Talking with people about FBI nomination background checks. There's no doubt Senate committee could ask FBI background unit to look into Ford-Kavanaugh allegation. It's kind of thing FBI has already done for Kavanaugh, but could now focus on this... 1/7
In background checks, FBI talks to old neighbors, old business associates, friends, enemies, colleagues, all sorts of people. Looks for things like alcoholism, philandering, honesty, stuff that could lead to trouble in public office. Not to prosecute, but to tell Senate... 2/7
So FBI could look into this case. But it would take time; no way investigation could be done by Monday. Republicans see Dem game, don't want to get into weeks-long delay. So no FBI investigation. 3/7
Also: Do we know whether Ford herself wants to take part in an FBI investigation? Bureau would be asking a lot of questions about her, looking for details, witnesses, corroboration, reputation for honesty, social media, etc. 4/7
Not sure Dems really want to go down that road. They would prefer hearing from experts on victimization, that sort of thing. Plus, they'd like to make loud drunk Mark Judge a stand-in for Kavanaugh. All that -- but not Ford's credibility... 5/7
So right now, it might be that Dems like to protest lack of FBI investigation more than they actually want an FBI investigation. 6/7
In any event, damage is done; Dems already talking about a Justice Kavanaugh as stain on SCOTUS. Just wait: If he is confirmed, resistance types will talk about the rapist on the Supreme Court. 7/7 End.
