POLITICS + GOVERNMENT
OPINION: Flake flaked. It was the right move.
Sep 28, 2018, 4:57 PM | Updated: Aug 3, 2022, 2:49 pm
Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., speaks during the Senate Judiciary Committee meeting on Friday, Sept. 28, 2018, on Capitol Hill in Washington. Flake said it would be 'proper' to delay a Senate floor vote on Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh for a week. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
(AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
JayMac: After the fireworks that were yesterday’s confirmation hearing, where we heard testimony from both Dr. Christine Blasey Ford and Judge Brett Kavanaugh in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee, we were met with perhaps a more remarkable scene today, starring Senator Jeff Flake.
After we saw a video of Sen. Jeff Flake (R-AZ) being confronted in an elevator by women sharing their own stories of sexual abuse and eventual confusion when a vote originally planned for 1:30 pm ET was delayed by more than 15 minutes, we saw Flake flake from his original position.
Women confront Sen. Flake after he announces he’ll vote yes on Kavanaugh.
“You’re telling me that my assault doesn’t matter,” one says. https://t.co/6gVanSDZCg pic.twitter.com/s2zBA5ojTp
— POLITICO (@politico) September 28, 2018
Flake voted yes on the motion to bring the vote on Kavanaugh’s confirmation to the Senate Floor but made it clear that he would not be voting yes on his confirmation until there was an FBI investigation into sexual assault accusations against Kavanaugh.
This is what I wanted all along.
If the additional confirmation hearing, where we heard testimony from both Dr. Ford and Judge Kavanaugh, were a truth-seeking endeavor on the part of the GOP, Mark Judge should have been called to testify.
Why have the FBI investigate? Let’s ask the Republicans. An exchange between Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) tells you all you need to know.
Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., attends a Senate Judiciary Committee meeting, Friday, Sept. 28, 2018, on Capitol Hill in Washington (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
Cruz asked what Grassley, chairman of the committee, would have done had Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) brought forth allegations against Kavanaugh on July 30th, when Dr. Ford first warned Feinstein about the alleged assault.
Sen. Grassley asserted there would have been an FBI investigation.
Why fight the FBI?
Why did the Republicans fight so hard against an FBI investigation in the last week, then? I don’t know what the investigation will uncover.
Remember, if they find nothing, it only helps Kavanaugh.
Now, look. There has been gamesmanship on both sides of the aisle during this process.
But, make no mistake. The Republicans are paying the price for their rush to confirm Judge Kavanaugh.
