Trump, a self admitted sexual predator, attacking a woman alleging sexual abuse for her incomplete memory and inebriation is probably not Republicans' most effective way to ram a poorly vetted SCOTUS candidate through the Senate.
1
If the Dems are "running a con game" and making "phony allegations," then call their bluff and do an investigation of Ford's and Ramirez's claims to prove them wrong. So what if it delays Kavanaugh's appointment? Trump has 2 years to go. Kavanaugh will still get the seat if these claims are all untrue. Then Orrin Hatch and the Republicans can gloat over being proven right about the Democrats' nefarious behavior, and the Republicans will sweep the elections in November. So what's the problem?
2
Trump figures everyone knows he is a con man so he figures we should believe a guy like him with his vast wealth of knowledge on the topic. What a warped mind!
2
Does it ever stop?
Interesting choice of words, Mr. President. It's pretty clear you come from the world of NYC real estate moguls and Atlantic City casino owners. Guess it doesn't occur to you that this isn't anything like your run-of-the-mill money laundering in a failed construction project. The soul of our democracy is at stake here, but to you it's no different from shaving points in a basketball game.
2
Trump knows all about con games, doesn't he? Fake university, nonpayment of financial obligations, lie after lie about any issue before him, etc. Yes, trump is the expert on con jobs.
3
Hearing this from DJT, the ultimate con-artist, adulterer, and admitted sexual assaulter, the irony is truly rich.
1
Trump, whose only real skills are conning people and abusing his social status to bully the less fortunate, can’t even see the situation in other terms. And being a sexual predator himself, who twice intimidated a thirteen-year old out of following through with rape charges, he just can’t resist going back to the only thing he knows despite the fact that he just makes it worse. All of this only confirms that the GOP is still filled with arrogant, misogynistic entitlement boys. Ironic that, in a country that fought for independence and a constitutional democracy, we are now ruled by an elitist entitlement family who aren’t even capable of seeing things objectively, much less representing the will of the majority. God, we need new leadership. Now!
2
In yet another smear against his opponents, the president once again comes up with a phrase - "con men" - that perfectly describes his own administration.
2
When young men get drunk and behave inappropriately, it is just "boys will be boys." When a girl does, she is labeled slut or whore. In the words of our illustrious president…"Unfair"
1
Realistically, most pubescent young men write silly stuff in their yearbooks. Boys will be boys, I think the saying goes. Same goes for girls in high school and early college, too.
But if you sexually assault people when your intoxicated... that's different. Especially if there are a few people that can attest to it. That's disturbing.
Then if you are in the running for the highest arbiter in the land later, you'd have to expect your record would be scrutinized. Unless you think you're above all that, which clearly he did.
It all needs to be investigated and the confirmation needs to be delayed. I'm not saying it Kavanaugh shouldn't be confirmed, it's just that I believe Americans are owed a little more information about some pretty appalling allegations.
Oh, Trump said something too? Was it constructive...or was it simply lashing out in inappropriate and inarticulate ways? He really does insert himself into everything doesn't he.
2
its like he's a hall of mirrors and everywhere he looks he sees his own reflections. Don the Con indeed.
3
Somebody said something about payback for the way Republicans handled the Merrick Garland nomination. Well jeez!
3
Though the majority of what Kavanaugh says is incomplete or dubious at best, I somehow believe they he failed to get laid in college. The man's sick and sophomoric tactics are downright revolting so that no sensible woman would accept an advance from him.
2
When Kavanaugh withdraws, DJT will nominate Amy Coney Barrett. She will be approved. That will be delicious.
1
I do recall reading an opinion that Kavanaugh was the closest to “center” or even vaguely approaching moderate of all the other handful of possible nominees whom trump was considering. Sad. And disturbing.
Read NYT article By Adam Liptak
on July 3, 2018. Then you will understand why the word delicious was used above. Though some might choose a different word.
1
We need to recognize that for most of the Republican Senators, perhaps all, the main consideration is the effect that confirmation or rejection of Judge Kavanaugh will have on base turnout in the midterm election and on donor giving. And thus on maintaining a Republican majority, and, even for purported moderates, on things like committee chairpersonships and memberships. While the Republican majority needs the cover of some sort of hearing and plausible deniability, whether the allegations are true or not is, at best, a secondary matter. (One could of course argue that this is the mirror image of feminists who defended or minimized the abuse and, in the case of Juanita Broderick, rape allegations against Bill Clinton). This is likely the unfortunate reality.
This Punch and Judy spectacle is on Trump's head.
It is about abortion most of all and he must be aware that a clear majority in his country support reproductive rights and privacy of choice around those for women. He chose however to say during his campaign that women who have abortions should be punished and now he has nominated a man likely to help roll back rights and privacies established by SCOTUS decades ago. He fails to grasp or chooses to fail to grasp when he slags off Democrats, that he doesn't hold a monopoly on being answerable to an electoral base, nor one that criticises it's politicians for being too tame and spineless, nor grasp the implications of the democratic base being larger than his on headcounts and he adds to that by then failing to grasp that reproductive choices are passionately - very passionately- important to many millions of women.
He also fails to grasp that many millions of Americans might also support the separation of church and state and might prefer to live in a country where minority sections of the population are not given legal authority via a stacked court to impose their personal religious beliefs on others especially when no-one from that minority is being dictated to on their own contraception choices or being asked to undergo an abortion themselves.
What on earth did he expect?
2
Set a thief to catch a thief. Set a con-man to catch other con-men. It’s too rich for words.
2
As usual the “GOP” won’t be working much on Thursday. They hired a “hit man” women prosecution lawyer to do their dirty work. They don’t want to say something dumb they will be remembered for after the circus is over. They don’t trust their own morals, ethics. If someone is going to say something disgustingly memorable, they don’t want to be blamed for it. As usual see no evil, speak no evil, hear no evil. Our GOP not really at work. But we will remember who hired her and especially in NOVEMBER!
4
If slammed through the confirmation process, Brett Kavanaugh has spent the last peaceful night of his life.
Supreme Court Justices can be impeached. In fact, they can be charged with crimes. If confirmed, Kavanaugh will be impeached within two terms. His resume is filled with so many loose threads to pull.
Not just Democrats but Progressives, Independents and women from across the political spectrum are going to hunt him down and make him an example of what the GOP will no longer be permitted to do to our country.
This conspiracy of rich, white elites is going to end and it will be ended with resounding prejudice.
The GOP has gone too far with this transparent attack on the legitimacy of SCOTUS.
13
An even greater con: Don.
4
The charge that this is a con game an character assassination on the part of the Democrats is completely bogus. What is the evidence please, that Democrats had anything to do with these accusers’ coming forward?
A lot is happening here. We are seeing the breakup of the old order, where the good ol’ boys ran things and women were branded as “hysterical” if they made any noise. The ones who are now hysterical are Republicans, who cannot bear opposition, who blocked Merrick Garland, and cry “obstruction” at any question of their rule. Unfortunately, they and the Democrats who have sold out, have money behind them, and they will continue their rule for several more decades. But eventually, people will realize that their policies of tax cuts for the wealthy and denial of climate change are disastrous, and there will be a turn. By then, it is to be hoped, the Supreme Court will have caught up to where we are now.
5
Does anyone really care what Trump says?
7
The proud, self-professed sex offender who happens to be our President refers to two survivors of sex offenses as con artists.
What a pathetic excuse for a human being.
15
Says the King of Cons himself.
9
NOT TRUE, Bob Corker, that no one else remembers any of it. Others remember rumors circulating about Ramirez. That's not nothing. Especially since the same was said of Blasey Ford's experience.
And Kavanaugh has a cloud over his head related to his demeanor when drinking, and his possible gambling, which he did NOT clear up yet.
AND, now a room mate reports he was a nasty drunk back when these women claim he assaulted them.
Lots of good questions can be asked!
9
The only con here is trump, trying to secure a Supreme Court Justice that will pardon trump for his many crimes.
6
Thank you POTUS for telling it like it is. We live in the age of fake news. The allegations of these women are an insult to #metoo. I was born at night, but not last night. This is a democrat dirty smear campaign. We have seen this movie before, circa 1991. Been there done that. Lets vote and ram Kavanaugh right down every democrat throat in America.
3
@Steve
I have a feeling if you aren't a Russian bot, you are most definitely someone I will teach my daughter to avoid like the plague.
Just the statement, "ram Kavanagh right down every (democrat) throat" says almost everything about your sorry character.
3
More victim shaming.
3
Let's see. We have a serial sexual predator and philanderer as president. His head of communications is Bill Shine who was bounced out of Fox for his role in perpetuating serial sexual abuse by multiple on-air personalities and the saintly Roger Ailes. And these two are now bringing us their playbooks for men accused of sexual impropriety.
Trump's male deplorables will either believe him or not care one whit if a Caucasian man took advantage of an uppity woman. 'She was there in a bathing suit at a pool party with liquor and boys. Wha'd you expect?' If Dr. Ford looks like the average 50 year old woman, expect snide comments about her looks and the implied implausibility that Brett would ever have gone after her. Trump's on record with that one.
Mitch, ever the tactician, sees this battle as an existential threat to his legacy. Would he rather fill a 5th seat with a wounded but archly conservative justice in his 50's, or dump Brett and risk losing both the SCOTUS seat and the Senate majority? I think there's no question he'd prefer to 'plow ahead'.
Mitch's main problem is whether his caucus, aware of the same dynamics, will fracture out of principle, or swallow whatever integrity remains and vote in lockstep for the worst SCOTUS nominee since before Clarence Thomas.
I genuinely don't know. But the fact it remains a question says a lot about the modern Republican Party.
Country first? Or Party first? Most will choose the former. But maybe a few still have a conscience.
7
@Michael Tyndall
It's probably obvious but the next to last line should be 'Most will choose the latter.'
1
So our president blames drunken women for whatever drunken men do? Kavanaugh was drunk. He was messed up. NO WONDER HE REMEMBERS NOTHING ABOUT IT.
So does he remember so little because (as his roommate has told us) he spent his Yale years incoherently drunk? Or because he had so many nonconsensual events during that period that one doesn't stand out above any other? Or both?
When will Mr. BigHands come clean about his forceful taking of women?
This administration is nasty from the top down. Kavanaugh fits right in with Trump and the rest.
9
If Trump wants to try to discredit Rodriguez's story because she was drunk, and we know from Kavanaugh's own classmates that he was repeatedly drunk to the point of passing out & having blackouts, then, by Trump's own standard we can't believe Kavanaugh's denials either! You can't have it both ways. As Kavanaugh's buddy, Mark Judge, among others who knew him well, brag about particularly targeting female students who were too drunk to fight back, or even know what the male students were doing to them, then her story fits the pattern that is emerging about Kavanaugh and his "fatty" clique Judge wrote about in his memoir of life at Georgetown Prep, "Wasted." Trump is the ultimate "good old boy" sexual abuser & predator, & it should come as no surprise that he automatically believed the alleged male perpetrator & smears the alleged female victim. After all, he has been accused of sexual harassment & abuse by so many women, himself.
5
"...said he exposed himself to her during a drunken dormitory party...
In the interview with Fox, Judge Kavanaugh flatly denied Ms. Ramirez’s accusation. “I never did any such thing — never did any such thing,” he said. “The other people alleged to be there, don’t recall any such thing. If such a thing had happened, it would’ve been the talk of campus.”
Talk of the campus? That surely does sound a bit hypocritical, but maybe it's just egocentrism. In the Yale of the mid 1980's (and maybe most colleges) such a thing might not even have raised all eyebrows. I remember a male Yale student yelling "Baby Oil" out his car window at a woman student walking the sidewalk across from Payne Whitney gym. "Oh yeah," he explained, "she's famous from the baby oil parties where everyone gets naked and..." Well, you get it. And it was disgustingly disrespectful towards the woman purportedly involved. And no, it wasn't an isolated event: I could relate half a dozen more things, and I wasn't even affiliated with Yale.
It may or may not be fair that this long-ago stuff has come up in considering Kavanaugh's present nomination--but it's totally fair to judge his present-tense reaction. Presenting himself to Fox News as a venue for telling us over and over, in the most abstract terms, about his "integrity" is the opposite of reassuring. At the very least, we all knew what was going on, and at the worst, got drawn into it.
Now we want judges who will help make things better.
2
Read the history of communism - a forced imposition of the Communist party's ideals! Today, socialism is the goal of many. Tomorrow, communism. I pray that the America people in state after state and district after district will see through these haters, their methods, and their goals. It is one thing to disagree and debate ideas. But, to attack someone in this manner and in the manner Ted Cruz and his wife were accosted is horrible!
1
As with every utterance from the Liar In Chief, what he says is almost always 180 degrees from the truth. The only one "running a con" is Trump himself, as he is the biggest con man since Ponzi, convincing millions of average Americans that he has their best interests at heart. No, the ONLY thing he has at heart is his own selfish agenda.
Who was it who held back thousands of pages of documents from Kavanaugh's history? Who was it that allowed virtually no input from the Dems or even a veneer of bi-partisanship? Who wants to ram Kavanaugh through no matter what? Who's afraid of anything else coming to light? The man and the party running the biggest con going, that's who!
Whatever Trump says, follow the opposite tack and you'll find the truth.
5
If anyone knows a con, it’s the Don. Just ask him and he’ll tell you. Conned the GOP, Conservatives and Evangelicals into thinking he’s a Republican.
As long as the checks for Trump Inc. clear and FOX cranks out the propaganda, who cares about Supreme Court Justices? Trump doesn’t, he just wants a win no matter the cost.
3
From another report in the current NYT:
But mindful of the backlash after sharp questioning of Anita F. Hill, ..... the all-male group of Republicans on the committee preferred to pass off the task to a professional and a woman.
The honorable Republican "gentlemen" on the judiciary committee think that the "professional and a woman" will protect them from themselves.
She won't. Instead of the direct character assassination of Dr. Blasey Ford, they have at one stroke admitted their own cowardice.
This "hearing" is a travesty worthy of Stalinist justice.
Despite all the unanswered questions about Kavanaugh's credibility he may end up on the Supreme Court. In that case, the Dems should reopen hearings the minute they have the power to do so, and move for his impeachment if that is warranted.
4
If my life depended on it, I would not take Mr. Trump's word about the weather or anything else... certainly not about anything with serious consequences. Trump is only looking out for his own selfish interests, not for those of Kavanaugh or any other person. Sure, I voted for Mrs.Clinton rather than him, but until two months prior to the election, I had been a registered Republican. Never again... life is too short.
4
This, from a guy who slept with a porn star, then paid her not to say anything, while his wife was at home giving birth to their first son.
12
It is all about Alcoholism.
1
@Dave, yeah right. Blame the alcohol. The alcohol makes you do things. Parents have a job to teach their kids when to start drinking and how much to drink. We have DUI laws for a reason.
you must understand the dice are loaded. Kavanaugh could admit during the hearing that he raped a woman and the Republicans would say..ok, but please don't do it again and then they would all vote yes for confirmation.
4
Guy is incredible. Cons and lies his way through his privileged life, cheats on his wives, pays off his mistresses, cheats his way into the White House, and has the nerve to accuse others of "conning" just because they are gathering facts....he's a real piece of work.
16
That's rich coming form Trump.
8
Who said this?: "... Just Resist and Obstruct"
Donald Trump, about advise and consent of Democrats
Mitch McConnell, about GOP strategy during Obama years
6
We have the Con calling a Con a Con.
4
Interesting how Trump is always accusing others of what he is most guilty of--"crooked Hillary," witch hunts, and the lackluster Democrats being called "con artists." This from Don-the-Con! There is a name for this psychological malfunction, but I can't remember what is it called.
Plus, it is no longer ironic but ludicrous that our Liar-in-Chief and Groper-in-Chief even weighs in on the charges of sexual assault against Kavanaugh by 2 different women in different circumstances. Methinks Trump doth protest way too much.
This column by Gene Lyons appeared in our local Logan, UT newspaper today. It is an excellent review of Kavanaugh's "issues" and unsuitability to be a Supreme Court Judge, and the column adds information about the kind of character assassination Kavanaugh engaged in over Vince Foster's suicide and the hatchet job he did supposedly "helping" Kenneth Starr when Bill Clinton was being investigated over the Lewinsky affair.
https://www.arktimes.com/arkansas/character-judgement/Content?oid=23278907
1
Kavenaugh fiasco is a much bigger story than trump getting laughed at in UN . GOP is rushing Kavenaugh through before the facts are in. GOp attacks the women victims. Vote for GOP; no way. Ray Sipe
3
Con games? This whole Trump administration is one big con game.
4
WaPo story today:
“Over the weekend, at two of his favorite haunts — his private golf club in Bedminster, N.J., and Trump Tower in Manhattan — the president mused about wanting to inject some new chum into the news cycle to help deflect the spotlight from Kavanaugh, according to a former official in frequent touch with the White House.”
New Chum? Wow, can’t wait until Thursday. To fire or not to fire? Is that the question?
News flash to The Captain of the Ship: Dead whale on the line. Cut him loose.
3
There he goes again, projecting.
6
Once again, he’s projecting. The con is all on his side.
3
The Judiciary Committee has announced they will vote Friday morning at 9:30am. Its high time the Democratic smear circus comes to an end and they confirm Kavanaugh. Get it don and over with.
This whole process has turned into a circus - now on prime time so that it becomes America's latest reality show! The allegations of sexual assault are serious and should be treated so, there should be impartial, objective investigations by the FBI with findings then made public. This aside, it would appear Judge Kavanaugh's previous behavior has made him a questionable commodity and these predate the current fiasco. And why doesn't Trump ever learn to keep his big mouth shut... con game, con artists, give me a break... the con man emeritus, our expert on nocturnal pursuits, POTUS speaks: clearly a case of the pot calling the kettle black.
2
As far as con games...how did that Trump University thing turn out?
7
Why is it a 'con game being played by the Democrats'? It's not the Democrats making these allegations-it's women who have come forward on their own to make these allegations. Were the Democrats supposed to sweep these allegations under the carpet? One can question the timing of Feinstein's disclosure, but with all due respect, is that worse than the game Republicans played with Merrick Garland? Hey, too bad for Kavanaugh if he is innocent of the charges, but you can't really blame this on Democrats and suggesting these women should be silenced is basically sending the message that attempted rape is OK, and that if someone tries to rape you, the last thing in the world you should do is bring this to the attention of the authorities. Little surprise our 'president' is pushing that narrative.
4
Of course Trump went into rabid mode.
The entire UN just laughed at him, to his face. He had to find somebody to attack, and his courage doesn't stretch to anything more than putting the boot into a poor women - at a safe distance so he can run away.
3
I have no sympathy for Kavanaugh because he is allowing himself to be used by the Republican Party to accomplish their nefarious objectives.
As to Trump's nonsensical utterances, suffice it to say that he is sounding more and more like a mafia don every day.
3
Anyone SCOTUS nominee who accepts the defense of Donald Trump, a man whose credibility can't be measured because the scale doesn't go that far into negative territory, should be automatically disqualified as too corrupt.
2
Messed up and drunk describe the assailants, if one is being generous. They can also be described as miscreants devoid of morals, self-control, and any respect for others. I’m looking at you both Kavanaugh and Trump, although Trump doesn’t even have the excuse of inebriation for his bad behavior.
4
Takes one to know one, or in his case, to suspect one wherever he turns.
