Comments regarding the Kavanaugh nomination

[new_patomic]

Ford I think is handling herself with incredible dignity and poise so far.

[new_patomic]

I'm not sure how much better we'd like the Republicans on the committee questioning her instead of the prosecutor.

But at least for the moment the use of a prosecutor isn't coming off as well. The split between emotional testimony and then cross examination every five minutes isn't a good one for them.

[new_patomic]

That whole airline/airplane line of questioning was stupid.
What was the prosecutor pursuing here?

Goes to her credibility and the timeline of the accusation. She's fine with flying all the time to Polynesia but not to DC?

Seems flying west is easier than flying east.

[new_patomic]

That whole airline/airplane line of questioning was stupid.
What was the prosecutor pursuing here?

Goes to her credibility and the timeline of the accusation. She's fine with flying all the time to Polynesia but not to DC?

Seems flying west is easier than flying east.

... . By that way she clearly meant flying for a vacation is supposed to to be grilled by bunch of people about the most traumatic moment in her life with open hostility.

Indeed.

[new_patomic]

https://twitter.com/SteveSchmidtSES/status/1045346483564949506

She's doing a fair job questioning Ford and establishing the facts, which of course makes this whole thing a disaster for Republicans.

I suppose that's the benefit of having a prosecutor.

They can throw her under the bus.

[new_patomic]

Even if Kavanaugh does well in his hearing this feels like a large net loss. Ford has at least thus far been able to establish herself as a credible honest human being.

[new_patomic]

https://twitter.com/kateirby/status/1045354632824983552

[new_patomic]

What do you think, is this their plan at this point?

It seems...

Well I don't know actually. There isn't a winning hand here. The only constant is that Trump withdrawing, or Kavanaugh withdrawing himself, remains the least bad move. But other than those? Who knows.

[new_patomic]

https://twitter.com/kasie/status/1045363179960913920

[new_patomic]

Graham's behavior is odd to me.

He's so much more aggressive than anyone else.

[new_patomic]

Graham's behavior is odd to me.

He's so much more aggressive than anyone else.

Overcompensation.

He just called her "just as much of a victim" as Kavanaugh.

[new_patomic]

His voice/tone shouldn't matter as much as the content of his words. But the contrast versus the poise and composure Ford had is unfortunate for him.

The content itself also is rather combative.

"you have replaced advise and consent with search and destroy."

"you sowed the wind for decades to come."

"you're trying to blow me up."

He just called Senate Democrats an embarrassment.

[new_patomic]

I suppose the question is, who is he speaking to right now?

This opening statement lands well with the Fox News crowd I think, and with the likes of Graham. But I don't know how well it does elsewhere.

"What goes around, comes around."

Yessh.

[new_patomic]

The contrast versus Ford's composure is more and more extreme.

[new_patomic]

OK I'm sorry but trying to pass off "renate alumni" as showing that she was a friend and like one of the guys?

Really?

That's your excuse? And what you're having a break down over?

[new_patomic]

We've never seen, and I hope, we will never see another performance quite like this.

[new_patomic]

His being combative with Democrats and Senate Democrats is going to calm fears among the Fox News crowd and Conservatives.

I'm just wondering if that's enough for 50 votes.

[new_patomic]

Durbin just wrecked him, game over.

Kavanaugh does not want an FBI investigation.

He does not want the FBI to ask questions.

He does not want the FBI involved.

[new_patomic]

This is quite the grand stand.

[new_patomic]

It's telling that he thinks his academic achievements and college admissions are an answer to a question about drinking.

[new_patomic]

They've sidelined the outside prosecutor.

I'm guessing because she was asking him questions.

[new_patomic]

None of his answers on his drinking are credible.

None of them pass the smell test.

[new_patomic]

The institutional damage being done is going to have consequences for decades to come.

Good.

People who have committed sexual assault should know they can't be allowed on the court.

[new_patomic]

In any case.

Kavanaugh was at least smart enough to apologize to Klobuchar.

[new_patomic]

In any case.

Kavanaugh was at least smart enough to apologize to Klobuchar.

Yeah, that ask-back, not once but twice, was awful. I do believe he meant his apology, at any rate.

It continues to put into perspective the poise, calmness, and sincerity which Ford handled her hearing.