All I can say is that if Dr. Blasey's testimony changed no minds, then those minds were never open to change.
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For the victims' sake, I sure hope Ms. Mitchell was more effective as a sex-crimes prosecutor in Arizona.
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The whole fucking family has so much class. Here's what Trump Jr. just retweeted:
Thanks to MSNBC for the tip.
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The "defendant" doesn't strike me as the devious type who would study how to beat a polygraph. Mitchell's questions are chiefly a sign of desperation.
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So far the prosecutor is hanging her case on Blasey's fear of flying and her mode of anonymous publicity. And it's rather pathetic. There's nothing there, other than what some Cruz-like demagogue might wish to make of it.
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Grassley: "It is now Sen. Cornyn's time, so proceed, Ms. Mitchell."
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Yes, checking a house on a map oughta nail down Kavanaugh's innocence. Well done, Ms. Mitchell. (This is really not her fault. The Republican committee gave her nothing to work with.)
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Grassley: "Ms. Mitchell, you have five minutes for Sen. Hatch."
This Republican questioning arrangement is about as bizarre as bizarre can get. Even the prosecutor — excuse me, the "female assistant" — seems unaware of, and confused by, the schedule. She's also consuming all her time by merely asking basic questions as to Blasey's high school "experience." That's probably because no investigation was done before the hearings.
As an exploratory session, this is a waste of time. On the other hand, it should serve a higher purpose: Her televised credibility will give a few GOP senators an escape hatch.
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That's quite the little fussbucket to Dr. Blasey's immediate left.
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"Ms. Mitchell, you have my five minutes to ask questions" — Sen. Grassley. And yes, that sounded as silly as it actually was.
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Dr. Blasey (Ford) became believable within the first 30 seconds of her testimony. She was emotional and, by her own admission, terrified at being before the committee. Appearing was not her choice or decision. Instead, her civic duty called for it, she said.
Somewhere in the White House, someone is pulling out the old list of possible Court nominees, shaking his head, and saying, Here we go again. Already.
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If nothing else I have learned that Sen. Feinstein doesn't understand the accusative case. ("Known to Sen. Harris and I….")
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Politics are being played only when the other side ridicules Republican senators for hiding behind Prosecutor Mitchell's skirts. So says Chairman Chuck Grassley.
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My first thought is that I'm surprised the hearings are even going forward. Trump is just about to officially change his mind, I'd wager, because this nomination is doomed in the Senate.
Why are the hearings going forward? Of what benefit are they to any Republican senator? They won't help a soul. Not one. They can only do harm to each and every GOP senator, especially those in purple states.
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From the Washington Post's "Viewers' Guide" to the extended Kavanaugh hearings:
Viewers' Tip #5: "Senators will get five minutes to ask each witness questions. Those five minutes will go by very quickly, and once their time is done, they won’t get another chance."
This makes perfect sense only when you arrive at Viewers' Tip #8: "Everything about how this hearing will work was set up by Republicans."
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As will most of America, I'll be watching. As thoughts occur, I shall note them here.