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[JoshuaFH]

There are no formal standards to be appointed to the Supreme Court beyond being nominated by the President and consented to by the Senate, hence the campaign for Justice Snoop Dogg following Scalia's death.

If Snoop's savant-level skill at The Price is Right is any indicator, he's be the best justice in history.

[Lord Shonus]

If nothing else, this is a clear sign that we need to ensure that the current trend of de-normalizing this kind of behavior continues. We've gone a long way since "Trapper" John (from M*A*S*H, although the TV series never explains the nickname) in the 70s and American Pie in the 90s - but there's still a long way to go.

[smjjames]

Enter stage right, small complications that arise just because Senators have a life outside the Senate and some things just can't be rescheduled.

[smjjames]

Sen. Collins said she'll vote yes for the cloture* vote (which is in about 12 min from now) and announce her final vote later this afternoon.

*'cloture' is a procedural vote to end debate on something and move to the final vote, the Kavanaugh nomination in this case.

[misko27]

My understanding of the Cloture vote is if that is voted on successfully, the next vote must be within 30 hours, or they have to start over (in committee, so back to square one).

[smjjames]

Which is why that one Montana Senators daughter's wedding is ending up complicating things a little. I've read that they're willing to hold it open into early Sunday morning until that Senator gets back.

[sluissa]

I don't think it quite works that way. There has to be the possibility for up to 30 hours of debate between cloture and the vote. And there's limits on what else they can do between cloture and the final vote. But it seems like as long as they're willing to bring everything else to a standstill they can hold the vote open for as long as they need. But if they decide not to hold the vote after all, then yes, it goes back to square one.

[Enemy post]

On the Kavanaugh swing votes:

Murkowski says she'll vote no.

Flake says he'll vote yes.

Heitkamp says she'll vote no.

[misko27]

Joe Manchin has said he'll vote however is necessary to not be the swing vote. Meaning, he'll vote against Kavanaugh if by doing so he'll stop Kavanaugh, but will vote for Kavanaugh if Kavanaugh will be confirmed anyway. (Or basically: he can be considered a no vote for the purposes of measuring these things, and a yes vote for the purpose of rubbing salt in the wound afterwards. Interesting thought: the actual effect of this is to render Pence unnecessary).

Which is a roundabout way of saying that Collin's vote is now the decisive factor. She'll be announcing her decision in a speech at 3:00. So, you know, keep your ears to the web.

[sluissa]

I know Joe Manchin is in a tough spot, but that is quite a cowardly cop-out.

[nenjin]

This entire fucking thing has been a cop-out.

[sluissa]

I agree, this is not how a functioning government runs. The whole system is a steaming pile of shit filled mostly with below average examples of humanity.

However, you've got 99 other people who are putting their names on the line with a vote. And then you have Manchin who is saying, "I don't really want to have to decide, I'll go with what everyone else wants to do."

Asshole, it's literally your job. Yes or no. Abstain if you have to, if its that tough of a position, if you're not sure, just abstain. But don't just swing with the wind.

EDIT: Collins won't get around to the point but is verbally advertising for Kavanaugh.

[Folly]

Collins is talking now. It sounds like she's going to be a Yes.

At least she seems to have done her homework and made an informed decision. This speech was easily the most dignified thing I've heard since this whole mess began.

EDIT: Collins confirmed a Yes.

[sluissa]

I mean, ignoring the multiple times he's blatantly lied to congress's collective asses, sure, did her homework.  Quoted some cases. Made some valid points about politicization of the courts, and then went on to politicize the courts even more.

Good work.

[Frumple]

I'unno, hard to make a heaping pile of hypocrisy and bullshit dignified. Whatever does it for you, I guess.