Runningart2004 wrote:
I don’t think something he did as a 17yr old should have ANY weight. What’s more compelling and telling is his PREPARED statement and partisan slamming of a political party when he’s hoping to be confirmed to SCOTUS...a non-partisan entity.
Alan
I substantially agree with this, although I will add that, in light of Kavanaugh's flat denial that he had any physical encounter with Ford, the veracity of that denial is relevant to an assessment of his current character. Apart from that, however, three considerations incline me against Kavanaugh: (1) his testimony last week, which was dishonest, highly partisan, and rude; (2) his opinions in certain specific cases; and (3) the nature of the FBI's "supplemental background check." I think that Justice Stevens has taken a reasonable, principled position -- that Kavanaugh should have been confirmed earlier, but after his testimony last week, he demonstrated a level of unfitness that was disqualifying.
My biggest concerns about a vote not to confirm Kavanaugh are (1) there's an excellent chance that Trump will nominate a worse candidate, (2) rejecting Kavanaugh could be interpreted as uncritical acceptance of rather tenuous sexual assault claims, and (3) negative reaction to a "no" vote could energize certain right-wing groups and reduce the already small probability that Democrats will obtain a majority in the Senate following the midterm elections, which would, in turn, increase the probability that Donald Trump will be able to appoint at least two more Supreme Court justices. (I'm not a Democrat, but I do want a significant legislative counterweight to Donald Trump.)
In any event, the matter is likely to be decided (effectively) within the hour.