Harris v. Kavanaugh

Kamala Harris, Senator of California and darling of the Resistance, asked Supreme Court nominee Kavanaugh whether he had ever had a conversation, however casual, about the Mueller investigation with any Detroit Tigers fans.

Oh, not exactly! Here is Politico, which so far is the only outlet with anyone who can explain this:

Kavanaugh stumbles when grilled on whether he discussed Mueller probe

He certainly stumbled in that on video [link] he looked confused and Sen. Harris looked incisive. Pure theatrics - the question was vague, but he could have done a better job exposing the absurdity of it.

Nearly 12 hours into Brett Kavanaugh’s Senate confirmation hearing, Kamala Harris opened with a tantalizing query: Has the Supreme Court nominee ever discussed Robert Mueller’s probe with a lawyer at Kasowitz Benson & Torres, President Donald Trump’s longtime law firm?

“Be sure about your answer, sir,” Harris asked Kavanaugh. Trump’s high court pick appeared nonplussed, responding that “I’m not sure I know everyone who works at that law firm,” but the California Democrat – a veteran prosecutor known for her tenacious questioning and high on her party’s 2020 presidential short lists — would not let up. 

“How can you not remember whether you’ve had a conversation about Robert Mueller or his investigation with anyone at that law firm?” Harris asked, suggesting that Kavanaugh was “thinking of someone and you don’t want to tell us.”

The moment was striking, one of the Democratic Party’s newest leading lights taking on a well-respected Trump nominee with roots in hard-knuckle GOP politics. But Harris moved on from the question within minutes, turning what seemed like a chance to get Kavanaugh on the ropes into a mystery — and one with a sizable downside risk.

As I said, all theatrics. Kavanaugh is a Supreme Court nominee and I'm not but for heaven's sake - if I chatted with someone for five minutes at a cocktail party about the Mueller investigation last year I'd be surprised if I remembered his name, let alone his employer. Obviously, if Kavanaugh had a formal sit-down complete with an exchange of business cards, that is something different.

So what was going on?

The only explanation for the back-and-forth came from a Democratic aide speaking on condition of anonymity, who said Wednesday night that some in the party "have reason to believe that a conversation happened and are continuing to pursue it."

If tangible evidence of that conversation doesn’t emerge, Harris and fellow Democrats are likely to face serious questions of their own from the GOP about whether their attempt to pin down Kavanaugh was little more than a game of gotcha.

So, Democrat rumor and innuendo? Pretty strong stuff, and right now no news outlet (including the LA Times, which ought to have more CA sources) seems to have more.

My utterly fair and balanced guess - given the passion of her base, Sen. Harris may have seen the benefits of indulging in a little bit of Resistance Porn. The Politico suggestion that she faces downside risk is ludicrous - if nothing comes of this it will be because the EVIL TRUMP EMPIRE squashed all evidence of a shameful strategy session The Resistance just knows [stamp foot here!] took place.

Or, if this breaks big for Harris, then OK, she is a legitimate Dem hero and I'll feel bad flashing that OK sign at her. In fact, as a bit of a public service let me pass along some stuff I just learned from following The Resistance:

Hate is everywhere - be vigilant!

Yeah, this fast track to Crazytown will be a bumpy ride.

Comments

[maryrose]

Kampala Harris will never be president.
Take it to the bank.
Women hate her.

[henry]

Harris, more repugnant than Hilligula. That took effort, but she made it look easy.

[Captain Hate]

Kabbalah plays well in Clownifornicate; other places not so much.

[lurkersusie]

The Spy in the White House, the Dogs in the Manger - American Greatness
https://amgreatness.com/2018/09/05/the-spy-in-the-white-house-the-dogs-in-the-manger/

Not for the first time, what’s going on in Washington brings to mind not the late Roman Empire, but the early one—the Julian line that began with Caesar, passed through Augustus and Tiberius, and then degenerated into the reigns of Caligula, Claudius, and ended with Nero. As the Republic morphed into the Empire, the Senate receded in importance, as did the twin consuls, annually elected. Powerful women—the mothers, wives, and mistresses of the emperors—wielded great power. And yet, in the end, nearly all died unnatural deaths, assassinated (all but Augustus, in fact), murdered, executed, or forced to suicide. To spare you reading Gibbon in his magnificent entirety: the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire was written in the stars, right from the start, just as Shakespeare said.

