senate. let's bring in our correspondents and analysts, dana bash. an incredible 24 hours. walk us through how all of this unfolded. >> well, when jeff flake earlier today announced in a very clear written statement that he was going to support brett kavanaugh's confirmation, he was going to vote for him, it actually surprised some people who know him from across the aisle that he was that sort of forward leaning, including and especially senator chris coons of delaware, who actually had an uncharacteristically profane, on-the-record response in the hallway when he heard about it. >> they're good friends, too. >> they're good friends. the reason for that reaction is remember jeff flake is leaving. he's retiring from the senate. part of his mantra for the past year, even two years, has been this country is torn apart. it is too -- it is too divisive. so that is why at the 11th hour he decided to use the power of