What Happened In The Brett Kavanaugh Hearing

Micah, I just want to emphasize that the Republicans chose this format. They didn’t need to limit senators’ questions to five minutes. Everything we’re seeing today was negotiated. So why did the GOP do this? Did they miscalculate or is it part of a bigger strategy? Right now, it’s feeling to me like a miscalculation. Mitchell’s questioning seems rushed, and it’s hard to untangle these complex issues in five-minutes bursts. But as Perry said, things could feel different when Kavanaugh testifies.

My personal opinion, Micah — look, I think Republicans would be dumb, politically, to try to confirm Kavanaugh when they could have another conservative justice instead. I’ve thought that for a long time now. I’m not sure Republicans agree. I’m also not sure they’re thinking it through clearly. I agree it’s a complicated situation. But, the past hour-a-half surely hasn’t helped them one bit.

Micah, my big takeaway is that Ford is coming across as a very sympathetic and likable figure — both from her emotional testimony and her occasional small jokes. That said, I think Mitchell has also come across as likable and noncombative — Republicans have been smart so far to defer their time to her.