"No op-ed can clean up the Kavanaugh mess" - Jennifer Rubin

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

Rubin is a conservative never-Trumper who, notwithstanding her politics, has been writing some good stuff lately:

Republicans insist that the “left” (nefarious, unidentified, omnipotent) would have gone after any Supreme Court nominee whom President Trump sent to the Senate. Well, the left wasn’t thrilled that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) decided to turn the high court into another tribal battlefield — first in denying Judge Merrick Garland a hearing in 2016, and then by ending the filibuster — but no one raised any hint of ethical, temperamental or criminal wrongdoing when Neil M. Gorsuch came up for a vote. Yes, he was a staunch conservative (as was Antonin Scalia), unlikely to color outside the lines of conservative jurisprudence, but he was restrained, respectful and apolitical. (One can be conservative in judicial philosophy and not be a rabid partisan.)

Judge Brett M. Kavanaugh is a different story because he is a different breed of judicial cat: a partisan marinated in the Clinton wars of the 1990s and a George W. Bush administration lawyer who, on two separate matters during his confirmation, tried to soft-pedal his involvement in controversial, politically controversial matters. And, of course, there were the two women who stepped forward with credible, detailed accounts of serious sexual misconduct. In response to the allegations, Kavanaugh tried to play down his drinking habits and provided ludicrous explanations for some of his calendar and yearbook entries.

Then came the vicious partisan rant and the snotty replies to legitimate questions from senators. More than 2,400 law professors, former justice John Paul Stevens and a wide array of litigants recoiled. How in the world could Kavanaugh ever present himself as an impartial judge? Kavanaugh not only took off the mask of neutrality but also stomped all over it, leaving no doubt as to his partisan loyalties. Coupled with misstating evidence and getting spared from any FBI questioning, he presented himself as a slippery political operator more suitable to work at the Republican National Committee (or Fox News, but I repeat myself) than at the Supreme Court.
....
It is only fitting that Kavanaugh’s last-minute plea should appear in the Wall Street Journal, whose editorial page has been wildly rooting for his confirmation. (He also chose Fox News, the equivalent of state TV, for an earlier appearance with his wife in which he tried to blunt opposition to his nomination. What’s next — talk radio? A Breitbart interview?) This latest, distinctly non-judicial public relations move only underscores how big a problem his overt partisanship has become and how it will taint him and the Supreme Court if he is confirmed....

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/opinions/wp/2018/10/05/brett-kavanaugh-is-no-neil-gorsuch/?utm_term=.a1bc8e7bbfc7

[Johonny]

1. Merrick Garland situation will never be forgotten by Democrats, nor should it

[Proud Liberal Dem]

7. Never Forgotten

Never Forgiven

[OMGWTF]

15. Lindsay Graham saying Kavanaugh is the most-qualified judge to be considered

is a bunch of BS -- Guess who Kavanaugh reports to? Merrick Garland.

[Hekate]

17. Conservatives like Jennifer Rubin won't forget it either. It was a nasty move & bad for us all. nt

[ChiTownDenny]

19. And with no FBI interview,

there's no risk of perjury. Lying to the FBI is a big deal; lying to Congress, not so much.

[peekaloo]

2. Do you suppose if the Reptilian party had not played hide and seek

with the release of documents it would have become less a freak show?

Judge Boof is a taint, in every sense of the word.

[calimary]

4. That'd be a good name to laminate on him.

Justice Boof? It’s got kind of a nice ring to it, ‘eh? Sure fits. You can have your Boof and eat it, too, Brett.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

6. Justice Boof. I like that.

[maxsolomon]

8. Justice Taint works, too.

In both senses of the word.

[calimary]

9. Justice Stain. Lots of interesting options presenting here.

[B Stieg]

10. I like "The Virgin Justice"

But the potential Kavanaugh confirmation really isn't a laughing matter.

[xxqqqzme]

13. A twofer

I like it

[Duppers]

14. Judge Boof

Must use that! Thank you, peekaloo.

[peekaloo]

16. after tomorrow he'll be elevated to Justice Boof

and you're welcome.

[Duppers]

20. Just makes me wanna barf.

We can remember that in 2011 Kavanaugh ruled that foreign governments can fund American Super Pacs.



Tomorrow will be a sad day for our country if that man is seated on the SC.

[world wide wally]

3. Cavanaugh is NOT above reproach ... a SC Justice should be.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

5. He's worse than not being above reproach.

He's unusually reproachable, even for someone who isn't trying to get appointed to the Supreme Court. I wouldn't want him on my city council.

[bucolic_frolic]

11. What are the chances

Kavanaugh is confirmed the resulting rift causes panic and the market crashes? Because we're down about 500 points since Wednesday's close. I know, it's interest rates. But is it? The mood about is nasty.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

12. The market won't crash on this account. The big banks and hedge funds don't care

about unsuitable Supreme Court justices as long as they're pro-business, which K certainly is.

[Hekate]

18. A good read. Thanks, Velveteer Ocelot. nt

[Jersey in OKC]

21. Yes, but then...

I'm preaching, but we all know it takes voting, and knocking on our neighbors' doors. Some may be scared and like "that guy," but we can't stop. Please keep aware, and don't fall for their version of "civility." Please keep trying even though our milage may vary.