After fight that split U.S., Kavanaugh wins place on Supreme Court

By Richard Cowan, Amanda Becker and David Morgan

 

FILE PHOTO: U.S. Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh arrives for his Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing in Washington, U.S., September 27, 2018. REUTERS/Mary F. Calvert/File Photo

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A deeply divided U.S. Senate on Saturday confirmed Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court, as Republicans dismissed accusations of sexual misconduct against the conservative judge and delivered a major victory to President Donald Trump.

 

By a vote of 50-48, the Senate gave a lifetime job to Kavanaugh, 53, after weeks of fierce debate over sexual violence, privilege and alcohol abuse that convulsed the nation just weeks before congressional elections on Nov. 6.

 

The Senate vote takes the highest U.S. court down a more conservative path, perhaps for many years, and is a bitter blow to Democrats already chafing at Republican control of the White House and both chambers of the U.S. Congress.

 

Kavanaugh's confirmation gives conservatives a 5-4 majority in any future legal battles on contentious issues such as abortion rights, immigration, transgender rights, industry regulation, and presidential powers.

 

He was being sworn in almost immediately on Saturday by Chief Justice John Roberts.

 

Adding to the day's drama, women protesters in the Senate gallery shouting, "Shame on you!" briefly interrupted the confirmation vote.

 

Another group of protesters stormed towards the doors of the nearby Supreme Court building with raised fists. Police stood guard at the doors.

 

Kavanaugh's nomination became an intense personal and political drama when university professor Christine Blasey Ford accused him of sexually assaulting her in the upstairs bedroom of a home in a wealthy suburb of Washington in 1982.

 

Two other women accused him in the media of sexual misconduct in the 1980s.

 

Kavanaugh fought back against the accusations, denying them in angry and tearful testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee that was viewed live on television by around 20 million people.

 

Trump said on Saturday he was "100 percent" certain that Ford named the wrong person when she accused Kavanaugh.

 

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One while flying to a campaign rally in Kansas, Trump said of Kavanaugh: "We’re very honoured that he was able to withstand this horrible, horrible attack by the Democrats."

 

Trump watched the confirmation vote on a large-screen television tuned to Fox News in a wood-paneled cabin on the plane. He flashed two thumbs up when the final vote was declared and aides on board applauded.

 

Trump is seeking a legacy as the president who put a strongly conservative stamp on the court. He stood by Kavanaugh, a federal appeals court judge with a history of advancing Republican causes.

 

This week, Trump mocked Ford's account of what she says was a drunken attack on her by Kavanaugh when they were teenagers.

 

WOMEN PROTESTS

 

Hundreds of protesters against Kavanaugh gathered on the grounds of the Capitol and at the Supreme Court. A total of 164 people were arrested in the protests, U.S. Capitol Police said.

 

Senator Dianne Feinstein, the senior Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, said on Twitter:

 

"Confirming Brett Kavanaugh in the face of credible allegations of sexual assault that were not thoroughly investigated, and his belligerent, partisan performance...undermines the legitimacy of the Supreme Court."

 

A townhouse near the Washington residence of Republican Senator Susan Collins, whose backing for Kavanaugh helped get him over the line on Saturday, flew the flag of her home state Maine upside down in protest.

 

The confirmation allows Trump to hit the campaign trail ahead of the congressional elections saying that he has kept his 2016 promise to mould a more conservative American judiciary.

 

Democrats said Kavanaugh's partisan defence of himself, in which he said he was victim of a "political hit," was enough itself to disqualify him from the court.

 

Repeatedly during the Senate debate, Republicans accused Democrats of staging a smear campaign against Kavanaugh to prevent a conservative becoming a Supreme Court justice.

 

Accusations against Kavanaugh energized the #MeToo social media movement that emerged after high-profile accusations of sexual assault and harassment by men in politics, the media and the entertainment industry.

 

Furthermore, the dispute over Kavanaugh has added fuel to campaigning for the elections in November when Democrats will try to take control of Congress from the Republicans.

 

Several polls show that Republican enthusiasm about voting, which had lagged behind, jumped after the Kavanaugh hearing last week.

 

Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell told Reuters that the political brawl over Kavanaugh will help Republicans at the elections.

 

"Nothing unifies Republicans like a court fight," McConnell said in an interview ahead of the vote. "It's been a seminal event leading into the fall election."

 

But Democrats hope women angered at the Kavanaugh accusations will turn out in large numbers to vote out Republicans.

 

During Saturday's vote, senators were showered with cries of “We will not forget," and “Survivors vote” from protesters in the Senate gallery.

 

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2018-10-07

I cannot understand the mentality of most Americans.

