generally aren't held against us much later in life, unless the pattern has continued. Other women coming forward may tell us if he was just a stupid teen or if he's a Bill Cosby?
More concerning is anything that might affect his behavior or decisions as judge: Does he still think abusing women is OK? Are the drinking, debt & gambling issues continuing, and do we want the problems of an alcoholic on the bench? Does he have biased agendas, vs looking at the facts and the laws in each case? Perhaps the most critical is whether he can be honest about Dr Ford etc, or whether we would be getting a dishonest judge.
If the Dems are indeed doing a stalling game, GOP should remember the much longer delay they caused the last time a Dem made a Supreme Court appointment.
If GOP had dealt with Trump's sexual misbehavior, they'd be in an easier position to address BK's; but now they can't get serious about BK without showing a gross double-standard re Trump.
As Trump has shown us many times, making a poor choice for an important position doesn't work out well in the long run. It "works" only until the person fails in loyalty to Trump or makes a decision Trump doesn't like. If confirmed, it won't be long until Kavanaugh goes from "fantastic" to "weak" and "biggest liar in the world".
39
@Mark Miller Attempted rape/assault is not just another one of those 'stupid things teenagers do.' That is an egerious disserve to teenagers to even suggest that.
9
@Mark Miller "What Brett Kavanaugh did as a teenager was long ago. Many of us, unfortunately, did stupid things in our teens (not just sexual, but in many ways). They generally aren't held against us much later in life, unless the pattern has continued."
Agreed. Except that this is the Supreme Court of the US, nothing less. And there is a whole list of other conservative potential nominees. I don't understand the Republican's death grip on Kavanaugh. No nominee, including Kavanaugh, is entitled to a confirmation, and not receiving it will not "ruin his life".
The allegation itself might, for awhile, but that is already done.
3
Trump believes Kavanaugh is a good man. Trump believes women can be abused and somehow that's manly. Trumps thoughts on women are despicable. The Republicans should be very afraid of women they have their number and time is up come midterms.
57
When backed into a corner, rats panic and do unpredictable things.
21
Mr Tump's sexual misconduct problems are not in the past. He is currently being sued for not honoring contracts and using campaign funds to pay off two women he had sex with.
62
@thetingler5
Sounds important - Can you provide references or links to any articles re campaign funds for payoffs?
1
@thetingler5:Trump pays if you do the job but contractors don't have a great reputation almost as bad as lawyers or priests right?. That campaign fund comment you know is worthless right? yes.
@Mark Miller Didn't Michael Cohen plead guilty to two felony charges of illegal use of campaign funds on the instruction of one Donald J Trump??
I hear Merrick Garland is still available.
88
@Molly Garland is too good for Trump. Plus, anything Obama wanted Trump doesn't. Trump is a child.
5
Trump has been accused of numerous sexual misdeeds, far more than Kavanaugh. The bar of sexual misconduct has not fallen far enough for Trump to denounce Kavanaugh. The Republicans too have tolerated Trump's behavior so don't expect them to stand up for Ford. Sad.
37
check yourself, before you wreck yourself
11
I keep asking myself why would these two women bring this up at this time after so many years, and political motivation does come to mind.
I also ask myself why would these same two women independently make up such stories knowing full well what lies in store for them.
Political motivation for disclosing a dark story one might rather wish they could forget makes some sense. What makes less sense to me is risking professional standing and public humiliation for making up an outright lie when saying nothing comes with no risk at all.
As for the nominee, admitting to such behavior, if such events happened, is the kind of self incrimination any lawyer, including himself, would advise against. In which case denial, potentially gives the best outcome - especially with 51 Senators politically motivated to accept your denial as truth.
While any scenario is possible, the only player that looks to benefit from lying (in this case denial) is Kavanaugh. My faith is with with the stories of two women. Unfortunately my expectation is that it will not matter.
23
@Plumberb People keep asking why would she do it after so many years....well she hasn't been living in a vacumn, one assumes, and if one is in a position to contribute to the dialogue of a situation like this with relevant experiential information, is it not ones patriotic duty to come forward?
5
This entire GOP nomination "process" is appalling. First they dismiss thousands of documents, not made available for review, related to Kavanaugh as irrelevant.
Then Kavanaugh is caught potentially committing perjury regarding his handling of the stolen Miranda documents during his tenure at the Bush II administration.
Kavanaugh has a clear animus towards Roe and Casey, and would be the key vote overturning hard fought social progress on women's rights.
