*By Amanda Weston* Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh's chances at confirmation may have increased this week. "I don't know what Jeff Flake is thinking at the moment, or what these other Senators are thinking, but I think delaying for a week certainly helps them maybe feel a little better about voting yes," Eric Boehm, a reporter at Reason, told Cheddar Thursday. He put the judge's chances at "better than 50/50, but I don't think it's a done deal yet." That statement comes as a report detailing the FBI's investigation of sexual assault allegations against Kavanaugh was made available to Senators Thursday morning. Legislators have a day to review the findings, which reportedly do not corroborate Prof. Christine Blasey Ford's account of the incident, ahead of a vote Friday. Ford's legal team, though, has criticized the investigation, arguing the FBI did not interview her or any witnesses that could have backed up her story. “We are profoundly disappointed that after the tremendous sacrifice she made in coming forward, those directing the FBI investigation were not interested in seeking the truth," Ford's team said [in a statement](https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/senators-prepare-to-review-fbi-report-on-kavanaugh-after-early-morning-arrival/2018/10/04/394dbaf8-c7be-11e8-b2b5-79270f9cce17_story.html?utm_term=.02c3b4d2620a). The FBI, under pressure from Senate Majority Leader Lindsey Graham (R-SC), closed its probe on Wednesday, less than a week after the inquiry began. Boehm suggested Democrats would probably have preferred a longer investigation. He said now it's crucial to keep an eye on the swing voters, Sen. Jeff Flake (R-AZ), Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), and Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME). He said there has also been some indication Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia may vote to confirm Kavanaugh. All three Senators have said the report may sway their decisions. "We still don't really have a solid indication from any of them whether their positions have changed since last week, when really none of them had solid positions," Boehm said. "So today's the big day because of what might be in this new report." Shortly after Boehm's interview, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-IA) released [a statement](https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-fbi-work-complete-it-s-time-vote) saying the FBI report had "nothing in it that we didn't already know." "These uncorroborated accusations have been unequivocally and repeatedly rejected by Judge Kavanaugh, and neither the Judiciary Committee nor the FBI could locate any third parties who can attest to any of the allegations," Grassley said. He went on to call Kavanaugh "one of the most qualified nominees to every come before the Senate." President Trump continued to focus on the Democrats Thursday, two days after he mocked Ford's testimony at a rally in Mississippi. "This is now the 7th. time the FBI has investigated Judge Kavanaugh," Trump [tweeted](https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1047853098365079553). "If we made it 100, it would still not be good enough for the Obstructionist Democrats." As for Grassley's vote, he's all but given Kavanaugh the robe. “It’s time to vote," Grassley said. "I’ll be voting to confirm Judge Kavanaugh.” For full interview [click here](https://cheddar.com/videos/senators-review-fbi-report-on-kavanaugh-allegations).

Share:
More In Politics
2022 Predictions for Cannabis Industry
The U.S. cannabis industry is on track to hit almost $25 billion in sales, according to New Frontier Data. Vivien Azer, managing director and senior research analyst at Cowen, and Russell Stanley, managing director and equity research at Beacon Securities Limited, join Cheddar News to give their predictions for the budding industry in 2022.
Oregon Congressman Says 'Tidal Wave of Support' Behind Federal Cannabis Legalization
Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore. 3rd District), the co-chair of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus, joined Cheddar's "Cannabiz" to discuss the state of marijuana legalization on the federal level as more states continue to greenlight medical and adult use. He stated that there couldn't be a better time to revise the old policies on marijuana with more than 90 percent of Americans, including a majority of Republicans, on board. "This tidal wave of support continues. There were five states that approved in the last general election, and I think, rather than one single event, it is this momentum and the demonstration of broad public support that is making the difference," Blumenauer said.
Stocks Close Lower as Fed Meeting Looms
Megan Horneman, Director of Portfolio Strategy at Verdence Capital Advisors, joins Cheddar News' Closing Bell, where she says there is some profit-taking ahead of the upcoming Fed meeting, and elaborates on some of the topics investors will be watching for more closely this week.
Biden, Putin Chat as Russian Troops Mass on Ukraine Border
President Biden spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin for the fourth time this year. Biden and Putin spoke for two hours about the massing of Russian troops and materials near the Russian border with Ukraine. Various outlets have reported that the U.S. has intelligence that Russia could be planning an invasion of Ukraine in the next few months. Both countries said the call was productive, but the situation remains tense. Hagar Chemali, foreign policy expert and host of "Oh My World!" on YouTube, joins Cheddar Politics to discuss.
What Hispanic Voters Are Looking for as Poll Shows Even Split Between Parties
A recent Wall Street Journal poll indicated that Hispanic voters are up for grabs for the upcoming midterm elections, with 41 percent of respondents saying they would vote for Democrats and 44 percent for Republicans. Bryanta "Bre" Maxwell, a Democratic Strategist, former political director for Jaime Harrison's senate campaign, and principal and CEO of Indigo Consulting, LLC, joined Cheddar to break down the numbers and to dive into what this specific electorate is looking for as the balance of power in Congress hangs in the balance in 2022.
Load More