Mitch McConnell, Chuck Grassley, and a passel of white Republican men held an impromptu press conference on the pending vote on Brett Kavanaugh's nomination to the Supreme Court Thursday afternoon, moments after the bold decision announced by Democratic Sen. Heidi Heitkamp (ND) to oppose the nomination. Their purpose seemed to be to keep their conference in line and keep the momentum going.
"What we know for sure is the FBI report did not corroborate any of the allegations against Judge Kavanaugh. And the second thing we know for sure is that there's no way anything we did would satisfy the Democrats," McConnell said. Grassley got very loud, insisting that "This person is very well qualified," he said, referring to Kavanaugh and quite possibly forgetting his name. He was rather worked up. "A person that believes in the principles of due process, the presumption of innocence and readiness to serve are recognized. So Judge Kavanaugh should be confirmed on Saturday."
Then he yelled at the reporters, for being against Kavanaugh. "Now, I would never use the word fake news. I consider you folks policemen for our democratic system of government, but I want to show you where some of you have bias."
For his part, Sen. John Cornyn bathed himself in ignomy by essentially calling the sexual assault allegations against Kavanaugh and the numerous witnesses trying to come forward to attest to it "antics" and "hijinks." And Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) chimed in to say that he believed Dr. Ford experienced something traumatic, but there wasn't anyway it could have been Kavanaugh that did it to her.
Are they panicking? Quite possibly. Consider this, from the ACLU which is helping coordinate constituent visits to senator's offices today: “Sen. Sasse’s staff told this group of survivors from Nebraska that he’s currently undecided on Kavanaugh. We have to keep the pressure on—call him now and tell him to be a firm NO. (844) 334-2258.”
Additionally, Sen. Jeff Flake (R-AZ) is apparently “still having issues” that some colleagues are trying to “walk him through.” This is far from done.
Call your senators. 202-224-3121.