Senate Committee Passes Kavenaugh, Flake Calls for FBI Investigation

By Jeralyn, Section Trump Administration
Posted on Fri Sep 28, 2018 at 12:24:59 PM EST
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1:51 pm: Sen. Flake says he has agreed with Democrats that the full Senate vote should be delayed for one week for the FBI to do "due diligence" by investigating existing accusations against Kavanaugh. But he's not saying the Kavanaugh committee vote should be delayed. The press is flummoxed, thinking they didn't vote. They did vote. They passed Kavanaugh on to the full Senate by a vote of 11 to 10. All Flake did was say he wants more information before the full Senate vote. If he changes his mind when the full Senate votes, Kavanaugh would not prevail. But today he votes with other Republicans to pass Kavanaugh's confirmation on to the full Senate.

The committee is now out of jurisdictional control. It's up to the full Senate now. All Flake has done is agree with Democrats that the full Senate vote should be delayed a week so the FBI can investigate pending (not future)allegations of accusers.

Original Post

The Senate Judiciary Committee will vote on Judge Brett Kavanaugh's nomination to the Supreme Court at 1:30 pm ET. You can watch the vote live here or here.

Republicans hold a 11-10 majority on the committee. There are 51 Republicans in the Senate.

Sen. Jeff Flake had announced he would vote for Kavanaugh, but this morning he was accosted by protesters at the elevator. If he has changed his mind, then there may be a delay in the vote.

< Kavenaugh Comes Out Strong and Angry | Trump Orders Supplemental FBI Investigation re: Kavenaugh >

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Senate Committee Passes Kavenaugh, Flake Calls for FBI Investigation | 54 comments (54 topical)

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Trump (5.00 / 1) (#20)
by CaptHowdy on Fri Sep 28, 2018 at 01:16:54 PM EST

"I'm leaving this to the Senate. They are great. The Senate.
I have been talking with the President of Chile.
I LOVE chilli."

: It goes good with beer. (5.00 / 4) (#21)
by desertswine on Fri Sep 28, 2018 at 01:25:37 PM EST

I like beer.

Rule No. 1: Do not trust McConnell (5.00 / 3) (#22)
by Towanda on Fri Sep 28, 2018 at 01:33:52 PM EST

Rules No. 2 to ad infinitum: See Rule No. 1.

I will believe a week's delay when I see it.

Repeat (5.00 / 1) (#23)
by CaptHowdy on Fri Sep 28, 2018 at 01:42:26 PM EST

They will not allow an investigation.

If they we ever going to do that it would be done.

Mitch needs the votes

He does not have them


Agreed, do not (5.00 / 1) (#26)
by KeysDan on Fri Sep 28, 2018 at 02:00:15 PM EST

trust McConnell. Plus, Collins, Flake, Lindsey, etc. If in doubt, just check to see if there is an R after the name. They may go for a week's pause to give the members a chance to get out of trapped elevators, but the "investigation" has to be one by the FBI, and the pause continues until done. And, for all accusers and allegations. Kavanaugh can not withstand, in my view, a real investigation; he is a bad penny. McConnell knows it too, and that is why the turtle is soiling his shell.


To be clear (none / 0) (#28)
by CaptHowdy on Fri Sep 28, 2018 at 02:08:25 PM EST

I believe the judge, facing yet another week of blah blah yada yada

Will decide he really needs to spend more time with his family.


Yes, he could (5.00 / 1) (#32)
by KeysDan on Fri Sep 28, 2018 at 03:27:11 PM EST

spend more time with his family, or coach girl's basketball. Kavanaugh's testimony was that he enjoyed coaching more than anything else. So why not convert his avocation into a vocation?


That would be the normal (none / 0) (#29)
by KeysDan on Fri Sep 28, 2018 at 02:20:23 PM EST

thing, and it would have happened a while back. And, as you point out, an FBI investigation would be fatal. As I wrote a week or so ago (it seems like decades ago), Trump should withdraw Kavanaugh promising him a beer, and present a new nominee immediately. There will be a sigh of relief in most quarters, and attention will shift to the new nominee. In a week (again a decade in Trump time) it will be Kavanaugh who? Although, no matter what I would like it all to go further---Kavanaugh, I have been convinced, does not belong in public service, including his present judgeship.


: Trump has an entire cabinet.. (5.00 / 1) (#33)
by desertswine on Fri Sep 28, 2018 at 04:25:05 PM EST

that has no business in public service. The problem with this jamoke is much bigger. Once this guy is confirmed, everything that Trump does, everything, has the potential of being legal.