2
With each day that passes I wonder with ever greater wonder:
How did anyone think that among all the judges in the country, Kavanaugh was the best candidate for the Supreme Court?
Don't we have hundreds, even thousands of judges? THIS WAS THE BEST TRUMP FOUND????
It's not even about whether he did or didn't try to rape someone when he was drunk and young. It's the way that he's acted since the allegations surfaced -claiming to be treated "unfairly," using his datebook as evidence, angry and demanding, trying to avoid the truth coming out, refusing to even say- I dated many women and partied a lot and I did by dead-level best to treat each girl with appreciation and respect. All he does is complain!
I do not want this person to vote on ANY case where one person was in a position of privilege or power. He has not shown us to know how to carry his own privilege with honor.
6
The nation's anger stems from a con game indeed, but not the one Mr. Trump describes. Brett Kavanaugh is willing to be railroaded onto the Supreme Court, for which he is unsuited to the honor. If he cared about justice, he would speak against the rush to confirm him, the Republican obstruction to assuring time for Dr. Blaisey Ford to prepare, and the Republican refusal to call other witnesses. These confirmation hearings are a sham. No suitable justice would tolerate it!
3
At last, our president can speak out on an issue that he has some experience with. You might even say he is an expert.
5
They’ve called a vote? It’s over and Mitch knows it and wants to move on. A vote Friday loses Murkowski and Collins and possibly Flake. McConnell knows this nominee is going down so he wants to get it over with and have time to ram through someone else. That is what is happening here folks.
5
It seems to be a maxim that the Republicans borrow and spend and the Democrats tax and spend. With Trump's tariffs which are a thinly disguised tax on the people of the USA and borrowing hitting new highs he is financially doing the worst of both parties to the citizens of the US.
2
Judge Kavanaugh is amounting to an extreme partisan Republican who will poison the Supreme Court with his political goals over the proper obedience to American law and our Constitution, a politically impartial endeavor by the founders.
I don't care what Trump calls it, stop the Kavanaugh ascension to the court with every possible legal means. But do not lie like him.
1
"They play it actually much better than the Republicans."
Except for Mitch McConnell, who held up a nomination for how long?
1
Well, we need to take Trump's charge seriously because, after all, the man is expert when it comes to con games. Does he ever stop projecting?
1
We have seen this slippery slope before in the "repressed memory" jihad against day-care centers in the 1980's-later proved to be falsified, the "repressed memory" jihad in the 1990's by grown-up daughters accusing their Fathers of sexual abuse-most of which have been taken back as mistaken.
Now, in the #MeToo era, we see an early example of what is coming: a "repressed memory" from 1982, recovered during psychotherapy in 2012, with the target's name not associated with the memory (according to the psychotherapist's notes) until the target was nominated for SCOTUS, now used to tarnish an impeccable professional and personal record.
The existence of repressed memories is an extremely controversial topic in psychology and many studies dispute its existence entirely. According to the American Psychological Association, it is not possible to distinguish repressed memories from false ones without corroborating evidence. Most psychologists argue that this is in fact rather a process through which false memories are created by blending actual memories and outside influences.
Now that the GOP is deploying an experienced prosecutor, hopefully experienced in sex abuse claims and repressed memory, to question this accuser, the accuser will have a simple choice: perjury, or claim repressed memory. If she chooses the latter, a good prosecutor should be able to achieve a strong record on which Senators Collins, Murkowski, Flake and some Democrats can support BK.
Most of us don't understand why Trump picked Kavanaugh. He had a list of pre-approved conservative judges who would presumably vote the same way. Kavanaugh was not on this list because his professional history was marked with controversies. Given what we now know, it's also possible Republicans knew about his personal issues before he was nominated. For most of my life, I've lived in peace with my Republican family members, friends, and neighbors. But not any more. This is a step too far. Women are fully human. We have the same rights and responsibilities as men. The days in which wealthy white men could get away with sexual assault and harassment are done.
3
@BarbT
Kavanaugh is Trump's "get out of jail free" card.
He thinks the President is above the law. Richard Nixon thought so too.
1
My guess is Mr. Trump has some familiarity with con games, such as the infamous Trump University. Obviously the FBI needs to look into this whole matter, so we'll all know who is conning whom. After that, the Senate can continue with the vote on Kavanaugh.
Does anybody really care what Trump says?
Is anybody really surprised by any claim that he makes?
Is anything he says really based on anything besides his own self-interest?
3
@Michael Fisher, yesterday Trump proved to the world that all global leaders are laughing AT him.
It's readily apparent, as it so often is, that whatever labels he tries to stick on opponents describe accurately what he is doing himself.
The GOP seem to be bad people from their teenage years to the present. I am tired of Trump blaming the Democrats. We had eight great years of President Obama and peace. Would have had 4 great years with Hillary Clinton. Every one who runs for any office under the GOP are tainted with a culture of corruption. Thats what wealth and money will do to you. Trump needs to quit blaming the Democrats and give up the culture of corruption group he is friends and allies with. Then his life will get better.
3
I trust Mr. Trump when he says it's a con game. I trust Mr. Trump when he says he can recognize a con game better than anyone else.
The #MeToo! thread in our culture that should be protected and supported in its legitimate goal of forcing more enlightened interactions between men and women, particularly in asymmetrical power situations, is being threatened by a tactical thrust to delegitimize a Supreme Court confirmation of one justice by some who regard such a confirmation as ideologically offensive. Needless to say, we risk much by allowing the movement to be used so carelessly in such a bootless way – if support for Kavanaugh falls below the minimum necessary to confirm him, another who is at least as conservative will be confirmed by a Senate that will remain majority Republican until at least early January and probably for the next two years. Democrats have a great deal more to fear from Amy Comey Barrett than they do from Brett Kavanaugh.
What is happening to Kavanaugh is patently unfair. Unsupported allegations from more than thirty years ago, which can be neither proved nor disproved at this remove, are being made by individuals who may have political motivations, sponsored by a Sen. Dianne Feinstein who CLEARLY has political motivations. Parts of our society are automatically accepting the validity of the charges absent the slightest bit of evidence that they happened, much less that Kavanaugh committed them. Regardless of the outcome – which probably will be his confirmation anyway – a taint will accrue to his name for the rest of his life.
…
2
…
Men watching this warlock hunt unfold to flog purely political ends, whether or not they have been predators in their own lives or not, will be far less supportive of #MeToo! The result may well be fewer women hired and promoted to positions of influence where they can employ similar tactics to pursue personal ends that can have such destructive effects on real lives.
@Richard Luettgen
Right on all counts...
2
All the more reason, then, to get more women into office and judgeships and running businesses — so they can benefit from all the talent those biased men will be losing out on, and to slap them with appropriately strong penalties for discriminating against women.
When Trump's whiny voice floated over the airwaves on NPR this morning, complaining about "the Democrats," I just switched it off. I can't listen to his rambling, banal foolishness. What a disgrace to the country, that so many people voted for a sexual abuser, liar, and con man. We are a sick nation if we continue to put up with him. November, please hurry up - I want to get to the polls and cast my vote against every Republican who enables this jerk.
38
Come Thursday, the first thing Dr. Ford needs to say to the woman attorney just hired by Grassley is:
"Attorney ------, you know perfectly well I didn’t come here to answer questions from you."
15
Laughed at at the United Nations, in front of the whole world. Priceless...
The Liar has been a con artist all his life and deserves every bit of sarcasm, criticism, ....
And finally, impeachment...
25
Con job as president is more like it...
17
Trump's criticism is really merely a window into his own methods.
He's a con man, a thug, and he's shameless.
12
The president
THE PRESIDENT
said she was:
"drunk" at the time?
So, then it's okay for him to rough her up, or worse? So then it's okay for the rapist to rape?
Words fail.
18
GOP voting Friday on Kavenaugh is crazy! Rush rush rush before public opinion can catch up with them.Just like tax scam; ACA repeal and others; Rush before facts can come out. Vote out GOP to save health care; Medicare and Social Security. Ray Sipe
11
It seems that some people like to hear the crazy talk that comes from President Trump. Folks who never mastered what it is to be a adult identify with a man who is in charge but in reality is a narcissistic Buffoon. Trump is the con artist Supreme. And the lemmings will follow as Trump jumps from the cliff . Sad.
10
Sexual misconduct allegations? Con game? Access Hollywood tape as in "grab them by ......?" 17 women and counting? Stormy? The playboy bunny mistress? 3 wives? Just deny everything? Who does this guy think he's fooling?
13
@C.L.S., his voting base and the republicans who piggy backed on him for their re elections, are the biggest fools, the entire world knows it, but they don't know it yet.
What about the 'Con Game' our President has played on the American People, what about the 'Con Game' Mitch McConnell played on President Obama and Merrick Garland. What a sick joke.
17
It’s a con game alright, Trump is the king of the cons.
13
A con artist accusing democrats of being con artist, now that is really funny.
15
Once again, but for all the retrograde religious misogynists in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Michigan, the U.S. and women would be discussing President Hillary Clinton's SCOTUS nominee and not have to endure this horrific sexual predator president or his horrific sexual predator SCOTUS nominee.
8
Speaking of cons, Mr President, you're the biggest one of all.
16
So true. Takes one to know one.
Judge Kavanaugh assassinated his own character years ago. He may need help, but doesn't need any help from Democrats or anyone else.
11
Ironic that the most vile con man in American history is accusing others of the same practice, Give me a break, Mr. President.
10
When a con man accuses others of doing what he does naturally, isn’t that what psychologists call “projection?”
15
The Don the Con knows con games!
7
Right coming from Trump, a master of the shell game.
5
At this point, Trump’s poisoning of the American public has crossed the blood-brain barrier.
Who voted for this type of (non) leadership?
It’s nihilism.
It’s corrosive.
The road he’s leading us down, with all of it’s chaos, is a road of discord, violence and anger.
I thought Dubya was bad but what we have here is quite possibly the stupidest, most destructive person to ever hold elected office in this country.
18
Once again Trump shows he can’t stop talking about himself - the only con artist in this story is him.
6
Takes a con to recognize a con.
4
Hmmm.....Trump calling Democrats con artists??? Trump and his family are grifters. Two women have come forward with allegations of sexual assault and now Avenatti, Stormy Daniels attorney, claims to represent the third accuser. He will be disclosing her allegations and her name in the next 48 hours. If this is credible then Kavanaugh’s confirmation must be postponed until they get the truth. What is the GOP and Kavanaugh hiding. They are trying to ram this through. They need to allow the FBI to investgate these allegations. If Kanvanaugh is innocent then confirm him.
11
GOP actively attacking female abuse victims... perfect optics for mid terms.... so Neandethal. Ray Sipe
8
An ironic comment from the founder of the Trump “University”, one of the prime distributors of fake news. If anyone should stand accused of a con then surely it’s the President!
6
Maybe next time I get asked at immigration "reason for visit", I should reply I'm looking for a 15 year old cat
3
The biggest con is this Trump Presidency.
8
President Trump as a character witness for someone accused of sexual assault is kinda like having John Gotti testify to the upstanding citizenship of Al Capone.
19
Now that is ”rich” coming out of trumps lying mouth!
8
A better act for Mr. Trump (and all of us) would be to withdraw the Kavanaugh nomination and instead nominate Rod Rosenstein.
7
If anyone on this planet knows about a con game, it's Trump!
8
How rich of Donald Trump to accuse others of running a con game!
8
Too bad for Ms Ford and Ms Ramirez that they weren't assaulted by undocumented immigrants.
11
Keep talking, Donny. Every time you open your mouth, another congressional district goes blue.
Why not share your views on gender relations in a televised speech?
13
This has been repeated so much that it’s now a cliche, but this is why women hesitate to come forward. Here we have the most powerful man in the world using his megaphone to slander Kavanaugh’s alleged victims. He should be asking for an investigation, period. What a pathetic “leader.”
16
As usual, Trump firmly underscores the entrenched unfairness and hypocrisy that women in this country must endure.
She was "drunk and messed up." Thus it was her fault, or she's lying, or she's loose.
Kavanaugh was young and drunk. It was a "youthful indiscretion," or it never happened at all. Boys will be boys, nudge, nudge.
13
This isn't about allegations of sexual misconduct by Judge Kavanaugh. The determined Republicans are not stopped ofr pause for one or two women's accusations. This is about the Republicans taking over our nation with a powerful armed force behind them. Stop focusing on day to day details and see the trends. The Republican Jaugernaut will confirm Kavanaugh and we will cease to be a democratic nation as we we become a fascist military empire, the strategy all along. Don't you all see that?
As far as a Democrat Con game goes, once again, Trump is lying as he projects his own personality traits.
6
re "con game":
well he's the expert, so he ought to know one when he
sniffs one.
4
Trump is a master in playing con games. Democrats are smart enough not to play that game, because they know they will loose to the master. Quite frankly, there are two women Republican senators who can derail the confirmation process, we wait and see if they support Dr. Ford or throw the #MeToo movement under the bus. They need to come forward and send a message to the nation that sexual assault will not be tolerated by voting NO to Kavanagh.
4
If there's anyone who's qualified to discuss unwanted sexual advances, con jobs and cover-ups, it's Mr. Trump.
6
This is an open question to:
Sarah Sanders, KA Conway, Carrie Servino of the Judicial Crisis Network,
and all of the many women working behind the scenes to push the daily shifting PR message supporting Brett Kavanaugh.
Where do you draw the line, and
what will it take for you to just say:
“No, I’ve had enough and I’m not going to do this anymore. This guy is a liar and he is just not worth it.”
I used to work for one of the largest
PR firms in the world back in the day. When the Catholic Church became a client and hired the firm to develop talking points and PR strategies, a number of Catholic women and men refused to participate in that charade and either quit or asked not to be on that account.
They felt much better after doing that and at least they could sleep at night and look themselves in the mirror. Can you?
15
Nobody seems to have mentioned the scenes fom the "blues brothers" where the naive 14 yo female teenager goes to a party, gets drunk, passes out, and after some soul searching is left at the front door of her (parents) house dishevelled but unmollested. Frat prank sure, demeaning sure, lesson for the onscreen victim sure, lesson for Kavanagh ...nope. wake up America she was 15
3
Trump is 100% correct the democrats are pulling a con, and our "progressives" are falling for it hook line and sinker.
1
The accuser has the opportunity on Thursday to speak her bit, Kavanaugh then has opportunity to reply. Then they vote to confirm the man. Nothing complicated here. Get it done!
2
Continuing to support this man despite credible allegations of sexual violence is disgusting, though not unusual, from a serial adulterer, predator of women and draft evader. Republicans who still stand by Trump will most likely be voted out of office.
5
The Republicans fear to ask a single question of the witness because their questions would bare their low regard for the truthfulness of women and complicate matters for them politically. But just wait and see all the softballs they lob at Kavanaugh and how they commiserate with him. The cowards.
5
Trump speaks the truth, a great truth, actually.
3
" they’re really con artists," Maybe so, but he is admitting that they are artists. It is obvious that Democrats have run circles around the Republicans.
Why was no investigation earlier? Why do we still not know the contents of that latter? Why was Ford reluctant to testify under oath? She is now, but it has been like pulling teeth to get her to testify.
There are too many questions. Republicans need to either confirm Kavanaugh PDQ, or withdraw him and nominate a conservative black woman who will be much safer from attacks.
1
Drive by character assassination. Presumption of Guilt awful.
3
@Joe Yoh, yes, but I think Dr. Ford is strong enough to take it, tell the truth, and come through it fine.
1
Oh yeah? If you’re talking about Dr. Blasey being attacked and smeared, you’re right. If you’re talking about K, then have a legitimate investigation. Simple.
If there's a con game going on, it's the Republican's attempt to push through a Supreme Court nominee without a fair and full hearing from those who have accused him of sexual assault. We are talking justice here.
8
As apposed to the Con- game the unreflective Trump runs daily on the country.
2
Trump and the GOP have a pathological inability to consider their responsibility for poor planning and the hubris of their expectations.
2
Con game.
Witch hunt.
These are symptoms of a rapidly failing mind.
Heed them.
3
I must be the 500th person who has commented that if anyone should know "con games" it's the Accidental President himself. Only this time it's NOT ANY kind of game. You know what was a game? Keeping Merrick Garland from taking his rightful place on the SCOTUS. And the McConnell/Ryan Gang won that time. Let's see who laughs last.
5
Democrats are running a dirty game to delay confirmation of judge Kavanaugh. It seems that senator Feinstein cannot guarantee Kavanaugh accuser shows up on Thursday. The senate judiciary committee should schedule a vote on Thursday and if accuser is no show and go ahead and resume the confirmation process of Judge K.
2
@girish catwal “running a dirty game” seriously? What a strange perspective. This makes absolutely no sense—fox has certainly done its work as a propaganda arm to blind its viewers.
She would have to on her way to Washington since she won't fly.
Where were you when merrick garland’s candidacy was held hostage by a corrupt gop? I’m sure that really fired you up, right?
Imagine a president, a chief executive, not interested in having the FBI investigate to substantiate or refute allegations made.
This is the boss of the FBI, the Justice Dept., and all law enforcement. He calls those interested in a fair investigation "con artists."
Imagine a president...and then look at Donald Trump.
2
It's a good thing Mr. Kavanaugh is not guilty of paying off call girls. He might then consider running for President.
1
Trump is acting like a typical type A sales manager with high anxiety over the duration of the sales cycle on a big sale. He can't close the deal. Donald knows if they don't close the sale of Kanenaugh as soon as possible,the longer it goes. the lower the chances to close, deteriorate rapidly and the longer the less likely the confirmation will happen. The longer this goes, the worse he will trash these women. And eventually, it will backfire on his woman's base. And I heard Robert Costa say " a Democratic congress can move to impeach a sitting Supreame Court Judge"!
1
He might truly believe it... they did it with Al Franken, so I'm sure he thinks everyone is low-dealing.
The same could be said for just about everything out of his mouth... he is generally guilty of what he blames others for, often blatantly so...
He's a walking talking projection.
1
Does anyone else see the great irony in Donald J. Trump, the ultimate "con man", claiming that the Democrats are playing a "con game"? I nearly fell out of my office chair listening to his repetitive and near incoherent complaining.
Just remember, it is "delay and obstruct" when it comes to allegations of sexual assault against his nominees, but it is "let the People decide" when it comes to stopping Barack Obama's nominees.
1
I presume that all the women who have accused Trump of sexual predatory behaviour were similarly "all messed up."
The separate lives that the president and his wife live are testimony to the impact of these so-called lies on his own marriage.
2
In the President's favor, he should know a con game, having spent $25 million to settle claims involving one of his.
4
Just like his limited vocabulary, the causes for anything and everything for the catastrophies he has created and creating are just two - Democrats and fake news! How did we get here?
It's so hilarious were it not such a serious matter. Trump has affairs and when exposed Democrats are blamed. Now he has nominated a candidate who's foundation seems extremely tenuous. And it's Democrats' con game. If not, it's fake news.
Wow!
4
I am still trying to understand why a Judge who has spent his life being groomed to be a Supreme and traveled the pipeline of The Federalist Society and has access to millions of dollars to promote and buy votes for him, would accept a nomination for SC from a man who is so lawless and corrupt. Everyone Trump touches gets cheapened. Now Trump is “stage managing” him just like a contestant on The Apprentice. Poor judgement on Kavanaugh’s part. Not qualified to be a judge of anything.
