Collins and Murkowski don't have to vote yes or no now, they have an out

[madville]

Just another strategy option the republicans now have.

With Corker and Flake saying they will vote Yes, that now gives Collins and Murkowski the option to abstain/abstention from the vote and not vote at all either way. Then Pence would break that potential 49-49 tie, assuming Manchin votes No.

[Funtatlaguy]

1. They won't abstain. They will vote yes after much so called anguish.

[irresistable]

7. no they won't

[BigmanPigman]

2. That didn't occur to me.

[ADX]

3. At this point...

...that seems the most likely scenario. That being said, Manchin better buck the fuck up...

[leftynyc]

4. That'll only make them look

like sniveling cowards. If they were my senator, I'd be furious at such games. He is going to get confirmed on Tuesday. That's the sad reality.

[Flaleftist]

5. Then their constituents should consider

their decision to abstain the same as 'yes' vote.

It may not matter for Collins, but perhaps for Murkowski.

[Girard442]

6. I'd say the only word to describe such a strategy is "chickenshit."

[Adrahil]

8. Oh there will be theatrics and rhetoric...

But they will vote to confirm.

[empedocles]

9. A Hope

As Rachel, with her usual great perceptiveness, made clear last night - in making the case that Kavenaugh was UNFIT for the Supreme Court, with his unprecedented meltdown.

A hopeful guess, is that, [even Dershowitz calling for an FBI investigation first], that the message is sent, 51 votes not available. From there is delay. [trump seems at least ambiguous]. There is . . . 'A Hope'