Democrats Are Right on Schedule

It wasn't hard to predict. After working their request for a seventh FBI check into Judge Kavanaugh into a demand by Senator Jeff Flake (R-Arizona) or else he would not vote to recommend Judge Kavanaugh for the full Senate confirmation vote, Democrats didn't get the results they wanted. As a result, they are criticizing the Trump administration and the FBI for an incomplete investigation, even going so far as to call the investigation part of a cover-up.

When Democrats first learned of Dr. Ford's accusation they believed they had enough ammunition to derail Judge Kavanaugh's appointment to the Supreme Court. Democrats had plenty of time and the resources to put together a real bombshell against Judge Kanvanaugh, if one existed. They could have interviewed as many people as they wanted and put together affidavits from witnesses corroborating Dr. Ford's story, if any existed. Democrats could have walked in with the accusation against Judge Kavanaugh with enough corroboration to quickly put an end to the nomination, if the corroboration existed. But as we know that isn't what happened.

Someone did line Dr. Ford up with attorneys that are working pro bono. When Dr. Ford was asked who is paying for her lawyers, she had no idea and the lawyer was forced to answer the question. Someone did arrange a polygraph for Dr. Ford which the results were never turned over to the Senate Judiciary Committee. When Dr. Ford was asked who paid for the polygraph she had no idea. With some real effort, if a case existed against Judge Kavanaugh, the circus we have witnessed could have been avoided. Maybe what the Democrats needed instead of effort was competence.

So, the circus continues but what comes next? The Senate is set for a cloture vote on Friday, October 5th, which will closed down most of the circus we have been seeing. A final vote on Judge Kavanaugh's confirmation will then be scheduled, probably for Saturday, October 6th.

While this has been going on, the midterm elections are drawing close. A number of senate elections could hinge on the how the senators vote on the Kavanaugh confirmation. These include Heidi HeitKamp(D-South Dakota), John Tester (D-Montana), Joe Donnelly (D-Indiana), Claire McCaskill(D-Missouri), and Joe Manchin (D-West Virginia). Republicans currently have 48 confirmed votes for Judge Kavanaugh. If it becomes evident that Judge Kavanaugh will be confirmed, these Democrat senators will probably vote yes as well to try to help their re-election efforts. In other words, they won't be voting based on what they feel is best for the country or the wishes of their constituents but what is best for them.

The four Senators that are felt to be key votes to decide Judge Kavanaugh's confirmation are Susan Collins (R-Maine), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Jeff Flake (R-Arizona) and Joe Manchin (D-West Virginia). Senators Collins and Flake appear to be the closest to voting yes, but it's hardly decided yet. All that is needed is two more votes for Judge Kavanuagh with the tie being decided by Vice President Mike Pence, I'll take bets from anyone that feels he will vote against Kavanaugh. Regardless of how it turns out, for the sake of those Democrat senators trying to get re-elected, let's hope their minds are made up soon on what their vote will be. I know it won't be them really making the decision.