The Supreme Court, bastion of conservatism

[creekster]

Grading on the curve, I give his opening a B+. My comparison is Justice Thomas’s speech, which I thought was spectacular. A+. It saved him. I recall he didn’t read it, and it was full of metaphor, detail, allusions, passion and rage. A supremely intelligent and well delivered speech that drew on his challenges as a black man who was born into poverty. He powerfully identified himself as a victim of prejudices against black males. (Of courses, Kavanough’s privileged background is coming out strongly in the hearings, even as he reviews his calendar, etc., so he doesn’t have some advantages Thomas had.)

But I think that Kavanaugh’s responses to the questions are C or C+. The eye rolling and disgusted looks, fighting wiht the questioner, do not make a good witness. He should know that

Fair evaluation of the opening. But I think his responses to the questions are inconsistent. Some are better than C+ but some are barely a C. My impression is that he is not an extremely quick thinker. He is very smart, and is likely one of those guys who never let's go of a fact he has sunk his teeth into, but he is not quick. As a result he stumbles a bit and because he is angry he comes across as disjointed and somewhat inarticulate. He is no trial lawyer, IOW. but I see nothing that makes me think he is obviously lying.

[smokymountainrain]

the lesson: WoW for the win! thanks, brother joseph!

[Jeff Lebowski]

the lesson: WoW for the win! thanks, brother joseph!

Exactly.

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[Moliere]

ALthough that would mean he is lying. No matter what, someone is lying here.

I believe that Ford truly believes she was sexually assaulted. I also believe that Kav truly believes he did not sexually assault her. I also believe neither of them are lying

[Bo Diddley]

I believe that Ford truly believes she was sexually assaulted. I also believe that Kav truly believes he did not sexually assault her. I also believe neither of them are lying

Unless you think memories are infallible, how could you discount this possibility?

I hate that the Democrats made this as political as possible. I'd also rather that Trump put another name forward.

Any chance that BK is compromised? Does this process taint his voice on the SC moving forward?

[CardiacCoug]

I believe that Ford truly believes she was sexually assaulted. I also believe that Kav truly believes he did not sexually assault her. I also believe neither of them are lying

Yep. Memories from decades ago are more similar to dreams than to video tapes. I agree that they may both be telling the truth as they remember it.

Kavanaugh was understandably very emotional and angry like anybody would be and it hurt his “performance” for sure.

[Northwestcoug]

I didn't hear all of it. But I wanted someone to ask Kavanaugh about Ed Whelan's theory that it was one of the other boys who assaulted Ford. Just to get on record that he wasn't involved in propagating that theory.

[old_gregg]

I hate that the Democrats made this as political as possible.

[LiveCoug]

My facebook friends are split on this Kavanaugh - Ford debate.

You will all be shocked to discover that my republican/conservative friends are #teamKavanaugh and my democrat/liberal friends are #teamFord

Isn't that crazy???

[SeattleUte]

Yes, this is 100% politics. Democrats want to stall until after the mid-terms and the polls will determine the outcome. But Republican complaints about that ring hollow, after they held Scalia’s seat open for what, 10 months.

I’m disgusted with everybody.

[Surfah]

Oddsshark has Kavanaugh at -400 after today's hearing. Was -200 before to be confirmed.

[Art Vandelay]

Oddsshark has Kavanaugh at -400 after today's hearing. Was -200 before to be confirmed.

Lots of fluctuations though-out the day.

https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2018-09-26/kavanaughs-confirmation-odds-are-suddenly-surging-prediction-markets

[Babs]

Odds are asymptotically approaching zero, imo.

[Topper]

Yes, this is 100% politics. Democrats want to stall until after the mid-terms and the polls will determine the outcome. But Republican complaints about that ring hollow, after they held Scalia’s seat open for what, 10 months.

I’m disgusted with everybody.

I don't have an opinion if Kavanaugh should be confirmed or rejected, because I haven't reviewed his judicial opinions or history, merely some synopses.

The process, since the Borking of Bork on July 1, 1987, has rendered the Senatorial duty of advise and confirm into a circus.

If you review the appointments since Bork, it has usually been the Democrats who've made into a circus, starting with Justice Thomas, but also with Gorsuch.

The GOP played nice with the Clinton nominees and with Obama's nominees, but the Dems challenged to varying degrees different nominees.

Review the history of nominees here, for an interesting look at those nominations that lapsed, were rejected or withdrawn.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_nominations_to_the_Supreme_Court_of_the_United_States

It hasn't always been smooth sailing and the history of Supreme Court battles is far from tranquil.

[Pelado]

If you review the appointments since Bork, it has usually been the Democrats who've made into a circus, starting with Justice Thomas, but also with Gorsuch.

Why would the Republicans need to put up a fight when they still have a mostly conservative majority on the court?