5
@SystemsThinker from Badgerland
Why? A spot on SCOTUS is the Mount Everest for any lawyer,
so pure ambition alone would explain why, and is perfectly reasonable. It is an honor to be nominated, no matter by whom.
A Grand bargain? Promoting and buying votes? Well, That’s a lot darker reason with long tentacles that I could imagine could stretch for miles, even all the way to Badgerland. But no time to check that out, at least not before the vote, right?
1
The single greatest threat to our democracy is mitch mcconnell.
No check on DJT and his openly corrupt administration, his resistance to the Obama nominee leaving the court shorthanded for almost a year and his willingness to ignore the will of the people of KY and the US electorate to push a twisted , ultra conservative agenda.
He needs to be removed from office as soon as possible.
Let’s start by voting 11/6.
8
Brett Kavanaugh has led an exemplary life.
If the worst he has done is act up when drunk decades ago, that is quite an exemplary life.
Jesus said it best: let he who is without sin cast the first stone.
1
Did Jesus say anything about sinning and getting on the Supreme Court?
@Marty O'Toole republicans wouldn't let Jesus on the supreme court.
@Marty O'Toole
JC led an exemplary life.
BK has not.
Attempted rape, sexual assault and excessive drinking to the point of being incoherently drunk is not “acting up.” Lying under oath about any or all of it is disqualifying.
I guess it all depends on what the definition of “If” is.
Two words: Merrick Garland.
6
Mr. Trump had no right to prosecute the woman ahead of the hearing. Furthermore legally there should have been an investigation. Apparently Kavanaugh was not alone when he attacked the young girl.
4
The "Projection" president spews forth again, and again. He is a master at projection of his own criminality onto his enemies using baseless accusations (his arsenal of alt-facts and hyperbole) and always evading justice - while painting a plump rosy vision of the trail of stench in his wake. I long for the day he will be nothing but a memory in the learning curve of how threats to democracy manifest through the corrupting influence of wealth and power.
1
Trump is confused and mixed up. The con is his party rushing through a deeply flawed candidate. The con has been exposed and they are desperate. Drip drip drip.
It is the Republican way to accuse to other side of whatever dastardly act they are doing. If they get caught, they use the both sides do it defense.
4
'Con Game' against Kavanaugh?
What about the 'Con Game' against Merrick Garland?
Now that was a Con Game! ... deliberately executed by McConnell a master of underhanded judicial maneuvering, who should be held in contempt for pushing the current despicable Kavanaugh travesty forward. Senate leader McConnell refused to consider Obama's Merrick Garland supreme court nomination arguing that a year remaining in his presidential term was insufficient time. He also argued that in a Clinton presidency Garland would be treated the same way if she was still under FBI investigation. But he has no problem ramming through trump's nomination even though this president is under FBI investigation. There's something deeply appallingly amiss here.
3
Kavanaugh, who was relentless in his prosecution of Clinton for his moral failings - now has Donald Trump as a character witness!
What goes around comes around.
5
ENTITLEMENT. I'm entitled to women, jobs, power. I'm entitled to not be questioned, but I'll indulge your petty annoyances as long as it's only on my terms. I'm entitled to behave terribly in my youth and have what happens there, stay there. I have so much entitlement already, surely this must mean I'm entitled to even more - like a Supreme Court Seat.
It needs to stop. Even if he didn't do it, let's not feed Brett Kavanaugh's entitlement. There are dozens of candidates for SCOTUS and even plenty of others who are just as willing to gut Roe vs. Wade. Let's please just stop this one man's entitlement, for once. Let's see a white man get denied based on our semi-informed presumptions of his character, even if it is ultimately unfair. Just once.
7
I think Trump is taking his projections to new levels by accusing the Democrats of running a con game. Trump is one of the biggest con artists the world has ever seen. The whole country and to some extent the world is suffering because of Trump’s con job. I guess Grassley, Hatch, Graham, Mcconnell and Ryan don’t realize that they are being conned by Trump.
4
For a good reason why...check their plump bank accounts....coffers filled with blood money.
In any other time or place this amount of scandal and allegation would be enough to kill the nomination. Presumption of innocence is one thing, but normal politicians prefer not to hang a scandal round their necks that they will carry with them for a long, long time.
And it’s frankly mind-boggling how obvious a pretence this “hear her out” stratagem is - some have even stated how they’ll still vote for him no matter how convincingly truthful her story is. And they ask why a woman might not tell anyone?! Why would anyone, when this the response?
Stale and out-of-touch politicians. Dead wood that needs to be cleared out.
5
It is rich to hear Republicans accusing Democrats of playing a con game, when Republicans have been playing the biggest con against Americans for the past 3 decades. Let me remind my fellow citizens of just a few of those cons:
trickle down, supply side economics; Iran-contra; read my lips, no new taxes; the Contract for America; the bogus impeachment of Clinton for lying about his sex life; stealing the 2000 election; extreme gerrymandering of districts, voter purges, and the non-existent threat of voter fraud; 9/11 and who was responsible (hint: it wasn't Iraq or Afghanistan); the invasion and occupation of Iraq; the invasion and occupation of Afghanistan and continuing war there; death panels and the Affordable Care Act; the 2008 implosion of the economy and Republican stewardship of it; stealing the 2016 election; Merrick Garland; the great tax cut for the rich of 2017. So who is conning who? What goes around comes around...
6
Trump's ears are this afternoon are still ringing with the laughter of foreign leaders he first took to be friendly but now, upon consideration, knows to have been derisive. Which foreign leader will he first choose to attack with a tweet? Whoever he chooses, It won't be the one he fears the most.
5
I think Trump actually believes what he is saying. For once he is being honest. Misogynistic, but honest.
2
He and his comments are irrelevant
1
What is this? The executive branch (President Trump) shouldn't even be commenting on this beyond Kavanaugh's nomination (much less the media reporting what the President's opinion is). Post-nomination, that's the responsibility of the legislative and judicial branches of government. Since when does a sitting President, who ought to be 'leading' the country, drop down to
commenting on procedures not delegated to his branch of government? What is this? It's a prime-time media, reality show on television, in the periodicals and floating across social media.
Much money by advertising giants to be made here, and nowhere, nowhere is it more clear that the corporatization of all three branches of government has taken a solid hold. We are all at the mercy and level of "The Apprentice" now, with very few adults in the room, if any, and for the President to even comment on these proceedings (before they're completed) smacks of how he too has been brought to his knees before the cameras and press. That's not leading; that's being led by the all-pervasive corporatization of everything private and sacrosanct (but it does continue to market the Trump brand). Let Kavanaugh go through the process, with Grassley and the big boys and girls questioning Professor Ford and others---unless they're too afraid, which I fear they are. Yet let it play out without the now-corporately-made child-President on stage.
1
C-O-N rhymes with D-O-N goes with Trump.
Mr. Fake President, YOU are the real con.
I cannot wait until the day you disappear from the office you illegitimately hold.
You are a stain on this Republic.
Good day to you!
1
Reading what Trump, Grassley, McConnell, et.al. Have said concerning this matter makes me want to retch.
This is quite aside from whether Judge Kavanaugh is guilty or innocent.
I never thought I’d see a President or so many members of Congress behave so shamefully. It seems that, under this Administration, new lows are reached almost every day.
17
Judge Kavanaugh produced his calendar from the Summer of 1982. It shows that he was out of town on a majority of the days on the break and several events with friends, none with a description matching Dr. Ford's account of the party she alleges as the setting for the attack. This brings up a serious issue with her version of events.
In the United States, a criminal charged with a crime is entitled to an accusation that includes the date, time and location of the offense. These parts of the allegations must be proved by any prosecutor. The reason date, time and location must be proven is that an accused in this country has a right under due process to be able to provide an alibi to refute the allegation. If the date, place and time are not alleged, there is no way for an accused to prove he or she was not only not there, but someplace else with other people. Alibi witnesses cannot be used to defend an accused if the alibi witnesses cannot provide evidence that at the time and date, they were present with the accused someplace else.
Dr. Ford provides no diary, corroborating witness testimony or any other evidence that would allow any other person to either support her or support Judge Kavanaugh. That lack of detail may be explainable, but it is fundamentally unfair to Judge Kavanaugh. For that reason, I would not be able to give her version of events any credence. It is just too convenient that she tells a story in a way that makes it impossible to alibi the judge. Fairness.
6
You must not understand the new paradigm. It's based, first and foremost, on the proposition that no conservative can be right. About anything. in fact, due to their misplaced and repugnant ideas they must must not be listened to in any way other than to humor them. Second, it relies on the idea that on issues of sex, sexual abuse, sexual equality, abortion, of course, and anything else involving criticism or allegations against men, women are to be believed and their views be considered first. Thirdly, it is based on the oft-spoken concept of "telling her story," (his doesn't matter), meaning every female is entitled to her own facts, her own reality. Fourthly is the notion that one is entitled to believe or disbelieve "her story" based on their own reality (men and women equally), while understanding that believing must come first, and, when it comes to sexual abuse issues of any kind, must be maintained unless evidence can be produced demonstrating the innocence of the accused demonstrably. As long as she is telling "her story" no evidence or corroboration of events is necessary. Get with the program.
3
@Michael Shore
Kavanaugh is not on trial, he's interviewing for a job.
@michael shore - Do you have your date planner from your High school days? Gee fabrication of a date planner from 36 years ago is pretty easy from the party that brought us the term “ Dirty Tricks”. And as this unfolds it’s starting to look like High School Jock Privilege as usual.
All indications are that the Republicans will glide through this allegation impediment to confirm Kavanaugh to attain their long held goal of taking over the country with absolute monopoly power backed by arms.
12
@Shakinspear, yes, most likely. And I fear we won't get it back in our lifetimes. But we will need to fight, to be resourceful, to help each other even without them as best we can. It won't be the first time a cruel aristocracy has attained power. There are many variables still, and we are not without recourse utterly. Giving up would be a big mistake, whatever comes.
1
If anyone knows a moderate Republican, please take a picture of the person and preserve it. I am not sure how to identify one but the simple statement of "I am a conservative" does not work. I would like to see a few examples or even articles describing them. I think they are an endangered species and the current administration does not seek to preserve them.
6
Lower taxes, a reduction in burdensome regulations, more state control, a military buildup based on long-term defense challenges and strategy, support for Israel and moving the US Embassy to Jerusalem. . .these and other policies I could name in no way define conservatives and the conservative movement?
1
Lower taxes?
Budget busting deficits?
Unfilled govt positions that serve the middle class?
Alliances with your enemies against your best friends?
Completely unnecessary trade wars?
Really now Boris .....
Oh the magnitude of the irony! Don the con calling it a con. I remember the first time he commandeered the term "fake news" in 2016 I believe, long after fake news had been a term used by independent journalists to describe truly false reporting (the fact that I need to use the term "truly false" is itself telling of our times). Now he's trying to take control of the term "con," the ultimate meta-con. One sure way you know it is true of Trump is if he accuses someone else of it. Any aspersion he casts upon others is the whole truth only when reflected back upon himself.
11
The next time a Democratic President gets the opportunity to nominate a Supreme Court Justice, he needs to be Merrick Garland.
18
@A. Stanton Someone younger and much more progressive.
This President is defending the nominee because the nominee's behavior is a reflection of the President's behavior. Thus, the President cannot see anything wrong.
21
Kavanaugh not only needs to withdraw from consideration for the Supreme Court, he needs to resign from his federal judgeship, or be impeached. An appearance on Fox TV for an 'interview' by any sitting federal judge nominated for the Supreme Court (Fox is the US equivalent of RT) should be more than enough for anyone who supports our constitution to vote "NO."
11
We're supposed to believe serial adulterer and admitted sexual predator Trump's defense of Kavanaugh because...?
80
@Linda
Maybe Kavanaugh should find a better character witness?
3
Have you observed Kavenaugh, again, replayed on TV, resolutely denying that he ever forced or had sexual intercourse with either of these women? Neither one, of course, accused him of rape. Each said that he "merely" assaulted her sexually. I question anyone who fails to discern -- or admit -- that this fellow is far too slimy and dishonest for a seat on our U.S. Supreme Court.
85
@Jim Steinberg: Just think, this miserable man was advanced by people who screamed bloody murder when Clinton claimed he didn't have "sexual relations" with a certain intern.
Nobody needs psychopaths like these in their lives.
If the Democrats were smart, they would fight fire with fire:
Get Bill Clinton to ENDORSE Kavanaugh!
If that doesn't kill his nomination, nothing will!
17
@lf
You seem to have some difficulties seeing the difference between consensual and non consensual sex ... ?
As to Bill Clinton: he was president at a time when you could get impeached just for lying about your private life ... and he admitted it and apologized. When will Trump and the GOP start admitting their many lies, and about things that are much worse such as Obamacare, taxes, the deficit, immigrants, the state of the union etc .... ?
Any ideas?
"Britain, if you're listening, I hope you can burn the White House down again. I think, probably, you would be mightily rewarded by our press".
36
@Barry Moyer, it's not our press driving away our allies and playing footsie with those who hate our nation. It's not the press wrecking lives here with tariffs set to drive up consumer prices nationwide. It's not the press slurring his own Department of Justice while his cronies take plea deals for their crimes. You can declare war on the truth--Trump does it daily--but in the end, you'll lose. Wait and see.
@jb
I'm mocking Trump's famous and illegal plea to the Russians. I think you've misunderstood my post. I am not supporting Trump. Never will. Don't know how you got there.
stacking the deck is a tough job don
without Putin's help you'd be begging on the street corner
29
@Jack Trump in a sense was begging on the street corner for investors, any investors, as no investment firm would touch him due to his con games.
4
Oh, that's rich, Trump accusing the democrats of a con? Please, spare me.
82
@Bailey. Here we are again. Trump uses the defense mechanism of projection yet again. Classic.
3
It's a measure of how his vocabulary has shriveled, as well as other, er, aspects.
2
Whenever it is a Bill Cosby or an immigrant or a Democrat, it is the worst crime in the world. Whenever it is Trump or a Trump puppet, it is a "con game."
Just as Einstein said, it's all relative.
14
A con game?
Coming from Trump, that comment is rich. What with his constant lying, bankruptcies and history of sexual assults, who is playing the con?
40
With each of his stupid, judgmental, demeaning tweets, Trump makes sure that another million women will go to the polls in November. And after the show Grassley and McConnell have put on, saying Kavanaugh will be appointed no matter what Dr. Ford (and apparently others) have to say, they probably add a few more million women and fair-minded people everywhere to the coming Blue Wave. Maybe now the Senate is wishing the reach of Dems.
And all this before Dr. Ford has uttered a word in committee.
If Trump and the good ol’ boys in the GOP think this is smart, they deserve to be sent packing. We don’t deserve such stupid, misogynistic people running our country.
44
Wrong! There are a lot of us who will!
1
@Hey Joe
The very same Donald Trump who refers to women as dogs and pigs. Yep, that's Brett Kavanaugh's best buddy now, along with Mitch McConnell and Orrin Hatch.
No, donald, the real con game is what your buddy Mitch did when Scalia died. He refused to consider anyone nominated by Obama. But then you never did like Obama and you have managed to undo much of what he did for the rest of us.
Donald, I think you and Mitch have put the "con" in conservative.
42
Just as I predicted, to avoid the visual of these old, white men questioning Dr. Blasey Ford, they've hired a woman to do their dirty work. Shame!
"The committee declined to identify the lawyer, who is a woman, citing safety concerns."
34
Kavanaugh should withdraw so Trump can nominate Merrick Garland.
41
Judge Kavanaugh was brutal and sexually explicit in his suggestions for conducting an inquisition of then President Bill Clinton regarding his potential sexual misconduct. It seems that the newest potential Supreme Court associate justice deserves no less than that which he was willing to inflict when the tables were turned.
38
And trump, you’re running a con game against America. Lower case t intentional.
22
If Trump accuses you of running a con game, you know you're doing something right.
39
“He went on to call it a con game several more times, even at one point spelling it out, “C-O-N.”
In France, where the slang word “con” has a somewhat different meaning than it does in English, Trump’s comment would have been highly ironic.
12
My neighbor was robbed at knife point a few weeks back. But he'd been drinking at a bar, so there was really no crime. If a boy drinking at a party with a couple guys he knows is raped by them in a bedroom while he struggles, that's okay, too. That's how Trump sees his pal's attack on a 15-year-old girl. She drank alcohol and so of course the future judge Kavanaugh had at her--but coming from the star of the famous "When you're a star they let you" recording, Trump's opinion is a given, isn't it.
29
Of course Judge Kavanaugh deserves a fair hearing, as do Dr. Ford and Ms. Ramirez. We won't be having a fair hearing because the other players in this drama will not be heard from and will not be investigated by the FBI. But listening to a serial sex abuser defend a man who may be the same is almost too much to take. Sleaze is too good a word to be associated with Donald Trump.
30
The only good thing that happened at the United Nations was the first baby of New Zealand was their while Prime Minister Working mom made her speech. A working mom with baby in tow giving her speech at UN. Love it! Trump eat that!
24
@SridharC, and even more remarkable, “Ardern’s partner Clarke Gayford – a fishing television presenter – is Neve’s primary carer, and has travelled with Ardern to New York to look after the baby.”
Notice how Trump once again uses an accusation that is frequently lobbed at him against the Democrats: "It's a con game they're playing; they're really con artists." He uses this tactic a lot. He is planting this idea in the heads of his supporters--via Fox News, Rush Limbaugh, and other conservative media outlets--while at the same time neutralizing the term when it's used against him. He has many despicable qualities, but he certainly is a master at manipulating the media and putting other people on the defensive.
15
Guilty or not is a question that will we will never know the answer to definitely. What we do know is that Judge Kavanaugh is putting his career and ambitions above those of the citizens of the USA. A person with high morals and intellect would remove himself from consideration so as not to stain the reputation of the high court and cast doubt into any and all rulings dealing with womens issues. This alone indicates what kind of a person Judge Kavanaugh is and should disqualify him from a life time appointment.
19
@Robert Skeoch Now we have confirmation that trump doesn't know all the best people.
1
@Robert Skeoch
Yep. "I am innocent of these charges but for the good of the court and the country I am stepping aside." If B. Kavanaugh was as upstanding as all his supporters say he is, he would have done that by now.
It seems to me that all Democratic and all Fair-Minded Republican Senators should have enough gumption to promote a fair (ie. with investigation and witnesses in support and against) hearing. It can be embodied in a simple slogan:
"NO FAIR HEARING, 'NO' VOTE"
Let the President argue all he wants. Simply "no fair hearing, a NO vote".
14
I want to know more about the BIG Picture of the FEDERALIST SOCIETY. Seems like they're playing with our freedoms and rights within our government, our laws who's appointed and the removal of regulations that safe guard the American public. This isn't about Kavanaugh it's about what the FEDERALIST have been doing with and to the selection process for both the FEDERAL JUDGES, and now United States Supreme Court. Please have some investigative reporting on the FEDERALIST SOCIETY. Thanks,
18
Projection projection projection. That's Trump's basic style -- that, and refusal to be called accountable in any way, even at several removes (if someone in his circle is effectively called to account for something, suddenly he barely knows that person).
17
That's rich...coming the greatest con artist in modern day political history. 'Who's gonna pay for the Wall? That's right, Mexico !'