  A woman alleges a man sexually assaulted her makes problems for the country and divides the country. The man is found innocent  of allegations. But the man is still to blame for the problems crated. What a bunch of  crap.

  Ford should be held accountable for the damage she did to the unity of her country. She caused the trouble  that divided America and is not held accountable. But no still every one goes after Kavanagh. Pure bullying of men.Also the lowest politics can go.

 

"...Kavanaugh's confirmation gives conservatives a 5-4 majority in any future legal battles on contentious issues such as abortion rights, immigration, transgender rights, industry regulation, and presidential powers..."

 

While all of the five issues/topics mentioned will have profound effects on the US, I think it is 'Business/Industry Regulation' that will be the most significant, and not in a good way.

 

This peculiar philosophy practiced by the 'Right' in US judicial circles gave them Citizens United, which led to corporations having 'rights' and unlimited, secret money in their political system. What further enhancement will the US corporate sector get under a court with Kavanaugh? I can't give specifics, but I sincerely doubt it'll benefit the proverbial 'little guy'.

 

It is sad; in theory all Americans are equal and the US 'Right Wing' Judicial theoretical thinking seems to agree. The reality is that a US multi-billionaire and an average 'Joe' aren't equal, and the divide will likely grow exponentially. The rich will get richer and more powerful and the poor will get poorer and less powerful; 'All men are created equal' will be reduced to a t-shirt slogan.

 

It is sad to see what is happening to a once great country...

 

What a great day!!

Lefties were so sure of themselves this time, just like they were in 2016 hehe

1 hour ago, lovelomsak said:

I cannot understand the mentality of most Americans.

  A woman alleges a man sexually assaulted her makes problems for the country and divides the country. The man is found innocent  of allegations. But the man is still to blame for the problems crated. What a bunch of  crap.

  Ford should be held accountable for the damage she did to the unity of her country. She caused the trouble  that divided America and is not held accountable. But no still every one goes after Kavanagh. Pure bullying of men.Also the lowest politics can go.

 

Kavanaugh was not ‘found innocent’.

 

The FBI did not conduct an ‘investigation’, they undertook an additional background check, the White House set the terms and limitations of that ‘background check’.

 

The many allegations against Kavanaugh (sexual assault, perjury, financial and tax crimes) have not been investigated by the FBI.

 

Well not yet anyway.

Kavanaugh sworn in as 114th Supreme Court justice, hours after Senate votes to confirm

 

 

Judge Brett Kavanaugh was sworn in as the 114th Associate Supreme Court Justice on Saturday  (Fred Schilling/Supreme Court)

Judge Brett Kavanaugh was sworn in as the 114th Supreme Court justice late Saturday, just hours after the Senate voted to confirm him to the nation's highest court after a rancorous confirmation battle.

Kavanaugh was sworn in by Chief Justice John Roberts in a private ceremony, accompanied by his wife and children. The ceremonial swearing in is expected to happen on Monday evening at the White House. 

 

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/kavanaugh-sworn-in-as-114th-supreme-court-justice-hours-after-senate-votes-to-confirm

18 minutes ago, Rigby40 said:

What a great day!!

Lefties were so sure of themselves this time, just like they were in 2016 hehe

Enjoy your moment.

 

This is a very bad day for the rights of ordinary Americans.

1 hour ago, lovelomsak said:

I cannot understand the mentality of most Americans.

  A woman alleges a man sexually assaulted her makes problems for the country and divides the country. The man is found innocent  of allegations. But the man is still to blame for the problems crated. What a bunch of  crap.

  Ford should be held accountable for the damage she did to the unity of her country. She caused the trouble  that divided America and is not held accountable. But no still every one goes after Kavanagh. Pure bullying of men.Also the lowest politics can go.

 

" The man is found innocent of allegations". After a FBI investigation which was deliberately limited, and never even questioned the accusers?

IMHO blaming the victim reached new lows with your post.

A win for Trump, a job for life for K and a family and friends who will not quite believe him in the future, the damage is done.

 

Politics stink do they not?

A win for Fox News.

 

Susan Collins is the loser.

 

Ol' Brett's gonna get face-down-in-the-mud drunk tonight to celebrate.

"Drinks are on me!"  says Brett.

"You're damned right they are" says Mitch McConnell.

 

Even before the Ford hearings Mitch said it wouldn't effect the nomination.  And there you are.  No cavalry riding to the rescue on this one, those days are gone. 

 

 

 

A situation where a person can pop up after 20-30 years and ruined someone life by accusing them of rape, mistreatment and sexual assault is quite worrying and unsettling, particularly where there is no hard evidence to prove such action has taken place, these type of accusations, both against men and women should fall into category of alleged crimes with statute of limitations, otherwise this  will never end and certain people will use these type of accusassion for a personal gains...

