Article snippet: Senate Republicans on Monday signaled they are ready to move forward with a vote on Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh if the woman accusing him of sexual assault, Christine Blasey Ford, fails to show up to a hearing on Monday. Republicans believe Ford’s surprise refusal to testify at the special hearing, where she and Kavanaugh have been invited to appear as the only two witnesses, has given them an upper hand in a public relations battle with Senate Democrats. It has emboldened the GOP to press ahead with a vote as soon as next week, despite Ford’s stunning allegation that Kavanaugh sexually assaulted her when the two were teenagers at a 1980s high school party. “There’s going to be a vote right away,” said one senior Senate Republican aide. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman MORE (R-Iowa) late Wednesday in a letter to committee Democrats rejected calls to delay Monday’s hearing. He also said Ford had until 10 a.m. Friday to say whether she would appear at the hearing. If Ford does not change her mind and does not testify, however, many believe a public hearing could be canceled. Allowing it to go forward with just Kavanaugh would allow Democrats to turn him into a piñata. Democrats on the panel, including potential White House candidates Sens. MORE (Calif.), could ask embarrassing questions to Kavanaugh about his drinking or sexual history. Ford alleges that the assault happened at a party 36 years ago where Kavanaugh was “stumbling drunk,” which has put ... Link to the full article to read more