IMHO, Kav is a case study in emotional vs cognitive intelligence.

[lindysalsagal]

He had to be cognitively quite capable to accomplish all of his academic work. That's undeniable.

Yet, he's such an emotional mess, he doesn't even understand that his tantrum just makes him look more guilty.

Taken just from his own point of view, now, as a full-fledged adult, guilty or innocent, (obviously I think he did it, and he's a disgusting example of toxic masculinity), whether he was attempting to maintain his candidacy or just undo the damage from the adolescent accusations,

he lacks any ability to imagine how his countenance, words, and verbal delivery might be perceived by others.

This is a fair assessment, when you know that the pre-hearing reports were equally bad, while in the presense of "his tribe." If he couldn't keep his cool with his friends, then he's really a total dumbass.

[spooky3]

1. I was very surprised to hear John Harwood say on Joy Reid's show that if he had

been in Kav's position AND WERE INNOCENT, he would be as angry and emotional. Really?

[unblock]

2. First, I'm not sure of his "cognitive" intelligence.

He's led a privileged life and it is possible to cheat or skate through college and law school, even at places like Yale. Harder than in other places, but still possible.

Second, his tactics often work. They are evil and manipulative, but sometimes they do work. In fact, often they do work, at least in private against the victim. Abusers intimidate and confuse and victims who complain usually do back off.

The difference here is the whole country witnessed this, and the rest of us aren't intimidated and aren't confused.

How the senate reacts is still an open question....

[lindysalsagal]

3. Safe to say anyone remaining in the senate will toe party line, but we only need a few to break rank

It really is impossible to call until the report surfaces.

[violetpastille]

6. Agree

For me the biggest tell that he was a bluffer was when Sen Blumenthal asked him about his assumed familiarity with the phrase, "falsus in uno falsus in omnibus."

Brett Kavanaugh said yes. He was of aware of the latin legal phrase which means "false in one, false in all'.

"What does it mean?" Blumenthal asked.

"Well...uh. I'm sure you can translate it better than I."

The whole system is designed to prop this fucker up. And accept his bullshit and give him a pass.

I'm the very reverse.

So in real time I could pick out the meaning... Falsus=false. Uno, that's one. False. Omnibus. Omibus means a collection of everything.
"Senator it means false in one, false in all."

The big fish eat the little fish. That doesn't make the big fish smart but it does make the little fish fast.

[brush]

4. Ageed. Totally a privileged male who has never been denied and faced failure before.

[procon]

5. I really think that Republicans and conservatives have a completely different

interpretation of emotions. Our brains must be hardwired differently. They must, look at the typical iconic Republican figures raging like Alex Jones or weeping like Jimmy Swaggart, and they are still beloved rightwing heros. what we see as truthiness and phoney performance art, they admire as the most sincere example of honest integrity.

[Drahthaardogs]

7. There are lots of really smart people

Who lack wisdom. It's not worth much.