He's said "what happens at Georgetown prep stays at Georgetown prep. And that's a good thing for many of us." He's allegedly had or has drinking and gambling problems - both of which compromise the Supreme Court. How hard would it be for one side of a case before the Court to send money to an encrypted account to pay for Kavanaugh's recklessness? With a quid pro quo?
Then there is the fact he's been appointed by Trump. A man accused and who admitted - on tape ! - to sexual assault and who happens to be an unindicted coconspirator in felony charge of election fraud.
It's enough to make your head spin. And of course Dr Ford has been treated with nothing but contempt by the right wing and their talking, gapping Faux News mouths. Demanding that she pack up and head to DC almost immediately, despite the fact she's trying to keep her family alive, receiving death threats from MAGA-hatters.
Let's be sensible: The Supreme Court can and should remain an 8 person body until we have a sensible president and Congress.
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Donald Trump, a spectator. Yes.
This time, this week, this Supreme Court issue is not about Donald Trump. It’s about us, the people of this country. And at long last, the elected members of this Senate, elected by us, not Donald Trump, better pay attention to us.
We don’t want to explain to our kids and grandkids when they ask us about a man, Brett Kavanaugh, that may have been very disrespectful to women, by sexually touching them when they did not want him to, and be a Supreme Court Justice?
We don’t want this man to make decisions that will affect our lives, and the lives of our kids and grandkids and their kids for a long time - legal decisions. We know there have to be others who don’t have to have their moral character questioned that could assume the Justice role.
Donald Trump will be long gone as our descendants live. He’ll be gone one way or another. He may have nominated Brett Kavanaugh, but he has very little time to have to live with Kavanaugh making the law of our land final. This is not about Trump and should not be. This is about the future of our country, and this is not his country. This will never be Trump’s country. It does not belong to him, it belongs to us.
This is our country, and the country of our future generations. They deserve so much more than this already flawed Donald Trump candidate. We should have the say so. And the Senate better listen up. We are their votes.
24
It is worth repeating, this nominee is fatally flawed. If Kavanaugh and the GOP really want to clear his name and if he is truly innocent, they would asking for the FBI to fully investigate the matter, full stop. What are they afraid of? The truth?
With Avenatti in the picture with witnesses wiling to testify, Kavanaugh and the GOP should be worried. It seems to me the Kavanaugh nomination is doomed and this scandal should be put to rest.
Kavanaugh, if he has any credibility left, should withdraw.
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@Radha For the sake of whatever remains on the PLUS side of Kavanaugh's reputation, he should WITHDRAW to try to SAVE it - it keeps getting down to nothing!!
7
@betty sher I agree with you...also if he had a shred of feeling he would want to save his FAMILY from further embarrassment. Especially his daughters.
So, Sen. Graham doesn’t want to ruin Kavanaugh”s life over this. What about the impact this alleged assault had on Prof. Ford’s life? And, Graham stating that he “feels sorry for” Ford is the usual disguised semantic slur that most often is followed by the “poor dear is just confused and mixed-up” line that always accompanies this back-handed power tactic used by the patriarchy.
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@Mary c. Schuhl when will the women start coming forward on Mr. Graham? Everyday now there are new allegations against male senators & representatives, both republican & democrat. The biggest thing I have noticed in the last couple of weeks is that most of the allegations are against republican men...even one's own daughter. What is it with republican men (any men) that they think is all okay & they can just deny it & move on with the woman still hurting from the assault? I am surprised that Mr. Kavanaugh or one of the others hasn't claimed on TV that the woman actually assaulted him while he was passed out drunk. OOOPs maybe I shouldn't have given them any ideas for future defence.
Donald Trump acts like he and Kavanaugh have been best friends since forever and that if the confirmation fails it will cast doubt on his impeccable ability to choose friends as well as Supreme Court justices. The fact is that Donald Trump chose Kavanaugh from a list of sycophants drawn up by people a thousand times smarter than he is and more locked in to the Washington swamp than he will ever be.
