Kavanaugh and Perjury

[_Doctor CamNC4Me]

To clear his name, maybe? You don't think he's got friends that are looking at him a little differently now? Republican friends? Maybe even his own family?

I think everyone is looking at him differently. I guess his shot at a Supreme Court seat must mean more to him. Open confession on my part, I'd ask for a thorough investigation for the reasons you note (most importantly for my family, especially my kids). If that costs me a Supreme Court gig so be it.

- Doc

[_EAllusion]

An FBI investigation wouldn't likely clear his name because the nature of the allegation is such that it is difficult to find details that would corroborate the story or exonerate him. In fact, for Kavanaugh it's all downside, because he's made some bold claims outside of the core story that could be shown false with investigation and reporting has already started to poke holes there. From a pure strategic standpoint, it makes no sense for him to support an opening of the investigation unless he needs the "I'm not afraid" patina that offers. He doesn't. He repeatedly made misrepresentations of witness statements and acted like he was invulnerable doing so. That's not the picture of a person who would think he needs that kind of theater.

[_Sammy Jankins]

I think it was understandable that he was upset. He is being accused of gang rape. The Swetnick accusations if they are true should be trival to corroborate. Without corroboration they are garbage. The media shouldn’t be reporting it as if it was credible.
I don’t dismiss the Ford accusation. Maybe he was drunk. Maybe he’s lying. But on the whole this looks like mob justice.

[_EAllusion]

Rape attempt allegation aside, it bothers me a bunch that such a shameless, partisan liar is going to be put on the Court right out in the open. You could give me a crystal ball and tell me that his decisions will be the second coming of Kozinski and I'd still be deeply annoyed by this. I can only imagine how partisan Democrats feel. If he gets confirmed, it's probably going to make Democrat activists care a lot more about the Court than they currently do.

[_Some Schmo]

An FBI investigation wouldn't likely clear his name because the nature of the allegation is such that it is difficult to find details that would corroborate the story or exonerate him.

No, probably not. But if he came out and said, I did nothing, so if you think an FBI investigation is what's needed, let's go through the process, that would go a long way toward at least proving his own sense of innocence.

[_Doctor CamNC4Me]

An FBI investigation wouldn't likely clear his name because the nature of the allegation is such that it is difficult to find details that would corroborate the story or exonerate him. In fact, for Kavanaugh it's all downside, because he's made some bold claims outside of the core story that could be shown false with investigation and reporting has already started to poke holes there. From a pure strategic standpoint, it makes no sense for him to support an opening of the investigation unless he needs the "I'm not afraid" patina that offers. He doesn't. He repeatedly made misrepresentations of witness statements and acted like he was invulnerable doing so. That's not the picture of a person who would think he needs that kind of theater.

Sure, but the Democrats are demanding it and if Kavanaugh goes through with it he might be able to beat them at their own game. The downside is that the investigation would probably extend past November 20th, and then a line of more accusers would appear, which would require more investigating taking however long, which would probably tank him at some point. Perhaps he could've said something to the effect, "While I disagree this requires investigating beyond the six FBI background investigation, the committee's investigation, and these hearing I'll ask President Trump, personally, to request an investigation so my name is cleared and any doubts about my character will be assuaged."

Whatever the case may be, he must feel like he has the support of at least 50 Senators, which is what he needs. He's probably banking on the fact that after a few months with him on the bench he'll be fine just like Thomas is good to go these days. People have short memories and short attention spans.

- Doc

[_Some Schmo]

One of the things I think is overlooked in all of this (and rightfully so, given the circumstances) is how obviously partisan he is. He's not even trying to hide it. He actually accused Democrats of trying to get revenge on behalf of the Clintons.

How on Earth is this guy supposed to call constitutional "balls and strikes?"

[_Gunnar]

My impression of the whole thing is that even if the FBI did an investigation and found damning evidence against him, a sizable contingent of Republican Senators would ignore It and vote to confirm him anyway. I am not at all confident that most of them really care what the actual truth is. If they did, he would already be out of consideration based on the demonstrated lies he has already told in previous hearings before the Senate.

[_EAllusion]

Sure, but the Democrats are demanding it and if Kavanaugh goes through with it he might be able to beat them at their own game.

How, though? Even if he's completely innocent, they're quite unlikely to find information that could demonstrate that. And while you can imagine bits of information that might corroborate Ford at the margins - for example this hearing made it clear that Kavanaugh was at gatherings with the people Ford named in the appropriate timeframe - it's also not likely to prove her story either.

I find it amusing how deep some liberals have gotten into the idea that the FBI will get to the bottom of this. Sure, an organization infamous for being filled with humorless authoritarians who railroad people with pseduoscience is now the liberal super sleuth hero-squad. Unfortunately, it's a type of allegation that's just really tough to investigate to a satisfactory conclusion. Kavanaugh submitting to it at this juncture is like agreeing to take a lie-detector test. It proves nothing, but it signals that a person is saying they have nothing to hide.

I think background should be opened up, but I'm interested in the surrounding claims rather than solving the essential question of whether he did what Ford accused him of.

The downside is that the investigation would probably extend past November 20th, and then a line of more accusers would appear, which would require more investigating taking however long, which would probably tank him at some point. Perhaps he could've said something to the effect, "While I disagree this requires investigating beyond the six FBI background investigation, the committee's investigation, and these hearing I'll ask President Trump, personally, to request an investigation so my name is cleared and any doubts about my character will be assuaged."

I think you should also consider the chance that he gets confirmed in short order and then another allegation drops that is credible. That's a downside to not waiting a little longer. Then Republican mid-term chances might as well be a picture of them holding a hand grenade with the pin pulled out.

People have short memories and short attention spans.

- Doc

Normally, yeah. I love to point this out all the time, but I get the sense that this might provoke a long simmering legitimacy crisis for the Court system among Democrats. This might be the domino that tips off a court-packing war. Garland already was a festering wound.

(Of course, I think there's a not insignificant chance that Republicans win enough elections in the next few years to go about setting up an enduring authoritarian government and this is a moot point, so *shrugs*.)

[_Gunnar]

One of the things I think is overlooked in all of this (and rightfully so, given the circumstances) is how obviously partisan he is. He's not even trying to hide it. He actually accused Democrats of trying to get revenge on behalf of the Clintons.

How on Earth is this guy supposed to call constitutional "balls and strikes?"

Good points!