Poor lady, 12 minutes 36 years ago ruined her life? No proof, no evidence and no witnesses. Sad tale of faulty memory. If one woman with no proof can destroy a man’s life, career and reputation, ALL men are on notice.
8
Wow! The Jesuits have rescinded their endorsement of Kavanaugh!
10
Am I the only person who was downright amazed at Kavanaugh’s alternative and convenient definitions of “FFFFF” and “Devil’s Triangle” from his High School profile? Come on. And he was under oath! And I went to a Catholic High School... Avenatti definitions of those terms are the correct usage known to high school boys, even purported choir boys like Kavanaugh.
16
Please publish the vote, Senator by Senator, on tomorrow's front page. A new day will dawn as a result of this vote.
17
Lindsey Graham pranced out his enthusiastic commitment to be the Attorney General Trump has longed for, channeling his inner pit bull when braying at Democrats, exhibiting his total willingness to be Trump's "Roy Cohn," albeit more sycophant than mentor of the dark arts of corruption and intimidation. He left no doubt he would move forthwith to transform America's Justice Department into Donald Trump's Justice Department, dedicated to protecting his boss from prying Democrats and snooping FBI agents.
Surely he will ensure that any reports or indictments flowing from Mueller's investigation during his tenure will be buried. And, I fear, such a prospect will cause our Narcissist-in-Chief's great blond wave to shudder, and his blood to race with opportunistic zest. Can such a man resist the temptation to burn down Mueller's house by firing Rosenstein, Sessions, and any one else who might obstruct his imperious ambitions. And then he will have his parade. And we who still love this country will have marches and demonstrations the likes of which the world has never seen.
14
From an earlier breaking news headline:
Today's extraordinary testimony has ended. President Trump said that “Judge Kavanaugh showed America exactly why I nominated him.”
Indeed he did. Lying and sexual assault. (No need to reiterate his support of absolute presidential power and his own shameless quest for judicial power.)
Two peas in a pod.
18
"I never sexually assaulted anyone."
Maybe his idea of sexual assault is entirely different, so in his mind he is not lying and can show righteous indignation.
I didn't watch the theatre. Did anyone ever ask him to define it?
Forget Kavanaugh - this whole process is not suitable for the Supreme Court. Politics, lobbying, rushing without getting all the facts, doing what's best for one's party instead of the country ... Will we ever get out of this mess and back to civil bipartisanship?
8
Watching the geezer show yesterday was depressing. Octogenarian flipping through paper with their young aids hovering behind them was sad, especially Grassley and Feinstein. They made the whole process more of a theatrical sham than it already was. This committee destroyed any integrity its body might have had and the Supreme Court was its latest collateral damage. Kavanaugh could have been the adult in the room but he decided to join the partisan mud wrestling. How in the world are we supposed to believe he will be a fair justice? I can see him holding a grudge forever.
11
That the too most-defiantly outraged of Republicans yesterday, Lindsey Graham and Brett Kavanaugh, were also enthusiastic participants in the impeachment of William Clinton, for lying about consensual sex with an adult woman, fills me with disgust.
10
What we saw yesterday were two sincere people. They both really believe they are right. Niether is lying. That’s why we can’t tell who is wrong. But from watching them both, I believe that Ford is right, and Kavanaugh is a rationalizing psychopath. As such, he has convinced himself he is right. But the evidence is against him. If the FBI was allowed to investigate they would probably be able to get proof of his lying even though he is impervious to self-understanding.
11
My take away is Kavanaugh played a role for his boss - Trump - to witness. Dr. Ford came across to me as totally believable. Kavanugh was belligerent and unhinged like a man with a sense of entitlement fully expecting to get a job until interrupted by this woman. He came across to me like someone who has latent anger and hostility. He portrayed himself as a virginal choir boy prior to the hearing which was obviously a pack of lies. So if you're going to lie about small stuff then you'll lie about the big stuff. Clarence Thomas went through the same thing but emerged with dignity. He said the job was not worth the stress and pain it was causing his family while Kavanaugh wants the job so bad he can taste it. His wife's face during his temper tantrum looked pained like she's seen this behavior before which is very telling for me.
Dr. Ford requested a FBI investigation he avoided any comment on one when asked. He definitely has a lot to hide and makes me uneasy.
12
As the LATimes notes, "an astonishingly unjudicial opening statement" by Kavanaugh, who showed no shame or even sympathy, but overwhelming petulance-- an intensely self-victimizing, biased, overtly partisan anger. Certainly this is an awful test for him to take, but, he performed poorly. Perhaps his past sins could be overlooked had his character been altered but I see no remorse in the man. And even if every allegation against him was utterly untrue, he has here exposed his character as not befitting the job. It is clear that he feels entitled to the position, he is not humble or empathetic. He showed poor discipline, poor discernment, and a general lack of good character. I don't want this man on a lifetime appointment to the highest court in the country.
23
Almost too much focus has been on the FEMALE half of this "tragedy."
I've read a fair amount of coverage ... and I have not seen anyone try to answer THIS question -
"Was BK simply doing an OK or better acting job [i.e., lying through his teeth] ... or what?!"
I come up with an easy-ish answer ... and then 2 speculations, but just as Dr. Ford (as others have noted) combined her VERY personal thoughts with "research findings," it would be great if someone with experience/expertise far beyond mine weighed in.
Yes, we can all guess and theorize, but given that he said/she said situations with the BIGGEST possible import are probably going to be around as long as homo sapiens are, we NEED some better understanding ... of BOTH sides of all this!
a) The obvious is that if - and we all "get" how adolescence IS a stormy period in life - he was drinking heavily (even at Yale) and kind of morphing from kid to adult, maybe he just plain BELIEVES that he never did what it sure sounds like he DID DO!
b) OR ... Is his brain "protecting him" by photoshopping real life events in such a way that he can live with himself?
c) OR ... Is it one of those "what she thought bordered on a life-death experience, ... he thought of as 'just fooling around' or - at worst - 'I thought no meant yes' " situations?
Mind you, not only do I NOT believe his denials, my "theorizing" by no means - in my mind - lessons the odiousness of his actions. As often is the case, to explain it is not to excuse it!
4
Lindsey Graham is a hypocrite and a tool. Where's his outrage over a former colleague of his who has been threatened by fellow Republicans and the president himself who want to "Lock her up" without benefit of due process or trial, and who was subjected to years of baseless politically motivated attacks and forced to endure hours of nationally televised testimony that was designed to destroy her politically and personally?
The sham is all yours, and the notion of a fair process was destroyed by your party many years ago.
