Flake's unpredicted move has stalled Trump's takeover of the 3 Branches of Government.

[kentuck]

There is little doubt but that he runs the White House like a dictator. Nobody dare challenge him.

Also, McConnell and Ryan have been nothing more than puppets. They do whatever he tells them to do. If he wants to rush the Kavanaugh nomination thru and withhold documents relative to full examination, if he wants to threaten Senators with primaries, then McConnell is ready to plow through the process for him. Trump has control of the Legislature, whether we care to admit it or not.

All that is left is the Judiciary. With the nomination of Kavanaugh, a hyper-partisan willing to do whatever Trump requests, he is well on his way to controlling all three branches of government.

The maneuver by Flake was not supposed to happen. The plan was in place. Kavanaugh was to be the critical vote in protecting the Executive from any type of criminal prosecution while in office. Kavanaugh had written on the matter in the past and many think that is why Trump nominated him for the position on the Court.

The only other event that might prevent this from happening would be a Democratic takeover of the House and/or Senate in November. Otherwise, this train will continue to pick up speed.

[dalton99a]

1. Democrats must win in November.

[CincyDem]

2. He's also the critical vote in protecting the Exec from the state level prosecutions.

Gamble v. US seems to be a really important case that has implications about state vs. federal prosecution. Depending on how it is decided it could severely limit state's ability to prosecute if the feds decide to take precedent. This could effectively keep all the trump related lawsuits up at the federal level with Trump can issue pardons.

Certainly, Kav's approach to exec power is important but Gamble v. US is coming up this term and that's what driving the rushed timing. They want him there for that case.

4-4 won't get trump what he wants. he needs that 5th vote.

[kentuck]

3. Yes. This has not gotten enough coverage.

This could be the "get out of jail free" card for Trump and his accomplices.

[2naSalit]

5. That's the motivation for this rush, indeed...nt

[ginnyinWI]

4. The Atlantic's current issue

"Is Democracy Dying?"
All the articles address this. Authoritarian tendencies worldwide. Good reading.

https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/