The Left and its allies in the media would have us think—as this op-ed is clearly meant to do—that Trump is some combination of Claudius and Nero, a mad king barely restrained by his courtiers. “Meetings with him veer off topic and off the rails, he engages in repetitive rants, and his impulsiveness results in half-baked, ill-informed and occasionally reckless decisions that have to be walked back,” the unknown author writes. “Given the instability many witnessed, there were early whispers within the cabinet of invoking the 25th Amendment, which would start a complex process for removing the president. But no one wanted to precipitate a constitutional crisis.”

[Beasts of England]

WP means Widespread Panic. Everybody knows that!! 😎

[henry]

"da Man" upsidedown

[DCSCA]

Godzilla Vs. The Swamp Creature.

[Beasts of England]

Not to be outdone, Durbin goes full-retard.

[Sue]

Oh crap. I guess I'm kind of slow at this right wing hand stuff. What does 14 words even mean?

[Beasts of England]

Fourteen Words: 'We must secure the existence of our people and a future for White Children.'

[narciso]

I would say they lost their ever loving minds, but that would be facts not in evidence.

[henry]

House GOP leaders are forging ahead with a plan to vote on a second phase of tax cuts this month, despite dissension from Republicans in high-tax states who say the measure would hurt their voters.

Must not be on the schedule for the Senate.

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-tax-cuts-20180905-story.html

[Sue]

Guess I don't know any white supremacists since I had no idea they had code language using their hands. I guess the earring in your right ear was already taken as a way to communicate with fellow supremacists?

[henry]

any tossed out yet Beasts?

[Beasts of England]

This is some great theater!! Grassley's heart rate may exceed 40 bpm! lol

[Beasts of England]

Not that I've seen, henry - under is looking good!

[henry]

Sue, I thought an earing on a dude meant gay.

[Beasts of England]

First one kicked out!

[Jim Eagle]

Corey earns an "attaboy" for being a heroic jerk.

[Ignatz Ratzkiwatzki]

I think that's what Sue meant, henry.

[DebinGA]

WH pic from yesterday ... Two less worried looking guys would be hard to find.

[Ignatz Ratzkiwatzki]

--“Be sure about your answer, sir,” Harris asked Kavanaugh.--

1. That's not a question so she didn't ask anything.
2. It is an age old trick translated loosely as "I got nothin, but if I act dramatic maybe I can make you nervous."
If you have something you slip the question in almost as an after thought and spring the trap after the answer, not with a neon warning sign beforehand.

[Beasts of England]

Body count: 3

[henry]

Margot Cleveland @ProfMJCleveland
3h

Good Morning America opens w/ story of NYT anonymous Op-Ed and intro w/ lead stories didn't even include Kavanaugh hearings. W/o NYT Op-Ed focus would be on the Kavanaugh circus. I'm beginning to think NYT was set-up.

[DebinGA]

intro w/ lead stories didn't even include Kavanaugh hearings

Wow. I knew Kavanaugh was doing well but not that well.

[henry]

ᴄʜɪʟʟ @TheChillum
now

Max Boot and Fiona Hill:

Both, members of the CFR.
Both, contributors to the New York Times Op-Ed section IRT Trump being “The Manchurian Candidate.”

[DebinGA]

Trump being “The Manchurian Candidate.”

Can't think of anyone less like "Raymond" than DT. Or someone more like Angela Landsbury's role than Hillary.

[JimNorCal]

A stirring rant to get your blood flowing. If needed.
http://bejohngalt.com/2018/09/dont-they-get-the-joke/#comment-283853

Where do the 14 words come from? Is it the kkk or ...?
New to me, too!

[henry]

penalty seems too mild. Leavenworth at a minimum

CNBC @CNBC
34s

Democratic senators say they are willing to face charges that could potentially have them expelled from the Senate in order to release some confidential documents about Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh

[JimNorCal]

Ah.

