From the New York Times, I'm Michael Barbaro. This is the Daily.

Today.

On the opening day of Brett Kavanaugh's Supreme Court confirmation hearings,

the battle lines were drawn, abortion, the withholding of documents, and executive power.

It's Wednesday, September 5.

This is the sixth confirmation hearing I've covered, and they are usually completely ceremonial

and ritualistic and predictable. People give opening statements, the nominees introduced,

the nominee gives an opening statement, everybody goes home, and the interesting stuff starts the next day

when the nominee gets questions. Tuesday morning pandemonium broke out.

Adam Liptack covers the Supreme Court for the Times.

So Senator Grassley, he's got a tiny little gavvall, and he gavvall did a few times.

Good morning. I welcome everyone to this confirmation hearing on the nomination of

Mr. Kavanaugh.

Brett Kavanaugh.

Mr. Kavanaugh.

Almost before he even gets a word out.

Mr. Kavanaugh, I'd like to be recognized for a question before we proceed.

Right here, award.

The committee received just last night, less than 15 hours ago, 4,000,000 pages of documents that we have not had an opportunity to review, or read, or analyze.

He was barraged with complaints from Democrats who thought they were being railroaded

because they'd been denied access to documents they thought were very important.

Mr. Chairman, I agree with my colleague, Senator Harris.

...