Trump on Kavanaugh (5.00 / 3) (#31)
by Yman on Fri Sep 28, 2018 at 02:49:20 PM EST

Calls Dr. Blasey-Ford a "very credible witness" and calls Kavenaugh's testimony "incredible".

I $hit you not.

I'm picturing his staff standing in the room drawing straws over who has to explain the meaning of the word "incredible" to him.

Delayed (none / 0) (#1)
by CaptHowdy on Fri Sep 28, 2018 at 12:34:09 PM EST

I don't know if I can stomach this today... (none / 0) (#2)
by desertswine on Fri Sep 28, 2018 at 12:36:56 PM EST

I had a gut-full yesterday.

: Don't leave just yet (none / 0) (#3)
by CaptHowdy on Fri Sep 28, 2018 at 12:38:05 PM EST

Clearly ...... something (none / 0) (#4)
by CaptHowdy on Fri Sep 28, 2018 at 12:46:31 PM EST

CNN says a deal with an investigation and one week delay

Mitch McConnell hasn't agreed (5.00 / 1) (#14)
by Militarytracy on Fri Sep 28, 2018 at 12:58:43 PM EST

To this that we know


If he don't have the votes (none / 0) (#16)
by CaptHowdy on Fri Sep 28, 2018 at 01:02:49 PM EST

He ain't nothin


: Both Flake and Collins (none / 0) (#18)
by Militarytracy on Fri Sep 28, 2018 at 01:10:23 PM EST

Have been burned by similar agreements.
Part of this may also be how they attempt to avoid the protest. Women are on their way here now, maybe not after hearing there will be an investigation. Then McConnell decides to hold a vote without an investigation.

Here it comes (none / 0) (#5)
by CaptHowdy on Fri Sep 28, 2018 at 12:47:00 PM EST

I believe (none / 0) (#6)
by CaptHowdy on Fri Sep 28, 2018 at 12:48:31 PM EST

They will pull the nomination before allowing an investigation


For anyone who missed it (none / 0) (#7)
by CaptHowdy on Fri Sep 28, 2018 at 12:51:27 PM EST

Flake just said he would vote it ONLY out of committee

A one week delay and investigation


I'm not sure what they're doing. (none / 0) (#8)
by desertswine on Fri Sep 28, 2018 at 12:53:41 PM EST

They are (none / 0) (#9)
by CaptHowdy on Fri Sep 28, 2018 at 12:54:46 PM EST

Officially freaking out


Did they just vote to advance Kavanaugh? (none / 0) (#10)
by desertswine on Fri Sep 28, 2018 at 12:54:55 PM EST

: Yes BUT (none / 0) (#12)
by CaptHowdy on Fri Sep 28, 2018 at 12:56:17 PM EST

He will NOT be confirmed until.....

There are at least (none / 0) (#11)
by CaptHowdy on Fri Sep 28, 2018 at 12:55:39 PM EST

A half dozen republicans who will support this


This is ridiculous.. (none / 0) (#13)
by desertswine on Fri Sep 28, 2018 at 12:58:08 PM EST

Well (none / 0) (#15)
by CaptHowdy on Fri Sep 28, 2018 at 01:01:34 PM EST

Yeah

But dude

We just won one


: Uh oh (none / 0) (#17)
by desertswine on Fri Sep 28, 2018 at 01:03:35 PM EST

Lindsey Graham saw a microphone.

It looks like they just voted themselves... (none / 0) (#19)
by desertswine on Fri Sep 28, 2018 at 01:14:41 PM EST

off the hook, for now.

Murkowski (none / 0) (#24)
by CaptHowdy on Fri Sep 28, 2018 at 01:44:08 PM EST

Is officially ON the Flake train.

Checkmate

Yeah (none / 0) (#25)
by Ga6thDem on Fri Sep 28, 2018 at 01:50:13 PM EST

they don't have the votes.


Joe Machin (none / 0) (#27)
by CaptHowdy on Fri Sep 28, 2018 at 02:02:52 PM EST

Just got his ticket punched on the Flake train


Just my personal (none / 0) (#30)
by Ga6thDem on Fri Sep 28, 2018 at 02:41:28 PM EST

theory but I think they are afraid of what Avenatti has. His client is going on TV this weekend and what if she comes off as credible as Dr. Ford in the interview? If she does and they vote for Kavanaugh they are sunk worse than if they don't vote him. Flake is retiring so he was the one picked to take the hit so to speak. Flake takes the hit and then all the other senators who are sitting on the fence can punch a ticket on his train.

