Trump sees ‘a little delay’ for Kavanaugh; Democrats dig in

President Donald Trump grudgingly opened the door Monday to “a little delay” in a Senate vote on Supreme Court pick Brett Kavanaugh, even as top Republicans fought to prevent the accusation that Kavanaugh had sexually assaulted a fellow high school student from morphing into a mortal blow to the nomination.

Kavanaugh and his now-public accuser, Christine Blasey Ford, each indicated a willingness to testify to the Senate Judiciary Committee about the alleged incident. But Republican leaders showed no interest in a public spectacle that would thrust Kavanaugh and Ford before television cameras with each offering dramatic — and no doubt conflicting — versions of what they say did or didn’t happen in the early 1980s.

Kavanaugh, 53, whose confirmation had until now seemed to be on a smooth trajectory, was seen arriving at the White House on Monday. But Trump said he did not meet with his nominee and declined to say whether Kavanaugh had offered to withdraw, dismissing the question as “ridiculous.”

Republican Judiciary Committee aides planned to talk to Kavanaugh by telephone Monday evening about Ford’s allegations and hoped for a phone interview with Ford on Tuesday, said a person who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss arrangements that weren’t made public.

But top Senate Democrats said their party’s staff would not participate. Dianne Feinstein, the committee’s top Democrat, cited the allegations’ “enormity and seriousness” and said the FBI should do the interviewing and let the committee decide whether to seek additional information.

David Goldman / Associated Press Bob Richling on Monday carries Iris Darden, 84, out of her flooded home as her daughter-in-law, Pam Darden, gathers her belongings in the aftermath of Hurricane Florence in Spring Lake, N.C.