"14 Words" is a reference to the most popular white supremacist slogan in the world: "We must secure the existence of our people and a future for white children.". The slogan was coined by David Lane, a member of the white supremacist terrorist group known as The Order (Lane died in prison in 2007)

[narciso]

Hill, was in Helsinki even set up the meet, seems implausible, she was a student of the late Richard pipes, she should have some perspective.

[Dave (in MA)]

.

[henry]

Where do the 14 words come from? Is it the kkk or ...?
New to me, too!

I'll stick with the Hawaiian good luck sign.

[Sue]

most popular white supremacist slogan in the world

Damn. I'm accused of being a white supremacist and I don't even know the most popular slogan? I'm a bad supremacist...

[Beasts of England]

I understand that the Federalist Society composed the larger list of candidates, but Trump has done an exceptional job in the nominations of Gorsuch and Kavanaugh.

[Sue]

Oh! I have never heard of David Lane or the Order either. I'm really a bad supremacist.

[Captain Hate]

Boot has wrecked any chance of being taken seriously in the future. Going full retard has consequences. The unmaskings have just been incredible, a major unintended service to the country.

Keeping clowns like Rick Wilson at the childrens table is a major benefit, along with Schmidt and Wallace.

[Miss Marple (the real one)]

Donald J. Trump
‏Verified account @realDonaldTrump
46m46 minutes ago

“The record is quite remarkable. The President has faithfully followed the agenda he campaigned on in 2016. People should focus on the results, and they’re extraordinary!” James Freeman - Wall Street Journal

[narciso]

Yes he inspires David Matthews (The other one) who killed berg the radio talk show host, who in turn inspired McVeigh a decade later, their qutb was William pierce, the fellow behind the Turner diaries, what does that have to do with the price of eggs.

[Captain Hate]

I hope after all this Kavanaugh doesn't make a Souter turn. When I saw that he and commiecrat dreamboat MERRICK GARLAND's decisions tracked closely, it wasn't the best thing I heard yesterday.

[narciso]

His invocation of Cromwell earlier sounded too much like Marvin the Martian, yes dread pirate Roberts is a possible path.

[Tom R]

Because what a perfect way to utterly and forever destroy what’s left of the paper’s credibility—have the whole thing be a hoax perpetrated by Trump or one of his people to prove the paper no longer bothers to verify their sources and will print any fake news that is given to them anonymously.

If this turns out to be true I know a good term we could use to describe the deception game Trump is playing.

[henry]

At least we know what to eat:

https://reason.com/blog/2018/09/06/most-nutrition-research-is-bunk

[Miss Marple (the real one)]

Daimler will exit Iran. https://t.co/n3F13VT6z0

— Richard Grenell (@RichardGrenell) September 6, 2018

[Ignatz Ratzkiwatzki]

With the usual Zerohedge caveats;
This guy thinks the op-ed writer is a high ranking CIA schlub.
That tracks with Schumer's infamous six ways from Sunday gag.
OTOH, talk about a tempest in a teapot. This is sensationalized but essentially meaningless and will be forgotten in a week.

[Kevlar Kid]

"Where do the 14 words come from? Is it the kkk or ...?
New to me, too!"

First i'd heard them *repeated* was during a meeting with campus dissidents in 1992. A protest "shanty" on campus got molotoved in the wee hours.

Students were in an uproar. One reported finding a "Blue Triangle" insignia drawn in colored chalk with those same 14 words inscribed underneath.

At the time the FBI was called in to investigate. Six months later FBI reported to the Univ prez the investigation was still ongoing.

During my time on that campus my life was "threatened" more times than i could count. Each had to be reported (campus policy) to the Bureau. All threats were "revealed" to have come from some secret "white supremacist" group following a threat or racial incident against a black student.

Over time the incidents and the phone threats against me were revealed to be perped by a very sick black student who eventually went down for first degree murder.

There is much "white supremacist" lore out there which people appropriate for their own purposes. Much of it is supplied by "aryan" prizzin groups where that infectious ideology is a means of survival in g-pop.

it serves both sides of the aisle on the outside. appropriating it and using it do smear or "badjacket" a person, place or thing is a way of skewing the debate.

think of how Kamala Harris will be able to use the Kavanaugh hearings, without focusing on Kavanaugh himself, by using the hand signal "evidence" of white supremacist control of the SCOTUS..... sort of a "the nation needs me moment" siren song.

words have consequences in this fight.

