"It had been unclear how Mr. Flake would vote," notes the Times. But no longer is Jeff Flake's political reasoning in doubt.
It stinks.
As I argued three days ago:
"He's interested in challenging Trump in 2020. He may not do so, and if he does the odds will be heavily against him. But that's all the more reason for Flake to safeguard as much of the Republican women's vote as is politically possible — and opposing Kavanaugh, from one of the 11 [Republican] seats on the Judiciary Committee, would be a spectacular way to do it.
"Democrats hold 10 seats, so the math speaks for itself. As does Flake's political self-interest."
Flake could not see, however, what his own interest demanded. What a dolt.
***
Update: Well, Lindsey Graham is shaking his head in disgust — it's now 1:37 Eastern. Maybe Flake is smarter than I thought.
Further update, 2:01 Eastern: This is the damnedest clusterfuck I have ever seen. But … As I understand it, Flake has voted "Aye" in committee with the understanding that he's a "Nay" on the floor unless an FBI investigation intervenes within a week. For a Republican senator, that's actually a reasonable, even courageous position. So I withdraw my summary judgment of Flake's idiocy, and will take it under advisement.