33
If these behaviors weren't so commonplace among men, I might be skeptical too. But I've been a man all my life and have been privy to these behaviors all my life too, in prep school, in church, in the motorcycle shop, in the beer hall, you name it, it is everywhere that men roam in one form or another. I am ashamed every time I allow myself to get close to this kind of thing. Men even visit it on men. I've had it happen to me so I know full well the humiliation and suffering it causes. Men need to step back. Especially the "good" ones. I am relieved that women are finally stepping forward. We are all in this together and it won't be alleviated until we all take responsibility. We live in a culture where authority precludes taking responsibility. I believe this to be a conditioned response ingrained in us by monotheism and the authority that we have placed in single all powerful deities. The power of the deity is respected more than the power of taking responsibility. It’s a tough nut to crack. We are like a bunch of angry gods, unable to see beyond or through our conditioning, conditioning that we are oh so good at being faithful to, yet frustrated because despite our efforts, we continue to suffer or think we are experiencing humiliation, and it isn't until we fail utterly and completely that we begin to wonder about what we have become or are going about doing. This is not a legal issue. It a moral and ethical one and precludes the law. We can do better!
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300 million people in this country. This is the best they can come up with?
45
Once again Lindsay Graham proves he has lost the plot. He says:
“Unless there’s something more, no, I’m not going to ruin Judge Kavanaugh’s life over this.” But this is not about ruining Mr Kavanaugh’s life, he will be just fine with the job he already has if he is not promoted to the Supreme Court. Nobody is suggesting stripping him of his current position and throwing him in jail. This is about being sure you are putting an honest and competent man or woman on that Supreme Court bench. If there is a reasonable doubt about his honesty, and right now I would say there is plenty of doubt, then he should not get the job. Find someone better. How can Supreme Court decisions be respected if people do not have faith in the character of the judges who preside over it?
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@M. M. L.
"Nobody is suggesting stripping Kavanaugh of his current position..."
Not yet. But if the accusations against Kavanaugh are true, he's not fit to be a judge on the Appeals Court.
5
Trump nominated Kavanaugh because he thought he would rule in his favor if a case involving the Trump-Russia scandal was heard by the court. That is itself an ethical issue that Kavanaugh seems to have no problem with. Regardless of wether or not the allegations of sexual misconduct are true, Kavanaugh does not have the moral character to sit on the highest court.
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If most women in America needed proof that we have not “come a long way, baby,” this nomination provides it.
Trump chose Kavanaugh for his own purposes, both personal and political. There’s no way that during the vetting process that Kavanaugh’s flaws weren’t seen. I’m sure other candidates had fewer but would not have satisfied Trump’s need for control.
And those GOP senators on Judiciary. They’ve said every tried and true, flip-the-table on the victim statement known to man.
Again, even if Kavanaugh gets on the court, he may be impeached or will carry a stain that no black robe can hide.
25
Too bad. Another one of the "best" is potentially seriously flawed. They've got plenty of other people who will gladly overturn Roe v. Wade. Another trump fiasco.
15
I was rather enjoying Trump's relative silence this week. His absence from public discourse is remarkably refreshing.
That said, I don't see how Democrats can dismiss Kavanaugh's account because Kavanaugh denies the event ever took place. You can't dismiss an account of a non-event. There is no account to dismiss. That leaves Dr. Blasey's account against a single character testimony. Kavanaugh's defense is " I would never do such a thing." That's all he has.
Not unlike Trump and Putin, Republicans will say "The man said it wasn't true. That's good enough for us." Democrats have a trump card though. There is known evidence of Kavanaugh's substance abuse. He might like to avoid answering questions about his alcohol usage. However, the real threat to Kavanaugh is perjuring himself.
If you ask Kavanaugh "Have you ever suffered memory loss as a result of intoxication," Kavanaugh is stuck. There is no correct answer. He would have to answer a different question in order to avoid the topic. Democrats should be able to trap him on alcohol with relative ease. That leaves Blasey's account and Blasey's account alone.
18
Any "Republicans" left who actually support the US Constitution and the checks and balances of the 3 branches of government?
21
@Tony Reardon I think the last one was just buried.
17
When Mr. Kavanaugh was at Yale, I was friendly with some members of a national frat house on GWU's campus in D.C. Being a visiting hick from Colorado, I was shocked and appalled by the frat's culture of intoxicating and sexually assaulting young women. Debauchery ruled. I remember thinking that this is not right, not okay. I distanced myself from these new friends and focused on better associations.
The victims' described assaults and bad behavior by a young Mr. Kavanaugh are completely credible. He was once part of that abusive (and criminal) culture - a fraternity of abusers.
43
It certainly looks like Judge Kavanaugh perjured himself when he answered Sen. Hirono’s question about unwanted sexual advances in the negative. That alone is disqualifying even if the white Republican men on the Judiciary Committee think that the incidents with Dr. Ford and Ms. Ramirez aren’t serious enough to derail his nomination. Time for Kavanaugh to withdraw his name and hope that he isn’t impeached from his current post.