10
The FBI has already conducted six investigations on Judge Kavanaugh and he has a squeaky clean image. How many more must be conducted before the Democrats are satisfied? 10, 25? They will never be satisfied with the outcome and the Republicans should just go ahead and have a vote. Their stalling and delay tactics are just an excuse for putting off the inevitable. And that is that Justice Kavanaugh will be voted yes and be our next Supreme Court justice. He deserves to be as he is outstanding and brilliant.
1
I don’t understand Kavanaugh’s anger at the democrats and the Clintons. If he had listened to Dr. Ford’s opening statement, he would have found out that she reached out to her congressperson (Anna Eshoo), her senator (Dianne Feinstein) and to the Washington Post’s anonymous tip line. She wanted to remain anonymous and Sen. Feinstein honored that wish. It was until her name was leaked in the media that she decided to take it further. At no time did she indicate that the democrats, or the Clintons knew about her in advance or tried to coerce her to testify in any way. The behavior of Judge Kavanaugh at yesterday’s hearing just confirms that besides a “past” drinking problem, he is also a political hack and has no business on ANY court judging any person or any issue.
13
I am in no doubt that Professor Ford was telling the truth and that Judge Kavanaugh lied. Republicans seem to be playing both sides - no doubt something happened to her, but it wasn't Judge Kavanaugh. It gets the Republicans off the hook and appears conciliatory to Professor Ford. To say that the allegation was a 'he said, she said' case is a sly simplification. If Professor Ford was making it up, or had misidentified her attacker, then why go to the trouble of citing another person in the room - Mark Judge? Why make it all so complex? I am astonished that Mark Judge has not been called to testify, it makes me wonder what kind of law training the members of the committee actually have.
9
For the first time a person being considered for a position on fhe surpeme court made a political campaign appearance on a tv show which has a self identifed mssion not only to represent and support trump but has actively defended trump with lies. Kavanaugh lugging his family and wife, made a campaign appeance not to speak to the people of the United States but to speak directly to the people he considers his political consttuency and promised to represent them. He has clearly announced himself to trump supporters as a political appointee with no intention to represent the people of the United States and a promise to represent trump. The senate republicans have declaredttheir support for a political appointee on the supreme court, It can now officially be called trump‘s congress and trump’s court and they may as well declare him king trump,
5
Now that his maverick friend has gone, Sen. Graham gives up any pretense of independence and blatantly auditions for the role of Jeff Sessions' replacement.
4
Very compelling story from Dr. Blasey, although I believe both the republican and democratic-bias is unnecessary.
1
If Dr. Blasey had testified like Kavanaugh, by fudging the truth, evading questions, and interrupting Senators, the GOP would have ridiculed her. But, thanks to the frat boy double standard among the GOP members of the Senate, Kavanaugh is allowed, even encouraged to be emotional, irrational, bullying, arrogant, and insulting.
8
This is now an all-out war that I think Republicans will lose once their popular base realizes that Republicans used them. This will be after they start losing their jobs and bargaining power.
I will not be gloating when this happens. I will be very sad.
7
There appear to be at least three sets of issues at play in the Kavanaugh nomination.
First are the “he said/she said” nature of the accusations brought by Dr. Blasey — and by two other women as well. Given the polarization in our government and general population, these are nearly impossible to resolve, and neither Kavanaugh nor the Republicans seem willing to request an FBI investigation or to subpoena an important witness, Mark Judge. Personally, I believe Dr. Blasey more than Kavanaugh, especially given his demonstrable lies and dissembling in the hearings so far.
Second are the questions about Kavanaugh’s temperament and his suitability for a lifetime appointment to the highest bench in the land. Regardless of whether you agree or disagree with his expressed judicial and political leanings, Kavanaugh’s personal expressions of anger, contempt, partisanship, conspiracy, victimhood and entitlement should give everyone pause. Similarly, on a number of occasions during these hearings, Kavanaugh has been less than truthful and blatantly evasive. This is not the stuff of a Supreme Court Associate.
Third is the behavior of the Republican-led Senate Judiciary Committee. They have pointedly stated that they will “ram through” the Kavanaugh appointment. They have withheld the most crucial documents from Kavanaugh’s work in the Bush administration, and only provided other documents literally the night before hearings began. Appointment to the Supreme Court must not be rushed.
8
To me, there are simply 2 observations anyone ought to have from the testimonies given to the Senate Judiciary committee -
1) Dr. Ford experienced an unwanted sexual attack 36 years ago.
2) Judge Kavanaugh was NOT the assailant.
Those who came away with a different set of observations are partisans or believe the hyperbole of some who have no concern for the facts.
The honorable judge said he did not watch Dr. Ford’s testimony. Really ? If someone from his camp had the nerve to dispute that statement it would show he lied about that . If he lied about this basic question, the case is over .
2
The problem I have with this is that people are having a hard time thinking of why this subject is important, even though it happened over 30 yrs ago. I'm glad this is a big issue, and I believe Kavanaugh should be put in jail if he is guilty. If the government is going to put Bill Cosby in jail for what he did many years ago, Kavanaugh should be right there with him. If the government wants to bring up people's past, then the consequence should be the same for all people.
3
The Supreme Court damaged its reputation with Bush v. Gore. That case caused many Americans to see the Court as a shamelessly partisan body, not an independent branch of government that protects our democracy from overzealous politicians. Beginning with his Fox interview, and continuing with his wild testimony on Thursday, Judge Kavanaugh further damaged any remaining confidence in the judiciary as an independent body.
Trump, a man who does not cherish democracy, the judiciary or any check and balance on his power, said that we can see why he nominated Kavanaugh. Yes, we can. And, Kavanaugh is very Trump-like, which is the best reason not to support Kavanaugh's nomination. Hasn't our democracy taken enough hits?
8
I only watched this testimony now, and I can say that with no doubt I don't trust Kavanaugh at all, with anything. What I saw was a man of privilege whining and shrieking about persecution and getting angry the closer his questioners came to the truth. In lockstep Graham and the others chimed in with the obligatory support; you could see through their rehearsed tirades as only necessary to get Kavanaugh in. If he is confirmed he will bring shame to the Court because unfortunately people don't change-it's only a matter of time.
4
Ok, here's my question. Admittedly I did not watch the hearings yesterday. However, if the judge is so adamant about his innocence why doesn't he call for - insist on - an FBI investigation to put it all to rest once and for all?
6
What was the point of the incorrect comment regarding memory? For the record, long-term memory is stored in the cortex, and the hippocampus is permissive to the process. And multiple catechols are involved, not just the two cited by Dr. Ford. If we are quibbling over high school year books, shouldn’t incorrect factual statements by a PHD be fair game?