[Kevlar Kid]

After being in the news cycle 24/7 for months during this presidency, where is Trey Gowdy?

Asking for a PR firm.

[maryrose]

I don’t believe it is a set up by the White House.
I just want the vote on Kavanaugh done and the midterms where we win over.
I am sick to death of these people.
Newest threat is releasing classified info about Kavanaugh.
I trace it back to NO I repeat NO consequences for Hillary snd he illegal server containing classified information.
Now the Dems have no fear that they will be prosecuted because Hillary wasn’t.
Who will stop this?
Where are the rules of the Senate?
I want Booker kicked out of the Senate if he breaks the rules and thinks he is above the law
Cory Booker will never be president either.
I agree with DebinGA. On this.

[Sue]

Just got a Fox News alert on my phone that Booker released confidential emails.

[Captain Hate]

The ease with which otherwise smart people suddenly started using the term "white supremacist" in conversations with me indicated the MFM's ability to manipulate people.

[maryrose]

Where is Trey Gowdy?
Getting ready to be the next Attorney General after Sessions resigns.

[glasater]

Byron York's article on the NYT's op-ed is pretty good.

[matt - deplore me if you must]

CH, I don't know Garland's record, but if the Federalist Society is on Kavanaugh's side I am not too worried.

500,000 pages of documents released and gar nichts for the goons to pick on. Kavanaugh seems to be very sound.

Can't wait to see what happens when RBG kicks it. I expect the Dems to go Reichstag.Losing any hope of legislation through litigation is going to be a stake in their hearts.

[Miss Marple (the real one)]

Larry Schweikhart analyzes what he thinks is causing these Democrat desperation moves:

https://twitter.com/LarrySchweikart/status/1037705368523046913

[Sue]

secret emails, not confidential

[matt - deplore me if you must]

What is the sound of 14 words in the forest if nobody hears them?

[Kevlar Kid]

re The Bath House Rat's speaking engagement in Denmark or wherever the F*CK: it's being promo'd
as "An Evening with President Barack Obama."

What a total sh*t bird. His name recognition has already been cemented firmly in the annals of whatever.

He still allows himself to be titled President. His handlers probably insisted upon it.

He's not. I'll be surprised if he doesn't start saying he was the last legitimately elected POTUS.

[joan]

I started a post and it disappeared. I hope it doesn't reappear. Anyway,

about Judge Kavanaugh. I want to preface my comment with: "I Know Nothing." I'm basing this comment on pure Gladwell 'Blink' reaction. I'm not drawn to Kavanaugh. Especially when he considers Kennedy his hero. Wow. That chills me.

I wish President Trump had chosen that woman who is on his list, can't think of her name.

Kavanaugh's face, there's something about it that looks soft. (For all you people who are going to wince at this comment, sue me. :) He reminds me of John Roberts.

[Tom R]

Did Booker also announce he was running for president in 2020 when he decided to intentionally violate the rules?

[maryrose]

Booker will rue the day he went rogue.
Just like Rahm Emanuel will leave Chicago in disgrace so too will Booker for thinking we would ever promote him to anything higher than dog catcher.
He has the same hubris as Hillary and is stupid like her as well. His fall from grace will be epic

[Captain Hate]

Treytor is auditioning for a spot when HeeHaw starts filming again. Cuzzin Gowdy will be featured in Floyd the Barber's set where he moans about losing cases because his goofy haircut makes people on juries not take him seriously as everyone else on the set rolls with laughter.

[narciso]

Amy Barrett, they would have gone full scanners,like they did 10 years ago, Joan

[Ignatz Ratzkiwatzki]

Jeez I'm sick of typepad signing me out. although it's not so bad when we're on page one of a thread.

Michael Ledeen on the NYT op-ed.

[matt - deplore me if you must]

The Lightbringer is coming to the OC this week to campaign for Dem Congressional candidates.

