im wondering about flake, collins, murkowski et al:

flake isnt running (yeah wants to be president)
collins very likely doesnt run in 2020 (or might, not sure it matters)

here’s the thing:

it is clear to anybody but an ‘i dont care’ that kavanaugh:
- at best has demonstrated he isnt suitable (temperament, threats, not impartial)
- at worst is disqualified on several fronts (perjury, personal finances)
- has credibly and seriously been accused of crimes

there is more than enough out there to fairly and honestly vote no right now
we’ve passed ‘controversial’ and ‘hyper-conservative’
the man is objectively toxic and anyone who votes for him will *never* be able to wash that off

if they end up voting yes, they were looking for cover and they found enough to make them comfortable
they didnt start at yes, move to no last week, then be persuaded back to yes (unless bought off)
so a typical R votes R, dog bites man, its what we all assumed and expected.
even if they are waiting to factor in what the wobbly dems might do, that just gives them a different kind of cover to still vote yes

how can they really still, today, not be a sure yes and also not have enough information to vote no that they have to have more?
and if they dont get it move back to yes?

so if they have already concluded he’s a bridge too far, then why not say it now?
the kabuki isnt fooling *anybody* in this particular case
they say it now or vote no next week. everyone will still know it was them. what do they gain?
nothing with the party
little to nothing with voters (the mask is off them all)

sure the procedure changes a bit
he gets withdrawn now rather than loses the vote which makes all the r’s and the president look even worse
why would any of them do that?