20
"Democrats are likely to question Judge Kavanaugh about his drinking habits and social conduct — open-ended questions that people close to him say he plans to avoid answering, but that will be difficult to deflect."
Questions about his drinking habits while at Georgetown Prep and Yale Law School go to the heart of the matter. He must decide whether the omerta of Georgetown Prep - "What happens at Georgetown Prep, stays at Georgetown Prep" - is a higher standard than the right of the American people to know the character of those who will serve as members of the Supreme Court. He has already spoken in public about the excess drinking that occurred while he was at Yale Law School. His excess drinking and the allegations of sexual abuse against him cannot be separated, with one denied while the other is avoided, as they are part of the same whole. He has stated that his experiences at Georgetown Prep had a very formative influence on him. We need to fully understand what those experiences were, particularly so as they may have been abusive of others less able to defend themselves.
Judge Kavanaugh was able to successfully avoid answering many of the Senators' questions during previous hearings, and thus avoid being held accountable for his past political work. It is time to hold him accountable for his past actions, even those before he entered the public sphere. With responsibility comes accountability, a principle that the Judge wants to avoid with life tenure as a Justice.
43
An adult day-care center indeed. I would like to hope that Trump can learn his place in all of this, yet I am doubtful.
24
The women - now three - who have accused Kavanaugh of inappropriate sexual behavior have created doubt around the morals and ethics of this man. Not to mention his evasive answers when questioned by committee members and the withholding of documents. This doubt alone should halt the process and disqualify him. Who are these Republican senators? Nothing but a group of old white men who hold the fate of the American people in their hands.
117
these same old white men were willing to overlook the GOP presidential candidate's many sexual improprieties- why would they not support his Supreme nominee?
14
I am an 'older white guy' horrified by the immoral, criminal and unethical behavior of other older white guys in D.C. The older guys on the right side of these issues must speak out and act. And vote. There are many more of us than them. Do not be cowardly or complacent to this harm.
1
Here’s a new equation that should be used to examine political candidates and Supreme Court nominees going forward.
Man/boy plus sexual impulses equals X.
Anything more than extreme self gratification should be scrutinized.
5
All malignant narcissists consider actions as statements about themselves. So, Trump must push on with support for a very ordinary judge and a morally bankrupt man or risk having it be a reflection on himself.
Any moral man would have withdrawn the nomination...or would have withdrawn himself from the nomination out of consideration for his wife and daughters. But Trump and Kavanaugh are cut from the same cloth. Only Kavanaugh's is smoother than Trump's.
145
Patty Murray made an even more important point on Sunday's Meet the Press. She said no one questions you when you report that someone broke into your car.
This is such an important point. There is the assumption of truth telling in most reports of crimes, at least until the reporter of the crime is found out to be falsifying his/her report.
Why is it then that women are routinely questioned when they report a horrific crime such as the one reported by Dr. Ford and now Deborah Ramirez?
Why do they insist as Lindsay Graham has done that they are trying to ruin a man's life, when indeed it sounds as if a drunken Kavanaugh did a pretty good job of nearly ruining theirs?
What kind of a society puts a man such as Kavanaugh in a position of power over the rest of us and refuses to believe or investigate the veracity of women who have been sexually assaulted by him? This is not justice. For any of us.
272
Bravo! I wish I could recommend this comment a million times!
9
@avrds
Usually when someone breaks into your car there is some proof of the deed.
@avrds
Bravo. Well said!
1
“Democrats are likely to question Judge Kavanaugh about his drinking habits and social conduct — open-ended questions that people close to him say he plans to avoid answering...”
Well, well. Kavanaugh doesn’t want to talk about his drinking habits or his social conduct. And the Times previously reported that in mock questioning before Republicans he declined to answer sensitive questions about his sexual conduct. And, that the Republicans agreed on that. Yet Kavanaugh himself was the one who stayed up nights to supply the lascivious, prurient questions the Republicans asked President Clinton on nationally televised hearings. You know what, Mr. Kavanaugh, Mr. Grassley, Mr. Hatch, Mr. Graham, Mr. McConnell, and the rest of your pack? You’ve hoisted yourselves by your own petards. You’re stewing in your own juices. What goes around comes around. Get my drift?