I think Dana Rohrabacher should have retired years ago, but to have a Dem take that seat is just wrong. I would push back on the Dem candidates and ask them to take an oath that they are not socialists who will do the party's bidding.

[Miss Marple (the real one)]

Tony Sayegh Jr.
‏ @tony4ny
9m9 minutes ago

[email protected] is honored to serve @POTUS & the American people. He feels it was irresponsible for @nytimes to print this anonymous piece. Now, dignified public servants are forced to deny being the source. It is laughable to think this could come from the Secretary.

================

This is from the Assistant Secretary for Publlic Affairs, U.S. Treasury

[Beasts of England]

He's wearing a T-Bone 2020 t-shirt, Tom R!!

[Ignatz Ratzkiwatzki]

Concur with your "soft" misgivings, joan.

[Captain Hate]

Can't wait to see what happens when RBG kicks it. I expect the Dems to go Reichstag.Losing any hope of legislation through litigation is going to be a stake in their hearts.

That the old bat didn't retire under the Bathhouse Rat because she wanted her replacement to be named by wymmynz heroine Tub Dive, is some sweet sweet humor.

[Kevlar Kid]

a counter-opinion to "Sessions resigning as AG":

the declassification that's rumored to be coming soon will santize Sessions' reputation and silence critics.

Sessions stays.

the declassification initiates a complete de-lousing of the DOJ.

Gowdy appointed Deputy AG to ramrod the operation.

[joan]

Oh, there's something else that bothered me about Kavanaugh's lineup who spoke for him. The female attorney who has argued cases in front of the Supreme Court. She listed her leftist bonafides: Solid Democrat (she sounded leftist, not what we used to think of an honorable opposition.) Voted for Hillary. Can't remember the other leftist causes she mentioned before she prefaced her support of Kavanaugh -- there were several.

It's always nice to have a member of the opposition support you, but I consider people who are and were all in for HRC as part of the elite, the swamp, the whatever you want to call it.

[Bunky is now Savotage!!!]

Kavanaugh showed some steel last night with Harris. Her gotcha question (first question) really pissed him off. Does anybody know what she was getting at?

[narciso]

Ah how did i forget Michael Scherer who wrote two anonymous book length screeds.

[narciso]

Scheuer which clerk was that?

[Captain Hate]

I could live with that, KK, even though people like Sessions remind me of Mr. Magoo, the most irritating cartoon ever. But it's not about me; if those two can eradicate the vipers, fine.

[Miss Marple (the real one)]

I do love the ⁦@MailOnline⁩ however I sincerely hope they realize that this is simply the reflection of the ceiling lights on the glass (the picture was taken from inside). ⁦@TrumpTurnberry⁩ 😝🙉 https://t.co/H5SQ4luWg3

— Eric Trump (@EricTrump) September 6, 2018

Link goes to photo of supposed UFO's.

[Jane]

Sue, I'm in your league on the White Supremacist stuff.

I thing Grassley has no choice but to prosecute Booker. BTW the penalty is to be kicked out of the senate. But if the Senators won't follow the rules on classification, and they say they won't, gawd knows what the left will come up with.

OTOH I think Trump should take that advice and declassify everything.

[Beasts of England]

For sure, Bunky - any comparisons to that moron Souter are simply absurd.

[narciso]

The investigators on the awan case, said they talked to 40 congressman and they said there was no hacking, and that was that.

[henry]

Hirono breaks rules along with Booker.

http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/405348-sen-hirono-tweets-confidential-kavanaugh-documents?__twitter_impression=true&__twitter_impression=true&__twitter_impression=true&__twitter_impression=true&__twitter_impression=true

[Kevlar Kid]

This is over the top:

"Just like Rahm Emanuel will leave Chicago in disgrace so too will Booker for thinking we would ever promote him to anything higher than dog catcher.
He has the same hubris as Hillary and is stupid like her as well. His fall from grace will be epic
"

We might not promote him, but he is already a US Senator. Being voted out of the Senate isn't a fall from grace, nor will his decision to leave the Senate by not seeking re-election.

Booker is already in possession of a Golden Key for continued wealth accumulation when he leaves office by one way or the other.

