White House spokesperson Kerri Kupec this morning, regarding Christine Blasey Ford’s allegation:
“On Friday, Judge Kavanaugh ‘categorically and unequivocally’ denied this allegation. This has not changed. Judge Kavanaugh and the White House both stand by that statement."
“On Friday, Judge Kavanaugh ‘categorically and unequivocally’ denied this allegation. This has not changed. Judge Kavanaugh and the White House both stand by that statement."
Pretty remarkable that the White House is taking the tack of just reiterating a one-sentence denial for a fourth day, despite the changed facts on the ground.
The White House did put out a new Kavanaugh statement later this morning: "I have never done anything like what the accuser describes — to her or to anyone." buzzfeednews.com/article/patric… 
Pretty clear that Grassley's "phone calls" compromise attempt is not going to do the job. Both Kavanaugh and Ford say they're willing to testify, and a key vote says they should as well.
Here's the Judiciary Committee Dems' letter calling on Grassley to delay the vote. feinstein.senate.gov/public/_cache/…
Grassley ... is still trying to set up phone calls ... even though it seems like everyone else is open to and preparing for a hearing?
If you turn the statement sideways, I think Cornyn is trying to back Grassley but knows that actually saying "a phone call should be enough" won't work, so he went with this.
I agree that this does appear to be Grassley's aim now, which also appears to be backed by Cornyn.
Hatch: "By working with us to get the facts expeditiously—and by maintaining Chairman Grassley’s initial timeline—Democrats can prove that their first priority is the truth, not politics."
So, even though some Republicans have called for a hearing, the party line move appears to be attempting to call for phone calls AND keeping the current timeline, which would make a hearing nearly impossible.
Well, Trump appears to be throwing out the Grassley plan here in his remarks to pool just now: "We want to go through a full process ... and hear everybody out. ... If it takes a little delay it'll take a little delay."
Trump says he wishes Democrats had acted sooner, so that they wouldn’t have had to “start a process all over again,” but he wants the process to happen so the American people can “hear everyone out.” Trump says to “delay a little bit” is acceptable so everyone will “be happy.”
McConnell is now speaking on the Senate floor about Kavanaugh's nomination, including testimony and letters in support of his character.
McConnell notes that Ford's accusation is more than 30 years old, when in high school; that Kavanaugh denies it; that Feinstein has known about for 6 weeks; that Democrats did not raise it "even with the name redacted."
"Now, at the 11th hour ... after Democrats have searched for any reason that the nomination should be delayed, now they choose to reveal this allegation ... by leaking it to the press" b/c "the chain of custody" to the letter runs the Dems, McConnell says.
McConnell is supporting Grassley's effort to hold "bipartisan interviews" with Kavanaugh and Ford.
Collins: "If Judge Kavanaugh has lied about what has happened, that would be disqualifying."
Kavanaugh "emphatically" denied the allegations, Collins added.
How would she decide then? Collins says it would require "testimony, under oath, with a lot of questions to be asked of both of them."
How would she decide then? Collins says it would require "testimony, under oath, with a lot of questions to be asked of both of them."
Meanwhile, Feinstein put out this statement on behalf of all 10 Democrats on the Judiciary Committee: "[A] staff-only phone call behind closed doors is unacceptable and Democratic staff will not participate."
Grassley's response, via @pdmcleod —>
And, @tparti on the unusually restrained Trump —>
Republican on the committee says there will be a hearing —>
Dems ask McGahn to ask the FBI to investigate the allegation against Kavanaugh —> feinstein.senate.gov/public/_cache/…
There will be a hearing.
It's official.
DOJ spokesperson issues comment on FBI background checks for nominees and what happens if they get “new information that raises questions about the suitability or trustworthiness of an Appointee” —>
So, where are we with the Kavanaugh nomination as Monday comes to an end? The key fact is that, after not agreeing to hold a hearing let alone delay the vote, Grassley agreed to hold a hearing and delay the vote. The hearing, he decided, would not be until next Monday.
This means another week of stories, week of news, week of doubts, week of waiting. Another set of Sunday newspapers and Sunday shows. The aim all along has been speed, and no delays. ... It’s very hard to see how delay could now be good for Kavanaugh.
That doesn’t mean it’s fatal, in and of itself, but Republicans have made it clear that they control this SCOTUS process, and I’m not sure I see an upside for Kavanaugh to, on THIS Monday, putting off a further hearing to NEXT Monday. Look at how much happened today.
For a “the wolves are already beginning to circle” thread on what he’s hearing, check out this one from @costareports —>
