Judge Brett Kavanaugh has arrived for the second part of today’s hearing. 
Kavanaugh: "You have replaced 'advice and consent' with 'search and destroy.'" This is not the same statement Kavanaugh submitted. buzzfeednews.com/article/blakem…
Kavanaugh, as part of his fiery speech, says this all is, in part, "revenge on behalf of the Clintons."
"I will not be intimidated into withdrawing. ... You may defeat me in the final vote, but I will not quit," Kavanaugh says. "I have never sexually assaulted anyone."
If you're wondering how this is going, tone-wise:
It is exceptionally hard to imagine this man — the man testifying in this room today — on the Supreme Court of the United States.
Kavanaugh, who previously said that all who allege sexual assault deserve to be heard, says now, looking at the Democrats: "Thanks to what some of you on this side of the committee have unleashed, I may never be able to teach again."
Interrupting Feinstein several times, Kavanaugh lashes out.
"The Swetnick thing is a joke," he said. "It's a farce."
"The Swetnick thing is a joke," he said. "It's a farce."
Mitchell: "How many beers is too many beers?"
Kavanaugh: "I don't know, whatever the chart says."
Mitchell: Did you ever pass out?
Kavanaugh: I mean, I fell asleep.
Kavanaugh: "I don't know, whatever the chart says."
Mitchell: Did you ever pass out?
Kavanaugh: I mean, I fell asleep.
Leahy is asking about Mark Judge. "It was dropped on me. It was sprung," Kavanaugh says, beginning yelling toward Leahy. "He has provided sworn testimony."
Leahy asks about the character with a name like Kavanaugh's name, and asks if it is describing him.
Kavanaugh dissembles, and then accuses Leahy of making fun of a person with an addiction.
Leahy asks again.
Kavanaugh: "You'd have to ask him."
Kavanaugh dissembles, and then accuses Leahy of making fun of a person with an addiction.
Leahy asks again.
Kavanaugh: "You'd have to ask him."
Kavanaugh says some of the yearbook is "farce," but then says there were parties.
Leahy's time is out: "We got a filibuster, but not a single answer."
Leahy's time is out: "We got a filibuster, but not a single answer."
Unasked question:
Durbin asks Kavanaugh to "turn to Don McGahn" and ask him to get the FBI to investigate.
Grassley lashes out: "We're here because people wanted to be heard," adding that he would not stop the hearing.
Durbin keeps pressing. At one point, there's a stand-off; Kavanaugh demurs.
Grassley lashes out: "We're here because people wanted to be heard," adding that he would not stop the hearing.
Durbin keeps pressing. At one point, there's a stand-off; Kavanaugh demurs.
Graham is up and not giving it to Mitchell.
"This is the most unethical sham since I've been in politics," Graham says.
"This is the most unethical sham since I've been in politics," Graham says.
Graham says people are asking him to believe he was "Bill Cosby" in high school and then just stopped.
Grassley: "Uh ... Senator Whitehouse."
Whitehouse asks about "Beach Week Ralph Club — Biggest Contributor" and Kavanaugh says, "I'm known to have a weak stomach ... whether it's with beer or spicy foods or anything."
The man is under oath.
Cornyn raises the McCarthy hearings.
In light of Kavanaugh's answers about the yearbook — which he dismisses as irrelevant, but which are about the time in question — I don't see how Mark Judge and others can be not called before the committee to discuss these and other answers.
Note: Cornyn repeatedly says that "Stormy Daniels' lawyer" made the accusations that actually were made by Julie Swetnick, a longtime federal employee with security clearances, who made a declaration under penalty of perjury.
Former DOJ spokesperson for Holder —>
Note about Kavanaugh's prior answers —>
Grassley, again, repeats the Biden quote about FBI background investigations, but, again, note that the quote extensively refers to whether they reach "conclusions" — not whether they do further investigations.
This makes sense from an "audience of one" perspective — but what about the effect of these sorts of moments on Collins or Murkowski (or Flake, Sasse, or others)?
It does look like at least some Republicans decided to take their own time — previously, Graham and Cornyn, and now, back from the break, Hatch.
Hatch also says, "I realize that some of my colleagues will tear down this man at any cost."
Sasse is all over the process questions, talking about the ranking member holding back information. Sasse also, though, says he believes that Ford is a victim.
Sasse was upset, and yielded his time. He's been silent over the past two weeks.
Sasse was upset, and yielded his time. He's been silent over the past two weeks.
Note from @LissandraVilla —>
Biden’s spokesperson weighs in on the thrice-read quote from Biden about FBI background investigations —>
Feinstein asks for a point of personal privilege to respond to Cruz's comments, noting that she held the letter confidentially because she was asked to and agreed to do so and saying that she (and later, her staff) did not leak it.
Harris is up. She starts with the FBI investigation question.
Flake is up. "In the end, we are 21 imperfect senators trying to do our best to advise and consent," he said, noting that Ford's testimony and Kavanaugh's was compelling. "There is doubt. We'll never move beyond that." That's it.
And, after a bit from Kennedy, that's it for the hearing.
The hearing has been gaveled out.
The hearing has been gaveled out.
From @pdmcleod and me —>
What's Next For Brett Kavanaugh's #SCOTUS Nomination buzzfeednews.com/article/paulmc…
What's Next For Brett Kavanaugh's #SCOTUS Nomination buzzfeednews.com/article/paulmc…