29
Both Democrats and Republicans run their own con games. Whether it's small town Bible Belt USA where the local preacher is publicly speaking against gay rights while secretly banging male prostitutes and snorting lines of coke, or Democrats in Pennsylvania making promises that they know they can't keep to the remaining inhabitants of former coal towns, promises made are not the same thing as policy promises kept.
1
@Jim Willows: Hillary did not make false promises to coal miners to reverse extinction of their jobs, and Republicans say this is why she fell short after the Electoral College voter nullification process.
18
@Steve Bolger Indeed. The masses were indeed conned with the claim by the grifter from Queens that coal can be washed to make it clean "... meaning, they’re taking out coal, they’re going to clean it....". Source-MSNBC.
@Steve Bolger
No. She fell short because (a) her campaign advisors were too stupid to have her campaign in 3 very important states, and go instead to states like AZ; and (b) contrary to what Obama said, she was not even "likeable enough."
He spills accusations against the accuser without showing any proof whatsoever. Who is the con and the liar in this case?
7
@Maurice Rodriguez
So it's bad for Trump not to have evidence against the new accuser. But you have no problem with the fact that none of the accusers have provided a shred of evidence in support of their claims against Kavanaugh? OK, sure; no hypocrisy there.
Trump is a con man, so he thinks everyone else is, too. He's a sexual predator himself, so he doesn't think other men should be denied power because of the possibility they've committed sexual assault. He knows he's not qualified, so he has no way to judge the qualifications of others.
17
If anyone would know about being a con artist it would be Trump.
16
If anyone would know about con games, it would be our president.
7
If Trump is brilliant at anything, it's in creatively attached his depravities to anyone who calls him on them. Now, here's the ultimate con man . . . doing it again, accusing Democrats of “orchestrating a con game.” And, his followers hide behind what many, deep inside, know is a snake oil pitch. They just follow the leader with waves of what-about-isms in the kids' game variant of “if I’m one, you are a worse one.”
Of course, he shows no real party affiliation in his miracle cure medicine shows. He sank this Republican generation’s “best and brightest” with it . . . and they, rather than exposing what they know is a con, practice their lines for the next medicine show in the next electionville.
22
It takes one to see one in everyone, Trump. You are projecting. The whole Republican party are projecting their demons on all of us. It takes one to know one, sir. Con artist, really?!
8
Continues to amaze at how the bar gets lower and lower with each passing day--how this bully-in-chief is allowed to concoct and dictate all aspects of reality--allowing and encouraging his minions to create their own narrative frame--cherry-picking their own so-called facts, as they righteously parade their petulant points of view. This is beyond sad.
11
"Democrats argued that Mr. Trump and other Republicans were casting a verdict without actually hearing from any accusers. "
That is a joke, right? From the Party that is casting a verdict based on unsubstantiated, and unsworn, allegations? How any Democratic senator can remain silent while watching their colleagues engage in such shameful tactics is beyond me. Not one honorable person willing to say "Stop this! Enough is enough."
The NYT readership obviously approves of these tactics but the rest of America is watching with disgust and revulsion.
1
@JB Democrats are not casting a verdict, they are asking for an investigation into credible allegations.
11
@JB, What America are you referring to? A handful of Republican-dominated states? Nice try, but no cigar.
Interesting, his choice of words.
4
Oh, the Democrats are running a con game, are they? What are the Republicans running? A railroad?
Meanwhile, if Trumpsky wants to attack Kavanaugh's accusers, I think it's high time to hear from Trump's accusers again. Let's make it all crystal clear just what kind of character we're dealing with.
8
It's just unreal that a sitting president of the United States would attack (ATTACK!) a woman who claims she was sexually assaulted. It's sickening to see what Trump is doing to our country.
23
Just another example of Donald J. Trump NOT choosing the best people.
5
Precious remarks coming from a Con-Artist and who has been accused of Sexual Assault and Abuse by at least 19 woman, bragged about how he like to assault woman by groping, kissing and grabbing them by their private parts whether they liked it or not, bragged about going into the dressing rooms of his pageants where he would check out the goods of undressed underaged teen girls, was accused of rape by any underaged girl but would come out in the public due to death threats; yeah, Donald Trump has a lot of credibility to speak on this issue.
15
Trump: "It's a con game." "The Democrats are con artists?"
No, Democrats don't know Kavanaugh's "a high quality person." Yes we do believe he attempted to rape an under-age girl.
Mr. Trump and the Trump Republicans in Congress are doing the customary thing: They are assaulting a woman a second time, who has had the courage to come forward and credibly accuse an entitled man of sexual assault.
You can't make this up. Grassley: The Democrats politicized the Anita Hill thing."
How many other women wanted to testify that Thomas had sexually harassed and groped them? How many of Thomas's law school classmates wanted to testify that he had been obsessed with pornography?
Both Democratic and Republican senators pilloried Professor Hill. It was a grave miscarriage of justice. Grassley should know better.
The Republican senators should have the courage of their own convictions--however misogynistic and retrograde--and question Dr. Blasey themselves. Blasey should insist on it, or at the very least make it clear that the senators lack the courage to do so.
8
For someone who whines and snivels about how the Democrats "politicize" everything, Trump wastes no time blaming them for all manner of silliness that they have nothing to do with.
7
The guy who conned all those Trump University students should know all about con games.
15
Attention my fellow Americans. Our Commander and Chief has spoken and has shared his thoughts regarding the questionable nomination of Mr. Kavanaugh, which has yet to be investigated and before both parties have been heard by the Senate Judiciary Committee;
“I think it’s horrible what the Democrats have done. It is a con game; they really are con artists,”
“They don’t believe it themselves. They know he’s a high-quality person. They don’t believe it. It is just resist and obstruct. They are playing a con game and they are playing it very well, much better than Republicans.”
“She was totally inebriated and all messed up and she doesn’t know,” Mr. Trump said. “It might have been him or it might have been him.” Then, speaking sarcastically, he added, “Gee, let’s not make him a Supreme Court judge.”
“He was so truthful,” Mr. Trump said. “This isn’t his footing,” he added. “He’s never been here before. He’s never had any charges like this, charges come up from 36 years ago that are totally unsubstantiated.”
Spoken like a 72 year old man who has the Emotional Intelligence of an adolescent.
Djt, please just stop talking and, someone please cancel his Twitter account.
P.s. sir for future reference, there are no hyperlinks between each letter of the CON. However, I write with certainty that you do know the definition.
7
Trump's accusation of a Democratic "con game" is the kiss of death (to Kavanaugh).
5
GOP restraint? More like repeatedly circling a victim before attacking.
7
The CON that Trump is talking about is actually GOP generated by offering up an immoral, dissolute candidate for the SCOTUS by the name of Brett Kavanaugh. He is consumed by expectation and hubris to the point of dragging this Court through a pig trough of public opinion so that he will possibly survive the hearings to get selected. Kavanaugh is forever tainted.
8
At the end of the day, I predict that either Kavanaugh or his accuser(s) will have been treated unfairly because there will be no clear resolution of the accusations (unless some real witnesses show up). Republicans can whine all they want about how "unfair" this has all been. But they should have seen it coming: that after the Merrick Garland travesty Democrats will be playing extreme hardball on all republican nominations. What goes around comes around. And yes, there will be victims. Even if completely innocent, Kavanuagh should have known this was coming also: that his confirmation process would be dirty and nasty. Happy now, Mitch?
4
Donald Trump claims, without proof, that a research psychologist fabricated a story about an attack, thereby placing both her and her family's lives and careers in jeopardy as a part of a "con game" organized by the Democrats to stop Kavanaugh's nomination.
Trump, again without proof, without having met the person in question, and without any real base from which to be commenting on sexual assault, claims that Dr. Ford was "all messed up."
Trump, actually contradicting proof this time, claims that Democrats are "obstructing" a SCOTUS nomination, something that anyone with a memory going back over two years will recall is literally what the GOP did with Merrick Garland's nomination.
Also of note, there are no sexual assault accusations against Merrick Garland.
Okay Republicans: go to town with your pontificating about "believing people without proof" now.
8
The president knows the truth about sexism in this country, because he is one of the most salient and powerful examples of it: if you are a woman, nothing you do is good enough to "earn" an opportunity. If you are a man, nothing you do is bad enough to "deprive" you of it.
4
"Delay, obstruct and resist" Senator Mitch McConnell about the tactics of the Democratic Senators in the process of the nomination of Judge Kavanagh to the Supreme Court.
Well Mr. McConnell remember Merrick Garland? That your tactics. Democrat Senators are just following your exemple.
5
Trump obviously doesn't "get" it. Let us hope that everyone else does.
4
Trump's outburst means the jig is up. Kavanaugh is finished.
[Although they still have to play to the evangelical base, their most reliable voting block.]
6
I remember when Al Franken resigned his seat based on a comedic act of sexual misconduct (I will concede it was in poor taste), yet, when persons come forward, who have stories that may be credible, the GOP, and Trump, attempt to sweep the allegations under the rug and state there is a con game afoot.
Hmm, who is playing the real con game?
11
@Dan
Plain and simple, Dan.
Al Franken purposefully sexually humiliated a sleeping female colleague - for the benefit of the men around him,
Now, see the relevance?
So Mr. "I'm gonna get every American better insurance than Obamacare and it'll be cheaper," Mr. "I'll build a big, beautiful wall and Mexico will pay for it," Mr. Six-time bankrupt 3-wife oath-breaker, Mr, Stable Genius busy-hands, is accusing other people of "running a con." If anyone still believes a word from that man's mouth, I can't think there's any help for them.
8
@jb You left out a major con: his trump university.
The president is using the same tactics against women that he has employed against them over the years. Attack, and attack again. Misdirection is his "trump" card.
6
What is the matter with Republicans that they can't do anything right. Do they remember Merrick Garland? They went thumbs down on him so they they choose someone who guarantees to punish women. Why do the Republicans hate women so much?
10
If Judge Kavanaugh is telling the truth he would demand an FBI Inquiry to clear his name. He's not demanding one so I'm just saying...
8
Mr. Kavanaugh and Mr. Trump are two of a kind. Like so many men in power, they are insecure little boys, trying to make themselves believe they are great. We certainly do not need people like this on the Supreme Court.
7
The president merely reveals the unvarnished id of the Republican Party as represented by Mitch McConnell and his ilk. For what, after all, is the difference between saying that this is all a con and the women are not to be believed, and vowing that Kavanaugh will be confirmed no matter what (after senate Republicans condescend pro forma to hearing out Dr. Blasey-Ford)? Who was it that said we’ll know a tree by its fruit? Oh, yeah, that guy. How inconvenient.
6
Once again, trump spouts about things he knows only third or fourth hand and, once again, he interjects his own combustible biases and sense of grievance into a situation already inflamed. This behavior is not that of a thoughtful statesman; it is the rant of a bully-boy throwing his weight behind a man who seems to have escaped criticism or consequences of his actions because of his entitled upbringing--the kind of man that trump wants populating his administration. And if Kavanaugh is found unworthy of the office he seeks, trump is surely as unworthy of the office he holds.
7
'Mr. Trump said. Then, speaking sarcastically, he added, “Oh, gee, let’s not make him a Supreme Court judge because of that.”'
POTUS, Donald J. Trump
I hope and pray his daughter, wife, mother-in-law, Sara, Hope, someone, he trusts, be it woman or man, maybe Franklin Graham ( he trusts him, right?) can help him comprehend the absolute gravity of his thinking and this statement.
1
whatever this president accuses other of is certain to be the exact thing he is doing....he is the champion
of psychological projection. rigged election? sure, he was the one rigging it. (and many others)
6
I am a democrat. I am not a con man. I do not consider the proposed S. C. justice to be a quality person. The comment of his co-students, his comments in the yearbook, the questionable finances of recent years, the less than candid testimony in his various appearances before Congress tell me he is not a quality person. I used to practice law. I would not want to go before a person of that background and temperament. That conclusion comes before even considering the women's complaints. But the complaints do fit into the background. The Judge himself said something to the effect that what happens at Georgetown Prep should stay there. He hasn't shown me he has ever left prep school. He should stay there. He does not deserve being hired as an S. C. justice.
4
An expanded FBI background investigation as is normal due process would provide critical information. An innocent man would demand it.
Going on Fox on the part of Kavanaugh was throwing this to the Republican base and throwing Dr. Blasey to the wolves while totally denying her the right to an investigation and witnesses.
Trump's insults are par for the course. Ugly, demeaning, and unsettling.
The host of Republican senators and others who are ignoring the victim and ignoring the very serious accusations denies the rights and humanity of the victim. We saw this before in the Catholic Church scandal. Cardinals and bishops who were quick to claim they were looking after the souls of the priests involved never spoke about the children harmed, acting like those innocents were irrelevant voices and lives.
I don't know how this will end, but the courage and citizenship of Dr. Blasey, Ms. Ramirez, and those who spoke out against Trump personally are heroic and believable.
May they heal from the multiple attacks - physical and verbal and emotional - against them from the power brokers of the GOP who remain totally committed to the rights of wealthy privileged white males and overlook the entire rest of the population.
5
This is a classic example of projection. Trump is seeing conduct and attributes in others that he is unconscious of in himself. Trump is a first rate con artist, most of us can see that. But he cannot. I agree with the psychological perspective that the unconscious gives us the opportunity to see ourselves better and thus become more self aware by projecting our "shadows" on others. This is actually a gift to Trump's ego from his soul, but as the story discloses, he can't see that at all. We should see it, though. The "con" Trump is offended by is himself.
5
A careful observer of Kavanaugh during his period of intense scrutiny finds a man exhibiting unsettling signs of guilt.
His outrage is tepid and manufactured, and his claims of innocence are mechanical.
An innocent nominee would demand as thorough an investigation of his past, no matter how long it takes. He would insist on it so that there could never be even a whiff of wrongdoing or immorality.
But Kavanaugh is silent and hunkered down, speaking only to the friendly Fox crew.
Yes, his guilt has yet to be established, but his behavior is not that of an innocent man.
4
Or the unsettled emotions of someone unfairly accused of something he didn't do.
What does an innocent person look like to you?
1
Kavanaugh should be confirmed and Garland should be the next one nominated and appointed. Best for the Court and the nation.
@aggrieved taxpayer I agree with Garland, but why would you think a sexual abuser would be best for the Court and the nation?
1
If I was Kavanaugh trying to defend my honor and integrity that would be the endorsement I would be running away from, fast as I can. Who needs a recommendation from this President for any job, let alone for Supreme Court Justice!
5
"Kavanaugh should drop out, there must be a better candidate for this top position. "
No doubt. There are better candidates, however, Trump is not likely to pick a better candidate.
Trump is most likely to pick another candidate that will also further limit, if not repeal completely, Roe V. Wade, allow state laws to stand that disciminate against women, people of color, the LGBTQ community, and people with disabilities on on the reasoning of religious liberty.
The possibly of this happening should not dissuade us from apposing Kavanough if the hearings and investigation (or lack of investigation) continue to show that the accusers are credible. Confirmation of Kavanough under those conditions puts an even greater risk of predatory sexual behavior than now exists on girls and women everywhere.
1
Call me crazy. Is there some reason why these women have not yet filed, at least, a civil suit (not sure if the statute of limitations have passed)? One would think there should be a mechanism to slow this down enough to have a full and fair investigation by law enforcement. Trial via the Legislative branch of our government seems absurd and in violation of the separation of powers.
1
@Jen O
The reason is Rule 11. Google it.
@VT
by the way, Deutsche Bank was fined $630 million in 2017 for laundering $10 billion for Russian oligarchs.
Justice Kennedy's son heads the division that loaned Trump 2.5 billion when no real bank would.
Then Kennedy hastily retires in 2018 to open a seat for Kavanaugh. Perhaps to try to protect his son from the Russia investigation?
The Russian money / dark money flowing through the Republican party and everyone associated with Republicans is astounding. Follow the money and you will see the connections, motivations and trail of criminality.
6
@Humble Beast
How exactly would putting Kavanaugh on SCOTUS protect Kennedy's son from the Russia investigation?
"They who sow the wind will reap the whirlwind." The subterfuge of McConnell and the denial of the Merrick Garland hearing has brought us to this place. One could say that it is judgement day for Republicans. But sadly, lots of innocent people get hurt in a whirlwind as well.
2
@confused
The republican senators control this process and if you want "...to defend Judge Kavanaugh, not so much his guilt or innocence but his right to a fair hearing and his right to defend himself. " then he should insist the FBI investigate these allegations. Instead he brings his wife and daughters out and cry the victim game. His accusers have no reason to lie and give convincing stories that raise enough questions about his character that he should demand an investigation by the FBI and expose the perpetrators of this "con game". His history of teenage illegal use of alcohol--even if less the 100 kegs and evidence of mistreatment of women in his HS yearbook is enough to disqualify him from sitting in judgment of others in cases that might involve these issues. Go find someone worthy of a seat on the SCOTUS!
4
When a con screams of being conned, it comes across as hilarious if the subjects was not so serious. I agree with many views presented by a few commenters that the accusation alone should not disqualify Kavanaugh. Between Dr. Ford's and Kavanaugh's version, there can be only one truth. The untruthful person, IMHO, is guilty of a heinous crime. Rather than creating a spectacle of each other's testimony in front of whatever (who knows), the FBI must be deployed to unearth whatever corroborating evidence it can. Then the decision makers can honestly say, we tried our best to get to the facts, in the end I had to choose between the two stories.
Respectable sources have made grave errors in recent past , a couple that comes to mind: 1) The Olympic bomber; 2) Duke lacrosse players presumed guilty by 89 professors at Duke University.
1
Keep it flowing, President Lashing Out. Decent Americans need not further evidence against Kavenaugh than your recommendation -- although there is plenty of it.
23
Really nice. From the biggest con man of all!
21
For a guy who declared bankruptcy 6 times, who’s conning who? Mr billionaire.
19
Trump alone is the master of the con. Kavanaugh has no credibility until there is an in-depth FBI background check.
Amnesty International USA today called on a halt to a vote on President Trump’s nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court of the United States unless and until any information relevant to Kavanaugh’s possible involvement in human rights violations—including in relation to the U.S. government’s use of torture and other forms of ill-treatment, such as during the CIA detention program—is declassified and made public.
Margaret Huang, Executive Director of Amnesty International USA said:
23
This is a total farce and hit job by the fake news on Trump's selection.
I thought Ford's story was a joke: 36 year old allegations against a then-minor without a shred of corroborating evidence by a Democratic donor who has attended anti-Trump rallies.
I didn't think anything could top that. But Ramirez did! Quote from the New Yorker: "After six days of carefully assessing her memories and consulting with her attorney, Ramirez said that she felt confident enough of her recollections to say that she remembers Kavanaugh had exposed himself at a drunken dormitory party"
Seriously?!? 6 days of "accessing memories"? With the help of a lawyer?
I mean, this is a circus. Let's give Kavanaugh a say. Let's give the women a say under oath. But then let's cut out the nonsense and have a vote.
6
@Jay Lincoln
The nonsense was when the Senate refused to give Merrick Garland a hearing. They gave him no time or consideration at all. They left a Supreme Court seat empty for almost a year. So what is the big rush now?
Trump’s words make my blood pressure rise. In typical form, we get to see our President’s stance on sexual assault. If you’re drunk, it doesn’t count. What a woman-hating creep.
Trump’s parents sent him away to military school because they couldn’t handle him. Can’t WE send him away somewhere?
