I don't believe Kavanaugh survives until Thursday. There is no way the Republicans can allow this to happen. If they are stupid enough to allow it, the Dems will be handed the Senate.
First, the reason for the delay by Ford’s team was to vet her ability to testify. I am sure they grilled her and tested her ability to hold up to tough and unfair questioning (like other rape victims going on the stand). My guess is that when it became clear that she is a Hillary at Benghazi hearings type rock star, they knew they had the strong hand.
Second, I am pretty sure they have independently investigated and verified the facts. Not that they didn’t believe her but I am sure they tasked someone to do an independent investigation to nail down all sorts of facts to provide plenty of fodder for former prosecutors like Kamala Harris.
Third, no matter what happens during the hearing, an interview with Oprah would seal the deal with regard to public opinion.
Surely (stop calling me Shirley!) the Republicans understand this… but maybe they are kowtowing to Trump. If they go through with this…
Ms. Ford will be questioned by the all-male Judiciary Cmte. Orrin Hatch for instance, played a key role in the Anita Hill hearings...
And then there is Ted Cruz. Is there any possible way Ted Cruz will not come off as completely creepy.
If they allow Hatch and Cruz and Grassley, etc. to question Dr. Ford, the Republicans will HAND the Senate to the Democrats.
ND AND MO — suburban women, maybe inclined to vote Republican, will see their mistreatment of Dr. Ford and decide they need to vote for a strong woman already in the Senate instead of their asshole male opponents. There is no way Heitkamp and McCaskill can’t make an issue of the Senate’s treatment of Dr. Ford.
TX — What are the chances Ted Cruz conducts himself with honor? What are the chances he doesn’t come across as a grade A creep? Cruz’s performance probably hands the election to Beto, whom even conservative fathers would rather see dating their daughters.
My prediction is Kavanaugh withdraws before Thursday. That there is no way they allow this to go forward. If they do, she will blow them out of the water, and their treatment of her an continued backing of Kavanaugh in the face of what will be overwhelming public opinion, will hand the Democrats the Senate.