Even as*holes have influence, no matter what their job performance happens to be in the minds of voters. The Revolving Door awaits.

Anyone knows that. Grace is a concern among people with morals. Booker never had either. Can't fall from where ya never was.

[Kevlar Kid]

Havent been watching the Kav hearings. Wondering:
did Kav elaborate on WHY Kennedy was a hero to him?

[Beasts of England]

Why in the heck would Grassley make a martyr out of Booker - especially as we're only sixty days from the presidential race?

[henry]

So this is the plan... violate confidentiality at every turn.

James Hohmann
@jameshohmann

Sen. Dick Blumenthal (D-Conn.) says he reserves the right to disclose confidential documents from Kavanaugh's time in the Bush White House that are key for Americans to see. "We are literally trying to get at the truth here," he says.

https://twitter.com/jameshohmann/status/1037702404119126016

[Dave (in MA)]

Jeez I'm sick of typepad signing me out

I'm no longer able to sign in.

This page isn’t working
www.typepad.com is currently unable to handle this request.
HTTP ERROR 500

[Beasts of England]

Way to go RNC!! 😎

https://youtu.be/u-2V_6Vf2ho

[henry]

Sure Durbin, pile on.

Aaron Blake
@AaronBlake

Durbin says he will share in whatever “retribution” Booker faces for releasing committee-confidential document:

“Let’s jump into this pit together.”

[Clarice Feldman]

https://www.wsj.com/articles/big-tech-in-the-dock-1536191064?mod=djemMER

[Kevlar Kid]

my opinion:

no matter what the Lunatic Left Fringe might think of a Black presidential candidate to the extreme left of Barack Obama--- America has fulfilled its obligation to give "black" a shot at the presidency.

Thank DJT for that.

Another thing that would stomp the chances for a black female to become president, as the first twofer "black" and "woman", was Hildo's "first woman candidacy."

Besides, how far toward the center would somebody like Harris have to tack in order to be credible in what's likely to be a large Democratic primary field of preezy candidates. She won't be believable.

[Miss Marple (the real one)]

Ironic quote:

"The American Dream is to be Donald Trump."
-Barack Obama, 1991

[henry]

Michael Ahrens @michael_ahrens
1h

Booker: "I'm knowingly violating the rules. I'm releasing committee confidential [documents]."

Cornyn: "Running for president is no excuse for violating the rules of the Senate."

Harris pipes in: "Mr. Chairman...I'm in the same situation..."

These Dems are insane.

[Captain Hate]

Sen. Dick Blumenthal (D-Conn.)

Amazing how the dimwits of Connecticut keep voting for this liar.

[Miss Marple (the real one)]

henry,

My live feed locked up about the time Booker was being oh-so-dramatic over releasing those emails. I don't care if the guy was as conservative as Ted Cruz, the idea of 4 years of listening to the constant dramatic posing would drive me insane.

I decided to do laundry and putz around here instead of trying to get the hearing back.

[Beasts of England]

Ya know, my linked video from the RNC is titled 'Crazytown'!! Timing is everything, baby! :)

[Kevlar Kid]

henry wins for the biggest WTF?!?!?! of the day @ 1147am.

you win a cruise to crazyTown! :D

[Miss Marple (the real one)]

Beasts,

That is a great ad!!

[Eye Doctor .]

Joe DiGenova drops BOMBSHELL

https://youtu.be/UxYXYsQOtO4

[Kevlar Kid]

is the Booker play a lame brain "get out in front of this" move in the face of POTUS' coming declassification?

if ya punish me then ya have to punish POTUS?

Durbin, Harris, and Booker are dying on the wrong hill.

DOH!

[jimmyk]

I'm thinking Booker has no idea what's in the documents, but is just throwing them up against the wall and hoping something sticks. And if these are the same docs that have been discussed, they are mostly stuff that just passed through Kav's office, not that he wrote.

[Miss Marple (the real one)]

Sanders
‏Verified account @PressSec

For those of you asking for the identity of the anonymous coward:

[DebinGA]

BOzo's upbringing in Hawaii and Indonesia was exotic, so most didn't know what we were getting. There's no mystery at all re Kamala of Berkeley and Booker of Newark.