The Republican plan to have a single expert question both Kavanaugh and Ford gives them an overwhelming advantage: she can prepare consistent questions and adapt quickly to reflect responses. The Democrats will each have only 5 minutes each to ask their questions with no possibility of followup. This structure is designed to showcase the Republican argument supporting Kavanaugh and, in effect, silence the Democratic position which will be too fragmented to be effective.

Maybe we will be fortunate and Kavanaugh will be forced to withdraw before Thursday’s circus.