Two more years. How will we abide it?
23
Con Game? You betcha!
GOP Senators: you’re being played
by the Master of the Con Game and
The Apprentice.
Mitch can’t wait to get to a full Senate vote, knowing it’s going down to defeat. Yes, knowing he’s going to lose.
So does Trump, but he doesn’t want to be the one to pull the plug on his own nominee and he never admits a mistake. Never.
So Mitch is driving this hot rod car, not a GTO but the GOP, with a sicky, drunk sout in the back seat, who is throwing up and he can’t wait to throw him out of his car and clean up the mess.
Pundits think Mitch wouldn’t have made such a strong stand last weekend at the Values Voter conference unless he had the votes to “plow” it through. That he wouldn’t be calling for a Senate floor vote unless he had the votes.
It’s “plain and simple” alright
and we get it:
It’s their desperate attempt to reassure the GOP base and its deep-pocketed donors that they’re trying really, really hard to get that 5th vote onto the Court. So when they lose the vote, they can say, “hey, we tried really hard, even though we lost.”
Trump, Mitch and the GOP will blame the Dems, the MeToo movement, the Optics, and yes any GOP Senator that had the audacity (and decency) to vote No.
Full steam ahead? You betcha!
Con Game? Absolutely!
4
Yes, Bob Corker (and Orrin Hatch and everyone else involved), everyone's story is "pretty thin." That's what happens when key witnesses are not subpoenaed and nothing is investigated. And it is you and senior boys on the Judiciary Committee who have rigged things such that relevant information isn't even being sought.
This process has been jerry-rigged and railroaded from the get-go with a repression of information. And now our hallowed president does what he always does: shoots his mouth off and blames Democrats every time his plans go awry.
I suspect that these middle-age and older boys think they're speaking for the American people. I would imagine they are in fact speaking for fewer than 50 percent, given the percentage of women in this country and the number of men in this country who aren't swine and who actually managed to grow up.
If Kavanaugh is squeaky clean, have the White House release all the documents regarding him to Congress. And if the women are lying, call witnesses--but on both sides. You should not be able to have it both ways. You cannot repress documents and bar witnesses, and then say, "Oh, our nominee is wunnerful. No evidence to the contrary."
This is no longer a democracy. And the Republicans calling the shots clearly don't care.
14
The actual "con game" was the one Mitch McConnell ran to deny Merrick Garland a hearing after his nomination to the Supreme Court. That wound is going to take a long time to heal—if it ever does.
My only hope is that enough Americans (outside of the NYT comment section) are paying attention to the hypocrisy, and then demonstrate their understanding at the voting booth in November. If that doesn't happen, I will have lost all faith in our ability to right this ship. We will drown in a sea of apathy and ignorance.
28
How would Trump know if the victims are being truthful or not? Just because he's gotten away with these antics in the past doesn't mean his fellow GOPers should, too. He's adamant that it's a hoax or scheme. How in the world would he know? He doesn't know, he has no idea. GOPers, anyone, why would you take Trump's word on anything? He's a serial liar and there is no way he knows the victims or what has happened. If they were the same exact people but were Democrats, Trump would say the women are being truthful.
7
ConJob is putting it nicely. Quite Frankly, I don't understand how any decent human being would still belong to the Democrat Party, which has become the party of Hate, Lies, Deception and Unethical, Amoral and Dishonesty.
The Democrat Party of the past was closely associated with Unions and the Working Man (and Woman). The Democrat Party protected these honest, hard-working people. But the Democrat Party has evolved into an organization that protects the lazy and unethical, at the expense of the people who work and are honest.
I have had enough and am Walking Away. The final straw was pushing fake victims to allege sexual misconduct by Judge Kavanaugh. This tactic would have worked on 99% of men, but they picked the wrong guy this time. Kavanaugh did not even have sex until many years after college. He was known as a wet blanket and a boy scout in high school and college. While more than 99% of men have something in the their past that would give people doubt if an allegation was made; Not this guy.
By using sexual assault as a political tool, the Democrat Party has diminished the horror of the act of sexual assault; and they have done harm to real victims. This effort to destroy Kavanaugh and his family has crossed the line, and any person who still wants to be associated with the Democrat Party should be ashamed.
For me, I cannot be associated with people like this and I am Walking Away from the Democrat Party. I will vote Republican in the next election.
5
Most folks who consistently and incorrectly refer to the Democratic Party as the “Democrat (sic) Party” aren’t (nor have they ever been) genuine registered Democrats.
5
No Boy Scout I ever knew listed in his high school yearbook that he was treasurer of a keg club or on his way to drinking 100 kegs of beer.
1
@Jam77
Weird comment. You say the Democrats are pushing fake victims but it is the Republications who will not ask the FBI to check these accusations out. If things are fake then let the professional investigators do their jobs. If you don't trust the FBI to do an impartial investigation, then that is a whole different issue. You make claims about Kavanaughs' past that you could not possibly be sure of (" Kavanaugh did not even have sex until many years after college. He was known as a wet blanket and a boy scout in high school and college."), and the fact that there are witnesses to still be heard from, under oath, means that there is more information needed before a "lifetime appointment" can be decided. The two main important questions here are: Why no FBI background check into these accusations and why is the nomination being pushed through faster than the facts can be determined?
4
I guess the guy whose University was a scam and who used his charitable foundation (which wasn’t even his money) as his personal piggy bank would know a “con.”
To think this guy is the leader of the Christian Family Values Party but then again I cannot think of a group of more morally bankrupt people than Evangelicals.
22
At least Kavanaugh has been given the opportunity to be seated on the Supreme Court. Obstructionist Republicans didn't accord Merrick Garland the same chance. Shame on them! Kavanaugh made his own bed, and his own mistakes. If he fails to be seated on the Court, it's his own fault.
19
Mr Trump has a PhD in conning, so he thinks he is the expert here.
16
i was wondering what he majored in at Penn.
3
Investigators always look for motives, so what possible motive could America's political left have for dredging up 35-year-old instances of hearsay, rumor and innuendo at the eleventh hour and fifty-ninth minute? Oh. Never mind.
4
There is NO “eleventh hour.” The deadline is artificial, just an arbitrary date picked by Mitch McConnell, In fact, there is no need to rush at all. Republican senators sure felt A-OK about running out the calendar for the nomination of Merrick Garland— it remained ignored by the Senate for 293 days, the longest nomination process in the history of Supreme Court. And Garland never got so much as one interview by any Republican senator.
3
@Robert Williamson
Oh, I understand. It's all about emotion, not reason. Revenge, not ethics.
This sexual allegation against Kavanaugh is downright criminal - even if it happened when he was teenager. And now more women feeling free of reprisal are coming forward against Kavanaugh. One allegation, Kavanaugh can be guilty or innocent although the onus is on Kavanaugh to prove his innocence since he has denied point-blank. But with so many coming out, it indicates a pattern of behavior and therefore has to be presumed guilty. The fact that it happened in his teens does not hold water. Drop him, end another sordid saga. This man is not worthy for this sacred job.
11
Funniest thing I heard today. T-rump accusing others of running a con game. That from the master.
17
Trump already lost that nomination.
He just doesn’t know it yet.
Possibly lost both houses too.
He doesn’t know right from wrong.
And my God how wrong is he on this nomination.
12
Obviously well versed in the law, seems amiable and well dressed. But a weakness of not being able to answer a simple question with either a "yes" or "no," after 24 hours and 15 minutes, shifts one's attention elsewhere.
8
Merrick Garland is a decent man who deserved a hearing
Trump outsourced his presidency to the federalist society and I don’t remember seeing them on any ballot
18
Trump is absolutely right.
-- Ramirez admits she isn't sure, was falling down drunk. And she handily comes up with this memory revelation a week after Ford brings forward that she had been assaulted by Kavanaugh back in the day -- a hazy time no doubt.
-- Ramirez was coached by the dems and after 6 days of waffling decided her memory was correct. It was K. What is she doing now? Is she financially secure? Just asking.
--What are the odds that 2 people who have hazy memories, recovered memories, about being assaulted by Kavanaugh in a galaxy far far away but just in time to derail K's nomination -- they hope. Seems a little orchestrated doesn't it?
-- Schumer and other Dems have said they stop at nothing to keep K off the court.
-- Feinstein, who may merely be incompetent, sits on the letter from Ford for six weeks. Now that's a little odd. Such an accusation is political gold for the dems. Why didn't she investigate? These senate committees have investigators and Ford has named people at the party. She's given a description of where the party house was and part of the floor plan. The investigation could have been carried out quietly without making Ford's name public. I suspect though that Feinstein knew it would work better if it came just before the vote. An investigation would yield nothing because no one can corroborate a 36 year old event.
4
Kavanaugh seems able to corroborate events from this period by virtue of his calendar, no?
I can corroborate all kinds of events from 35 years ago. My engagement, for example.
You’re just wrong in much of what you’ve written!
3
"What are the odds that 2 people who have hazy memories, recovered memories, about being assaulted by Kavanaugh in a galaxy far far away but just in time to derail K's nomination -- they hope. Seems a little orchestrated doesn't it?"
The odds are pretty good, if you consider that Kavanuagh may have had a predisposition to this, especially when drinking heavily.
And if these women can be attacked by you as having "hazy" memories, why doesn't that also apply to Kavanaugh? He insists that the incident did not happen, but was a notorious drinker in high school.
Finally, Kavanaugh has been nominated for the Supreme Court, a job only 9 people hold at any given time, is for life, and impacts the lives of many. You don't need anything in the way of "orchestration" for people to come forward under these circumstances, as they have.
3
At this point there is no doubt whatsoever that Kavanaugh operated within a culture of sexism and rule breaking throughout high school and college. Not only makes this the accusations against him eminently believable; it also means he is anyway not qualified to be on the SC. It is obvious that his judicial-political positions, especially regarding the rights of women not to have others control their bodies and sexuality, have been deeply informed by this lad culture he grew up in.
11
The fact is, we're in the midst on Civil War II.
7
I never would have believed Trump would give the Democrats credit for anything, but he did, in his moronic statement the Democrats are playing a con very well, after all, Trump is a master of the con. Bravo, Donald.
3
"Con game"? Interesting choice of phrase by your boy. He may have some first-hand knowledge of it, perchance?
3
Trump accuses Dems of running a con game? Takes one to know one.
3
Donald needs to look at the mirror when he utters the word "con".
8
We are being governed, currently, by an executive branch, a senate and a congress of largely dysfunctional old men.
Michel Foucault defined madness on a spectrum from overt conformity to a kind of lunatic destruction of the societal norm.
In his profound ignorance, nationalism, racism, narcissism, Trump is subconsciously reducing any pretext of a great United States into a cartoon Oligarchy perverted in its ability to contain its myriad offenses against women, minorities, the environment, and a host of other essential governmental responsibilities.
Trump is disgusting. Kavanaugh is but another rich ugly American given permission to come into the limelight by our ugliest of Americans, the talk show host Donald Trump.
And the only recourse we really have is our continuing ability to vote.
13
“They know he’s a high quality person.”
Just like yourself, Mr. President?
11
The biggest con game of our time is being played on us by Donald J Trump himself. We have a liar, possible financial criminal and confessed sexual predator in the Oval Office. If he wants to talk about conning people he should begin with himyself and his adoring base. They both deserve each other, but what about the rest of America? We, the majority, are the collateral damage of the con.
11
Nobody hates being conned more than a con man.
15
A Con Game?? Well call the FBI! Oh wait, Trump doesn't want to do that...
10
He should know. Trump is the biggest con man around.
2
Nothing is creepier than 45's defense of any of his "best people" who have been accused of sexual harassment or worse. just creepy!
14
When someone preemptively collects signatures from over 60 women with the sole intent of proving that he was not (NOT!) a sleazeball during high school and college, you can pretty much guarantee that he was a sleazeball during high school and college.
30
@Jim
It wasn't pre-emptive, it was in response to Ford's hard to believe, 11th hour accusations. And it came together quickly because Republicans, unlike Dems, know how to think ahead and prepare.
This is how the Republicans use the internet: they consolidate the names of Kavanaugh's schoolmates from the hundreds of people the FBI interviewed, and put together a private facebook group and email contact list, so as to be able to send & receive rapid-response info quickly. So when Ford went public, they used the list to circulate and get signatures on the letter in 24 hours.
This is how the Dems use the internet: "Hmmm, here's an email from google asking me for my gmail password. I did not realize "google was spelled with 3 "o"s. Oh well, I guess that's OK, I have to get to the next meeting of the DNC leadership soon, so I'll just respond with my password. Which is "password." - John Podesta
3
It's up to 3 (three) now, and we only have your say-so that any of this is a "con game".
You would know more about such things as a "con game" than 99.999999 % of the American population.
In fact, isn't a "con game" what you have accused all of the women that you have sexually assaulted of pulling?
Isn't it a "con game" what you accuse Mueller of doing?
It would be wise, sir, if both you and Kav The Caveman both resigned.
Neither of you are qualified for the positions you think you are.
And, check the polling numbers: The belief - already - that Kav must go are pretty equal on the opinions of both Independents and Democrats..... and even Republicans are catching up.
This is a universally despised pick.
"D-E-S-P-I-S-E-D".
8
President Trump accused Democrats on Tuesday of orchestrating “a con game”...
Pot calling the kettle...?
6
the only con in all of this is the one being run by trump and his republican enablers. they keep insisting that the allegations of attempted rape are politically motivated. but if this were true why werent the same tactics used against gorsuch. gorsuch would have been a more likely target. the democrats at the time felt that his nomination represented the theft of obama's nomination of garland. why were no such sex related charges were leveled at garland. perhaps it was because there were none to be had. the fact that gorsuch had no such difficulties and kavanaugh does clearly means that the charges against kavanaugh are true.
7
Quoth Mr. Trump: "It is a con game; they really are con artists."
Takes one to know one.
2
The most infuriating part of this mess is that there will be no justice . . . unless Ford, Ramirez or someone else files criminal charges.
Whether Kavanaugh is confirmed, withdraws or is withdrawn, his denial will leave a permanent stench. He will forever maintain that he was railroaded, was the victim of Trump's false "con" game and the overreach of #MeToo.
And men will go on their merry way. True justice would be when a man like Kavanaugh says, "Yes, I did these things and I am deeply ashamed of my behavior and that of my friends."
A failed nomination is necessary but insufficient. I see no justice in any outcome.
5
Senator Grassley need not worry about hiring outside female prosecutors to ask the questions of the women, Lindsay Graham is woman enough.
7
Right. When it comes to respectful treatment of women, let's all listen to....Donald Trump.
Believe me.
7
Our con artist king is following his very effective playbook, accusing his accusers of the very thing of which he is guilty. Who knew electing a skilled con artist might not be a good idea?
2
The hearing is on Thursday. Can't POTUS at least wait until then to form, or publicly articulate, an opinion?
1
Trump accuses people of all the things he is guilty of, to muddy the waters and to smear his opponents with his corruption.
Trump accuses his opponents and victims of lying, being crooked, treason, etc., Now the con-man is accusing others of running cons.
Trump's whole life is one long con. Hour presidency is a con.
4
@McGloin
This what Kavanaugh wrote a day or two ago in his own defense:
“These are smears, pure and simple. And they debase our public discourse,” he wrote in a letter to the senior Republican and Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee. “But they are also a threat to any man or woman who wishes to serve our country. Such grotesque and obvious character assassination — if allowed to succeed — will dissuade competent and good people of all political persuasions from service.”
Freudian slip? - Describes the Donald Trump Americans have been subjected to for nearly 3 years. Things are so bad they have have a job fair at the White house.
@McGloin
A pro con, as it were.
In other words ... " I know you are but what am I!" That's about the height of this man's mentality.
2
This is meant to be funny, right? Because I am certain Trump has never conned anyone in his life, and is certainly above conning anyone now.
1
Trump has run a con game for decades and now he’s conning Americans as President.
6
If anybody knows how to run a con game it’s trump.
2
Both may have been "messed up" and "drunk" at the time, but only one of them is auditioning for "Supreme Court Justice"
9
@Annied
Ands only one of them is a sexual predator, if not rapist.
If anyone can recognize a con game, it’s the ultimate con man, right?
5
It appears the person with the drink problem was Kavanaugh as several people and himself (100 kegs in his yearbook) have indicated. Then we had the 300k on his credit card for sports betting! A picture is starting to emerge.
11
The GOP is trying to con Americans. Trump does not believe in a fair trial.
7
I get it.
Deep down, Kavanaugh knows he shot himself in the foot too many times as far as the Supreme Court is concerned.
The Fox News sit-down was a job interview. He and Hannity should get along just fine.
17
The former CEO of the defunct, fraudulent Trump University, and the man who couldn't make money running 3 casinos in Atlantic City, stiffing employees, contractors, and investors , knows a con when he sees it .
12
The Conman-in-Chief accusing the opposition of running a con game!
Wow, reality TV just does not get any better than this. Thanks Me. President!
13
Surely Mr. Trump knows a con game when he sees one. I say we got trouble...right here in River City.
2
The fact that the Republicans (Trump and Lindsey Graham, in particular) are talking about this as if Kavanaugh “deserves” to be a Supreme Court justice is just appalling. It reveals the rot at the heart of their party. This is about what is good for the nation, not what is good for one former frat boy.
20
Who, of all people, would be best qualified to spot a con game? That, of course, would be the gilded grifter, D. Trump, himself.
You can actually hear the grudging admiration in his voice when he claims the Democrats "con" better than Republicans. What's the message in that? It's "come on Republicans, up your con game".
That being said, what in the world do women insisting that the judge molested them have to do with a confidence game, which invariably involves a mark being fleeced of his funds.
2
Just let Brett be Bart.
5
Well, if there's one thing #45 understands, it's a con game.
5
My one question to the Republican men on the Senate Judiciary Committee is "And if this happened to your daughter, would you just take the word of the person accused that he is innocent?" Seems like that is enough for the Republican men to proclaim Kavanaugh's innocence. If that is the case, who needs courts! Just ask the perpetrators. They are sure to tell you the truth.
17
Don the Con saying Democrats are playing a con game. That's rich.
Well, how'd we do?
8
An odd thing about Trump is that despite his thousands of lies, he always reveals what he truly is.
His comments about the Russia investigation always come across as if he's screaming "I'm guilty!"
And here, well, once again he shows his intense misogyny.
But what else would one expect from a man who has bragged about his own sexual assaults on women?
10
Asking the FBI to investigate is not the action of someone using a "con game".Kavenaugh should withdraw. Brett Kavenaugh has a history of underage drinking; he admitted that on FOX. The drinking age at the time was 21; he was under that.Multiple women have come forward with accusations. Kavenaughs college roommate admitted Kavenaugh drank heavily and was abusive when drunk.We still do not have many of the documents from Kavenaugh's past. This is a job promotion; not a trial. Bring in the FBI; which will not be allowed by the Senate. Brett Kavenaugh should withdraw. Ray Sipe
19
Mothers and fathers hide your daughters if Kavanaugh is the judge. Trump," the woman was drunk", has essentially condoned sexual assault while choir boy Kavanaugh throws a Hail Mary Pass into virgin territory. Where are Georgetown Prep and Yale on this?
Note: A person is guilty of a second-degree sexual assault if he or she engages in sexual contact with another person and if any of the following circumstances exist:
(1) The accused knows or has reason to know that the victim is mentally incapacitated, mentally disabled, or physically helpless.
