Thread by @jbendery

Here we go: the Senate begins Amy Coney Barrett's confirmation hearing.

Dems are heading in knowing they can't do much to stop this. But progressives want them to fight tooth and nail -- and some are furious that they're not. huffpost.com/entry/democrat… w/ @igorbobic

Even if Dem senators can't stop this, progressives are demanding they do everything possible to show this rushed, partisan process is not business as usual.

They want a big asterisk next to Barrett's name if she's confirmed.

A thing infuriating progressives: nearly all Judiciary Dems took a courtesy call with Barrett last week -- a far cry from how Republicans treated Obama's SCOTUS pick, Merrick Garland, in 2016.

GOP senators refused to meet him, even hold a hearing for him or give him a vote.

"It’s incredibly demoralizing to see these senators refuse to fight," says Chris Kang of @WeDemandJustice.

"They should be in an absolute war-room fighting position, actively staffed around the clock, both on procedures + messaging," said @ZephyrTeachout. huffpost.com/entry/democrat…

Judiciary Dems who took courtesy calls with Barrett last week: Feinstein, Durbin, Leahy, Klobuchar, Whitehouse, Coons + Booker.

Dems who did not: Hirono, Blumenthal + Harris.

“I have refused to meet with Amy Barrett. It’s a sham and an illegitimate process," said Blumenthal.

Harry Reid's former top aide + Senate rules whiz @AJentleson said Dems shoulda boycotted the hearing + refused calls with Barrett.

"It doesn’t matter how many angry tweets you send if your actions show that you consider them to be qualified and the process to be legitimate."