That's not what Dems are thinking. They're all-in on their false talking point that Republicans are "blocking" an FBI investigation. They're saying Ford shouldn't testify until the mythical investigation is completed (after the election, natch) and the GOP is railroading her.
At this point, the path of least resistance for Dems is to stay out of the hearing, make it a chat between Kavanaugh and Republicans, denounce the whole thing as a farce while K is confirmed on a party-line vote, and milk the issue for female and hard-left votes.
No one in the media will call them on it. "Journalists" won't challenge a single word in Feinstein's B.S. press releases or ask her a single tough question. The media absolutely will NOT frame this as a failed political hit if Dems bail on the meeting.
The media action line is already shaping up to be "demanding details from Ford = attacking the victim." They're not even implying that - they're outright saying it. She will not in any way be criticized for avoiding testimony if that's her preference, and neither will Dems.
As I said at the outset, the primary goals for Dems with this sleazy hit were to smear Kavanaugh, juice the Dem vote in the midterms, and set the stage for "resistance" to Kavanaugh's SCOTUS decisions. (Not to mention Trump's next nominee.) Blocking him was always a long shot.
Everything the Dems are doing right now is consistent with those goals. Absolutely nothing any of them have done is consistent with genuine heartfelt concern about a serious allegation. They could only treat this allegation less seriously by writing limericks about it. /end
Addendum: one way this can backfire on Dems is Kavanaugh turns in a great performance and becomes more likable to the electorate. In that case, they'll count on their media to downplay his best moments and assume the shadow of the allegations puts a hard cap on his likability.
