Largely civil Barrett confirmation hearings break expectations, mark stark contrast to 2018 Kavanaugh affair - Fox News

Chairman, I just want to thank you," Senate Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Dianne Feinstein told committee Chairman Lindsey Graham on Thursday.

"This has been one of the best Senate hearings that I've participated in, and I want to thank you for your fairness and the opportunity of going back and forth.".

SENATORS CLASH AT BARRETT CONFIRMATION HEARINGS AS DEMS ATTEMPT PROCEDURAL ROADBLOCKS, GOP FORGES AHEAD.

All of this was a sharp contrast from the 2018 confirmation hearings for Justice Brett Kavanaugh, which were marred with bombastic behavior from senators, regular interruptions from protesters, threats to lawmakers and lurid sexual assault accusations pushed against the nominee.

Any winners of the hearings -- besides Barrett for coming through unscathed and the American people for getting a civil and largely substantive hearing for their potential Supreme Court justice -- are unclear.

Although Graham will have to push the nominee out of committee over Democratic boycotts objecting to the timing of the process, he made clear he's giving Democrats "the time you need to make your case" and that "Judge Barrett is required for the good of the country to submit to your questions and ours.".

LIBERAL GROUP CALLS FOR FEINSTEIN TO STAND DOWN FROM JUDICIARY COMMITTEE ROLE AFTER GRAHAM HUG!

Left-wing group Demand Justice, which reflexively opposes all Trump judicial nominees with apocalyptic rhetoric, called on Feinstein to step down from her post as Judiciary Committee ranking member over her hug of Graham. .

Feinstein to step down from her leadership position on the Senate Judiciary Committee.

"Dianne Feinstein must step down," it said, quote-tweeting a post by Demand Justice Executive Director Brian Fallon that said the same thing

But despite consternation from the left wing of the Democratic Party, and barring any post-hearing developments -- the Kavanaugh sexual assault accusations came out after his first time before the Senate panel, leading to yet more hearings -- the status quo was not changed and Republicans appear to have the votes to get Barrett's confirmation across the finish line before the month is out.