Flake on Kavanaugh confirmation: To see GOP ‘spiking the ball in the end zone’ doesn’t seem right

Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) said it didn’t seem right for Republicans to celebrate after the confirmation of Justice Brett Kavanaugh.

“Frankly, I’ve looked at what’s happened since he’s been confirmed and to see our party kind of spiking the ball in the end zone it just doesn’t seem right,” Flake told C-SPAN on Thursday.

“This is an impartial referee that we’re putting on the court,” Flake said, adding that Kavanaugh gave a “magnanimous” and “appropriate” speech following his confirmation.

“But the fact that there is even an event to celebrate, you know with only Republicans there, no Democrats, I just didn’t think that that was right.”

{mosads}Kavanaugh was confirmed by a narrow vote almost exactly down party lines. He was only opposed by one Republican, Sen. Lisa Murkowski (Alaska), and supported by one Democrat, Sen. Joe Manchin (W.Va.).

Republicans on and off the Hill have been celebrating Kavanaugh’s confirmation after a brutal fight in the Senate.

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), one of Kavanaugh’s most adamant supporters, posted after the vote that he was “not tired of winning.”

I’m not tired of winning……..Victory! pic.twitter.com/ZAhmFVh9LH

— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) October 6, 2018

Flake, who has been critical of the administration, broke from his fellow Republicans in the final stretch when he called for a weeklong FBI investigation into the allegations of sexual misconduct against the nominee. 

Kavanaugh has vehemently denied the allegations, for which no corroborating evidence had emerged prior to the investigation.

Republicans who viewed the FBI’s report say the agency’s probe found no further corroborating evidence, which Democrats do not deny, instead contending that the FBI probe was not sufficiently thorough. 

Flake ultimately voted for Kavanaugh but has faced passionate criticism on the right for is actions.

“Wasn’t popular at the time I can tell you that,” Flake told C-SPAN regarding his call for an FBI investigation.

“In the end the delay proved to be a good thing in my view,” Flake said.