The burden of persuasion, by Scott Johnson.

The Democrats play to win and have a unity that eludes Republicans. They are unconstrained by norms of decency or by the otherwise applicable rules. The game they are playing is transparent. As Bob Dylan might put it, she’s only a pawn in their game.

UPDATE: Kavanaugh’s and Ford’s testimonies improved the odds of his confirmation.

Kavanaugh… shook the building with righteous indignation – slamming Democrats for smearing his family name and his lifetime of achievements. His opening statement was gripping and emotional – with Kavanaugh breaking down into tears several times, and seething with rage during other pivotal moments – such as when he excoriated Feinstein for withholding Ford’s letter from the committee for several weeks before it was leaked to the press.

Feinstein was taken aback, and immediately pivoted to a softer tact which was ultimately not convincing. …

Kavanaugh’s Senate confirmation vote is scheduled for Friday morning at 9:30 a.m.