36 minutes ago, Lacessit said:

" The man is found innocent of allegations". After a FBI investigation which was deliberately limited, and never even questioned the accusers?

IMHO blaming the victim reached new lows with your post.

How do you know it was limited? How do you know Ms. Fords attorneys didnt stop her from talking to the FBI for obvious reasons?

1 hour ago, Samui Bodoh said:

"...Kavanaugh's confirmation gives conservatives a 5-4 majority in any future legal battles on contentious issues such as abortion rights, immigration, transgender rights, industry regulation, and presidential powers..."

 

While all of the five issues/topics mentioned will have profound effects on the US, I think it is 'Business/Industry Regulation' that will be the most significant, and not in a good way.

 

This peculiar philosophy practiced by the 'Right' in US judicial circles gave them Citizens United, which led to corporations having 'rights' and unlimited, secret money in their political system. What further enhancement will the US corporate sector get under a court with Kavanaugh? I can't give specifics, but I sincerely doubt it'll benefit the proverbial 'little guy'.

 

It is sad; in theory all Americans are equal and the US 'Right Wing' Judicial theoretical thinking seems to agree. The reality is that a US multi-billionaire and an average 'Joe' aren't equal, and the divide will likely grow exponentially. The rich will get richer and more powerful and the poor will get poorer and less powerful; 'All men are created equal' will be reduced to a t-shirt slogan.

 

It is sad to see what is happening to a once great country...

 

Nothing new in your comments " 

The rich will get richer and more powerful and the poor will get poorer and less powerful; 'All men are created equal' will be reduced to a t-shirt slogan.  That's the way it has been since time began.  Just study Roman History and others before and after the year "dot".

2 hours ago, rooster59 said:

U.S. Senate on Saturday confirmed Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court, as Republicans dismissed accusations of sexual misconduct against the conservative judge

When I say all these GOP senators should be “hanged, drawn, and quartered” — I am of course talking about the famous drinking game. It’s like Quarters, but with “pitchforks.” Some boofing may be involved. The rules are fluid.

1 hour ago, Samui Bodoh said:

This peculiar philosophy practiced by the 'Right' in US judicial circles gave them Citizens United, which led to corporations having 'rights'

Ummm....under statute, dating back to English Common Law, Corporations (or Juristic Persons as they are known here) are "Artificial Persons" (See Blackstone, for Example).

 

If you want to limit corporate rights as persons you must proceed accordingly, not by judicial fiat.

 

So how can Corporate rights be a creation of Modern Conservatism if they date back more than a hundred years.

 

Legislatures have their jobs. Courts have theirs. Do you want your rights circumscribed by the "Wise Latina" flavour of the day?

Kavanaugh was not ‘found innocent’.
 
The FBI did not conduct an ‘investigation’, they undertook an additional background check, the White House set the terms and limitations of that ‘background check’.
 
The many allegations against Kavanaugh (sexual assault, perjury, financial and tax crimes) have not been investigated by the FBI.
 
Well not yet anyway.

He wasn’t found guilty either. Time to move on to the Democrats next outrage issue.
Wash, rinse, repeat.

42 minutes ago, Lacessit said:

" The man is found innocent of allegations". After a FBI investigation which was deliberately limited, and never even questioned the accusers?

IMHO blaming the victim reached new lows with your post.

The man said "he wasn't there it wasn't him" end of story, so let the FBI question the other 50 million US  men who were not there and are now a suspect and question them all,  "WHO DONE IT" might be one of them,  It could have been anyone...the whole issue is just crazy and has nothing to do with the law.  I hope this sort of politics doesn't catch on in Australia

18 minutes ago, Nyezhov said:

How do you know it was limited? How do you know Ms. Fords attorneys didnt stop her from talking to the FBI for obvious reasons?

The only one I can think of is perjury, in which case she would have shut up and said nothing. What did she have to gain by making the accusation.

Remember there were several other women who came forward after her. No smoke without fire.

It's a sad day for America when a man whose moral character is in question is confirmed as a Supreme Court judge. Common sense says Trump should have selected another candidate whose credentials were unquestioned. As Trump boasts of grabbing women by the pussy, he probably recognised a kindred spirit.

15 minutes ago, Lacessit said:

Common sense says Trump should have selected another candidate whose credentials were unquestioned

No candidate put forth by President Trump will ever be "Unquestioned".

Guilty or innocent of the sexual assault charges is a mute point as it cant be proven or disproved.

What I found disappointing was the un judge like behaviour during the process to see if he would make a good judge, a judge should be above emotion, anger, outrage etc. (the blindfold on the statue of justice).

What happens in a couple of years when the guy is deciding an important legal issue and he lets emotion. anger, outrage enter the decision making.

