Does Kavanaugh Have a 'Better Than 50-50' Chance to Get Confirmed?
*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).
People of African and Middle Eastern descent fleeing from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine are facing the double trauma of racism at the borders. Professor of law and migration studies at the University of San Francisco, Bill Hing, joined Cheddar News Wrap to discuss what some are describing as a double standard for other refugees escaping the war. "Those that are from the Middle East and from Africa who just happen to be in Ukraine, for example on a student visa, they are not going to be able to get into Poland or another area of the Schengen area because they are not natural Ukrainian," he said.
Add FIFA to the list of organizations announcing a break with Russia. The world soccer authority has suspended the nation from competing in the 2022 World Cup tournament, while the NHL also announced suspending business relations with Russia. Executive editor and senior writer at Sports Illustrated, Jon Wertheim, joined Cheddar News to discuss the rebukes. "I think a big element of this is, this is a way to really hit at Putin because we know how much this appearance of strength and the victory… often portrayed through sports, how much that means to him," he said. "This will bother him in a way that it might not bother other world leaders."
Prices at the pump have escalated severely during the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Paul Christopher, head of global market strategy, Wells Fargo Investment Institute, joined Cheddar News to explain how he sees the gas prices continuing to spiral despite the International Energy Agency announcing the release of 60 million barrels of oil from the strategic reserves of 31 countries. "We think you could see oil and gas prices continue to rise. Oil prices maybe could hit $140 a barrel. That's possible. And that would add another 50-60 cents on top of the gasoline prices you already have," he said.
President Joe Biden is set to give his first State of the Union address amid both international and domestic crises: the Russia-Ukraine conflict and continued rising inflation and economic worries at home. He's expected to focus on a four-point plan to reduce everyday costs, and promote economic competition, among other key tenets. But will it be enough to persuade Americans that his administration will be able to get rising prices and foreign policy moves under control? Eugene Scott, national politics reporter at The Washington Post, joins Closing Bell to discuss Biden's expected focus, how he will aim to ease Americans' concerns, and more.
Dr. Daniel Bober, psychiatrist and certified addiction medicine physician, joins Cheddar News to offer tips on how parents and guardians can talk to their children about what's happening in Ukraine.
While crypto exchanges have been used to aid Ukraine amid the Russian invasion, critics point to possible sanction evasion on the Russian side using the same technology. Cheddar's Alex Vuocolo takes a closer look.
Airbnb.org has announced that it will provide up to 100,000 Ukrainian refugees with free housing. Airbnb.org is the philanthropic branch of Airbnb that provides free housing for those affected by disasters. Joe Gebbia, co-founder and chairman of Airbnb.org, joined Cheddar News to talk about how the company has helped thousands find shelter in times of crisis. "A lot of people are saying this conflict is likely to be the largest humanitarian crisis since World War II, and I believe Airbnb believes that companies have a responsibility to step up and to help out in times like these," he said.
The International Energy Agency’s 31 member countries have agreed to release 60 million barrels of oil from their strategic reserves “to send a strong message to oil markets” that supplies won’t fall short after the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Every ten years, there’s a census. That decennial count is long and tedious and arduous…and important. Because it confirms who lives where so the Federal Government properly allocates resources, so services go to the places that need them most and - yes - so states gain or lose seats in congress and have the opportunity to redraw all their state and Congressional lines.
That means, every 10 years, states start what has famously been one of the most partisan and divisive processes in politics. Because one strategic line can mean the difference in party control in not just the state legislatures but also in congress.
Cheddar explains how gerrymandering works and why it exists.
