UPDATE: Just when I finished giving Senator Jeff Flake kudos, he turns around and does something flaky. He’s now calling for a one-week delay on the floor vote so the FBI can investigate.
BREAKING: Flake is calling for a one-week delay for a floor vote so that the FBI can do an investigation.
— Paul McLeod (@pdmcleod) September 28, 2018
There is a slight chance he’s falling on his sword on behalf of the GOP to remove some of the taint when Kavanaugh is finally confirmed. Slight. More likely he’s still just being his moderate Democrat self.
Original story:
I don’t like Senator Jeff Flake. He attempted to carry the mantle of conservatism despite having a very moderate voting history. As a lame-duck essentially forced into retirement by President Trump, I expected him to go out with one final middle finger pointed towards his nemesis. I expected him to vote against Judge Brett Kavanaugh’s confirmation for the Supreme Court.
Now, it appears that he will vote for Kavanaugh in the Senate Judiciary Committee, which assures that he’ll also vote for his confirmation.
Flake Announces Yes for Kavanaugh, Nomination Likely Headed to Senate Floor
Yesterday, we heard compelling testimony from Dr. Ford, as well as a persuasive response from Judge Kavanaugh. I wish that I could express the confidence that some of my colleagues have conveyed about what either did or did not happen in the early 1980s, but I left the hearing yesterday with as much doubt as certainty.
“Our system of justice affords a presumption of innocence to the accused, absent corroborating evidence. That is what binds us to the rule of law,” Flake added in his statement Friday.
My Take
Like Flake, I opposed Trump’s nomination by the GOP. Unlike Flake, I was able to put aside my anger over the choice by looking at one important factor in today’s partisan politics: the Supreme Court. I’m against at least half the things the President does because they don’t represent the conservative model of Republican government I expect from the GOP, but I will not let anger prevent me from supporting the things he gets right.
Senators Flake and Bob Corker have had opportunities to harm the agenda of the man who is forcing them out. I applaud them both for going out with class and dignity. Getting a conservative justice is too important for hurt feelings.
