Grassley grants Kavanaugh accuser extension on how to proceed on possible testimony

[andym]

Source: Reuters

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee Chuck Grassley granted a deadline extension to a woman accusing Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh of sexual assault to decide if and how she will testify, the Republican said on Twitter.

The Senate Judiciary Committee had delayed a vote on Kavanaugh's confirmation after California professor Christine Blasey Ford's allegations emerged last week, and her lawyers and committee staff were negotiating the conditions of her testimony.

"Judge Kavanaugh I just granted another extension to Dr. Ford to decide if she wants to proceed (with) the statement she made last week to testify to the Senate," Grassley wrote on Twitter. "She should decide so we can move on. I want to hear her. I hope you understand. It's not my normal approach to be indecisive."

Grassley did not say if a new deadline has been set.



Read more: https://www.yahoo.com/news/republicans-set-monday-vote-kavanaugh-no-deal-hearing-010138951.html#mycomments

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Looks like Sen. Grassley is trying to show some respect to Dr. Ford. The cynical interpretation is that they don't have the votes to confirm. We shall see.
Article is written by Doina Chiacu and Richard Cowan

[Pale Blue Dot]

1. This has nothing to do with respect.

They don’t have the votes, in spite of McConnell’s reassurances.

[andym]

2. Agree

That is very possible that without the hearing they don't have the votes and that Grassley did a 180 when McConnell informed him of the situation.

[SunSeeker]

4. Exactly. nt

[onetexan]

13. Bingo

[calimary]

16. That wouldn't surprise me.

They don’t operate out of the “goodness of their hearts”. With a few of ‘em I’m not entirely sure they even have hearts.

[dawg day]

3. Maybe Murkowski?

Maybe her saying she wouldn't vote before hearing Dr. Ford had an effect.

[madaboutharry]

6. Maybe Susan Collins has a conscience.

She seemed upset today.

I call her Lazy Susan because she usually can’t be bothered to think for herself. But this may be getting to her.

[LastLiberal in PalmSprings]

8. The GOP leadership will throw her a bone and she'll fall in line.

[SayItLoud]

20. Isn't tRUMP doing a rally for her?

Doubt that he does anything without a payback assured.


VOTEBLUE or we keep what we have and will get 10x worse.

[cstanleytech]

5. I suspect they have the votes the problem is they are trying to figure out

how to protect the weakest among them so that they are not voted out of office.

[flibbitygiblets]

7. Which is why we Democrats should be trying to get a statement from those "weak" ones

Hey Ted Cruz! Do you think Dr. Blasey-Ford is lying? Do you think she should have reported her assault to the police 30 years ago?

Ask questions like that of all the weak ones. No matter what they say, they're forked.

[dalton99a]

10. +1

[Bayard]

21. There's a thought...

Wonder if the FBI checked arrest or complaint records during the time he was in high school and college? School counselors, even if they keep the names of victims confidential?

[Brother Buzz]

9. Showing respect to Ford or they don't have the votes?

I would suggest the suddenly realized how ham-fisted they are dealing with this; it's the optics, baby, and they are losing.

[andym]

11. Optics have looked bad for them

for a week now. So that is definitely playing a role.

[Brother Buzz]

12. It's them pesky midterm, Baby!

[SergeStorms]

14. If Kavanaugh had an ounce of integrity...

he'd withdraw his name from consideration. IF he had integrity. No Republican possesses integrity, so that's out of the question. I believe at their hours long meetings at the White House, Kavanaugh has promised Trump he wouldn't withdraw his name. I think he's assured Trump that his promise to strike down Roe v. Wade is solid, and that he'd never rule to indict Trump of anything while President. We all know Trump has intentions of being 'President for Life', so we can kiss any indictments goodbye while Trump is in office.

This is a sad, sad state of affairs.

[Midnight Writer]

15. "grants"? What a charitable fellow!

[BumRushDaShow]

17. The "bully" optics was getting stronger by the hour.

Because they ARE a bunch of sick cowardly bullies.

[djacq]

18. Remember the Republicans intent;

They have first decided to blow off Dr Ford and ram shot Kavanaugh on his confirmation.

Putting 2 sexual offenders on SCOTUS.

“It's not my normal approach to be indecisive."

Republicans have no respect for women.

[DeminPennswoods]

19. Rs are "monitoring" public opinion

All the bad political publicity right now makes it very hard for Grassley to make hard and fast demands. Ford's attys are showing that the way to handle republican bullies is to punch back harder.

[Nitram]

22. She called their bluff and they backed down. She holds the high cards.

The stakes are huge.