 

1 hour ago, Nyezhov said:

How do you know it was limited? How do you know Ms. Fords attorneys didnt stop her from talking to the FBI for obvious reasons?

We know it was limited because Trump was caught limiting it.

 

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/05/us/politics/trump-kavanaugh-fbi.html

 

29 minutes ago, Nyezhov said:

No candidate put forth by President Trump will ever be "Unquestioned".

No candidate put foward by any President will go unquestioned.

 

http://guides.ll.georgetown.edu/c.php?g=365722&p=2471070

 

 

And here in ‘internet world’ you tell us you are a lawyer.

Banana republic. Can’t take that nation of clowns seriously anymore. 

Hey give the Conservative Republicans a break!  They were just trying to get Clarence Thomas a fellow sexual predator on the Supreme Court.  He was lonely!!! LOL

It is not the duty of the FBI to investigate this and the woman should have gone to the police where it was said to have happened. Secondly, this trial by the press plus general social media mob along with being labeled guilty until proven innocent is ridiculous (and dangerous), especially when it is overflowing with such hate filled and agenda driven political partisans. Historical sex allegations like this from like over 20 years ago are simply not tenable imo as how can you defend yourself against them and there is obviously no evidence...just your word against theirs. However, it has become fashionable for people to be victims now and also seems perfectly OK to ruin a man's whole life over an allegation that can't be proven or stand up to any real scrutiny and could even be construed as slanderous really. You can't just say "J'accuse..." about so long ago and not be able to back it up, not OK as the consequences can be serious (as we have seen here). This man has rights too and deserves his due protection from the baying mob. Fortunately sanity has prevailed

4 hours ago, lovelomsak said:

I cannot understand the mentality of most Americans.

  A woman alleges a man sexually assaulted her makes problems for the country and divides the country. The man is found innocent  of allegations. But the man is still to blame for the problems crated. What a bunch of  crap.

  Ford should be held accountable for the damage she did to the unity of her country. She caused the trouble  that divided America and is not held accountable. But no still every one goes after Kavanagh. Pure bullying of men.Also the lowest politics can go.

 

You misread the history. The deep divide already is long standing in the US (I hasten to observe the Americans are not alone in the deepening divide in western societies where the working middle class has been under increased economic pressure for the past 30-40 years). As to the qualification of the candidate, I will point to the American Bar Association's decision (as well as a substantial number of law professors and Justice Stevens).

2 hours ago, Nyezhov said:

How do you know it was limited? How do you know Ms. Fords attorneys didnt stop her from talking to the FBI for obvious reasons?

Public statements from the White House and Professor Ford are documented....

44 minutes ago, Sir Dude said:

It is not the duty of the FBI to investigate this and the woman should have gone to the police where it was said to have happened. Secondly, this trial by the press plus general social media mob along with being labeled guilty until proven innocent is ridiculous (and dangerous), especially when it is overflowing with such hate filled and agenda driven political partisans. Historical sex allegations like this from like over 20 years ago are simply not tenable imo as how can you defend yourself against them and there is obviously no evidence...just your word against theirs. However, it has become fashionable for people to be victims now and also seems perfectly OK to ruin a man's whole life over an allegation that can't be proven or stand up to any real scrutiny and could even be construed as slanderous really. You can't just say "J'accuse..." about so long ago and not be able to back it up, not OK as the consequences can be serious (as we have seen here). This man has rights too and deserves his due protection from the baying mob. Fortunately sanity has prevailed

We all know that US lawyers and politicians are very very good are coaching witnesses.

2 hours ago, Sir Dude said:

It is not the duty of the FBI to investigate this and the woman should have gone to the police where it was said to have happened. Secondly, this trial by the press plus general social media mob along with being labeled guilty until proven innocent is ridiculous (and dangerous), especially when it is overflowing with such hate filled and agenda driven political partisans. Historical sex allegations like this from like over 20 years ago are simply not tenable imo as how can you defend yourself against them and there is obviously no evidence...just your word against theirs. However, it has become fashionable for people to be victims now and also seems perfectly OK to ruin a man's whole life over an allegation that can't be proven or stand up to any real scrutiny and could even be construed as slanderous really. You can't just say "J'accuse..." about so long ago and not be able to back it up, not OK as the consequences can be serious (as we have seen here). This man has rights too and deserves his due protection from the baying mob. Fortunately sanity has prevailed

sanity prevailed? hardly

 

the man has about half the nation and about half the national assembly and a large bunch of legal scholars against him

that is not a good platform for starting a SC job

 

if sanity had prevailed he would have pulled his candidature

(regardless of having carried out sexual assaults or not)

 

he is <deleted> up the US

 

'Pelican Brief' with Denzel Washington and Julia Roberts. Great movie.