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The Latest: Flake vows to vote 'no' if Kavanaugh lied

Posted October 01, 2018 7:00 am

The Associated Press

U.S. Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Arizona, talks with guests following an address in Manchester, N.H., Monday, Oct. 1, 2018. Flake, days after a critical vote in support of Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, made his second visit this year to New Hampshire. The visit will once again stoke suggestions that he might run against President Trump in 2020. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) The Associated Press

MANCHESTER, N.H. (AP) - The Latest on Sen. Jeff Flake's visit to New England (all times local):

7:55 p.m.

The Republican senator at the center of the Supreme Court debate is vowing to make sure the FBI does "a real investigation" into President Donald Trump's nominee.

Arizona Sen. Jeff Flake spoke Monday as he trekked across New England while exploring a possible run for president. He told hundreds of young people at the Forbes Under 30 Summit in Boston, "It does us no good to have an investigation that just gives us more cover."

In Manchester, New Hampshire, Flake was asked what would cause him to vote "no" on nominee Brett Kavanaugh. He pointed to "any evidence that corroborates" Kavanaugh's accuser's story of sexual assault. Kavanaugh has denied all accusations of sexual misconduct decades ago.

Flake told reporters that "any nominee that lies to the committee, that is disqualifying."

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11:50 a.m.

Republican Sen. Jeff Flake is stoking new speculation about a possible presidential run as he emerges as a central figure in the explosive debate over President Donald Trump's Supreme Court pick.

Flake is scheduled to speak in New Hampshire Monday. It's his second appearance this year in the state that hosts the nation's first presidential primary election.

Flake single-handedly delayed Brett Kavanaugh's confirmation proceedings last week by insisting on an FBI investigation.

He told CBS' "60 Minutes" Sunday that the conservative judge's nomination would be "over" if federal investigators determine he lied.

In March, Flake told New Hampshire Republicans that someone needs to stop Trump in the 2020 presidential contest. He said he may run - either as a Republican or an independent - if no one else does.

U.S. Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Arizona, shakes hands with a guest following an address in Manchester, N.H., Monday, Oct. 1, 2018. Flake, days after a critical vote in support of Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, made his second visit this year to New Hampshire. The visit will once again stoke suggestions that he might run against President Trump in 2020. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) The Associated Press

U.S. Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Arizona, addresses a gathering in Manchester, N.H., Monday, Oct. 1, 2018. Flake, days after a critical vote in support of Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, made his second visit this year to New Hampshire. The visit will once again stoke suggestions that he might run against President Trump in 2020. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) The Associated Press

Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., and his wife Cheryl Flake arrive at the Forbes 30 Under 30 Summit, Monday, Oct. 1, 2018, in Boston. (AP Photo/Mary Schwalm) The Associated Press

Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., speaks during an appearance at the Forbes 30 Under 30 Summit, Monday, Oct. 1, 2018, in Boston. (AP Photo/Mary Schwalm) The Associated Press

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