2
Lindsey Graham is the current front-runner for the Emmy given to the Male performer in a Reality TV show! Don the Con will be jealous if he wins, but no matter, Graham will be the Attorney General and do the bidding of his boss.
The message sent yesterday to the women of the United States by Republican Senators should terrify all people of good will.Tell your story, we'll let you do that, but don't expect anything to come of it. We have our agenda and that's all that matters!
7
The decline of the US continues as Republicans place party over country and undermine the democracy they insist they honor. They do not — their actions and words say otherwise. After Bill Clinton won in 1991, Newt Gingrich declared that politics is war, and the party has marched ever further rightward. They are the problem.
Kavanaugh revealed his true unworthiness to be on the Supreme Court with a hysterical, über-partisan rant that removed his credibility to be on that bench. His performance was that of a man with much to hide, filled with denials, accusations and attacks out of proportion and overwrought. He was anything but judicial, coming across as a liar many times over.
As for women, the Republican party is clearly not their friend, not their protector, not their defender. Conservatives have little to offer women in terms of their safety, equality and civil rights. They claim the high ground but live below it. Women should vote to fix this.
Eclectic Pragmatism — http://eclectic-pragmatist.tumblr.com/
Eclectic Pragmatist — https://medium.com/eclectic-pragmatism
15
As I listen this morning to the pre-vote speeches, the theme of "the Dems are only about delaying the vote" - there's only one reason why a request for bringing in additional witnesses to inform the committee's deliberation is "delay" and so anathema:the GOP made themselves vulnerable to delay. Their speed is a function of "get the vote at all costs" and they must be afraid that opening this evaluation to a wider investigation is going to NOT be useful. They are determined to jam this through - even if it means they've left any sense of truth and justice on the table.
6
@Peg Graham, Oh, the investigation will be useful and informative, just not usefor Republican purposes.
2
"Get the vote at all costs" vs "stop the vote at all costs", sure.
A last minute "Hail Mary" pass works in sports, maybe in some businesses, but the scurrilous intent of the undocumented, unprovable accusations are not working to influence me against Kavanaugh.
You'd have to come up with contemporary evidence- based reasons against his candidacy and that wasn't done.
American voters are not as stupid as the Democrats on the committee assumed - their performance in the hearing yesterday was stunning, to say the least. I can't see anyone willingly voting for Booker or Feinstein after that display!
Saying Garland should have been approved doesn't work - nobody bothered to check out his teen years or juvenalia so who knows what skeletons are hiding there!
This should proceed and Kavanaugh should be approved.
I believe Ford was assaulted, but not by Judge Kavanaugh. All Ford did was repeat what was known. No solid corroboration.
I grew weary of the Democrat's demand for an FBI investigation. They don't care about an investigation; all they want is a delay.
Love Lindsay Graham! Hope Judge Kavanaugh is confirmed.
5
@Steve4887, This nomination is for a lifetime appointment to the highest court of the land.
The testimony surrounding this nominee's character calls for an investigation. We would be remiss to demand less.
4
When asked if he would submit to an investigation, Kavanaugh repeatedly dodged the question. This is not a reflection on the manipulations of one party. This is something to be questioned. Why is he not open to any investigation? Why does he refuse to admit that he is not open to an investigation? In keeping with his responses to many of the other questions— he simply refused to respond and gave insufficient filibuster answers to waste the time of every pro Ford senator on the committee. Ford was open- Ford stated what she knew. Kavanaugh shed a few tears and mentioned his family in the place of honesty. Rather than watching this hearing with a ready conclusion already drawn, people should have been LISTENING. Do not dismiss this as a democratic ploy.
4
@Steve4887 Corroboration, or not, is what the GOP refuses to seek.
3
I don't believe her. Why do I suspect that her testimony is too slick and prepared, that it no longer comes off as genuine. If these accusations are so life changing, why didn't she go to the police? Going to the Democrats over 30 years later is hardly what I call the logical thing to do. I'm sorry, I just don't believe.
3
@No I'm Spartacus, This holding of reporting sex crimes has been explained and well documented by professionals better informed than you or I.
Do some research if you must. I'm sure you are missing something.
3
She told her husband and therapist over 4 years ago. Unless your conspiracy theory includes precognition that Kavanaugh was going to be chosen then it falls apart pretty quickly. You also might educate yourself on the psychological and social reasons most women never file charges. Lastly this was a 15 yr old girl in in the 80's when men basically chose to ignore these types of accusations and blame the women. Also, if that was your read on her testimony, then I want to play poker with you as I will own everything you have.
5
“There is doubt,” he said. “We’ll never move beyond that.”
To say in America we assume that people are innocent until proven guilty beyond a shadow of a doubt is cheap cover in this case. We are not trying to prove if he is guilty or innocent of a crime that the Republicans refuse to investigate - we are trying to see if Kavanaugh is worthy to sit on the Supreme Court.
Taking away the charges of attempted rape, we watched a man show contempt for the Senate committee, be evasive and rude repeatedly when questioned, declare there was a conspiracy by liberals to destroy him, refuse to call for a proper investigation of the crimes he was supposed to have committed, stonewall during questioning, conflate 5 minute questionings with an actual investigation, and lie about minor things like what "boofing" is. He was petulant, emotional, combative, and altogether uncritical of anything that he did or had done in his life.
If this was a test as to what kind of judge Kavanaugh would be, I defy anyone to say this is the kind of man they would want to decide their fate. Objectively he was a mess and wholly unbecoming as a Supreme Court Justice.
28
America has its chickens coming home.
As long as I have lived I have never understood America’s blind devotion to the Constitution and their belief that they are a nation chosen by God. It is a belief ripe for exploitation by shameless men.
What use is a system that can (against the majority) elect a simpleton like Trump and his Republicans who have hijacked the low information voters with their God and guns nonsense just so they can rip off the country with their tax cuts and stack the Supreme Court?
What does Supreme Court even mean anymore now that a privileged frat boy with zero class can tip the the scales?
The whole world saw Kavanaugh was lying and the snakes in the GOP will push him through for a lifetime appointment.
Your system is broken and a sham.
16
Plenty of outsiders complain about our system, but even more want to move here. It's hard to properly judge a country from so far away.
2
@Rob, Too bad on show for all the world to see!
I am ashamed to be an American after this. I used to hold my head up high.
2
An FBI investigation called for by Democrats can lag on for over a year or more as we all know. Besides, who are they supposed to question when all of the supposed "witnesses" have said in sworn statements that they weren't there. This is a ploy by Democrats to stall the process. Just ask Joe Biden.
3
@Denny, Were you complaining when Republicans were stalling the process for the Garland nomination? If not, I smell a hint of hypocrisy.
