GUNFIGHT AT THE O KAVANAUGH CORRAL – AT 12:33 P.M. ET:   Brett Kavanaugh has again rejected the claims of his accuser, as there appears to be movement toward having the judge and that accuser testify under oath before the Senate Judiciary Committee.  From Fox:

Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh forcefully denied the sexual assault allegations against him on Monday, saying he's willing to appear before the Senate Judiciary Committee “in any way” the panel deems appropriate to “refute” the accusations.

Kavanaugh’s new statement comes after the White House said the committee was leaning toward inviting his accuser, Christine Ford, to testify regarding the claims. Ford, through her attorney, said she would be willing to appear before the committee.

“This is a completely false allegation. I have never done anything like what the accuser describes—to her or to anyone,” Kavanaugh said in the statement Monday. “Because this never happened, I had no idea who was making the accusation until she identified herself yesterday. I am willing to talk to the Senate Judiciary Committee in any way the Committee deems appropriate to refute this false allegation, from 36 years ago, and defend my integrity.”

Kavanaugh also visited the White House on Monday, amid questions about whether the committee might proceed or not with a vote scheduled for Thursday. 

All 10 Democrats on the committee on Monday urged Chairman Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, to postpone the vote.

COMMENT:  The Democrats are trying to get an extended FBI probe of the charges, but I doubt if Republicans on the Judiciary Committee will go along.  An extended probe might kill the nomination, especially if the Democrats win control of the Senate in November.

In the Anita Hill case, once her charge against Clarence Thomas went public, an additional few days of hearings were scheduled before the Senate voted on the nomination.  Thomas was narrowly confirmed, and has sat on the high court for more than a quarter century without a single charge against him.

There are some wild cards on the Republican side who can derail things.  They are the Trump haters and several female senators who may now be hesitant about Kavanaugh.  My hunch is that the Judiciary chairman, Chuck Grassley of Iowa, will hold some additional hearings, which will show that there is no real, credible evidence against the judge.  Then the task would be to hold the Senate Republicans in line, and that may not be easy.

September 17, 2018