| Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee are expected to vote this morning on President Trump’s Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh following an emotional day of testimony on Thursday from Kavanaugh and Christine Blasey Ford, who accused him of sexually assaulting her when they were teenagers. Kavanaugh’s consideration by the Judiciary Committee and his confirmation by the full Senate, perhaps by Tuesday, are in suspense. Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.), a Judiciary Committee member, said Thursday night he was undecided. In a committee with 11 Republicans and 10 Democrats, Flake’s vote is consequential, although Kavanaugh’s nomination could still move to the Senate floor if the committee is split. Watch live coverage of the planned vote, which is scheduled for 9:30 a.m., via C-SPAN. The plan, at least for now: After the committee votes, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) is expected to move to procedural votes that could end debate as soon as Monday, the first day of the Supreme Court’s new session. If those votes in the Senate are successful, the final vote on the Kavanaugh nomination could take place on Tuesday (The Hill). Reuters: Senate panel heads to vote on Kavanaugh. The New York Times: American Bar Association on Thursday evening called for postponement of vote and FBI investigation of Kavanaugh. The assault allegations against Kavanaugh give red-state Democrats up for reelection in 2018 the cover they may need to vote against Trump’s appointee. With a 51-49 majority in the Senate, the GOP can only afford to lose one Republican senator. Overnight, no one knew how Flake or Sens. Susan Collins (Maine) and Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) intend to vote. In the case of a 50-50 tie, Vice President Mike Pence would vote to tip the confirmation into a majority. “In the end, there is likely to be as much doubt as certainty coming out of this room today.” – Flake The Hill: Moderate Republicans remain undecided after testimony. The Hill: Takeaways from the Kavanaugh-Ford hearings. If Republicans don’t stick together, there is likely not enough time to push a new nominee through before the lame-duck session ends in January. That means that if Kavanaugh’s nomination fails and Democrats overcome the odds to take a majority in the Senate, Trump’s window to confirm a replacement appointee – who would potentially tip the balance of the Supreme Court in favor of conservatives for decades – might be closed for good. It appeared early on Thursday that Kavanaugh might be sunk, as Ford presented herself as a credible and deeply sympathetic witness. 
© Getty Images Ford’s testimony included an excruciating description of Kavanaugh and a friend of his laughing as the alleged assault took place. Rachel Mitchell, the independent prosecutor GOP senators appointed to question Ford – Republicans feared the optics of an all-white and male panel grilling a victim of sexual assault – failed to dent Ford’s credibility or raise any meaningful questions about her alleged political motivations. The New York Times: How Americans across the country reacted to Ford’s testimony. This exchange between Ford and Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), which rolled endlessly on cable news, was the defining moment of her testimony. Durbin: “With what degree of certainty do you believe Brett Kavanaugh assaulted you?” Ford: “100 percent.” Kavanaugh had a similar exchange later in the day with Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.). Kennedy: “None of these allegations are true?” Kavanaugh: “Correct.” Kennedy: “No doubt in your mind?” Kavanaugh: “Zero, I’m 100 percent certain.” Republicans and conservatives agreed that Ford’s account was compelling. There was panic on the right that the strategy of relying on an outside prosecutor to question her on live television was ineffective.
However, Kavanaugh followed in the afternoon with his own emotional testimony. In opening remarks that lasted about 45 minutes, Kavanaugh categorically denied every allegation made against him. The appellate court judge repeatedly had to stop, sip water and compose himself as he described the strain on his family. He berated Democrats, accusing them of wrecking his life and his reputation for political gain. “My family and my name have been totally and permanently destroyed by vicious and false additional accusations … I will not be intimidated into withdrawing from this process … you may defeat me in the final vote, but you will never get me to quit.” – Kavanaugh Judiciary Committee Republicans rallied to Kavanaugh’s defense. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) exploded in anger in one viral exchange, saying the appellate court judge had his sympathy and his support. "To my Republican colleagues, if you vote `no,’ you're legitimizing the most despicable thing I've seen in my career in politics … this is the most unethical sham since I’ve been in politics.” – Graham Trump was satisfied with the testimony and urged the Senate to move ahead without delay. 
© Twitter The drama on Capitol Hill riveted the nation for a day, playing out in furious debates over social media and in wall-to-wall coverage on cable and network television across the country. 
© Twitter “This is a circus … the consequences will be with us for decades." – Kavanaugh The Hill: After stirring testimony, senators must decide. Perspectives Ruth Marcus: Ford’s devastating testimony. Ashley Baker: Why I’m standing with Kavanaugh. Emily Witt: The Kavanaugh saga has electrified the feminist movement. Melissa Danford: Women need to protect their men from unproven allegations. Emily Yellin: Ford speaks for us all. Rich Lowry: Kavanaugh is right to be angry. Randall D. Eliason: The GOP hired a pro to question Ford. It did not go well. Rachael Larimore: Choosing the prosecutor to run the Republican part of Ford's questioning was the smartest thing the Senate has done in months. The Washington Post (editorial board): The Senate can’t vote on Kavanaugh now. The Wall Street Journal (editorial board): Confirm Brett Kavanaugh. America (Jesuit Review): It is time for the Kavanaugh nomination to be withdrawn The Cook Political Report: Trump, not Kavanaugh, will matter in November. | 
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