Ep. 631 - The Kavanaugh-calypse Approacheth

Episode Summary

Executive Summary: The episode centers on the rapidly approaching Brett Kavanaugh confirmation vote, arguing that Democratic attempts to derail it via sexual-assault allegations, procedural objections, and perjury claims have failed and backfired politically. Shapiro also critiques media amplification, highlights perceived hypocrisy on the left, and mixes in commentary on campus protests, violence, and cultural examples of double standards.

Main Topics: Kavanaugh confirmation and cloture vote (Priority: 5/5): Mitch McConnell files cloture, setting up a likely Saturday Senate vote on Brett Kavanaugh, which Shapiro frames as the climax of a failed Democratic blocking effort. Christine Blasey Ford allegations and FBI review (Priority: 5/5): Shapiro argues the FBI supplemental investigation produced no corroboration, and that Democrats are misrepresenting what it means for the report to be incomplete. Media and New Yorker reporting on ancillary accusations (Priority: 4/5): He criticizes The New Yorker and related outlets for amplifying secondhand or weak evidence, especially the Deborah Ramirez and Kenneth Appold reporting. Shift from assault claims to temperament and perjury (Priority: 5/5): As sexual-assault allegations weaken, Shapiro says Democrats fall back on claims that Kavanaugh is angry, partisan, or lied under oath, particularly over yearbook language and drinking references. Political and electoral backlash (Priority: 4/5): The transcript argues that the Kavanaugh fight is helping Republicans, hurting Democrats in Senate and House polling, and energizing conservative voters. Hypocrisy, protests, and political violence (Priority: 3/5): Shapiro discusses left-wing hypocrisy in protest culture, a Democratic staffer accused of doxxing Republicans, and violence at conservative events as evidence of double standards. Culture-war commentary and media examples (Priority: 2/5): He closes with examples from Alyssa Milano, Jimmy Kimmel/Stormy Daniels, Kanye West, and entertainment recommendations, using them to illustrate media bias and cultural inconsistency.

Key Arguments: The Kavanaugh nomination should proceed because the FBI investigation and supplemental background check produced no corroborated evidence against him. Democrats held the Ford allegation until just before the vote and then used a cascade of shifting accusations when the original claim weakened. Reporting on Deborah Ramirez was undercut by the very witness The New Yorker said was central to corroboration, because that person reportedly had no memory of the event. Claims that Kavanaugh is unfit because he got angry are portrayed as absurd, since the anger came after he was publicly accused of rape and treated as guilty. The perjury charge is presented as weak because most disputed testimony concerns immaterial high-school slang, drinking habits, and vague yearbook references. Democratic rhetoric about believing all women is challenged as inconsistent because public incentives and political rewards exist for high-profile accusations. The Kavanaugh battle is framed as politically counterproductive for Democrats and beneficial to Republican turnout and Senate prospects. Left-wing claims about nonviolence and fairness are challenged by references to protest threats, doxxing, and selective outrage.

Data Points: Kavanaugh vote timing: Likely Saturday - McConnell’s cloture filing set up the full Senate vote for Saturday. FBI review: 7th background investigation - White House spokesman described the supplemental FBI review as the seventh background investigation. Committee work: Over 1,200 questions - White House cited the scope of the nomination process. Document volume: Over half a million pages - White House said the record included extensive document review. Polling change: Democrats’ Senate takeover odds fell from about 1 in 3 to about 1 in 4 - Shapiro cites 538 modeling after the Kavanaugh controversy. House advantage: Reduced by half - He says Democrats’ House-race advantage shrank substantially. Yearbook references: 14 pages - The transcript discusses 14 yearbook pages referencing Renate Dolphin. Letters from law professors: 650 and later 1,700 signatories - He references law-professor letters criticizing Kavanaugh. Trump quote: 100% - Trump tweeted that the allegations were uncorroborated and Kavanaugh’s treatment was unfair. Alyssa Milano tweet: 2012 - Shapiro cites her old tweet praising Bill Clinton to illustrate hypocrisy.

Pivotal Quotes: "The process should move forward because guess what? Shocker. It turns out that nothing has been found." — Ben Shapiro: On the FBI review and why cloture on Kavanaugh should proceed. "What’s most important here is what’s not in it." — Dianne Feinstein: Feinstein argues the FBI report is incomplete because key witnesses were not interviewed. "What would you do if you’re in that situation? Do not let these people do what they’ve done to Judge Kavanaugh and reward them by saying he’s no longer fit because he is in the world’s worst position of defending himself against a bunch of garbage from people who don’t care about fairness." — Lindsey Graham: Graham defends Kavanaugh and condemns the treatment he has received.

Implications: The episode predicts Kavanaugh’s confirmation and frames the battle as a turning point for due process, media trust, and partisan tactics. It suggests Democrats may pay an electoral price while conservatives see the episode as proof of bias in elite institutions.