4
@Denny, And just how long did Republicans hold off even considering Garland? Dare I say "hypocrisy?"
4
We have a new saying for when anything we’re responsible for goes wrong.
The Clintons did it.
8
If you put forward as your argument Feinstein had letter so long and held on to it for political reasons, then you should switch it around having witnessed republicans during this time, would they have done anything different if shoe was on the other foot? Do we need to chant “Garland ?” What is worse never even been giving due process? I say shame on you Lindsey, Grassley. You cry foul when you started this course.
16
@Elly, Don't leave out the dastardly McConnell's part in the shameful 'consideration' of Garland's nomination.
4
After seeing yesterday's spectacle my theory of the case is:
Dr. Ford is telling the truth. Kavanaugh and Judge definitely were involved in the incident that she described. I think she very fairly believes that they were going to rape her. That is/was her perception and from her perspective that is her reality. Sad that she has had to live with it for 35 years and will continue to live with it for many more I'm sure.
As for Kavanaugh, maybe he remembers and is lying now. Maybe he was so drunk he doesn't remember. I would bet that he has at least some fuzzy memories that something happened with Dr. Ford. I don't think he is/was a rapist though. I do think he is/was a self important, entitled jerk who treated the younger Dr. Ford as a plaything. I think Judge had a conscience and jumped on to try to stop it when he thought it was getting out of hand.
More investigation is needed - bring the FBI!!!
I don't believe that Kavanaugh is fit to serve on the Supreme Court. He has been lying to the committee. His opening statement proves he is an angry partisan. And his unwillingness to ask for the FBI to be brought in tells me he knows that an impartial search for evidence will not support his denials.
One more thing - Lindsey Graham is a weirdo and a Trump lap dog. What a drama queen!!
4
After seeing yesterday's spectacle my theory of the case is:
Dr. Ford is telling the truth. Kavanaugh and Judge definitely were involved in the incident that she described. I think she very fairly believes that they were going to rape her. That is/was her perception and from her perspective that is her reality. Sad that she has had to live with it for 35 years and will continue to live with it for many more I'm sure.
As for Kavanaugh, maybe he remembers and is lying now. Maybe he was so drunk he doesn't remember. I would bet that he has at least some fuzzy memories that something happened with Dr. Ford. I don't think he is/was a rapist though. I do think he is/was a self important, entitled jerk who treated the younger Dr. Ford as a plaything. I think Judge had a conscience and jumped on to try to stop it when he thought it was getting out of hand.
More investigation is needed - bring the FBI!!!
I don't believe that Kavanaugh is fit to serve on the Supreme Court. He has been lying to the committee. His opening statement proves he is an angry partisan. And his unwillingness to ask for the FBI to be brought in tells me he knows that an impartial search for evidence will not support his denials.
One more thing - Lindsey Graham is a weirdo and a Trump lap dog. What a drama queen!!
13
Judge Kavanaugh was 17 in the summer of 1982. He was born in February, 1965.
He admitted to underage drinking!!!!!
3
@howard, his friend Mark Judge submitted a statement yesterday that he does not recall such events. That he is a recovering alcoholic so would appreciate some privacy.
Excuse me?
2
In our national paradigm, because Judge Kavanaugh is a man his level of credibility is inherently higher, and because Dr. Ford is a woman she is inherently suspect. This major societal dynamic needs to shift, and this movement of thought is underway. The shift has been accelerated by the MeToo movement (thank God, maybe just in time) and hopefully will have impacted the thinking of the men and women of the Senate enough in time for them to vote No today.
Republican senators have tried to frame the hearings as "Emotion v. Facts" (in accordance with the old paradigm.) Turns out their guy embodied Emotion and Dr. Ford was able to clearly deliver the Facts. She was careful not to overstate, never offering more than she could remember. She was an impeccable witness, while he insulted, insinuated, shouted, whined, and sniffled. His naked sense of entitlement was repulsive. Hard to imagine a clearer choice.
9
He was an Undignified lying emotional mess
16
White women voted for this, I hope you enjoy the decades of male superiority to come. When the next woman dies in a hospital of an ectopic pregnancy I hope you celebrate your moral victory. When young teens are forced to carry their rapists baby to term I hope you all line up to adopt these babies of violence. You all voted for this and it’s hilarious.
4
Women of our world — Please Join and then create a better Republican Party. Immediately register as a Republican and vote where your vote will have the greatest effect. No longer allow these “men” to set your rules. Stand no longer blindfolded while men tip the scales of justice with their misogynist power, their money, and their bodies — raping you and this country. TAKE OVER THEREPUBLICAN PARTY.
5
Finally a sensible, pragmatic comment! Refreshing.
2
Watching Lindsey Graham's tirade it suddenly hit me -- he's auditioning for the Presidency. He knows Trump won't last, and the MAGA base will need a new angry white overlord to swear fealty to. He may be a hypocrite, but he ain't stupid.
5
The Republican coup d'etat is now complete.
God help us!
10
Mean drunks are the worst, and the judge displayed his worse yesterday without the booze. Everyone does stupid things when they're young. The judge could have put this tragedy to rest by simply saying, "I don't remember the event the victim describes, but I'm truly sorry for the harm I caused her if that's indeed what happened when we were both kids." Most people would have forgave him, and he could have offered some solace to the victim. But no, mean drunks are dangerous even when they're not drinking.
20
What an ugly statement on our political system. An unqualified and unabashed agent for the far right who happens to be a rapist puts on a disgusting display of sophomoric and self-righteous performance art and our bought and sold Congress will summarily place him on their Supreme Court like another ornament upon a hegemonic Christmas tree.
9
The Urban Dictionary defines a "Devil's Triangle" as a sex act involving two men and one woman. For more details look it up.
Just another Kavanaugh lie, I guess.
10
Pathetic to watch a white privileged male put his family on the line for a job that he feels he is owed. He is so obviously all about himself. This is not about fairness, truth, or about justice. It is all about a little man, so similar to t-Rump that wants his share of the privilege pie. He is disgusting. I won't even mention his lack of sympathy for abused women. He is so pathetic. Hopefully Merkowski, Collins et al will have developed spines and seen who this pathetic person really is. We do not need him on the supreme court.
11
Thanks for letting us know what Dr. Ford was wearing in your "four Takeaways" piece. Can you tell us how Judge Kavanaugh was dressed? Its really important, ya know.
7
Hey, NYTIMES, call for Mark Judge's testimony, please! Do it!
As the most prestigious newspaper in the Land, you can do that! You can call for Mark Judge's testimony under oath!
5
Kavanaugh blatantly lied when he misdefined Devil’s Triangle and Boof.
