WASHINGTON — All Supreme Court confirmation hearings are, in a way, empty exercises, but most have a redeeming feature or two. For a few moments, at least, the nominee can come into focus. Recall the folksiness of Justice Neil M. Gorsuch, the sly wit of Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. and Justice Elena Kagan, or the inspiring up-from-the-projects life story of Justice Sonia Sotomayor. Last week’s confirmation hearings for Judge Brett M. Kavanaugh, President Trump’s Supreme Court nominee, lacked those clarifying glimpses. Judge Kavanaugh must have studied earlier confirmation hearings carefully, as he had absorbed all of their key lessons: Say nothing, say it at great length, and then say it again.

Source: New York Times September 08, 2018 15:43 UTC