This is a great thread which makes the case for Kavanaugh’s unsuitability solely on the basis of how he’s handled the nomination process.
MrGrumpy
3161
Not criminal activity in reference to the accusations, but they will investigate (as laid out by a former FBI agent) “people, places and things” to determine the veracity of statements made. If it turns out that Kavanaugh made false statements under oath or on his background check forms, then that could trigger a criminal investigation with the full tools available to a criminal investigation (subpoenas and the like.) They will also offer BK the opportunity to take a polygraph. While inadmissible in a criminal court, it has been used in prior background investigations to clear nominees. It will be shall we say notable if he refuses. (Kavanaugh did write a decision where he wrote that polygraphs are useful tools for employers, and, shockingly enough, this is a job interview.)
I hope the four undecided Senators are asked about his judicial temperament too, because even if the investigation fails to provide any corroborating evidence, he self-evidently failed that test in gruesome fashion.
It may make no difference, but I still think Kavanaugh’s angry man performance was a very bad choice. It is quite fair to describe him as showing contempt, both for the process and (in particular) for the Democratic Senators whose job it is to advise and consent on the nomination. Anyone who believes he can even pretend to impartiality on the court is engaging in self-deception.
It definitely worked in the moment… But with this week delay it gives everyone a chance to really mull it over… And if he finally gets called out for some of his lies, then it could really backfire.
Menzo
3164
Not sure if it was someone in this thread or somewhere else I read, but Kavanaugh was basically the living embodiment of FOX News. A rich white guy angry that a woman dared try to stop him from attaining his goal.
The fact that anybody uses polygraphs as anything other than a parlor game is very upsetting.
I guess my hope, slim as it is, is that his performance coupled with the FBI reporting that he’s told several lies will give a handful of Republicans the cover they need to reject him. I have no doubt that virtually all Republicans will support him no matter what. It’s the few in doubt that matter at this point.
Also, too: That the FBI will report some lies is really the best one can hope for from the investigation.
HumanTon
3167
Though we don’t need the FBI for that: Kavanaugh has repeatedly and demonstrably lied - under oath - when he says his high school drinking was legal. It wasn’t.
In saner times that alone would have been enough for Senators to pass on a Supreme Court nominee. Today, no one gives a shit: his supporters just pretend the lie is truth and carry on.
Ephraim
3168
“places” is the most interesting thing for me. The committee senators that voted to pass him along to the main Senate floor vote all stated that there was no corroborating evidence for Dr. Ford’s otherwise “believable” evidence. Basically, nothing to say that Kavanaugh was there and it’s not a case of mistaken identity. Well, now we have something that the FBI can look at. In her testimony, Dr. Ford described the house layout with detail: The stairwell, the room where she was attacked was across from the bathroom. Well, now, thanks to Kavanaugh’s release of his calendar, it seems that he’s placed himself at “Timmy’s” on July 1st, along with all the other boys that Dr. Ford did remember being at the party.It seems the Washington Post gets this is big, too.
Although the homeowner didn’t answer the door when the Post’s reporters visited, the FBI can probably do more to go inside and get a sense of the house plan. If, it turns out, Timmy’s house matches the layout described spontaneously by Dr. Ford, that’s important information. She spontaneously volunteered those details, which would then match up with Kavanaugh’s diary that places him there, with the timeframe further narrowed down by Judge’s employment records at Safeway. It may be that Kavanaugh incriminated himself when he put out that calendar, placing him at the scene of a crime where a victim also places him, with the proper people identified (again, prior to the calendar release) as present.
Of course this can all be disregarded if all that matters is partisan politics. But I’m holding out hope that at least one or two of the on-the-fence senators will take this information and realize the truth that a man who did that, even as a teen, should not be on the Supreme Court.
Another interesting detail about that July 1 thing: it’s very possible that July 1, being a Thursday, would’ve been a day off from any summer job work commitments due to a long holiday weekend (or that Thursday was a work day, but Friday the 2nd wasn’t).
Kavanaugh’s claim that he didn’t drink on weekdays versus Dr. Ford’s claim that this happened on a weekday might find a nexus right there – a weekday (a Thursday) that was actually basically like a Friday night because of the Sunday July 4 holiday.
Deadline
3170
I have not encountered entitled frat bro culture that draws a bright line on weekdays.
But then I have not been around rare air places like Georgetown Prep. It seems dubious.
Menzo
3171
From what I’ve heard, in those circles it’s considered gauche to attempt sexual assault on weekdays.
HumanTon
3172
It’s already established that Kavanaugh was drinking beer on Thursday July 1st 1982. He admitted it when questioned by Cory Booker:
BOOKER: Judge Kavanaugh, you drank on weekdays as well in high school, not just weekends. Is that correct?
KAVANAUGH: Weekdays?
BOOKER: Yes, sir.
KAVANAUGH: I’d say that’s rare. Are you talking about during the school year?
BOOKER: I’m — I’m talking about the calendars that you provided during these dates.
KAVANAUGH: Oh, that’s in the — in the summer after a football work out when we went over to…
BOOKER: You drank on weekdays, yes or no, sir?
KAVANAUGH: … In the summer when we went over to Timmy’s house (ph) on July 1st, that would indicate, yes.
(After that he says he “needs to explain context” but never actually denies it.)
Banzai
3173
Describe in single words, only the good things that come into your mind about your mother.
Papageno
3176
Well well, what have we here?
Of particular note: concerns about his ability to remain open-minded.
Clay
3178
Having been extensively polygraphed for 6+ hours… they only ask yes/no questions.