7
Or did he give the definitions based on schoolboy understanding 35 years ago? What yardstick should get used for that measure?
An underlying subplot to the day's proceedings - not to diminish the importance of the serious matter at hand - is that, clearly, more women need to be in seats of power in politics. Grandstanding, whining men need to cede their place at the table.
12
@Justin
Ah, but you do have faith in the privileged. ill-mannered, Trumpling, frat boy.
1
For all those Democrats believing these fake stories with no dates or places, I can only assume they never made it to High School.
A small town has dozens of rape parties attended by High School students where girls are routinely drugged and gang raped and nobody in the entire town has ever heard anything about it?
Dozens of girls being gang raped and not one inkling from anyone in the community? Really? Nobody from the High School ever heard rumors?
Well, they did buy the fake Trump Russia Collusion nonsense.
Democrat leaders just assume they will buy anything.
2
Jeff Flake: do the right thing and end this GOP charade. You have nothing to lose by your chains binding you to the most despicable group of partisan white man of privilege whom we call Republican Senators of the Senate Judiciary Committee. I would rank them up there with Stalin’s Politburo.
12
I am tired of all these Senators who sit on the fence and say the system is broken and we have lost civility and yet must like the attention of being the deciding votes and the calculus of that. Kavanaugh had a chance yesterday to present a reasonable image of himself- instead he attacked Democrats for doing no more than Republicans would do and Clinton’s for who knows what. Based on comments from the ABA about the need to investigate further and others who knew him at Yale and even the WSJ it appears he was not truthful in his testimony. Not Supremd Court material. Reminds of my 16 year old when I confronted him about issues, I learned the more he screamed and carried on the more likely he did something wrong. He could never admit it. Now at 25 he gets it, apparently Kavanaugh, a Spreme Court nominee, still doesn’t get it.
4
"I pick the best people"
Donald Trump
Election Day can't get here soon enough!
7
Don't think for a second that Senator Flake (the Republican swing vote) is independent because he is not running for reelection. There are many ways for connected Republicans to punish/reward Flake after he leaves office. The revolving government/plum job in the private sector and lobbing companies is in full force.
3
Has there ever been a party that so wallowed in victimhood? Poor crocodile-tears Lindsay Graham, victimized by shocking behavior from the Democrats (but no mention of denying Mr. Obama's pick, Merrick Garland). Poor Mr. Kavanaugh, victim of a smear...orchestrated by the Clintons, no less! Maybe he'll be able to wipe away his tears and put aside his naked partisanship to be an impartial judge on the nation's highest court, but I wouldn't bet on it. The kind, victimized Republicans believe everything that Dr. Ford said, just not that she remembers who did it. Someone's lying here. Could it be the man who didn't take the polygraph, didn't want the FBI investigation and somehow managed, through his victimized tears, to wave his perfect resume at us? Well, the Party of Victims under the Victim-in-Chief are about to control all three branches of government, no matter how low they have to stoop. Who's going to victimize them now? They'll find someone.
3
He said, she said. The bain of any court proceeding. Two things have brought us here. The last minute allegations that prevented the investigation from being done in a timely manner and the Republicans/Trump's concerns that this is strictly a delay game. This was as much said by one idiot Democrat and the delay in presenting these charges also can be interpreted as such a ploy. I personally would want a more thorough investigation and the temperment shown by Kavauaugh under stress leads me to believe he is ill-fitted for this position ( not to mention the ultimate credibility of Ford who came across reasoned and free of guile). Even if he is declared innocent, how will he react if he is involved in a potential Roe vs Wade case where every possible innuendo/insult will be thrown by all involved? I do feel for a man who has to defend against unproven allegations however his inability to weigh the responsibility to gather all evidence before rendering a decision vs his desire to be on the Supreme court concerns me as a judge on the highest bench should put truth above everything else .
2
The other detail that does not ring true in Blasey Ford's story is why she went up the stairs at all to use the bathroom. She grew up in a world of privilege, with rich kids, country clubs, private schools and expensive houses. Wouldn't any house she was in (naturally she can't remember whose) have had a powder room on the first floor? Why would she have to go upstairs at all? And with her genteel upbringing, she would have known that it is extremely rude to go upstairs in someone's house-- that is a private area. Her story just does not ring true.
2
The good news for republicans is that they no longer have to decide whether Kavanaugh is or was a sexual predator. They can now decide if they want this angry, belligerant, unstable and clearly partisan person in The Supreme Court.
5
Taken From Code of Conduct for a Judge: Uphold the Integrity (Brett Kavanaugh (BK) lied under oath) and Independence of the Judiciary (BK mentioned 2016 election victory of Trump), A Judge Should Refrain From Political Activity (BK mentioned democrats, leftists, Clinton investigation), Perform the Duties of the Office Fairly, Impartially and Diligently ( BK will perform this on Mueller case in supreme court?) , Engage in Extrajudicial Activities consistent with Obligations of Judicial Office ( excessive drinking, gambling, past improper behavior..). The emotional outburst of BK shows another face of BK. Code of conduct for a judge and people’s faith in judiciary have been violated. If our senators and congressmen still vote for him to be Supreme Court Judge, maybe we should avoid nominations and hearings and elect them based on party affiliation. Russia was able to divide not only the nation but also Supreme Court through our role model president who is marching our nation towards third world democracy.
6
We just learned that Senator Flake will vote for Kavanaugh. It’s no surprise - a party man in every sense of the word. He joins the other amoral Republicans. Good luck getting elected to government in the future. Your spineless behavior will be remembered.
8
@Barbarra, All the more reason for sensible persons to get out and vote to turn aside such hypocrisy.
1
I personally have found the closer I get to the truth the angrier the person lying gets.
The only people I saw angry were the Republicans and Bret Kavanaugh.
This feigning anger was just a show to fuel the base from asking smart questions of their leaders.
10
Watched some of the hearing yesterday . Canadian who would not be
a Democrat voter but of the opinion that anyone chosen by President Trump will get the roughest ride possible to prevent being appointed.
But I do have one question on his testimony - what high school
student keeps a calendar that he can refer to 36 yrs later ?
Watching and listening to Brett Kavanaugh, I can't help but believe he has not matured at all since his high school days. As far as the other boys in grown men's bodies with their primitive behavior on display, like Lindsey Graham, one can only wonder what kind of things they did in high school.
6
Having heard only one of three accusers, no other supporting witnesses, with no independent investigation of the allegations, the Senate prepares to vote. That, America, is your national disgrace.
5
IF nothing else, this episode demands that the American people sack the entire Congress and get these extremist, partisan Senators and Congressman out of our lives!!