(2) The accused uses force, element of surprise, or coercion.
14
If this is a con then the denial of hearings for Merrick Garland two years ago was a strong armed robbery. A smash and grab.
13
"Trump Accuses Democrats of Running ‘Con Game’ Against Kavanaugh"
Was trump lying or telling the truth when he said this? One can never tell.
Just kidding! We can tell! trump was lying when he made the statement. He knows no other way -
5
Never have I been so embarrassed as I am now by a leader of my country.
17
Well if the Trumpster had nominated a woman, none of this happens. It's perfectly predictable whether the Dems are running a con or the judge is a creep. Either way.
This is not a trial. Nominees are required to demonstrate their fitness. The presumption of innocence doesn't exist in the venue of confirmation hearings and never has in the past.
If the Dems are just being obstructive then the Republicans have only themselves to blame for the increased politicization of the nomination process. They opened up the box and now it's all coming back to haunt them.
5
@Ross Salinger: If Kavanaugh goes down, Trump will nominate a woman, one who is even more determined than Kavanaugh to eradicate separation of church and state in the US.
1
I am greatly amused that Republicans have created this fantasy where Kavanaugh is some eminently qualified judicial titan. The guy is pretty darn average, as federal judges go. His single qualifying characteristic is that he believes a sitting president cannot be indicted.
17
@Jim Kavanaugh is the worst of the worst of a badly spoiled collection of hardly ever supervised people. Look how his dallying with the case of a minor requesting an abortion flirted with making her go past the legal deadline for it. The whole US justice system is infiltrated with lawyers who make it a lawyer's extortion scam.
How does he feel about the “delay and obstruct” tactics of the GOP against Garland?
3
The despicable behavior of Kavanaugh, Judge and others was fueled by excessive alcohol. It is no excuse, but it is part of the problem.
The sociopath in the White House has arguably, even admittedly, committed similar acts while stone cold sober. Think about that.
6
@Barking Doggerel
45 may not consume alcohol but I'd wager he does plenty of pharmaceuticals. he sure does not act sober.
More projection from Trump--because that's what he would do. Run a con game.
6
@VT
Your comment asks why Kennedy chose to retire this year...
It's because Kennedy's son, Justin Kennedy, who was head of the global real-estate and capital markets division of Deutsche Bank, loaned President Trump over $1 billion for real-estate projects (according to The New York Times) when no other banks would.
There are some serious financial dealings and transactions (and who knows what else) happening there among politicians, judges, banks, and corporations.
14
@Humble Beast: The US has never had a more pernicious interlocked directorship.
3
Kavanaugh looks like a pawn in all this. He must have considered his spotty past was going to come back at him, one wonders why he bothered getting involved at all. Could it have something to do with the mysterious credit card payoff? As in, McConnell: "We'll get you out of debt, but we need you on the Supreme Court." Kavanaugh: "There's no way I can get through the hearings given what happened in prep-school..." McConnell:"Don't worry; we'll take care of that."
6
And who was it that orchestrated the "con game" that put this snake oil salesman in the White House?
I'm not being rhetorical. When will we see the results of the Mueller investigation?
4
Most commentators are assigning blame to the Republicans because of the depths of rancor and absence of fairness in the current confirmation process because of their treatment of Judge Garland. And they are right. But blame must also be assigned to the Resistance which began at the moment the current President was declared the winner by the AP. In fact the entire nation is caught up in an ever widening and potentially death spiral to our Republic. I find it particularly sickening to see Ken Starr who conducted an inquisitorial attack on President Clinton for lying about infidelity which led to his impeachment commenting regular on CNN. Have you no shame, Mr. Starr?
2
The irony of the Don the Con, who 'allegedly' cheated hundreds of his subcontractors on construction jobs, then defrauded hundreds of students at Trump U from their education funds, now lecturing anyone on ethics is too rich for anyone's blood. But I will agree that no one knows the con game better than DJT.
6
President Trump says, "It is a con game; they really are con artists,”
I think that's an interesting statement coming from the man who is one of the biggest con artists this country has had the misfortune to see.
4
President Trump's projection at work - yet again. If memory serves, he told his faithful at rallies that if Hilary Clinton were elected President, she would end up under investigation for criminality for a very long time to come. Hmm ...
3
Once again the President has accused others of precisely his own behaviors: Playing a political con game "better than the Republicans." What a joke. If that does not describe the entire Kavanaugh nomination, I don't know what does.
4
The president paid the plaintiffs of Trump University a 25 million dollar settlement, that was a con game; it sure wasn't a charitable donation, and by the way, the Trump Foundation is under now investigation also.
4
Just remember -- with Trump, every accusation is projection.
8
So any time someone make an comment about someone on or nominated for the current administration Trump will say that it's a Democratic con game.
The only problem with this is that if there is anyone who knows about playing a con game it's him, he's been playing one since he announced his intention to run for president.
This con game has to stop ASAP.
1
"Only the best people..." Trump sure has a knack for hiring or supporting men with sexual abuse allegations against them: Roy Moore, Brett Kavanaugh, Rob Porter, himself.
So with Trump, McConnell and other republicans already stating they don't believe these women without even an investigation or hearing from them directly, why doesn't the GOP-lead Senate just stop pretending to care and vote?
If the Dems win the House and Senate in November they should immediately open an investigation and impeach Mr Kavanaugh should he be confirmed and found to be guilty of the crimes suggested by these women.
3
Kavanaugh is toast. He can't be confirmed to the highest court in the land for the rest of his life. He can't rule on women's rights when his own judgment has been called into question.
How many people has Donald ruined since he won the election
By the time this is over, Judge Kavanaugh may not even be a lawyer.
4
While I am distraught over the potential to have yet another Roman Catholic and Federalist Society pic on the SCOTUS, who is just a sexually misguided as Justice Thomas, I am still savoring the early vid of Trump addressing the U.N.G.A, Well into his delivery, there had not been any interruptions of applause. But when he proclaimed, as he often does anytime he speaks anywhere, that he and his administration have accomplished more than any other in history, his audience broke into laughter. Since he is a laughing-stock here, splendid to have that agreement internationally. In the 20 months of his presidency, the entire world now has his number and its a negative one.
13
The First Amendment (remember it?) gives us all the right of petition and redress. We should not ignore our ability to call (it's better than emailing) or write our senators. The general info number is 202-224-3121 and you can ask to be routed to your two. Urge them to thoroughly investigate the Kavanaugh nomination and postpone or reject it as needed. Oh, and to call Mr. Judge to testify since he was a witness of at least one alleged incident.
4
A con game? Well, if any one can spot a con game, Trump can for sure. Or maybe he is so oblivious of what real truth is, that the truth looks like a con to him.
2
Trump has got a script, he's done the math, and he knows his fellow GOPers - the saggy old white men-right-wing hypocrites on the Senate judiciary committee. Like Trump they are simultaneously spineless and powerful. The power has been handed to them, and (damn it) no uppity female is going to tell them how to wield it. The spineless part is especially evident when they are confronted with a woman (especially of color!!) who has the audacity to try to stand between them and the goal post.
So Trump reminds them that it's still OK in the GOP to acknowledge (to each other at least) that women are a nuisance unless they've had a few shots of Scotch, a Quaalude or just enough Rohypnol. They get it - ignore the women, focus on the prize and go for it. I expect Grassley will call a vote within minutes after Dr. Ford has finished testifying on Thursday and they'll have this all wrapped up before you can say Roe v. Wade.
5
Spoken by the king of con games himself. The Clown is a lying shyster.
10
Don the Con.... calling a con.. ain't that rich!
18
@Ellen: Right on! Don the Con certainly knows that Don is the Con.
2
Interesting to see, yet again, how inept Trump is, and to see the ineptness of his Supreme Court candidate and advisers. Yesterday on Fox, with his wife beside him, Kavanaugh could have hit a home run (assuming his long drive stayed fair), by saying what other comments in the Times have noted and which bears repeating again. (And he still has a chance to say this on Thursday):
"Looking back on my high school and college years, I see how my friends and I contributed to a hurtful atmosphere toward women. We were boys, thinking that such behavior proved our manhood, when, in fact, it proved we were still children. Though I do not recall the incident in question, I think we must listen to Christine Blasey Ford, and teach our children how their behavior hurts others. I apologize for helping to create the atmosphere in which young women like Christine Blasey Ford felt unsafe and humiliated."
5
@Charles Kaufmann
Why provide the script? He can recite it verbatim at the hearing. In America all that's needed are the words; sincerity not required.
3
@James
That's where the long drive goes foul.
What happened to Lindsay Graham?
Today he used this statement about the upcoming hearings:
“Unless something new and dramatic comes out, each senator becomes their own court,” said Senator Lindsey Graham, a South Carolina Republican on the Judiciary Committee. “It’s not a legal decision; it’s sort of a political decision.”
I really don't understand how character and integrity of a lifetime SCOTUS nomination boils down to party and politics. Aren't these appointees going to be representing all Americans?
16
Apparently there is a police report of another incident. Isn't it three strikes you're out? I think this makes 4. Montgomery County Police Report. Trump could make America great again by rescinding the nomination and nominating Merrick Garland instead.
5
Even if it comes down to his word against theirs, it seems there is enough doubt to nix this nomination. There are plenty of others who don’t have the baggage. Why try to ram Kavanaugh through only to appease Trump’s base? It shouldn’t matter whether the judge is being treated “fairly.” How is the country to know the objective truth about this matter? It should be about what’s best for the country.
4
I can't be the first to see the irony in a man who doesn't need drink or other substance to be entirely out of control criticizing another for not being entirely under control. To his credit, the president seems to understand he himself needs to stay away from anything that would unbalance him more, but he needs to understand not all of us are lacking control as he is... Even in a situation where we are not totally in control or even totally conscious.
2
It must be so hard for Pres. Trump to see this happening. We all know how strongly he opposes tactics like personal attacks, character assassinations, and demonizing one's opponent. I'm sure it's frustrating for him to work so hard at being a positive role model for the American people, and then see something like this happen. Sad.
5
There will be one of only two possible outcomes of this political theatre; the Democrats will have extended the potential of anything that can be made up against a nominee, regardless of corroboration or truthfulness, OR the Republicans will finally stand against the disgusting tricks the 'resistance ' is willing to use, and rightfully vote in Judge Kavanaugh. It's good that President Trump reminds them of how their constituents felt in the last election.
3
If the judicial committee and the President was interested in getting to the truth, they should have the FBI investigate the accusations and not rush to push through nomination to the Supreme Court. His alleged indiscretions were when he was young, but with age there is no guarantee there is maturity and wisdom. He will serve on the court until retirement or death. It is important to this nation that the facts be established and then and only there be a vote. I fear that the Republican agenda is more important to them then establishing the facts. The President and some members of the judicial committee are not interested in the best interests of the nation they represent.
1
It's reasonable to assume, I should think, that had Kavanaugh's victims (at the time) possessed the foresight or ability to anticipate that their attacker was to someday become a Supreme Court justice that they would've come forward and reported the crimes back then.
I'm guessing, also at the time, that part of their reeservation was that they didn't want to ruin another's (Kavanaugh's) life (or their own), but now that they realize this same person can ruin other people's lives with his 'supreme' authority on the court -- they now feel compelled to come forward.
5
If Kavanaugh gets confirmed with not one single vote in favor from Democrats, and not one single vote opposing him from Republicans, I fear that is more of a threat to the integrity of the Supreme Court than all of Kavanuagh's other red flags.
We need a law that 15% or 20% of votes must come from the minority and/or opposition voting party. A straight line party vote, with less than 15% cross-over, reinforces a blatant disregard for non-partisanship and impartiality. Why is no-one is talking about this? I would be extremely uncomfortable with a SCJ who only received votes from one party, whether it was Democrats or Republicans.
7
@Miss Creant, the chasm between the two parties is so wide that you will never find anyone who can get 15-20% of the opposition's votes.
@CallousAlice
For now, but a few voting cycles will change that. I will wait.....
In that one of Trump's tells is that everything he accuses other people of doing is what he himself is guilty of, I take this to mean that someone just told Trump that the Republicans have some sort of con planned for the Kavanaugh hearings.
1
Can't we get back to the missing documents that the White House wouldn't release to the committee questioning Kavanaugh? What about the confidential documents he read and claimed not to know were classified? The sexual assault accusations are important but the other lies have not been dealt with.
12
@Brigid Wit
and what about his recent disappearing debt problems??
1
There's definitely a lot of funny stuff going on. Reports are spreading around the internet that Michael Avenatti's 'second victim' is actually a prankster from 4chan.
Could be, or maybe not, stand by.....
1
It's endless and it's never going to stop as long as Donald Trump is in the White House. He is despicable but he is still just a very painful and disturbing symptom. The real question is what is wrong with his followers. Read the comment from @Confused carefully to see how Trump's supporters blame the democrats for doing exactly what Trump does. It's amazing and it's nauseating.
24
I'm not sure why the Times feels compelled to report what Trump has to say about a fellow predator. If you must, perhaps you need to lead with a disclaimer or a note on the source. I'm not going to waste my time (and the readers) listing the many reasons Trumps comments on the subject are worthless.
23
In case people turn blind eyes on Trump's Con Job against American people and seeking vetting from some judges.
The FBI can, and has done an will forever, investigate whomever and whenever it deems it necessary to do so.
The FBI does not need and does not call for Kavanaugh's or anyone else's permission or, especially, invitation to start investigating.
It takes a special kind of moron to claim that if one does not call for the FBI to investigate her/him, than s/he must be guilty --- of something, anything, just so "we" can ruin her/his reputation, benefiting absolutely no one in the process.
3
Not so, in this instance. This is not a criminal matter, it's a civil matter involving the executive branch. So you applied for job, and who's ever going to hire you does a
background investigation. A US President uses the FBI as its investigative arm
to check the background of people that President wants appointed. So, here, to continue an FBI investigation or resume it you need the president to do that.
Trump is upset that the Dems are running a con game and Trump is not in on it!
6
The more I see of Kavanaugh the less trustworthy he seems.
27
I don't like Kavanaugh. Frankly, I think all these judges coming from the same school of thought (Yale and its derivatives) only hurts our nation. And being a drunk and a virgin until he was in his mid-twenties show some serious mental and emotional issues. He may know the law, but I have doubts on whether is knows what is "right - thinking".
5
"Takes one to know one!" is the classic schoolyard response to an insult.
One of the clear moral failures of criminals is that they become ENRAGED if they become, or feel they have become, victims of the very crimes they themselves perpetrate.
21 women accused Trump of assaulting them, including first wife Ivana. Despite his recorded confession of assaulting women, of kissing them against their will, of grabbing their private parts "I grab 'em by the ....", his profligate philandering, his using his ownership of Miss Teen Universe to invade the space and ogle naked under-age minors, he still had the gall, the chutzpah, to insist that all the women were lying!
EVERY woman who has accused a Trump supporter was "lying" according to Donald Trump. They are all "good men, the finest men" and he calls it "a shame, a disgrace!" (EVERYTHING Trump doesn't like, rational or not, is "A disgrace!").
More and more holes are appearing in Kavanaugh's testimony--his denials of drinking, of wild behavior, of "remembering" he wasn't at a party without knowing the date or the place, his dodging asking for an FBI investigation, his connection to people who either confessed to similar behavior, witnessed his black-out binges, and the character of the victims.
I believe the women. Ronan Farrow is rapidly becoming the next Bob Woodward, and he stands by the Deborah Ramirez story completely.
24
Judge Kavanaugh might benefit from a . . . different . . . character witness.
14
As always, Mr. Trump doubles down with no evidence. From a few days ago: "And President Donald Trump, surprisingly civil in recent days on the controversy, unleashed a twitter storm questioning Ford's veracity ... " Indeed, and to explain further: " ... Trump couldn't contain his frustration any longer ... the president's tweet reflected growing anger ... Increasingly convinced [Dr. Blasey’s] accusations were a Democratic plot ... " (NYTimes) Paranoia is moving up the long list of Mr. Trump's personality disorders. Mr. Trump reminds me of the movie "Men In Black", where the Edgar character (an evil alien in a bad fitting human body) tries to act like a normal person but invariably gets frustrated and spews green bile everywhere while breaking everything within reach.
4
To Donald's credit, if there is anyone that knows how to run a con, it's him.
19
"Trump Accuses Democrats of Running ‘Con Game’ Against Kavanaugh" ... Every time Trump is caught running a Con Game against America, Trump accuses the " .. Democrats of Running a 'Con Game' .." against Him ! ...
4
The Democrats are the best con artists, look at how they kept Kavanaugh from releasing his professional papers so he could be fairly evaluated on his past record, then they tricked him into not responding directly to any of their pertinent questions and on top of that they are keeping the FBI from investigating the claims three women have made regarding his sexual assaults and binge drinking. What was most clever is that they made it look just like it was the Republicans that did it all. Clever Democrats....
20
Trump has no absolute relevance or authority, only the relative authority conferred by his voters. Bottom line is; if his voters continue to support the horrible person Trump is, then it is they who are solely to blame for his actions.
For the love of God, people, get your act together and stop supporting Trump.
19
Now Kavanaugh's school years behavior is the Democrats' fault. There apparently is nothing that trump and his gang can do to ruin our country that, in their eyes, is not great. We fight back against the lies, the hypocrisy, the explosion of the debt/deficit, the inhumane behavior, the destruction of our institutions and safeguards, etc., and somehow we are the bad guys! Nothing, but absurd......
6
In the 1960's in high school it became evident what this loudmouth "playboy" wanted to be. Adulterer "Don the Con" is how I remember a inheritor of millions.
4
Takes one to know one? The number one con man is accusing anybody is laughable.
7
This remarkable statement by Trump today reveals clearly that Trump judges candidates for important offices in the government by the same low standards he uses to judge himself, his own behavior, his words, his accomplishments perceived by him-unappreciative of people not like him, especially women; disregard for women's opinions and resistences to sexual advances; and disrespect for women, racial and ethnic minorities, most workers, and some others. Judging nominees candidates for the Supreme Court by the low standards he sets to assess his own behavior, is probably one of the main reasons his government is failing, D- or F at best, to keep it Trump-simple.
5
Why oh why did Kennedy choose to retire this year??? Since he handed Trump a Supreme Court pick, I guess he really is a conservative.
10
Dear VT: Google "Justin Kennedy Deutsche Bank loaned President Donald Trump over $1 billion"
There's your answer.
3
He is and was a Conservative in most areas. Think Citizens United. You can view a record of his decisions on a Supreme Court Database maintained by Washington University School of Law. In all cases he judged, his vote was conservative almost 60% of the time and in close cases he did so 71% of the time. The Supreme Court just like Congress should be subject to term limits. In theory, our third branch of government is supposed to be apolitical, or above politics. In fact, look at the spectacle you have now. Our Constitution is supposed to be a contract governing all the citizens of this great country, but all contracts are subject to change under changing conditions. It's been done 27 times already, and at the rate we're going it surely needs changes in the terms of the elected, and quasi elected officials (i.e. Supreme Court justices are appointed by the President in office as a vacancy occurs, then approval of the President's selection is voted on by the Senate) running the country under our US system of government : a democratic republican form. Term Limits will benefit all our citizens, irrespective of what philosophical ideological or religious beliefs you have.
