After suggesting he wanted to “hear more” from the woman who accused Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh of sexual assault, Sen. Jeff Flake (R-AZ), a key Republican vote on the Senate Judiciary Committee, said Sunday night that he supported delaying a vote to advance Kavanaugh’s nomination Thursday, Politico reported.
Sen. Bob Corker (R-TN) made similar comments on Sunday, saying the committee should postpone its vote, even though Corker is not part of the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Both senators, set to retire when their terms are up later this year, suggested that the accuser should be heard and proceedings should pause until that happens.
“If they push forward without any attempt with hearing what she’s had to say, I’m not comfortable voting yes,” Flake told Politico. “We need to hear from her. And I don’t think I’m alone in this.”
“I think that would be best for all involved, including the nominee,” Corker reportedly said. “If she does want to be heard, she should do so promptly.”
Flake stopped short of calling for Kavanaugh to pull out of the running, telling Politico he wouldn’t respond that “that question at all” when asked.
This is it for Kavanaugh. The only hope for confirmation was if the Republicans could push it through quickly before anyone could get a good look at him. Any delay would ruin that plan. Well, the plan is now officially ruined folks. I’m not yet ready to bet money that it’s over, but It’s starting to look like this nomination is moribund.
Thank goodness.
Those two are retiring so they’re safe to do this.
Just to keep the math in mind: two Rs voting against Kavanaugh, plus all the Ds – he’s not confirmed.
Will all the Ds vote against confirmation? I think it’s more likely that Flake and Corker will lead at least Murkowski and Collins to vote no, as well.
So this becomes a one-shot, last chance hearing: with Ford AND Mark Judge – plus a copy of his yearbook and his memoir.
A Flake/Corker/Murkowski/Collins “thumbs down” ala McCain would be sweet.
I heard that Grassley is going to schedule testimony from Prof Ford on September 19, Never.
@theamericanist Manchin and Heitkamp are lost causes. The calculus on Collins, Murkowski, Flake, and Corker gives me little hope that they’ll actually do anything other than protest vigorously before voting to confirm.