181
Trump is like the 4 year old child that you constantly tell to get away from the oven when it’s on, but continues to go near the stove until he burns his hand. If Trump keeps true to form with the Kavanaugh hearing he will not only burn his hand, but so may go the mid-terms. Keep it up Trump and then wave good bye to your party's control of the House and possibly the Senate.
72
“Unless there’s something more, no, I’m not going to ruin Judge Kavanaugh’s life over this”, says Lindsey Graham.
Graham is tone deaf to what kind of suffering and trauma a woman goes through when sexually abused by a man. It’s not Judge Kavanaugh’s birthright to sit on the Supreme Court. If he is morally deficient as a human being he has no business deciding issues that will affect American citizens for decades to come. A person of moral turpitude has no business on the Court and egregious youthful indiscretions should disqualify from this lifetime appointment.
It’s not the president’s business to take the gloves off and wade into this issue with flying fists. That’s why the rule of law is so fundamental to American values. Disputes are brought before a court to settle differences by judges who are sworn to uphold the law. This president doesn’t seem to grasp this fact.
100
@silver vibes If it's about moral turpitude maybe we should open an investigation into Judge Kennedy.
2
Can Trump do math? How did he get the 2.5 year presidency number?
46
He apparently includes the time while he was a candidate. He indicated that he should’ve fired Comey “once [he] got the nomination.”
1
2.5 years in politics. Although his campaign officially began in 2015, it was just a publicity stunt until his Russian benefactors started manipulating the election for him 2.5 years ago.
6
He said in politics.
1
What a show of incompetence, mixed with the expected corruption, as the vulgar bully in the Oval Office shows his meddling in matters of justice he has no rights, sexual predator as he so proudly announced to be. I guess we men have a lot to learn, show much more humility, and atone to our immaturity and insecurities insofar human relations (especially with women). Can we changed for the better...or are we doomed to reap what we sowed?
25
Nowhere do we see any commentary regarding the effect that Kavanaugh’s confirmation would have on the reputation and character of the Supreme Court. One would like to believe that the moral fiber of the Justices of our highest court would be above reproach. Surely there must be nonpartisan brilliant legal minds out there without these moral shortcomings who could fill the bill.
48
@Jonathan Gordon but trump wants a savior and the republican donors want citizens united upheld and those who like women barefoot and pregnant want roe v wade overturned
4
It's a sad commentary that the confirmation of a plausibly flawed individual to sit on the Supreme Court is deemed the highest priority of this administration. Everything about this administration seems so wrong and so chaotic.
96
Never forget that Senator Franken was made to resign for miming hands hovering over a kevlar vest when he was an active comedian, and for squeezing a waist.
This nomination is over. Without even mentioning his debt, borrowing the maximum against his pension, gambling, five perjuries—which, if prosecuted, Merrick Garland would hear.
Here is what the Banana Republicans can do to restore some faith in the court—nominate Merrick Garland.
After all. They approve of him. Orrin Hatch said this of him: "'(Obama) could easily name Merrick Garland, who is a fine man,' Hatch said in Newsmax, adding later, 'He probably won't do that because this appointment is about the election.'"
https://www.cnn.com/2016/03/16/politics/merrick-garland-republicans-prai...
127
@Naples - I agree with your analysis. To follow through on your suggestion would acknowledge that the Congress as well as the Executive represent all the people, not just the 35% who showed up at the poles and voted for the majority party. To do what you suggest require a courageous act by the President while simultaneously taking some wind out of his opposition. But I can guarantee you that it will never happen. The parties involved have become too petty to be able to do anything other than follow the money.
1
If Trump can load up the court with nine Kavanaugh's he'll be well on his way to dictatorship.
78
Are there no other candidates for SCOTUS without the baggage of Kavanaugh, who would protect Trump from criminal Indictment, while also acting as the swing vote to overturn Roe v Wade. Anyone? Anyone?
26
@Rich Well, POTUS chose for himself and this is what we got.
6
To a certain extent, this nomination has been the epitome of politics, and has perfectly summarized why the current President has no place in it.
167
it seems that to President Trump, Judge Kavanagh's primary qualification is that he believes a sitting president is above he law and cannot be held to account in any way for what he does while in office, pleasing the autocratic Trump with a longstanding belief that the president is a king, Kavanagh reveals himself as unAmerican: a believer in an aristocracy.
and Trump italicizes the notion by saying Judge Kavanagh "was born for" a seat on the Supreme Court. he was born for it because be is the Thain of Maryland? because his mother was a judge and it is hereditary? because he went to prep school and Yale and is therefore of the ruling class?
13