6
I am now having conversations every day with women about our past sexual histories. I am 60 years old but remember vividly the evening 44 years ago, his name,face and actions.
Do you really think anyone would want to relive this trauma in front of the whole world if it didn't happen?
You must either be a man, a self-loathing woman or a predator.
VOTE IN NOVEMBER PLEASE.
10
Look for Feinstein to explain why she forced this.
1. Dr. Ford places Mark Judge in the room and PJ at the gathering among a few others, as per her testimony.
2. July 1st entry in Kavanaugh’s calendar states “skis” at Timmy’s w/Judge, PJ and a few others, including “Squi”.
3. "Squi" is Chris Garrett, a boy who was the connection between Dr. Ford and Kavanaugh, as per her testimony.
4. July 1, 1982 the drinking age is Maryland was raised from 18 to 21 ... perhaps a reason to celebrate for those grandfathered into the law?
5. Dr. Ford bumps into Judge 6-8 weeks later in the Safeway where he worked, as per her testimony. Judge’s book states he worked at Safeway that summer before football camp, which started late August and wrote he went to work often hungover, as drinking was already an issue for him.
THE GLOVE FITS!
8
So why did DiFi withhold the request for a secretive FBI investigation for seven weeks?
1
@batazoid, It's called discretion and giving due consideration .
1
Democrats have stooped to a new low. A "national disgrace" is an understatement.
Am I the only one, besides other trained observers, that noticed Kavanaugh's (usually) alcoholic facial blood veining? The man has issues. I've heard this kind of ranting in bars before.
15
Even if you belive that Kavanaugh was telling the truth about his role with Mrs Ford , do you want him on suprime court inspite of his admitted drinking to the point of passingout?
2
Time for Mr. McConnell to enforce some discipline. Nobody questions that the minority party votes monolithic and will do everything it can to force Manchin, Heitkamp, and Donnelly into line. Time for the Flakes of the GOP to realize who took you to the dance.
Where have you gone Merrick Garland? Our nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
10
Often with sex crimes that devolve to the testimony of two people, prosecutors draw two circles. The prosecutor stands in the first circle and says to the jury, "You believe what she said" and moving to the second circle, "You believe what he said." If you believe what she said, that, in and of itself, is sufficient to convict in a court of law. You can't stand in both circles. FACT: Judge Kavanaugh told a lot of little lies about yearbook comments and frankly, his calendar lends more support to Blasey Ford's story than his categorical denial. I get why Lindsey Graham melted down and started attacking the process: he found himself in that first circle with no way to get out.
3
I was sexually abused when I was no more than three years old by a teenage babysitter - "the doctor's son" - as my parents called him. I remember the repeated instances as if they happened yesterday. I am 64 years old. Until this moment I have never told anybody about this. Not a therapist (and I've seen about ten psychiatrists throughout my adult life), not any family member, not my husband, no friend. My parents didn't really believe in having boys babysit (circa 1957). But if all the girls were busy they'd let the "doctor's son" pinch hit. I complained strenuously. I didn't give a good enough reason but I certainly wasn't going to tell the truth. I didn't even know what sexual assault was and this was before we all learned to teach our children about appropriate touching, etc. I even got punished for carrying on when I heard who the babysitter would be. And it's not like my baby sister and I weren't already in our pjs and basically in bed...so no real time for contact. A few years later, I started to tell my parents and I could see the look of anger on my mother's face and her facial hint to shut up. I also think I knew, intuitively, that my father would find and kill this kid. I don't remember anything about him, even his name. I never told my mother because I didn't want her to feel guilty. This disgusting loser violated me and shamed me and I cannot forget it. I don't, however, have corroboration or proof.
3
Big shout out to all you protest voters!
Elections matter. Pay attention. Apply critical thought.
AND VOTE!
9
Call Dr. Ford's testimony "tremulous"? And his "angry, outraged" ?Why not play right into the stereotypes! Remember that he did the man-controlling -tears thing with his mouth, actually produced man-tears, and whined and snapped like a petulant poodle. She was firm, sure, admittedly scared, but to call her testimony "tremulous" is to play into the stereotypes. The NYT can do better.
6
Graham plays golf with Trump too much, has become just like him in his belligerence.
6
Dick Durbin painted Kavanaugh into a corner and we saw Kavanaugh AGAIN refuse to answer a question (this time about wanting an FBI investigation).
But before that could play out, Grassley cut him off and had Lindsay Graham bring in the wood, attacking Democrats and defending Kavanaugh with a generous but insufficient comparison to Bill Cosby.
But to support Kavanaugh's character, Graham also extensively invoked the support of the ABA.*
But today the ABA has requested suspending the nomination to have Kavanaugh further investigated.
If the GOP moves on today and Kavanaugh is approved, then this thing really is a sham.
*"Here’s my understanding, if you lived a good life people would recognize it, like the American Bar Association has, the gold standard. His integrity is absolutely unquestioned. He is the very circumspect in his personal conduct, harbors no biases or prejudices. He’s entirely ethical, is a really decent person. He is warm, friendly, unassuming. He’s the nicest person — the ABA."
2
Can’t believe Thomas Judge has not been forced to testify and how the FBI is not investigating the whole thing.... it’s so shamefuly obvious!
5
So far I remember, none of the high profile accusers of sexual crime admitted wrong doing when they felt there is not enough evidence against them. Kavanaughs tantrum only shows me that he is mad that he might pay for something he has done many years ago, it isn't a prove of innocent at all.
5
Lindsey Graham seems to have lost his compass
3
and his sense of decency as well as his mind.
Whilst a statement to be considered for an upcoming Attorney General vacancy, he's testing the waters for the Presidency running as another 'angry, old, white man'.
2
The Republican majority must think the American people are as stupid as a lamppost. Did they really think that hiring a FEMALE prosecutor to question Dr. Ford would protect them from having their male faces associated with questioning this most credible victim of sexual assault? But then when it came time to question Kavanaugh, they dispensed with the female prosecutor and the Republican senators praised Kavanaugh and blamed the Democrats for this "sham" of a hearing. The actual sham came with the tirade from Sen. Lindsey Graham. Surely Sen. Graham is aware that, according to Open Secrets.org, the Judicial Crisis Network, a non-disclosing 501 (c) (4) non-profit has funneled, as of Sept. 17, $6 million in ads in support of Kavanaugh. Yet they had the female prosecutor ask Dr. Ford who paid for her lie-detector test.
In this Republican-led hearing, Dr. Ford was treated as a criminal, and Judge Kavanaugh as a hero. The American people know that it is Dr. Ford who is the hero.
