Republicans are ready to play hardball with Kavanaugh's victim.

[RandySF]

Strategists advising Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh plan to use aggressive tactics this week in response to the public accusation of a "stumbling drunk" sexual assault in high school that instantly imperiled his confirmation, top sources tell Jonathan Swan.

Some involved in the process were prepared to urge Senate leaders to call on the accuser — Christine Blasey Ford, who went on the record with The Washington Post's Emma Brown — to testify publicly this week, ahead of Thursday's scheduled Judiciary Committee vote.

The thinking was that she would decline, and Republicans could then say that they tried to investigate further. But that gambit fell apart quickly Monday morning after Ford's attorney said she'd be willing to testify.

A source close to the process said that if Democrats sink Kavanaugh "we’ll just bring in someone more conservative."
There was extreme queasiness in Kavanaugh's camp last night:

Ford, a professor at Palo Alto University, is represented by Debra Katz, a Washington lawyer specializing in sexual harassment cases.
Republicans won't be surprised if Ford holds a press conference or gives a TV interview, which would raise the stakes considerably.
The initial news coverage was brutal ... N.Y. Times: "thrown into uncertainty” ... WashPost: "nomination suddenly in doubt” ... Wall Street Journal: "injecting immediate uncertainty” ... AP: "thrust into turmoil."

The senators to watch:

Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), the most crucial swing vote, told CNN that she was "surprised" by the accusation, but: "I don't know enough to create the judgment at this point."

Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), the other critical vote, told CNN the committee "might" need to consider a delay.

Judiciary Committee member Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) and Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), who isn't on the committee "but whose vote is critical to Kavanaugh's confirmation," told Politico that the committee should pause.

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer called for an FBI investigation and a postponement of the vote.
Be smart: The hardball tactics are designed to muscle through the confirmation before it can be further imperiled.

Republicans got more worried as the evening went along, but privately were optimistic about winning the P.R. fight: It's her word, backed by her therapist's notes, versus Kavanaugh and another man alleged to be in the room.


https://www.axios.com/brett-kavanaugh-confirmation-strategy-sexual-assault-allegations-5dc354ff-73d6-49f0-b5b4-5971b6a76051.html

[DeminPennswoods]

1. Kavanaugh's witness was an alcoholic

who admitted in his book he couldn't remember anything after 1 drink.

[madaboutharry]

2. Peril awaits them.

Women are done with this shit.

[SHRED]

4. +100

[SHRED]

3. There's an old saying...

When you're in a hole, stop digging.

[ProudMNDemocrat]

5. If the Republicans play hardball with Prof. Ford, they risk losing the Senate as well......

Republican Women are not going to vote for men who cover for rapists.

If anything, Trump has united millions of people against him. Republican women can do 2 things this November...vote for Republicans who do not have their interests at heart, or vote for Candidates who do. That would be Democrats.

Rape or even attempted rape is not partisan. It is traumatic and events women never forget.

[pangaia]

8. "Republican Women are not going to vote for men who cover for rapists. '

They have already voted for an actual RAPIST. After that, voting for apologists is nothing...

[Submariner]

6. Orrin Hatch is a total maggot so watch him try and demean the woman

It is Hatch's MO coming from that sex-freak religion background.

[ProudMNDemocrat]

9. Jesus Christ will have the last laugh or say in this matter.....

Mormon men such as Hatch, have much to answer for.

[Eyeball_Kid]

14. What JC does or doesn't do is irrelevant. That's the afterlife, if it exists at all. What's...

... important is here and now. JC or any other spiritual entity won't be messing with human folly. It's up to us to change course.

[sarcasmo]

7. This will implode on the GOP.

[marlakay]

10. She needs a very tough lawyer

who will get on every news show and fight like Avenatti.

[dlk]

11. Republicans Enjoy Beating up on Women

[Corgigal]

12. Democrats aren't sinking Kavanaugh,

Kavanaugh behavior is sinking Kavanaugh.

Not everything is political.

[MosheFeingold]

13. I sat in a coffee shop today

Liberal place, largely a collection of older people (younger to me, I am the oldest in the group, I think), about half Apache, Hispanic, and then white (aka "Anglo" here), probably more women than men, although it's about even. It's an informal book club. Everyone from a retired judge, to an Episcopal priest (although I think she is retired).

Kavenagugh came up.

To a person, they didn't believe her. It's a difficult case to make, given some of the things that are already in discussion:

1. She is very politically active in liberal circles. There are a fair number of social media and other quotes of hers that makes her look far from a person without an axe to grind.
2. One person read student reviews of her aloud -- they said she was "crazy" and exceptionally biased. She admittedly sounds like a difficult person, although I argued this was evidence of her being traumatized.
3. This was a long time ago, no physical evidence.
4. She didn't complain about it then, and only recalled the incident when Romney was ahead in the polls and discussed nominating Kavendaugh.
5. He's got an otherwise stellar personal reputation, whatever you think about his politics.
6. Of the three witnesses (K, her, and the male friend), two say it didn't happen.
7. It would be very easy to manufacture this scenario about anyone. Heck, they did it to Bill Clinton over-and-over.

Anyway, they are generally moderate people and were saying it reeked of a set up.

I gave up arguing her position because I was about to alienate an otherwise reasonable group of people.

Long way of saying, don't expect this to get traction.

Also, don't shoot the messenger (me).

I am tired of getting set up and knocked down, so I am going to move on to a fight we can win.

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

15. No surprise there

Republicans are the lowest of the low