Through all this I hope the GOP has learned something but probably not.


Just my personal theory (1.25 / 8) (#41)
by linea on Fri Sep 28, 2018 at 10:20:13 PM EST

More likely than not, Avenatti won't allow the FBI to interview the woman. My guess, he found some disturbed woman on prescription medication (who deserves our sympathy) and pressured her into signing these ridiculous statements. It's absurd.

My opinion.


My guess is (none / 0) (#43)
by ragebot on Fri Sep 28, 2018 at 10:53:49 PM EST

Avenatti may let his client be interviewed. If you read the statement carefully Kavanaugh is not accused of much; just being at parties. There is some suggestion he put grain alcohol in the punch but other than that nothing comes close to being criminal.

In some ways he is slick lawyer who knows how to get headlines by going right up to the line but not crossing it. Give credit where credit is due. This was a grandstand play that worked.


Now it looks like (none / 0) (#44)
by jondee on Sat Sep 29, 2018 at 12:32:20 AM EST

he's being accused of lying under oath about his partying in college.

Why would he feel compelled to lie about something that 99% of humanity does and would probably be understanding about?


: I know. (none / 0) (#48)
by Ga6thDem on Sat Sep 29, 2018 at 06:47:32 AM EST

Seriously what is his problem that he couldn't even tell the truth about that even with the legions of witnesses who said he was lying.

Exactly (none / 0) (#50)
by FlJoe on Sat Sep 29, 2018 at 07:55:53 AM EST

but his first "grandstand play" worked out quite well if you ask me.

I have mixed feelings about Avenatti, he is a master media manipulator but he seems to have agenda of his own over that of his clients. In context I'm sure Stormy was all right with this but I question why anybody else would take that ride.

That being said, he does play his cards extremely well. He was holding a very good hand with Stormy's NDA and he was not afraid to show his cards, he also did a bit of bluffing(ie. Stormy's parking lot accoster soon to be identified).

Avenatti just laid down a huge card with Swetnick's claims, I am always worried about him someday over playing his hand and I do find her allegations a bit sketchy still, given his track record, I would put my money on Avenatti still holding the winning hand.


"on the Flake train" (none / 0) (#38)
by leap on Fri Sep 28, 2018 at 06:12:47 PM EST

Do you mean Murkowski and Manchin are voting for the dweeb, as is/will Flake? Isn't that what "on the train" means?


: I would avoid using (5.00 / 3) (#40)
by Peter G on Fri Sep 28, 2018 at 09:40:16 PM EST

any "train" metaphors in this context.

Forgive my cynical nature (none / 0) (#34)
by CaptHowdy on Fri Sep 28, 2018 at 04:49:55 PM EST

But I strongly suspect that whole thing today, Flake theater, was just that. Planned. Kabuki. Made for tv. That shite about meeting poor victims in the elevator

Come on. That's not how things get done

I tip my hat to them. But it is what it is.

And ftr (none / 0) (#35)
by CaptHowdy on Fri Sep 28, 2018 at 05:15:40 PM EST

As important as I think an investigation may be the primary goal is, as they say, delay.


Charlie Pierce (5.00 / 1) (#39)
by Ga6thDem on Fri Sep 28, 2018 at 09:07:41 PM EST

made the point and I hadn't thought of this. He said that this delay gives the press more time to start digging. There's no telling what they are going to come up with. Wingnut welfare is not gonna save Kavanaugh this time.


Wonder if (5.00 / 1) (#51)
by KeysDan on Sat Sep 29, 2018 at 10:04:29 AM EST

the interview with Squi will indicate that he still stutters when predicating the 4th of July with the F word? Surely, it was not the misogynistic meaning for FFFFFFFOURTH of July.


No (5.00 / 1) (#52)
by FlJoe on Sat Sep 29, 2018 at 12:03:14 PM EST

news here, the digging as been going on for weeks, just go ask Farrow and Mayer. This delay will certainly allow that story to be fleshed out and perhaps more to drop. Just last night a very credible witness described Kavanaugh as a sloppy drunk. There will probably be more and there is always Avenatti ready to lob one in.

