Transcript for SCOTUS nominee confirmation hearings underway

And let's not turn to Capitol Hill where Brett Cavanaugh is appearing before the senate judiciary committee of course the nominee for the US Supreme Court. And let's just say things are RD getting pretty he would let's take let's. The C we cannot possibly move floored mr. chairman I do then you're very warm welcome not they are given an opportunity. Evan meaning his wife is a way how many. There's Joseph daughters. Mr. chairman Eric I. I can't really and I howling and senator Harris mr. chairman are we haven't caused morning ought flattening documents that we have and everyone else joining you last night and we believe this hearings I know I was the only exciting day for all of you'll here. And you're rightly proud chairman if we cannot be recognized and moved to adjourn the American people airmen I moved to return directly. Mr. chairman we have been denied. We have been denied real access to the documents we need. To advise airman regular orders called which turns this hearing into a charade. In a mockery of our norms. Democrats angry Republicans defiant ABC's Terry Moran has been monitoring it all from capital health and Harry it's already getting pretty tense there. Not a lot livelier than any other Supreme Court. Nomination hearing I'm govern and that is because the stakes are so high and Democrats feel so desperately. Urgent to. Block Brett Cavanaugh from the Supreme Court and they really don't have the votes to do sisters trying to start something else all morning again we've seen Democrats on this panel. In coordination. With protesters. Essentially trying to seize control of the here Democrats are essentially saying that they can do their jobs. Fairly evaluating this nominee because tens of thousands of documents that the committee itself under chairman Chuck Grassley Republican of Iowa. And requested from the administration have been turned over. Or have been severely edited Republicans say all the Democrats have already announced they're gonna vote against capital are they what do they evaluating. And what it is turned into is exactly what you're hearing and seeing. Contest. A power over the hearing. The Democrats are bound to lose but their real audience is out with you and with everybody in the audience they are looking to stir up enough. Anxiety enough concern about Brett Cavanaugh to turn the tide and to do what seems like a very long shot keep him off the Supreme Court. What's so interesting carried that we're seeing those protests very impassioned pleas against -- not there in the chamber. The Terry a Washington Post ABC news Washington Post poll shows 38% of Americans support. Kavanagh confirmation 39% do not but here's what's most staggering perhaps 23%. Of Americans say. They have no opinion on net. It's apathy really prevalent here Terry and this really could shape major decisions on the US Supreme Court. It could apathy could be part of the reason for 23% thing where I've got no opinion it could also be a Smart thing to say I don't know enough. I haven't heard enough and that's what these hearings are fourth air essentially to capture. Those 23% in our poll who have made up their minds and persuade them if you're a Democrat. To block Brett Cavanaugh from the Supreme Court. At the end of the day they're gonna have to find something that will stick more than sound and fury which is what they're doing quite well this morning. They're gonna have to can convince people that something in cavernous background as a judge or is an official in the Bush Administration. It disqualifies him now are polled does give them hope. That 38%. Who believe he should be confirmed that's very very low only Robert Bork who was defeated. In 1987 and Harriet Miers who withdrew her nomination 2005 had lower numbers on that question in all the years we've been Paul. The Democrats have an opportunity and this is the way they're gonna try and take advantage of it. By causing a ruckus at first and getting people to pay attention and then telling them here's why you should block this nominee Republicans say. Look he's been a judge's been unanimously. Well vetted by the American Bar Association he was. Confirmed by Democrats and Republicans to the appellate court he's led a sterling life. There's no reason to disqualify an except politics and at bottom. That is what is this is all about. At least by optics and course probably in reality this is the president to guide Terry that president nominating and so. This seems like some partisan bickering on Capitol Hill but almost a foregone conclusion cabin eyes going to be confirmed at some point is this just political grandstanding and it term. Well it certainly is political grandstanding tipped him. Convince democratic voters out there that they have got to come to the polls look Republicans have cared about the courts for decades and they have turned out in great numbers you can make the case. If Donald Trump is president's days because Republicans care so much about the courts and vote. And Democrats haven't. They're trying to turn that around right now but it is also as you pointed out near deduction. Lot of stages from court has tremendous power over allies this man if confirmed will. Take the place to Justice Kennedy who swung sometimes to the liberal side sometimes to the conservative side. He will be a solid conservative. And change the law and Americans decide. Highest court in the land at stake here Kerry and thank you so much for areas I appreciate it that.

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