1
He retired because the bank his son works for loaned Trump a billion dollars when no one else would.
3
It's Trump's con job, and he's not getting away with it. his nominees come from an actual list of judges who can fake being nonpartisan, at least to fawning Republican senators, while pursuing a highly partisan agenda, resplendent in their black robes. Nobody on that list should be seriously considered for any federal judgeship.
4
Since Trump admits to sexual assault himself with his grabbing comment, and the fact that there are more than dozen claims against him that jave not been investigated. I doubt that Donalf Trump is capable of any moral claim here.
Further, this is all material to how Trump thinks of women and sexual assault. Brett Kavanaugh appears is just the latest boy in the locker room.
Of course, of the the NYT were serious about sexual assault and harassment as more than a political game, they’d mentioned these aspects of Trump every time that Trump spoke on the subject or nominated a man with an apparently similar history.
But the Times prefers her said/ahe said in the same way politically they prefer both sides do it.
2
The only "con game" is the one being run by the man who is the president of our county.
3
She was drunk.
He was drunk.
They were drunk.
None of which obviates what she accuses him of doing to her.
11
@Lewis M Simons, no wonder serious students attending college first time in their families, wouldn’t do something like this. And people complain about immigrant kids outperforming in schools and colleges.
There is a real good reason for rejecting Kavanaugh as a supreme court justice, and it has nothing to do with teenage behavior. What we should be looking at is who nominated him and who supports his nomination.
We know who nominated him. A liar, a thief, a slanderer, an incompetent who lost by almost 3,000,000, the popular vote for president. A person whose choices for high office includes many under indictment and one who is held in prison. Is his latest choice any different?
Birds of a feather flock together.
24
The only C-O-N is Trump. That is the con that so called conservatives are pulling on this nation.
10
In the meanwhile, all newspapers in the world are writing headlines about how ridiculous Trump's speech at the UN was, and how the entire room started laughing when he tried out his usual, baseless boasting (this time, he claimed that his administration had achieved more than any other in history ... knowing that the GOP has only been able to get ONE single major bill through Congress in two years, and that Trump has been unable to negotiate any comprehensive immigration reform or healthcare reform or wall with his own party on Capitol Hill, and didn't negotiate and obtain any international agreement either ... ).
Apparently, THIS is what the GOP now calls "leadership" ... . It's as fake as their outrage against Democrats using their legal power to slow down a SC nominee confirmation process ... after the GOP didn't even give a hearing to the Democrats' nominee last time around.
What a mess.
19
I'll tell you what's "messed up", Mr. Trump—
America, thanks to a real "con game" and its enablers.
7
Trump attacks the victims and defends Kavanaugh because he's just like Trump. They're both rich privileged bullies who prey on women, lie and expect get away with it, because they always do. Kavanaugh seeks one of the most powerful positions in the world. He believes it's his by right. Just like Trump he thinks he's entitled to everything because he was born into wealth and power, and because he's always gotten away with everything. Kavanaugh was always a corrupt Republican hack, not a real jurist. Any pretense ended with his Fox interview. It was partisan political theater worthy of Trump. He portrayed himself as a victim, lied, riled up the far right-wing base, and used every dirty trick in the book to steal what he can't get legitimately. Appointment to the Supreme Court is a privilege, not a right. Denying Kavanaugh the position for any reason at all (there are plenty of reasons) is not unjust no matter how much he tries to portray himself as a victim. Kavanaugh is already incredibly wealthy, incredibly powerful, and incredibly well connected, but it isn't enough. He wants to be given the power to determine how more than 325 million people must live every aspect of their lives. Every American must ask what in the world Kavanaugh has promised the Republicans and Trump. There’s no other explanation as to why they continue to back Kavanaugh for a job he has no claim on, especially when there are hundreds of other conservatives who are qualified and can easily be confirmed.
7
"They know he's a high quality person.' Absolutely. Just like the current President of the United States, one might add.
6
Both sides were drunk, so why does one get "yes" and the other gets a "no ish" on believability . Can not have different standards.
If Judge Kavanaugh did nothing wrong let the FBI investigate, hand over your calendars Judge Kavanaugh. Did lying Trump heard what Judge Kavanaugh's roommate at Yale said, I guess the roommate is lying also. The Senate needs to slow down, and let the FBI do the investigation, week to two will not make a difference. Where there is smoke there is fire
5
In other news, Merriam-Webster has revised the definition of "irony" to read "When Donald Trump accuses others of running a con game."
13
Thank you, Mr. President*, for your candor. Here's mine: l think you and Bill Cosby would make wonderful cellmates. You'd have lots to talk about.
31
Entirely appropriate topic for the UN, Mr President. Well done.
6
Ugh. This wink-wink-nudge-nudge, old-school, old-boy-network arrogance.
*Every single person* who's following this pathetic spectacle -- whether they're pro-Kavanaugh or not -- knows what these women are saying is true.
We all went to high school. It was never Pretty in Pink or It's a Wonderful Life, or some other fantastical vision of wholesomeness.
We all knew these same callow and selfish young people -- who now, as callow and selfish adults, are circling the wagons around their man.
13
“I think it’s horrible what the Democrats have done. It is a con game; they really are con artists,” he said while in New York for the annual session of the United Nations General Assembly. “They don’t believe it themselves. They know he’s a high-quality person. They don’t believe it. It is just resist and obstruct. They are playing a con game and they are playing it very well, much better than Republicans.”
Calling the Democrats con artists is the absolute epitome of the Pot calling the Kettle black. Surely I cannot be the only person who sees the irony in Trump's statements -- the greatest con artist the world has ever known.
5
So now it's a con game. The President might be onto something. Because if there is one thing he's an expert at, probably the only thing, it's a con game.
6
Somehow I don’t see Trump as a good character reference.
17
So he believes Ford when she says she was inebriated, but he doesn't believe her when she says she was accosted by Kavanaugh.
That's known as "selection bias".
Professional politicans usually attempt to conceal this bias in rhetoric, as we hear when we are constantly exposed to their hyperbole. As the irrational polarization of the country's populace demonstrates, this technique works very well.
What's unusual about this case is that Trump makes no attempt to conceal his selection bias. However, the same bias among his target audience members is so entrenched that they nonetheless re-interpret what he says as "telling it like it is," regardless of the very obvious nature of what he's saying.
How does he do this? Simple: he's a very skilled, pathological liar. He's an expert at "The Art of the Deal", which he practices as "The Art of the Con."
7
"He was so truthful," said D-O-N the C-O-N, as if he's got credibility as an arbiter of what is and what is not.
7
President Trump has a point. And I agree with 'Confused' from Atlanta below.
Ms. Blasey's team has characterized the Kavanaugh event as sexual misconduct in one document and as sexual assault in another (they can't seem to decide), as quoted by the New York Times. Are these not legally considered criminal offenses or felonies? A Harvard Law School professor has confirmed in a Sept. 20th article in the New Yorker that there is no statute of limitations in Maryland (where the incident took place) for felonies.
Ms. Blasey has the opportunity and the right to take her complaint to the Maryland courts, where the rules of evidence would operate and there could be a dignified, fair trial. Judge Kavanaugh has every right to declare his innocence and defend himself, but the burden of proof belongs to the accuser. It is not appropriate to force someone to defend a criminal accusation in the circus of the Senate. And the Senate is not designed to conduct trials. But it has been set up that if Judge Kavanaugh were to refuse to cooperate with this circus, that he would be assumed guilty!! So he is trapped, and now is the subject of wild rumors and attacks from the dark alleys of the Internet.
Senator Murkowski in today's NYT says the accusations should be taken seriously. Absolutely! Deal with them in a courtroom, not on national television in what is turning into a Kangaroo Court.
2
@Eastsider
So you'd support an FBI background check looking into the allegations? If not, why?
2
If being drunk and messed up were disqualifying, then we can reason that Kavanaugh cannot be sure he has not done the things he is accused of when he was drunk and messed up.
7
Trump is very good at calling Democrats what he himself is: a con man. Democrats did not seek out Dr. Blasey; she came to them under the assurance of anonymity. Only when she agreed to public knowledge of her concerns was her story released, still with anonymity.
She chose to come forward; that is a very courageous act, as she has been subject to death threats and stalking since then and has had to leave her home.
Trump, of course, a con man and a womanizer at best, is eager to discredit Dr. Blasey, because he himself is guilty of acts similar to what Kavanaugh has been accused of--and he's said it himself.
Shame on Trump. All women deserve better. The United States deserves a nominee who is not accused of such vile acts, but instead Trump and Kavanaugh have doubled down, as have Republican flunkies, including Chuck Grassley.
7
The Times reported just a few days ago that evangelical Christian leaders were growing impatient and wanted Mr. Kavanaugh on the court, right now.
One would hope that the events of the last few days have caused them to stop and think. More evidence against Kavanaugh keeps tumbling out. As more evidence emerges, the last thing the Republicans needed was for Donald Trump to go into attack mode. His credibility in general, and on issues involving women and inappropriate conduct in particular, stands at only a few degrees above absolute zero. His staff implored him to keep his mouth shut. As always, he’s ignored the best advice.
I’d suggest Ralph Reed and Franklin Graham might need to lead their followers in prayer: Oh Lord we beseech thee: duct tape Trump’s big mouth shut, now we pray, now. Let there be silence.
5
There is something I don't understand. If a woman is drunk then she doesn't remember, is confused, can't be telling the truth, etc., but if a man is drunk whatever he says has to be true.
7
It's not too late for Dr Ford to file a claim in a Maryland county court.
2
Because our president can't read. And because our president only receives messages from the outside world via FOX. And because our president's surrounded by sycophants 24/7 hoping to make a quick bundle before they move on to their next boondoggling gigs.
Those can be the only reasons he appears to be totally clueless regarding Judge Merrick Garland. A totally qualified candidate to whom Mitch and company wouldn't even give the time of day, actually saying they wouldn't even talk to any candidate put forth by Obama.
A man praised by both sides of the aisle. A man who, as far as anyone knows, never tried to rip the clothes off a girl in high school while he groped her.
I'm not sure what's more disgusting. What he did then or what his party's doing now to assure a creep gets the next life-term seat on the Supreme Court.
And, as always, our president can do nothing but attack the victim.
Thoughts and prayers for our country.
7
Is it a con? We will know on Thursday when we see if Dr. Ford shows up to testify. Appears at the moment she will not. Already presenting excuses why she won't be there. Anyone who thinks she shows up must really know what it feels like to be Charlie Brown trying to kick that football.
Kavanaugh's real problem is the problem shared by all ultra conservatives: no nuance, just black and white. If Kavanaugh had said, "Look, I was an adolescent, and human, in a drinking culture. I'm sure I made some mistakes. I am deeply sorry...he could have, quite possibly, nipped this in the bud. Instead he held himself to the same conservative absolutes of moral perfection espoused by his Federalist Society.
"Live by the sword, die by the sword."
6
Not that it matters, but I don't think "The Democrats" are really doing much of anything here. Judge Kavanaugh has some bad history, but his problems are being compounded by a media frenzy (including almost hourly online stories by the Times) and some very poor management of the whole thing by the Republicans, both the crew of tone-deaf old guys on the committee and of course, as always, our wonderful President. He actually was behaving in the early going, but as always he just couldn't make himself shut the heck up. Beyond probably dooming the Kavanaugh nomination, don't they realize the harm they're doing to the Republican brand, with all Americans but especially women? Again, the only real involvement of the Democrats has been to sit back and sadly shake their heads. So Mr. President, if you want to find who to blame for this sad mess, you can begin by looking in the mirror.
3
@Jerry S.
Why stick with the Republican “brand”? Not sure what the brand stands for anymore, do you?Come on over, love to have you change that R to a D.
We’re not just sitting back and shaking our heads by any stretch.
Oh please. Where was Trump when the Republicans were running a delay game on Garland? Selective amnesia is not a defense.
7
Kavanaugh went on the GOP state media to piously put forth his con game on Fox ---a media that broadcasts daily fake news, while accusing other media of fake news.
Fox puts out propaganda similar to media in a dictatorship----and in a country that takes pride in its 1st Amendment --protected free press that's supposed to inform the public in a democracy. And which criticizes dictatorships for their state-run media.
The Fox empire was allowed to became a huge monopoly across America after both parties colluded in the '90s to repeal anti --monopoly laws for media. Those long standing laws had previously kept media more decentralized and competitive in a given area. The GOP loves centralization when it benefits them.
Fox has been fulfilling its unAmerican role while pretending pious patriotism. And Fox’s sexual harassment has been notorious.
The GOP has used Fox to redefine what is left/right/center in politics, and attack other big media as ‘left wing’, putting them on the defensive. This has all combined to aid the rightward turn in US political norms.
Enter Trump, his courtiers, and Kavanaugh.
8
apparently Kavanaugh bragged about his frequent inebriation so if Trump feels this diminishes a person's ability to give a truthful story, maybe he should begin to doubt him.
4
How many people are willing to wager that the FBI had uncovered some of this stuff during their investigation of Kavanaugh and that's the reason Grassley was able to produce a letter signed by 65 women -not men -- vouching for Kavanaugh's "wonderfulness" the day after the first accusation of sexual assault was revealed. So far no one at the FBI has come forward to say anything but at some point, something will leak out confirming that they found this stuff and turned it over to the WH and GOP. Of course they'd look at yearbooks and contact friends of his and find out about the black out drunks and the parties. Let's not pretend that the FBI is incapable of doing a proper vetting of someone nominated to the SC. That's the reason the GOP and Trump and Kavanaugh aren't pushing for an FBI investigation -- they know that the FBI had already found this stuff about him.
8
If Trump thinks this is a "con-game" it seems like the only fair and legitimate thing to do is an FBI investigation.
Why has there not been one initiated? There are too many opposing viewpoints. An FBI investigation is the only way to go to sort all this out.
The GOP would have to agree with this since their guy is supposedly being victimized, the Dems would have to agree as well in order to get at the facts and truly "vet" Kavanaugh.
4
The president and the Republicans in Congress need to allow Dr. Ford to speak on Thursday and treat her respectfully. She has brought forth credible information and is doing something for the country because she believes that those on the Supreme Court need to vetted properly and will serve for their lifetime. Also Deborah Ramirez has a number of fellow classmates backing up her story. Judge Kavanaugh has a right to a fair hearing as well. No one should rush to judgement before the facts are heard.
It is simply unacceptable for the president to go into attack mode and say that Democrats are orchestrating a con game. The president's year and a half of daily drama, his many misrepresentations of facts, and not allowing due process needs to be stood up to.
The president should have been much more careful in his background checks and not tried to rush this process before he made the nomination of Judge Kavanaugh.
5
The limitations have all run. Too late for a misdemeanor.
There is no crime here. Maryland is not moving in any direction.
We are wasting a lot of time and money.
Get on with it. We have other matters to consider.
1
Trump is a master of projection.
When he says Democrat are running a "Con Game" against Kavanaugh, you can be sure the Republicans are running a "Con Game" in nominating and defending Kavanaugh.
5
Quite frankly, if I were Judge Kavanaugh, Donald Trump would be the LAST person I would want to stand up and defend me.
Enough said.
10
sorry, the con game is being run by the republicans: Put a candidate up for the purpose of protecting the president and overturning Roe, pretend neither is the case, and dramatically limit the ability of democrats and the public to see and hear evidence while trying to ram him through.
13
The fool speaks... I guess Fox came up with a new 'talking point' for Trump.
Stayed tuned, what will the puppet master Hannity get the POTUS to do or say next?
11
Don the Con, calling Dems cons. This would be the stuff of comedy, were this sociopath not president of the US......
My guess is that in November, women in this country will remember every vile word that came out of Donald's mouth today.
21
What wretched irony, "Don-the-Con" accusing others of dishonesty!
One thing in Kavanaugh's favor: as far as we know he's never boasted in public about his piggish behavior towards women, unlike his haughty White House sponsor.
The utter spectacle of a lying, sex-addled con man attempting to push an alleged, would-be rapist over the finish line almost defies adequate description.
17
A pack of repugnant old thugs: sexist, biased, bigoted, know-nothing, outright liars. McConnell, Hatch, Graham --especially Hatch, who clearly despises women, thinks them inferior objects to be used -- all befitting his life and background and the state and culture he comes from, one that fears human sexuality and women.
Orin Hatch believes the word sex is dirty and that anything and everything about it is dirty. Why, because is a primitive, fearful man -- primitive in all ways about all things. What does he fear most? Women.
And the leader of the pack? a wretched piece of dirty sea foam, scummy flotsam vomited up by the far right? Who would that be but unfortunate, demagogue in the White House - Trump.
The worst of them, the absolute worst, the very worst, one of the worst in the entire history of this nation? A man disloyal to it as Jefferson Davis: Sen. Mitch McConnell who became his own one-man Supreme Court when he through out the Constitution and denied constitutional process to a Supreme Court nominee.
In my entire life, which includes watching Joseph R. McCarthy and all of his ilk, of now watching Trump, there is no man more despicable, who has done more harm to this nation and its future than McConnell. History will revile him. Does McConnell care? Not if he can railroad this Supreme Court nomination.
Mitch McConnell is a political gangster, an assassin. What did he assassinate? The United States Constitution.
10
I am a survivor of sexual predators. Three men slipped a drug into my drink. I was in and out of consciousness, but I woke up long enough to find myself in the back of a car with 2 of them while they tried to make me perform oral sex on them. I refused and they hit me on the back of the head with a clog I was wearing then threw me out of the car in front of someone's house. I had no idea where I was. It was a rural area. I ducked behind some trees because I was afraid they would come back, and they did, but they didn't see me. When they were gone I ran into the house and asked for help. Luckily the man let me in to make a phone call to a friend for help after seeing me with blood dripping down my face. I have never told anyone this story which happened 3 decades ago because I was so ashamed, as if I did something wrong.
So she may have been "messed up drunk" but sexual assault is something you never -- NEVER -- forget.
15
You've got it backwards again, Donny.
You pulled the biggest con in U.S. history in 2016 (with a little help from your friends).
The Democrats can't hold a candle to your con artistry.
18
Why does Trump get away with his simpleton characterization that EVERYTHING that people who disagree with him do relates to political party affiliation? It’s getting so BORING, and contributes nothing but his chaos and bullying to every issue we’re confronting.
So much is emerging regarding the white male, elitist and sexist environment that was truly happening at these private schools. Trump, Kavanaugh’s buddy wrote a book about it! Stop your incitement of your uninformed “base” with your endless embarrassing and frankly stupid tweets.
8
He's the con artist, and not a very good one.
1
Trump is weak. Kavanaugh is weak. Living in Trump world is depressing. He is playing the Con Game. Trump should be impeached and crowned the #1 clown. He is so laughable to the world.
11
Poor Kavanaugh. Poor Trump. Everybody is always out to get these guys. Interesting to note how people who don’t have lots of skeletons in their closet are rarely accused of misdeeds like these. For instance, no one came forward claiming Gorsuch had committed sexual assault or behaved in lewd and inappropriate ways. Perhaps that is because he didn’t. Perhaps we should find out if Kavanaugh did. It is a real possibility. Or shall we just ignore it and shrug off sexual assault? If he had murdered someone when he was 17 would that also be okay just because well, hey, he was only 17! He had all that male testosterone going and lost his temper. How can you possibly expect a 17 year old boy to know the difference between right and wrong much less be able to control himself?
