KAVANAUGH – AT 1:30 P.M. ET:  Nothing dramatic to report yet on the FBI probe into Judge Kavanaugh.  We know that it's underway, and there are reports this morning that the holdout senators – Flake, Collins, and Murkowski – are having serious influence on the shape of the investigation.  I have no problem with that as long as the president has the final say.

One former FBI official cautioned that investigations take on a life of their own, and that the promise of wrapping things up in a week might not be possible to keep.  For Republicans, that would be a nightmare, an extended probe, with all kinds of speculation floating around as to the cause of the extension.

We've learned that only senators will have access to the final FBI report.  That is fantasy, of course, as the lights of Leak City will be turned on, and we can assume that at least some of the report will be leaked. 

It is known that Professor Ford will now undergo a full FBI interrogation.  Up to now we have depended only on what she's told the Senate Judiciary Committee.  This sets up the intriguing possibility that she or her handlers might resist an interrogation, or ask for special favors.  I wonder what would happen if she refuses full cooperation.

We know also that Judge Kavanaugh will be questioned extensively.  Both he and Professor Ford will be under oath, and can be prosecuted if it can be proved they lied.

September 29, 2018