Schumer has opposed Kavanaugh’s rise in the federal judiciary for more than a decade. Some of the Democratic attacks on him from 2004 may return in 2018 so let’s review...
During Kavanaugh’s 2004 DC Circuit Court confirmation hearing, Schumer called Kavanaugh the “Zelig of young Republican lawyers, as he has managed to find himself at the center of so many high-
profile, controversial issues in his short career...”
profile, controversial issues in his short career...”
(Apparently unsure the Zelig [1983] reference had much resonance, @SenatorDurbin called Kavanaugh the “Forrest Gump of Republican politics,” which isn’t fair to Kavanaugh’s intellect — but true that Kavanaugh has been a key player throughout many high-profile moments of this era)
Per Schumer: “from the notorious Starr Report to the Florida recount, to this President’s secrecy and
privilege claims, to post-9/11 legislative battles, including the victims compensation fund, to controversial judicial nominations...”
privilege claims, to post-9/11 legislative battles, including the victims compensation fund, to controversial judicial nominations...”
Also: Kavanaugh worked pro bono for Elian Gonzalez’s American relatives in Gonzalez v Reno.
Strikes against him to Democrats, notches on his belt to Republicans.
Strikes against him to Democrats, notches on his belt to Republicans.
Also worth noting: Kavanaugh whole working for Starr investigated and concluded that Vince Foster committed suicide, upsetting many in the fever swamps, including Roger Stone.
“...Kavanaugh would probably win 1st prize as the hard-right’s political lawyer,” Schumer said in 2004, calling his nomination “not just a drop of salt in the partisan wounds, it is the whole shaker.” We’re about to hear more on all of these cases from the 90s and more —