What about lying under oath as an adult? I would think a judge would certainly know better than to do that. There is some serious evidence that Kavanaugh has done that more than once. Shall we now elevate a perjurer to the highest court in the land?
Yes, that’s right Trump. Let’s not make Kavanaugh a Supreme Court Judge.
1
@SkL Is there any reporting on whether Kavanaugh told the GOP vetters about teenaged indiscretions? They might have reconsidered choosing him before all of the doubts became public.
Trump is beyond hypocritical. The greatest Con Man of them all accusing these ladies of running a scam,
The Liar-in-Chief has been documented telling more than 5000 lies in his brief 18 month tenure , yet he accuses a college professor with an unblemished record of telling an untruth.
Furthermore , The Groper-in-Chief himself is fighting several law suits accusing him of sexual peccadilloes over the past four decades.
You can bet your bottom dollar on the fact that Kavanaugh was nominated because he has promised Trump the very get out of jail card that the good judge cannot use himself.
Talk about con games . Wow !
7
Trump accusing anyone of being a con man is hilariously sick. That's like Al Capone accusing someone else of being a mob boss while claiming he's not one.
The biggest con job of all are republican tax cuts and "making America great again".
Tick tock, Conald.
2
Every word that spews out of Trump's mouth is unbelievable. The only thing you can trust is....do not trust anything he says. It has come to the point where you can be certain that anyone he supports is crooked & incompetent.
5
The question Sen. Susan Collins has to ask is, “Do I vote with the clown in the orange hair, or do I vote with History?”
Don’t pin your hopes on Sen. Jeff Flake. His name speaks for itself. Sen. Lisa Murkowski will likely follow Collin’s lead.
5
And sadly there are 3 Democrats in Red states who may confirm him.
If a video comes out showing Judge Kavanaugh participating in a drunken orgy smoking weed and chugging booze with many naked women and men, the Republican party would STILL support him. Trump would smile, give him a high-five and call him a sly dog. The only thing Republicans want is a spineless, right wing extremist on the Supreme Court who will overturn Roe vs. Wade. If the judge happens to be a rapist and an alcohol abuser, so be it.
8
There he is, the “Molester in Chief”. Will Republicans respect this - will Murko, Collins or any other Republican woman.
Actually, based on evidence from his own friends, Kavanaugh was drunk a good part of his time in High School and College.
2
Trump just called the kettle black
2
Can a mere allegation with no proof (evidence, witnesses), no timeline, no location be enough to sink a nomination? That is certainly what the Democrats hope.
They were unable to sink Judge Kavanaugh through their apocalyptic warnings on the demise of Roe v Wade. They were unable to sink it through an examination of his exemplary, lengthy judicial record. They were unable to sink it with screaming protesters and Spartacus. So, they are reduced to a good, old-fashioned sex scandal. Since Judge Kavanaugh appears to be a good, religious family man, they can't find some law clerk that he diddled, so they are reduced to an unverifiable assault claim from high school committed by the (apparent) virgin teen Kavanaugh.
Throw in another spurious claim from freshman year in college from a woman that came forward after the nomination, after consulting with Democratic operative and after 6 days of "assessing her memory" with a civil-rights lawyer. Oh, and there is, of course, no proof and all named witnesses dispute her account.
Throw in another claim by Michael Avenatti (Creepy Porn Lawyer, a la Foxnews...) to add some more color to this circus. Then, when the Judge comes out with his wife to actually defend himself against these charges, he's accused of politicizing the process (really, some liberal pundits actually said this).
Ugh. Just vote and get this done. Enough circus. No one will change their mind after the hearings. Enough.
4
@Hillary o
Sounds like you'd like to have a background investigation to clear this up? No? Head in sand is not a popular political philosophy.
5
Hillary Clinton was right. Deplorable
52
"I know ... I know ... let's break stuff and blame it on them!"
... old fraternity trick.
4
This is the next Supreme Court judge?
He can’t handle his own crisis without turning to Fox News.
I imagine both he and trump consulting Hannity
On abortion. Pathetic!
12
Anything Trump accuses others of is actually what he's doing. He's a sleazy con man.
6
Here he goes again with his daily version of "Iknow you are but what am I".
6
Gee, maybe it is a con game, because if anyone knows con games it's our current POTUS.
2
The fool doesn't realize that we know he is speaking about himself. He is the C O N man. While not a drunk, Trump is severely messed up.
2
Everything that is going on is all on two people...Mitch McConnell and Paul Ryan. Both have committed treason against the United States and should be arrested immediately.
5
The level of disgust for Trump I am experiencing right now is so high, I want to scream.
5
We better start taking women seriously as we men are driving our nation so far down the tubes, the likelihood of recovery is becoming very slim.
If this is what we want this is what we will get. Been in the works for a long time, but the con is unravelling.The men who are running our show are actors who have been on stage too long and only know how to mouth the words in the script they have been handed.
I trust there will be a real awakening this November or I fear we vmay go over the brink..
The real rub is our kids and theirs are the ones who will pay for this folly.
3
He's the Tex Antione of presidents. As the former TV weatherman quipped and was rightly chastised for "With rape so predominant in the news lately, it is well to remember the words of Confucius: 'If rape is inevitable, lie back and enjoy it'."
1
Trump fundamentally has three modes. One, he preens. Two, he lies. And three, he projects, which is to say, he criticizes anyone who does not lick his boot bottoms, of negative and reprehensible behavior, which is nothing short of his modus operandi. He is an abysmal creature.
6
Trump is one of the biggest con men in our nation's history. The idea that he would call these actions a "con" is ludicrous. I find it additionally repugnant that he attempts to smear and slander Kavanaugh's alleged assault victims as well. Then again, Trump too has a number of sexual assault accusations against him, as well as openly bragging on tape about his techniques for the same.
I can't express how revolted, angry, and embarrassed I am by the Trump administration, by Kavanaugh, by the entire Republican party. They are all garbage to the core. When will this nightmare finally end?
1
Between Putin and Trump, what do we have? Under Putin it's a misdemeanor to beat your wife and child bloody. You only get in real trouble if you break bones. Women can't be leaders because we menstruate. The white Christian man is the absolute head of his home.
And here in America we have this increasingly problematic SCOTUS nominee being presented to us as if he were entitled to the job from birth. Nominated by a man so problematic in his treatment of and attitude towards women that he makes Putin appear gallant in contrast.
Meanwhile we're being sold this bill of goods that this is the only conservative legal mind available for the Court. As if their movement has no Plan B.
We need to push back hard against these clowns. As hard as we can. Donate, campaign and VOTE.
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Okay Sen. Collins. You still deciding?
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Trump has ascended to presidency after admitting his sexual aggression with over dozen known women. No one should be surprised that to him Kavanaugh's abusive behavior to two women seems like passable offense.
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As I suspected, he doesn't even know how to spell. Con is spelled T-R-U-M-P. If their are still women out there who will vote for this man they have proven they have less regard for their gender than their political affiliation and should suffer the consequences of a theocratic rule.
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Was this part of his attempted stand-up comedy routine at the UN?
At long last sir, have you no sense of deceny?
I suppose that should be addressed to all Republicans these days.
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So he CAN spell? It stands to reason that he would be able to spell the word con. After all, he's the biggest con Man the world has ever seen. Everyone knew that but they bought into it anyway.
And now, we have this…
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Trump spelling C-O-N is funny, no? Here's a guy who paid off women for their silence.
Kavanaugh, having irresponsibly handled his own finances, and having them mysteriously disappear, has no such funds to buy silence. I'm sure his Mommy and Daddy will only give him money for exclusive country club dues, so he won't have to associate with anyone but fellow rich white folks.
Kavanaugh is a spoiled brat, and needs this job for his own self-validation. Trump needs him so he can win, his euphemism for cheating.
This government no longer stands for its people.
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It’s a con game,” President Trump said of the sexual assault allegations against Judge Brett M. Kavanaugh.
Ironic statement from Don the Lifetime Con.
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Trump will only ever align with and defend alleged sex offenders because he is one
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In response, Democrats claim Trump pulled a massive con on the American people by conspiring with the Russians and GOP to steal the election and ruin our democracy.
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One serial sexual harasser defending another serial sexual harasser. And both are holding the highest offices of the most powerful nation on earth. I wish I can emigrate to Mars.
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Con Game?
Takes one to know one, I guess.
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"Trump Accuses Democrats of Running ‘Con Game’ Against Kavanaugh"
Con game? If it is, it takes one to know one.
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Who would know better about a Con Game then the Chief Con of the US if not the world. Want to see a Con Artist Trump? Look in the mirror.
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The POTUS keeping it classy, as usual.
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Trump being laughed at by the entire UN assembly:
https://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-laughed-united-nations-un-1137481
The USA is literally the laughing stock of the world.
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Just a minute Trump; trying to investigate sexual assault allegations is a "con game".
The depth of your narcissistic darkness have yet to be plumbed.
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And now cue Michael Avenatti's entrance into this one too! Idaho is gonna have to plant more corn to be popped while the Trump Show is still on the air!
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The BIGGEST CON GAME is something Trump should know PLENTY about - he has played the CON GAME all his life!!!
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Once again, Donald Trump speaks before he thinks, with his customary disregard for facts or reasoning. Tragically for our country and the entire world, the President of the United States governs with a puny mushroomed head in place of a working brain.
@JohnV I doubt Trump thinks in any recognizable way. Based on his public persona in the last 2 years, he just reacts impulsively and starts blathering.
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Any way you look at it--Ford's delusional vapor reshaping--"two" in 2018, but "four" in 2012--and a New Yorker six-hour reshaping interrogation for Ramirez--unless fact and evidence, not belief, is irrefutably introduced during Thursday's testimony, Kavanaugh heads to the Court.
Only reasonable thing to do despite all the cultural Marxist Roe v. Wade stomping to the contrary.
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25th amendment now looks very appropriate to be applied to Don The Con.
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Most petty, third-world Bandito-Dictators either flee their "citizens" or die trying.
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I thought McConnell put the Con in Congress. Silly me.
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This coming from a con-man himself. Trump is a con-man who conned an entire nation. Now we are paying the price.
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When it comes to con games who would know more than anyone else than Donald J. Trump, his exalted self.
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“It was her fault, she was drunk.” “It wasn’t his fault - he was drunk”.
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I’ll tell you what’s “messed up”—
Our country, thanks to the con Don and his enablers.
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Trump would certainly know about con games.
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Hey, wait a minute! How does the president know the charges are unsubstantiated? Is this a case of wishful thinking or is he reading too much into it? His followers eat this stuff up and they love it but maybe a little decorum, a little discretion, a filter or two. Hey President Trump...how do you really feel? Hey, what's the big deal? There is no collusion on the part of the Democrats, so not to worry. Just keep your chins up.
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Con game?? Seriously?? The American people are still waiting to see your tax returns.
This man seriously has no self awareness whatsoever. Sad!!
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The President likes to use gangster terms like "rat" and "con." It's not only unbecoming of POTUS and degrading to the office, it demonstrates his lowlife background. On a brighter note, the audience at the UN General Assembly let him know what they thought of his false, oft-repeated claim that his administration has accomplished more than most every other administration in history. Their laughter must have stung him to the core. Well done.
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Who more likely than a con man to think everyone else is one.
Trump tells the UN today "In less than two years, my administration has accomplished more than almost any administration in the history of our country."
Meanwhile, Bill Cosby is sentenced today for drugging and sexually assaulting a woman . The judge rules him a violent sexual predator.
Sexual assaulters can hide behind their public persona for decades: movie directors, TV actors, Olympic sports physicians, presidents. Lets not add Supreme Court justice to this list.
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If there is still justice, Trump will one day be wearing a jumpsuit that spells out C-O-N on the back.
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He would know. He's the king of cons.
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Trump making 'con game' accusations.
The pot calling the kettle black - priceless.
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Trump the master of projection, accusing the Democrats of being con-artists.
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Of course, based on your infamous "locker talks" in Access Hollywood, and the court documents in Summer Zervos v. Donald J Trump, er al., the rotten bully Brett Kavanaugh is another Super-elite, who may join your Society for Sexual Predators in the future.
Look at Bill Crosby sentence. All felons would be punished. Don't continue to play your dirty games of cover-up.
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Trump, the pot calling the kettle black. He knows about "con game's", how about his university ++ other schemes. This is a man that does not engage his brain before putting his mouth into gear.
This has become a sad reality show.
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It's always fun when this spectacularly dishonest, unethical, and immoral creature catalogs supposed nefarious actions in others.
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The only Con Game being run is by Donald Trump as President, it's that simple.
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The Donald who is very knowledgeable about running a con game sees them everywhere. After all its what he would do if the position was reversed. You know like the birther con where he attacked and lied about a better man then he will ever be. Besides as a serial sexual abuser and harasser of women the Donald wouldn't see it as any big deal and getting away with it is the mark of a quality gentleman. Like himself. sad.
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I do believe all this thrashing of a probably honorable person is quite despicable. However, there is only one person to blame for what is happening today in the United States of America where I studied and for which I have great respect : Mr Donald Trump himself! He is the one who started this shameful game. He is the one who do not understand what the role of a President is. He is the one who digs what is worst in us to build his own power (and probably wealth), surely not for the great cause of the people!
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Con? Is Trump kidding? He's the biggest con in the developed world, and all of us in NY know that. Too bad the people in flyover country didn't.
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A con game? Really? He's describing Presidency!
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Nice to see the GOP has decided on the outcome of this hearing before it's even happened.
Disgraceful.
My only hope is we survive the next few years with some semblance of country left to be able to bring us back from the brink. History books will look back on this period as a dark time and hopefully the final gasp of ignorant bigotry and rampant sexism.
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Does anyone have a muzzle—preferably one with a red ball for a small circular mouth? [It would also match an oversize bright red tie.]
Who is going to have the courage to put it on? General Kelly? Pence? Cabinet? Ivanka?
But he'll still be able to tweet, so maybe a straitjacket as well.
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"[Kavanaugh] was born for the Supreme Court,” says Trump.
Yeah, right.
Just like Trump was born to be president.
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The biggest conman in US history saying Democrats are playing a con game against Kavanaugh after playing his con game against Hillary Clinton is laughable. The old saying about people who live in glass houses should not throw stones certainly refers to him.
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It is not enough that Kavanaugh assaulted a 15-year old girl, exposed himself to a college coed, slimed the reputation of a young girl from a neighboring all-girls high school (Renate Dolphin), as many people are saying.
The question people want answered now is how many other girls and women has Kavanaugh assaulted? How many is enough before Republicans take these women seriously?
As most people are saying, these women have suffered at the hands of a prep school pig. They have suffered terribly and will be recovering for the rest of their lives.
But the president has decided they have not suffered enough so he is assaulting these women and all victims of sexual assault, all over again. with his denunciations of their veracity, their right to even speak up, much less tell their stories. His message to sexual assault victims is, "Shut up!"
And where is Melania? Hiding. Standing right behind her man....right next to Ivanka.
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Con games are something Trump knows quite a bit about.
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Latest from the "birds of a feather" dept. No wonder Trump tweets so much!
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I’m not a priest. I don’t listen to Catholic boys’ confessions. I don’t give a rip how long Kavanaugh was a virgin, which he spoke to in his latest public interview, wife at his side, nodding.
What I do care about - a Supreme Court Justice who has a life long moral character and is worthy to make lifelong decisions regarding the law of the land, so my kids and grandkids also will live in fairness and justice in their lives.
Now the Senate needs to start over and find a worthy candidate. It’s not Brett Kavanaugh. He’s been nothing but trouble. Enough!
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My congressman Vern Buchanan just sent a newsletter on Violence Against Women, relaying the stat that women in America are assaulted every 9 seconds!
Somebody call the police because there is going to be another mugging at the Judiciary hearing on Thursday!
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Well, Donald Trump is a subject matter expert when it comes to con games.
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Not be vulgar or shallow thinking, but Kavanaugh lost some of his male base, who consider him a hero, when he claimed in the FOX interview to have been a virgin in high school and for "years after'.
I guess his personal writing in his high school yearbook was mere braggadocio - or as Melania would put it, "boy talk"
His male base might be given cause to pause while they spit sideways, and wonder if their boy can deliver, after all.
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It takes a con man to know a con. The problem is, this is not a "con game", when three women have come forward to say that they were sexually assaulted by Kavanuagh. Matter of fact, one of them lives about 12 or so miles SW of my location.
Sorry, the only "con game" is Trump, and his party, are trying to put on the n=bench as sexual predator, violent alcoholic, who need rehab, not a life time appointment.
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I thought NYT readers were above average in educational level so it's puzzlung to read many comments that Democrats need to block the Kavanaugh nomination or if unsuccessful, impeach him. Are you serious?
Democrats control nothing in Washington and even if they win back the House, possible but increasingly doubtful and Senate, unlikely... you would need the House voting to impeach and 2/3 of the Senate to convict.
How often has that happened in 230 years of the Republic?
Never.
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If there is anyone in this country who doesn't get a say on the validity of accusers, it's Donald Trump.
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The Democrats are running a con game? Methinks more projection from the 45th.
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Ms. Ramirez was drunk because she was targeted to get drunk by a bunch of irresponsible guys. Wanting to fit in, she participated in the game and then was constantly targeted till she was inebriated, after which the exposure happened. In other words, trying to get her to be drunk was part of the reckless and abusive scheme! That's how it started...
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@Writer
Obviously then, you were there. I hope you called the SJC and offered to testify.
Of course a con man would see con games wherever he looks (or dreams).
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".....They are playing a con game and they are playing it very well, much better than Republicans.”
That is to say Republicans play C-O-N games, and this time Democrats are playing better. Really!! Come on, will only prove to be better if they can delay it for more than a year, nay just about 2 months only. Come on Democrats do it!!
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@Open Eye
So this is what our government has come to? My party's con is better than your party's con?
Anyone hear of Statutory Rape and its place in state’s legal codes? I know of parents with sons who would explain to them this law as soon as they entered high school.
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Did Trump really say that: "Con game"? The number one con man of all time accusing someone ELSE of running a con?
The guy who, when he was campaigning in the Bible Belt, held up a copy and said, "Yeah, the Bible: my second-favorite book of all time" (after "The Art of the Deal," of course), even though it was obvious to anyone with a brain that The Donald had NEVER READ A WORD OF IT, so that all one could assume was that it was the book's beautiful leather cover and gold embossing that made it his "second-favorite book of all time"; the man who said he would "drain The Swamp," then proceeded to give us something -- featuring the likes of Tom Price, Scott Pruitt, Steven Mnuchin, Ben Carson, Betsy DeVos, Mick Mulvaney, Rick Perry and ad infinitum -- that made the OLD Swamp look like a clear mountain stream!; the man who said he was a champion of the middle class, then proceeded to enrich the top 1% at the EXPENSE of that middle class! Is that the man you're talking about, the man who's accusing OTHERS of running a con game?!
If there are any youngsters out there who don't know what we old-timers are talking about, when we make reference to "the pot calling the kettle black," THIS IS IT!!
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Trump is mad because Kavanaugh didn't get in touch with the National Enquirer and have them buy the stories to keep them quiet. Trump knew what to do for his own case and Kavanaugh missed out.
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The Washingtonians are so thoroughly besotted with themselves; there are but few sinews remaining that connect them to reality let alone the public they purport to represent. A total cleansing is immanently required.
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