Today's Rapid Response Friday tackles (1) Paul Manafort's plea deal and (2) the surprise resumption of the Senate Judiciary confirmation hearings for Supreme Court Associate Justice nominee Brett Kavanaugh in light of Dr. Ford's allegations, which are discussed in depth on Episode 158 of Serious Inquiries Only.  What should you look for during Monday's hearings?  Listen and find out! We begin with an acknowledgment of the story sent to us by several hundred thousand listeners regarding crazy person Cody Wilson. After that, it's time for an important Andrew Was Wrong:  Paul Manafort did not plea over the weekend; he pled guilty pretty much the second we stopped recording!  We break down everything there is to know about his deal, including the strong incentives Manafort has not only to cooperate but to roll over and expose his belly to Mueller's team in hopes of being thrown a bone or two.  Oh, and we time-travel back to the 19th century to answer a super-interesting listener question on asset forfeiture! Then, it's time to discuss Kavanaugh again, in light of the troubling accusations made by Dr. Ford and other issues, including the Democratic Senators's FOIA lawsuit compelling the production of Kavanaugh's documents that are being withheld while the Republicans try and cram through his nomination.  It's not a pretty segment, but we think you'll walk away equipped to understand Monday's hearings. After all that, we end with an all new Thomas Takes The Bar Exam #94 regarding Congressional delegation of rule-making authority.  Will Thomas get back on track with just one extra wrong answer to give in the next six questions?  Yu'll have to listen and find out!  And, of course, if you'd like to play along with us, just retweet our episode on Twitter or share it on Facebook along with your guess and the #TTTBE hashtag.  We'll release the answer on next Tuesday's episode along with our favorite entry! Appearances Andrew will be debating originalist (and Kavanaugh clerk!) Justin Reed Wilson in Louisville, Kentucky on September 27; click here for the Facebook RSVP link if you'd like to attend! Show Notes & Links

1. For an in-depth analysis of Dr. Ford's allegations against Kavanaugh, listen to Episode 158 of Serious Inquiries Only.
2. You should really read through Mr. Ostrich-Jacket's plea deal for yourself.  (And yes, that's the show graphic.)  This is the TPM article Andrew criticizes; as you'll see from the Sentencing Table, Manafort faces 210-262 (or more) months in prison.
3. Here's the polling aggregator from our friends at 538.; as of today, Democrats have a 1-in-3 chance of retaking the Senate.
4. Click here to read Blumenthal v. US Nat'l Archives, the FOIA complaint filed by the Senate Judiciary Democrats, and here to read the Motion for TRO (which does not yet have an accompanying Memorandum).  FOIA is 5 U.S.C. § 552.
5. Finally, this is the text of the Sanai letter describing Alex Kozinski and seeking an investigation into Kavanaugh's knowledge and testimony.

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