The FBI has been thrust into the center of a sticky new political jam, this time with the lifetime appointment of a potential swing-vote on the Supreme Court hanging in the balance. After struggling to move beyond questions of its handling of the investigations into Hillary Clinton and President Trump, the bureau and its Director Christopher Wray find themselves in the middle of another election year controversy, this time through no fault of their own. The latest… The New York Times reported Monday that the White House reached out to the FBI to inform investigators that they could expand their probe into allegations of sexual misconduct against Brett Kavanaugh – so long as the background check is concluded by the end of the week. The Hill: FBI's Kavanaugh scope widens as GOP seeks votes. The initial investigation was said to be limited to current and credible allegations against Kavanaugh. The FBI was set to reach out to Christine Blasey Ford, who accused Kavanaugh of forcibly groping her at a high school party in 1982, Deborah Ramirez, who claims Kavanaugh exposed himself at a Yale University party in the early 1980s, and a handful of acquaintances or friends of Kavanaugh, Ford and Ramirez. But the scope and timing of the probe quickly became a political problem for Republicans. Democrats have accused the White House of blocking the FBI from conducting a comprehensive investigation. On Monday, Senate Judiciary Democrats released a list of more than two-dozen witnesses they said must be interviewed for the investigation to be credible. That list includes Julie Swetnick, who has alleged that Kavanaugh attended "gang rape" parties where she and other young women were assaulted. Swetnick is represented by Michael Avenatti, the attorney for Stormy Daniels. Trump and Republicans do not find Swetnick's allegations credible, but the president said Monday he's fine if the FBI wants to investigate them. "It wouldn't bother me at all … but I want it to be done quickly because it's unfair to the family and to the judge." – Trump The Associated Press: Swetnick has history of legal disputes. MSNBC: An interview with Swetnick. In it, NBC News anchor Kate Snow acknowledges that details in Swetnick's story have changed and that NBC could not verify her claims. The FBI investigation must be thorough and credible enough to satisfy Sens. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.), Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), who are waiting on the outcome before announcing how they'll vote. "It does no good to have an investigation that just gives us cover." - Flake on Monday in New Hampshire. With a 51-49 majority in the Senate, the GOP can only afford to lose one of those three if all Democrats vote no. Sen. Joe Manchin (D- W. Va.) is seen as the Democrat most likely to vote yes, but he's currently undecided. The Hill: Red-state Democrats face nightmare scenario on Kavanaugh. Reuters: Emboldened protesters step up effort to block Kavanaugh. In a floor speech on Monday, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said that no amount of concessions Republicans make will be enough to satisfy Democrats. "I bet almost anything that after it runs its course in the next few days, we will then be treated to a lecture, a lecture that anything short of a totally unbounded fishing expedition of indefinite duration is too limited or too arbitrary or somehow insufficient. We all know that's coming. If you listen carefully you can practically hear the sounds of the Democrats moving the goalposts." - McConnell McConnell said the Senate will move ahead with a vote on the Kavanaugh nomination this week once the FBI's investigation concludes (The Hill). In the interim, Kavanaugh's drinking as a young man has come under scrutiny from Democrats and the press. The Associated Press: Democrats question Kavanaugh's credibility, temperament. The Washington Post: Dueling narratives about Kavanaugh's drinking. Polling Harvard CAPS/Harris: More Americans oppose Kavanaugh's nomination than support it, but opinions on the nominee are largely split and many are undecided. Quinnipiac University: Massive gender, racial and partisan gaps in views on Kavanaugh. CBS News/YouGov: Kavanaugh hearing spurs more division. Hill.TV American Barometer: Voters strongly support FBI investigation into Kavanaugh allegations. Analysis The Hill: Dems see Kavanaugh fight driving women to the polls. NBC News: Predictions of a "Kavanaugh wave" in November - but for Democrats or Republicans? Bloomberg: Kavanaugh battle expands historic gender gap before election. Perspectives Frank Cannon: The left's attacks on Kavanaugh will backfire. Mara Gay: Make my sexual assault count. David French: The case against Kavanaugh collapses. Heather Digby Parton: White male rage boils over but women aren't scared anymore. Sharyl Attkisson: Kavanaugh case opens door to dangerous range of accusations. | 
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