There was quite a bit of drama in the Senate Judiciary Committee on Friday when Senator Jeff Flake announced that he was only voting to pass Brett Kavanaugh out of committee to a full Senate vote on the condition that the FBI re-opened their background check into Kavanaugh to look into the various sexual assault allegations against him.
Once Senator Lisa Murkowski backed Flake up in this demand, Republican Senate leadership -- and ultimately Donald Trump -- had no choice but to relent and request that the FBI do just that.
But while many cheered this result, Fox News analyst Brit Hume took another tack, asking what Jeff Flake got out of the deal:
So what, exactly, did Sen. Flake get in return for forcing a delay to accommodate an FBI update of Kavanaugh’s background file?— Brit Hume (@Brit Hume) 1538173126.0
Many on Twitter were dumbfounded by the tweet:
@AynRandPaulRyan @shoreboy1961 @brithume Hume does not seem to understand that one does not need anything in return… https://t.co/YeAXENA5qa— RJ Regan (@RJ Regan) 1538227041.0
@brithume Corrupt Republican mindset on full display right here. Brit can’t fathom a Republican doing something j… https://t.co/JniUPun69Q— Karl Darrin Devlet (@Karl Darrin Devlet) 1538181452.0
And decided to answer his question for him:
@brithume @Headerop1 A soul.— De-boosted Chris Kauker (@De-boosted Chris Kauker) 1538236427.0
@ChrisKauker @Headerop1 @brithume A spine— medit8now (@medit8now) 1538236989.0
@brithume Dignity.— Elmar Theveßen (@Elmar Theveßen) 1538201387.0
@brithume Some of his dignity back. Unlike all the other party hacks.— DeAnn B (@DeAnn B) 1538254646.0
@brithume The ability to sleep at night. The ability to look in the mirror. A bit of peace in his soul. The ability… https://t.co/QTI0RGuv07— Becca (@Becca) 1538206491.0
@brithume The truth? Hopefully.— Boston Frenchie 🆘 (@Boston Frenchie 🆘) 1538199225.0
@brithume A clear conscience. A good night’s sleep. Try it.— Steve Nagel, DemoCat 💙#voteblue (@Steve Nagel, DemoCat 💙#voteblue) 1538233743.0
Not to mention potentially very real progress getting to the truth:
@brithume This for starters. Kavanaugh accuser Ramirez contacted by FBI: lawyer https://t.co/uwhykVFuFM— CMMorgan #NeverAgain (@CMMorgan #NeverAgain) 1538254809.0
And one user felt Hume should be asking a different question altogether:
@brithume What did Jeff Flake get? He gets to be able to sleep tonight for probably the first time in a week. You'r… https://t.co/MPNvDTw4z3— Holly Figueroa O'Reilly (@Holly Figueroa O'Reilly) 1538177741.0
Indeed.
It should be noted that the White House appears to be limiting the scope of the FBI's investigation to a point where people are concerned that this may end up being an empty gesture to give cover to some Republicans to ultimately support Kavanaugh.