The Ramirez allegations are reportedly going to be subject of the FBI investigation and it will certainly be a target rich environment for journalists. There is already plenty of testimony about Kavanaugh's drunkenness and also secondhand allegations of gang rape.

I reread the article and stumbled upon this quote

Ramirez said that what has stayed with her most forcefully is the memory of laughter at her expense from Kavanaugh and the other students.

almost word for word with what Professor Ford said, chilling but corroborative as to Kavanagh's actions.

: The FBI and (5.00 / 1) (#53)
by KeysDan on Sat Sep 29, 2018 at 01:47:43 PM EST

journalist investigations that are now ongoing are critical to possible verification of allegations by Dr. Ford, Ms.Raminrez, and other woman.
But, there is more than enough that we have seen with our own eyes and heard with our own ears that would justifiably earn the Senate's giving Kavanaugh the boot.
His injudicious performance at the hearing this past Thursday, from the "what goes around, comes around" threat, unproven conspiracies presented under oath, to the series of small and seemingly unnecessary lies, that add up, as part of the deception he is attempting to portray. A spectacle more appropriate to a Republican political rally by B. Kavanaugh (SC Justice, R.Md). Kavanaugh's invocation of the Clinton's only lacked the chant of "lock her up."
His disrespect to a female US senator, belies his protestations regarding his having any disrespect for women. And, he contempt for the other Democratic senators discharging their constitutional responsibility was egregious.
His odd and repeated references to liking beer, then and now, and what might be called projection, regarding US senators drinking preferences and habits is curious, at best.
The guileless demeanor and presentation of Dr. Ford provides credible testimony and serves as character witness to the nominee for the Judiciary Committee's consideration. Moreover, Dr. Ford's request for an FBI investigation suggests confidence that she expects further examination will undergird her testimony that Kavanaugh is unfit.
There is a record, which may be bolstered by further investigation, but the cumulative record is there to see already and can't be ignored.... unless determined to get Kavanaugh on the SC, come hell or high water. It is telling that while the FBI investigation has, under political duress, been authorized..for a week...all the Republican senators voted Kavanaugh out of the Judiciary Committee. They are ready to go, after this hic cup.

: Yes (none / 0) (#54)
by Ga6thDem on Sat Sep 29, 2018 at 07:20:01 PM EST

it was announced today that the FBI is investigating Ramirez's claims.

I would (none / 0) (#36)
by FlJoe on Fri Sep 28, 2018 at 05:22:30 PM EST

wager that there are more than a few Republican senators are hoping Kavanaugh folds, a couple of Democrats would also be quite happy.


: An probably (5.00 / 2) (#37)
by CaptHowdy on Fri Sep 28, 2018 at 05:25:10 PM EST

More than a few FBI agents

What The FBI Found Out (none / 0) (#55)
by RickyJim on Thu Oct 04, 2018 at 10:14:00 AM EST

"I've now received a committee staff briefing on the F.B.I.'s supplement to Judge Kavanaugh's background investigation file," said Senator Charles E. Grassley of Iowa, chairman of the Judiciary Committee, in a statement Thursday. "There's nothing in it that we didn't already know. These uncorroborated accusations have been unequivocally and repeatedly rejected by Judge Kavanaugh, and neither the Judiciary Committee nor the F.B.I. could locate any third parties who can attest to any of the allegations."

Link Of course it is hard to square the last part with all the people who say that they have not been contacted by the FBI.

Mitch does not strike me (none / 0) (#56)
by CaptHowdy on Thu Oct 04, 2018 at 10:17:25 AM EST

As completely confident.

I think he is sweating. Just a little.


Collins goes down (none / 0) (#57)
by CaptHowdy on Thu Oct 04, 2018 at 10:26:59 AM EST

But we knew that


: Collins needs to read this (5.00 / 1) (#59)
by leap on Thu Oct 04, 2018 at 05:29:01 PM EST

tweet thread by Linda Hirshman, who wrote Sisters in Law, a biography of Sandra Day O'connor and RBG. Hirshman has something to say about what happened to SDO after she voted in W-43.
Not that Collins cares about what people think of her, at this point, or what they will think of her. Time to build up that campaign pot for her next opponent. But whattya bet she'll decide to retire after her current term is up? That way she wouldn't have to face the uproar, while she merrily slides into some Republican beeg money "think" tank.

: That's $2 million (none / 0) (#58)
by Steve13209 on Thu Oct 04, 2018 at 04:26:05 PM EST

To Collins' Senate opponent in 2020.