Certainly if Jeff Flake is a no vote, the path to confirmation becomes much more complicated for Kavanaugh and the GOP. That being said, there are reports coming in from a variety of sources that the GOP feels confidence with both the Judicial committee and the floor vote. So if Flake votes yes, it could signal that there is something more known behind closed doors than what is being led on publicly.
Reports are that Rachel Mitchell's job was actually two fold. She was to ask questions, quite obviously. But apparently she provided her own analysis to the Republican Senators as well. Suggestions are that it was Mitchell's report that convinced Bob Corker to vote yes.
Meanwhile, there are reports of a potential voting bloc by Murkowski, Collins, Donnolly, and Manchin. The two Republicans and two Democrats are said to be considering voting together to provide some sort of political cover. Strangely that doesn't make a whole lot of sense in the case of Murkowski and Collins voting no. Murkowski being part of a bloc that brings down Brett Kavanaugh would be political suicide in Alaska. Collins could also end up with a primary challenge and then all bets may be off. It simply makes much more sense that a unanimous GOP vote along with at least two Democrats would provide more cover for red state Democrats in tough reelection campaigns.
At least two separate sources are reporting that Manchin is (short of new information) leaning heavily towards a yes vote, and will use the reasoning that it's his job to do what the majority of his constituents want him to do. If these reports are true, it would likely break the ice for other vulnerable red state Democrats to follow suit. Certainly the Democrats want to stop Kavanaugh, but if it looks like he has 50 votes (or more) then they will look to what is politically expedient. Irrelevant no votes that might cost them a seat would not be worth the matter of political principal.
Update: According to multiple sources, Jeff Flake has made the decision to vote yes on Judge Kavanaugh. This was not unexpected, but still good news for Kavanaugh and the GOP. I suspect he wanted to make this call prior to the committee vote.
Murkowski and Collins still have time to pretend to be making up their minds. I would be shocked if they are still "thinking it over" but it certainly makes them look more open minded and reasonable if they continue to argue that that is what they are actually doing.
10 comments:
If anyone one can be said to have won the day yesterday it would be Btett Kavanaugh.
The big losers were Fienstien and the liberal media who mocked Kavanaugh's ""anger" . Most Americans understand righteous anger of someone falsely accused. Especially when such accusations puts his wife and children in physical danger. The media succeded in futher alienating itself from the American heartland.
Fienstien has now lost all credibility as a senator and she can expect criminal probes into her office as to who leaked Ford's letter.
I agree. Feinstein has permanently damaged her reputation. History will place her next to McCarthy in the hall is shame.
Flake commented about where the burden of proof lies, that it lies with the accuser.
Feinstein has permanently damaged her reputation.
And so has Bretty with his unhinged performance....but he will get in....how sad he can't tell the truth....
Boy Dennis you are clueless. But mindless hackery is all you can expect from a fat cstrated steer.
|Boy Dennis you are clueless
What ever you say cramps....he who thinks women and gays do not have the same rights as straights and thinks evolution and GW are fake science.....keep sucking the end is near!!!!!
Yep....just what the SCOTUS needs a crying sniveling drunk on the bench as long as he is right wing....I am happy....menstral the cramp....
LOLOLO
Willful stupidity.
That smell is of Liberals setting their hair on fire.
The Olinsky Party showed itself in covert with the lame stream media. One in the same.
" gorilla Vigina " liberals have the strangest terms.
Between now and the full Senate vote what ever lower Crap will the Democrats try ?
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