We are all Slave now.

[sebastian_dangerfield]

Originally Posted by Adder

Let's be at least a little honest with ourselves. The only thing that is "enough" to ding him when his party is in the majority is that not dinging him is more politically damaging than dinging him.

That certainly correlates with the quantum of evidence against him, but it's not the same thing.

Also, I think we can assume that the GOP believes he did it. If they didn't, they'd be looking for an investigation to show he didn't.

The GOP does not believe he did it. Not at all. They think this is engineered. They're just not taking any chances. It's a strategy. There are arguments for and against it. If I were their lawyer, I'd probably err on getting him seated. Get the win under the belt, then figure a long term strategy for addressing the fallout.

I don't see any evidence yet. I see an accusation and a denial.

[Adder]

Originally Posted by sebastian_dangerfield

The GOP does not believe he did it. Not at all. They think this is engineered. They're just not taking any chances. It's a strategy. There are arguments for and against it. If I were their lawyer, I'd probably err on getting him seated. Get the win under the belt, then figure a long term strategy for addressing the fallout.

I don't see any evidence yet. I see an accusation and a denial.

It's just "horseplay" and "youthful indiscretion" are arguments based on the assumption that what she said actually happened. Refusing to let the FBI investigate is a strategy based in fear of what the FBI will find. They certainly do not firmly believe he didn't do it.

If you want to be generous, you can say they fear that no amount of investigation will clearly establish what happened so long ago, but even that requires a level of concern that he might of done it.

And of course he did. You have to be insane (and/or a misogynist) to think anyone would put themselves through this if he didn't.

[sebastian_dangerfield]

Originally Posted by Adder

It's just "horseplay" and "youthful indiscretion" are arguments based on the assumption that what she said actually happened. Refusing to let the FBI investigate is a strategy based in fear of what the FBI will find. They certainly do not firmly believe he didn't do it.

If you want to be generous, you can say they fear that no amount of investigation will clearly establish what happened so long ago, but even that requires a level of concern that he might of done it.

And of course he did. You have to be insane (and/or a misogynist) to think anyone would put themselves through this if he didn't.

I've not heard those defenses in detail because I try to limit my reading on this subject to credible sources.

Anyone offering those defenses is just a garden variety idiot. That only harms the Rs more, for the reason you cite. I'm willing to bet anyone saying that has received a call from the GOP leadership saying, "Don't speak on this issue again. Better yet, go on vacation. Now."

[Adder]

Originally Posted by sebastian_dangerfield

I've not heard those defenses in detail because I try to limit my reading on this subject to credible sources.

Anyone offering those defenses is just a garden variety idiot. That only harms the Rs more, for the reason you cite. I'm willing to bet anyone saying that has received a call from the GOP leadership saying, "Don't speak on this issue again. Better yet, go on vacation. Now."

"[R]ough horseplay" was Carrie Severino, a lawyer for the Judicial Crisis network, a group backing Kavanaugh.

Follow the same link to see Sen. Hatch saying "We can all be accused of something" and many other "was it really so bad" statements.

[Tyrone Slothrop]

Originally Posted by Adder

"[R]ough horseplay" was Carrie Severino, a lawyer for the Judicial Crisis network, a group backing Kavanaugh.

Incidentally, a former Clarence Thomas clerk.

[Hank Chinaski]

Originally Posted by sebastian_dangerfield

The GOP does not believe he did it.

If this is true it's actually the scariest part of this.

[Tyrone Slothrop]

Originally Posted by Hank Chinaski

If this is true it's actually the scariest part of this.

I think many in the GOP think he did it but don't think it's disqualifying, and know they can't say that aloud.

[Hank Chinaski]

Originally Posted by Tyrone Slothrop

I think many in the GOP think he did it but don't think it's disqualifying, and know they can't say that aloud.

egg-zactly.

[Tyrone Slothrop]

OK Noel Francisco, your turn! C'mon down!

[Adder]

Originally Posted by Tyrone Slothrop

OK Noel Francisco, your turn! C'mon down!

Kinda hard not to wonder if the NYT got played there.

[Tyrone Slothrop]

Originally Posted by Tyrone Slothrop

OK Noel Francisco, your turn! C'mon down!

Hello