Highlights and ("Low" Lights) from Day 1 of Kavanaugh Hearing

Today was the first day of the confirmation hearings for the nomination to the Supreme Court of current D.C. Circuit Judge Brett Kavanaugh.  The hearing started inauspiciously, as both Democratic senators and protesters in the room interrupted Chairman Chuck Grassley as he convened the hearing. To their credit, Senators Leahy and Feinstein did not join in the breach of order but rather looked uncomfortable at their colleagues' indecorous behavior.

Democrats' objections over Kavanaugh documents ring hollow when over 12-years of circuit court decisions are publicly available and rest of documents are largely irrelevant: https://t.co/bg3tDMNtWV

— RNLA (@TheRepLawyer) September 4, 2018

Chairman Grassley: We have received and read every page of Judge Kavanaugh's extensive judicial record, amounting to more than 10,000 pages of judicial writing. Also 17,000 of articles, speeches, and teaching materials. 483,000 pages of documents from executive branch service.

— RNLA (@TheRepLawyer) September 4, 2018

Chairman Grassley was very patient with the repeated interruptions and responded to them, before finally beginning his actual opening statement over an hour after the hearing started:

Chairman Grassley: Kavanaugh is one of the most qualified, if not most qualified, nominee I have ever seen. Deep commitment to rule of law. Written eloquently that both judges and executive agencies bound by law Congress enacts. Committed to what law says, not what should say.

— RNLA (@TheRepLawyer) September 4, 2018

After the Chairman and Ranking Member finally gave their opening statements, the other committee members gave their "10-minute" statements.  Chairman Grassley graciously allowed senators to go significantly over their allotted time, and the Democratic members of the committee greatly abused this courtesy with lengthy speeches.

.@senorrinhatch makes point that this is most thorough SCOTUS hearing ever. More documents than any other nominee. Democrats obstruction exposed. #ConfirmKavanaugh

— RNLA (@TheRepLawyer) September 4, 2018

While Senator Leahy goes down the rabbit hole with his "Alice in Wonderland" analogies, keep in mind that he once said the ABA rating of a judge was the the "gold standard." Kavanaugh received an "unanimous well-qualified" (highest rating) rating from ABA. #confrimKavanuagh

— RNLA (@TheRepLawyer) September 4, 2018

This tweet destroys Senator Sheldon Whitehouse whole argument and ridiculous Roberts five fairy tale. https://t.co/8iEi6mSie7

— RNLA (@TheRepLawyer) September 4, 2018

.@SenTedCruz nails it. This hearing is not about Judge Brett Kavanaugh but about "re-litigating the 2016 election" for Senate Democrats. Note to Democrats: you lost. #ConfirmKavanaugh

— RNLA (@TheRepLawyer) September 4, 2018

Sen. Sasse gave an excellent civics and history lesson about how the distortion of the separation of powers under the Constitution has led us to the point where Supreme Court nominations are so contentious:

Sen. Sasse: Solution to problems with current confirmation process is to restore separation of powers that Founders created. Judges are insulated from politics, not super-legislators.

— RNLA (@TheRepLawyer) September 4, 2018

After joking that he had a 12-minute preamble followed by an 18-minute opening statement (as Sen. Booker did immediately preceding him), Sen. Tillis pointed out that the Democratic senators could use the hearing as a valuable opportunity to engage in a legitimate debate:

Sen. Tillis challenges Dems to engage in debate over legal theory with Kavanaugh, try to convince him why his opinion in a case was wrong. But notes - of course, that's not what this hearing is about for Dems.

— RNLA (@TheRepLawyer) September 4, 2018

Both Senators Booker and Harris were clearly on the presidential campaign trail, giving stump speeches meant to appeal to the liberal Democratic base, with Sen. Harris going so far as to claim that Judge Kavanaugh's entire career has been driven by partisanship:

Also claiming that Judge Kavanaugh pursued a "partisan agenda" on the D.C. Circuit. https://t.co/aWwbQpN75l

— RNLA (@TheRepLawyer) September 4, 2018

Sen. Graham concluded with a strong statement calling out the Democrats for their hypocrisy:

Sen. Graham calls out Dems' hypocrisy: Dems arguing that you can be a conservative, Republican president but have to nominate a liberal to the Supreme Court to be fair. Justice Breyer was Dem Judiciary Counsel. Justice Ginsburg was counsel to ACLU.

— RNLA (@TheRepLawyer) September 4, 2018

Then the hearing moved to introducing Judge Kavanaugh and his opening statement:

Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice: Brett Kavanaugh I know is hard working, has sense of humor, seeks truth in facts, makes those around him better, listens (especially to those with whom he disagrees), has wisdom. Indispensable qualities for responsibilities of SCOTUS.

— RNLA (@TheRepLawyer) September 4, 2018

Sen. Portman: In my view, there is not a more qualified person to serve on SCOTUS. Been praised as fair, smart, and independent on DC Circuit. Authored 307 opinions; Supreme Court endorsed his opinion 13 times. Well-respected judge & professor, thought leader among his peers.

— RNLA (@TheRepLawyer) September 4, 2018

Lawyer Lisa Blatt has argued 35 cases before Supreme Court, more than any other woman. Liberal, Democrat, pro-abortion. But urges Senate to confirm Kavanaugh - "By any objective measure, Judge Kavanaugh is clearly qualified to serve on the Supreme Court."

— RNLA (@TheRepLawyer) September 4, 2018

Judge Kavanaugh: Judge must interpret statutes as written, must interpret Constitution as written, informed by history and precedent. Good judge must be neutral arbiter who favors no litigant or policy. Judges make decisions because law and Constitution compel the result.

— RNLA (@TheRepLawyer) September 4, 2018

The hearing will resume tomorrow at 9:30 and can be watched live here.  It is scheduled to last through Friday.  The RNLA will live tweet the hearing each day.