6
How about a lie detector test for Kavanaugh and his drinking buddy Judge?
5
It’s quite obvious that Kavanaugh’s coaching in the White House included guidance from Mr. Grabber himself to take the Roy Cohn strategy he has successfully utilized, and deny, attack and then deny more, and then become angry at the indignity of it all. Bottom line, prove you are the real victim.
4
This is most unethical sham you've seen, Lindsay? Not the election of this dodo into office??? Everything associated with that man REEKS of crime.
5
If the Republican ram this nomnation through before a FULL and credible FBI investigation of Kavanaugh's credibility and integrity, Trump will lose the support of women, of Catholics (cf Amerian magazine), and who knows what other groups. This is a fiasco, a disgrace. Halt this vote now.
10
“Sadly one of the most shameful chapters in the history of the United States Senate.” But enough about you Ted. Or we're you talking about Orrin, or Brett, or Lindsey? In fairness, all shameful chapters.
I'm certain that he did it. I'm certain that he doesn't remember doing it. I'm certain that he would be described as a braggart, party boy by his high school friends and does not want them talking to the FBI. He does not have the temperment to be on the Supreme Court, which is the latest of our institutions to crack. Kavanaugh threatened the country, the judicial system, with his outburst about conspiracy and the reference to "reap the whirlwind." Does he plan to make decisions based in anger and revenge from his federal bench? If confirmed, does he plan to make revenge decisions from the Supreme Court? He's another spoiled narcissist who is destroying the great experiment of the United States.
11
Judge Kavanaugh's behavior was eye opening to say the least. A candidate for the highest court in our country has to show good judgement, integrity and temperament. I saw none of this during his hearing. Confirmation - NO!
3
@weese07 Will you vote for his confirmation? I don't think so! You haven't gotten there yet :)
What America saw on display yesterday was the barely contained rage of a functioning alcoholic.
Brett Kavanaugh's adolescent response to every question about drinking was characteristic of a serous alcohol problem. To one Senator, "What do you like to drink?" he asked. To Amy Klobuchar , "Have you blacked out?" He proudly said, several times, "I liked beer! I like beer now!" As with many alcoholics, the defiant emphasis on "beer" was supposed to make it "fun" not serious. Boys and their brewskis. I very much doubt that Kavanaugh limits his alcohol to beer, but that is a very common technique to minimize the idea of heavy drinking. It just a few pops, folks, nothing to look at here.
This is relevant because his entire affect was typical of the stunted emotional growth of a lifelong heavy drinker. His temperament throughout the hearing was combative and occasionally sarcastic. He reminded me of an aging rugby teammate, not a thoughtful federal judge.
I am among those who find Christine Blasey Ford (and the other accusers) credible. For that reason he should be rejected. But he also lacks the temperament and wisdom to serve on the nation's highest court.
4
Truth and Consequences, this hearing is a metaphor for all that ails America now... White privilege at its most obvious... isn't a supreme court judge supposed to be looking for the truth, the whole truth... he seems uninterested as long as his promised dreams come true.
3
Even if he were telling the truth about not being a sex offender in his high school days, Kavanaugh is still an alcoholic in need of AA. How many times did he mention his love of beer? Sober as a judge? Maybe sober as Mark Judge. He does not belong on the Supreme Court. Justices should be "like Caesar's wife -- above reproach." This man is reproachable on too many levels. He made a whining spectacle of himself yesterday -- and to think I (as an independent, not a Democrat), once thought he'd be okay. I was so wrong.
7
So, Judge Kavanaugh thinks the confirmation process has become a "national disgrace".
No, sir, you are a national disgrace. You attacked and disparaged the confirmation process. You blamed the "left". You blamed the Democrats. You blamed the Clintons.
So much for a judge being unbiased. All Dr. Ford did was to present her truth - her side of the story.
But you did not blame yourself. During the hearing - which I and other Americans watched - Judge Kavanaugh kept telling little white lies, over and over. He refused to answer direct simple questions. He - the witness - in fact - when he didn't want to answer simply turned it around and questions about Senators' behavior, such as Senator Amy Klubacher.
His defense was came down to "I like beer." Why did he even bring beer up if there was no truth to his actions. Implicit unsaid translation: "I was a sloppy drunk and can't remember what I did."
Judge Kavanaugh's opening remarks and hearing testimony are simply disqualifying for a lifetime appointment to the Supreme Court of the United States. He does not have the temperament or character to be a Justice of the Supreme Court. He would bring disrepute and disparagement to the Supreme Court .
Perhaps he can be a spokesman for a beer company. In no way does he deserve an appointment to the highest court of our nation.
His remarks and testimony bring disrepute to courts and judges, and should be investigated by the appropriate judicial body.
4
Cavanaugh's highly partisan attacks against the Democrats in the Senate hearing (and against left wing representatives of the Clintons, presumably referring to the impeachment of Bill Clinton) reveal a political bias that I believe has no place on the Supreme Court. Cavanaugh himself has destroyed any credibility about his ability to served on the Court in a balanced manner.
It is OK to be angry and to express that anger at the political circus surrounding him. We may never know the truth behind the allegations of sexual assault. But after his performance yesterday I believe he has neither the temperament nor the ideological independence to serve on the US Supreme Court.
4
This situation sums up Republicans – win at any cost to inject their personal and religious beliefs into policy rather than serving the American people.
Take Roe v. Wade for instance. This decision serves to protect women yet they are very eager to circumvent proper procedure so they can reverse this decision. Republicans must think they are above it all, are immune to the problems that exist and their policy choices won't impact them personally. That is until they are impacted, it is their daughter, their sister, their granddaughter, etc. that gets pregnant, can't access the proper care and resorts to dangerous methods.
Republicans have never learned what every child in kindergarten knows – treat others the way you would like to be treated.
2
The concept here that is so bad is that the republican party is so lock step to do what their leadership wants rather than using their own brains one might ask what is the requirement to be a senator and why we don't just have leadership controlled robots, because this is what it looks like.
No brains just buttons. (why are we even paying them?)
It would be nice if the congress would start doing their jobs rather than trying to hold their jobs.
2
True character is revealed by conduct under pressure. If anyone still believes that Brett Kavanaugh is capable of judging impartially or adjudicating against his carefully constructed purview of power and privilege, they are sorely deluded.
6
Should Kavanaugh have folded? Meeting scurry away when accused of an assault or vigorously defend himself?
You would likely respond the same way, why not let him defend himself and express ire towards those who refused to follow the accepted process and handling of complaints against judicial candidates?
