Trump wanted Kavanaugh to be more aggressive in this follow-up hearing, and did he ever get his wish. The judge nearly launched from his seat in raging anger several times — and that was just in his opening statement.
The tears? They were either a nice touch or a bit too much, depending on your opinion of the man.
There's also little doubt that Kavanaugh's performance will resuscitate his ailing nomination. It's not only powerful emotional stuff; he's been smart enough to frame most of his opposition as organized, partisan warfare executed by wicked Democrats. (At one point Kavanaugh actually sneered at Senate Democrats on the committee.)
There's nothing Republicans like more than heartfelt assaults on the conspiring, malevolent left.
One thing is now resoundingly clear. If — still a big if — Kavanaugh goes on to be confirmed, Senate Republicans will be able to take no credit for it. It will have been all Brett Kavanaugh's doing, today, this afternoon, in this dynamite performance. (To clarify, I mean "dynamite performance" from a theatrical point of view only.)
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It's baffling that Kavanaugh repeatedly refuses to agree to an FBI investigation. Because he's correct: The FBI reaches no conclusions. Hence his repeated refusals will remain a sticking point for Republicans on the fence, Flake, Collins and Murkowski.
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Hilarious.
And, for sure:
And:
And from Peter Beinart, a profound political truth (it's always far more about politics than ethics):
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I know one thing, and it's just about all I know regarding these competing sagas. If Kavanaugh can be that emotional and angry when sober, I sure as hell would not want to be around him when he's drunk.