Why the rush to confirm President Trump’s nominee for the Supreme Court vacancy Brett Kavanaugh? In the words of Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) “What is the rush? What are we afraid of?”

The Senate Judiciary Committee began confirmation hearings today. I was listening while driving and heard Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) complain that the committee has seen only 7% of the documents needed to evaluate the nominee. And only about half of that could be shared with the public.

Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) said: “We have been denied real access to the documents we need, which turns this hearing into a charade and a mockery of our norms.”

Other Democratic Senators voiced similar complaints but I have not read any Republican complaints. It looks as if Republicans would be happy to confirm the nominee on the basis of party loyalty.

As Democrats called for a delay until they could review the relevant documents, Senator Grassley responded “You are taking advantage of my decency and integrity.” Although I think it was said without irony, it is sort of funny in a ironic way.