The most compelling aspect of this riveting and cringeworthy day of public testimony is not whether Dr Ford or Mr Kavanaugh is telling the truth, but the fact that it occurred in such a public venue. The Democrat’s begged for a more thorough investigation of the allegations of the three women prior to a vote; Republicans insisted on a quick one day of testimony with only one of the accusers, so that they could get a quick vote, and then hired a prosecutor to try to rattle Dr Ford.
From yesterday’s hearing, it is difficult to ascertain the truth; both witnesses appeared credible. It’s time for a thorough investigation of all charges, including the ones relating to Mr Kavanaugh’s time working with the Bush administration, before any confirmation. The Supreme Court is too important to rush this through.
4
During the testimony, Kavanaugh displayed behavior that is typical for liars - be loud, incensed, and turn the tables. He took a page from Clarence Thomas and oh so many liars. And this was apparently rehearsed in the White House. And it works! We want to believe a person and not that they are lying - it is human nature - which is why we get duped.
But what a farce when the republican senators turned the testimony of Brett Kavanaugh into political grandstanding.
1
Is this the address of the gathering at Timmy's:
507 Azalea Drive Rockville MD
He assaulted at least 1 women. He's defense was Democratic/Clinton conspiracy.
Lost in all of this was Lindsey Graham took a loyalty oath to President Trump. I suspect he wants to become AG after the midterms as a stepping stone to running for President.
He has made a decision that unlike John McCain who he cried for just a few short weeks ago, he will pander and even grovel to the Trump base of the Republican Party for a chance to become President.
1
@HL Has Kavanaugh indeed "assaulted at least 1 women [sic]"? No, a woman accused him of assault without providing evidence for her accusation. In this country, if you don't know, people are presumed innocent until they are proven guilty.
What was particularly disgusting about Kavanaugh's testimony was his accusatory questioning of Senator Amy Klobuchar's drinking without any evidence.
He has been nominated for one reason only and that is to make certain Roe V. Wade is overturned.
I don't want him or Lindsay Grahm or any of those clowns telling me what I can and can't do to my body.
7
@pete the cat But you are the property of the U.S. government. Your body is not your own, and you cannot do anything you want with it, even now before judge Kavanaugh is voted in.
As for senator Klobuchar, she affirmed that her father was still an alcoholic at the venerable age of 90 years old. What would be so odd to consider the possibility that the senator herself has problems with alcohol if she grew up with such a father?
"Now more than ever before, the people are responsible for the character of their Congress. If that body be ignorant, reckless and corrupt, it is because the people tolerate ignorance, recklessness and corruption. If it be intelligent, brave and pure, it is because the people demand these high qualities to represent them in the national legislature.... If the next centennial does not find us a great nation ... it will be because those who represent the enterprise, the culture, and the morality of the nation do not aid in controlling the political forces."
James Garfield, the twentieth president of the United States, 1877
4
Brilliant.
1
What really bothers me is the complete lack of humility, empathy or compassion displayed by Kavanaugh. You would think GOP too would see a red flag. (Nah. What am I thinking?) It’s all theatrics and drama wrapped in a good dose of poor me. Do we deserve a drama king in the highest court of the land? Surely the poor old white guys party can find someone of a higher caliber than this apology of a human being.
3
A woman who is known leftist, who cannot remember the time or place or the alleged incident. and who names four people who attended the party, all of whom deny any knowledge or recollection of the party. Versus a man who has an impeccable record of serving the country as a lawyer and judge for over 20 years, and who denies even knowing or having ever met his accuser. Of course Democrats, liberals and progressives believe the accuser. Proof does not come into play in their fantasy world. The only thing that matters is defying Trump and Republicans by any means necessary, Including lying, smear tactics and death threats directed at the judge and his family. Despicable is too nice a word for Democrats.
It's important to note that the reason we require evidence for real trials and don't typically engage in kangaroo courts, is because human beings are highly subjective and can interpret things in different ways. Ford came across as someone deserving of sympathy, that she must certainly be right. But what if she was the angry one? then she would come across as empowered. Kavanaugh, on the other hand, being forced to "prove" his innocence, didn't really have a choice. Come across as sympathetic to Ford, and he's guilty because he's showing remorse. Come across as hostile, and he's guilty because he didn't show show show empathy. it's a lose lose. in the end, all we got out of this was a spectacle, and not a respectable one. Of course if someone accuses you of something you're going to deny it if you don't think you did it. how many different ways can you ask the same question if you keep getting the same answer?
1
Is this really a democracy? Think twice.
2
Yesterday was one of the most shameful days in American history, a day that revealed the lack of progress we have made as a society concerning the reality of sexual abuse, and the dogged existence of the good old boys club that continues to dismiss it.
GOP senators with their projection of fault and histrionics are transparent in their feigned outrage. Senator Graham is a disgrace, as is Jeff Flake who just announced he will be voting to confirm yet another sexual assaulter.
Screaming denials and refusal to answer the most basic of questions displayed the true nature of the nominee, a liar poised to ascend to what used to be the most respected bastion of jurisprudence, charged with the solemn duty of upholding our constitution.
November can't come quick enough, when we shall see who reaps the whirlwind.
3
One thing that was obvious is the sense of entitlement of Brett Kavanaugh which showed itself through the prism of his temper tantrums. If this had been a trial he would have been called a hostile witness. Does America even want someone like this on the highest court?
Trump said Judge Kavanaugh “was born for this job,” and Kavanaugh thinks so too. He won’t withdraw his nomination because he believes it is his turn and it is his right. But he will win. Just like Donald Trump, he is an elite prep school boy who does what he wants to women and gets away with it.
3
Democratic supporters say that this is nothing more than political retribution...and "just desserts"...for what the Republicans did to Obama's nominee to the SC, Merrick Garland.
Granted...what the Republicans did to Garland in 2016 was indeed political. But it was totally transparent and well within GOP Senatorial discretion for them to do so. With that said, they NEVER went after Merrick Garland personally....nonetheless ruin his life and reputation.
This is light-years apart from the vicious character assassination that has been orchestrated against Judge Kavanaugh. And from the 11th hour from when this scathing accusation first arose... i.e., AFTER the grueling (and in many ways outrageous) DEM interrogation by Senate Judiciary Committee...it was GUILTY UNTIL PROVEN INNOCENT in the court of public opinion...with all the Hollywood drama and theatrics that any movie director can muster.
So please, someone answer this question: Is THIS what we do in a decent, civil and orderly society?
@Vcliburn, What you propose is "light years" from discretion.
3
Even if you believe Kavanaugh over Ford, his partisan rage and insults prove that he is incapable of being fair and impartial as a Supreme Court justice.
3
"Do you like beer?" asks Judge Kavanaugh. Yes I do, I would answer, but I'd never share one with you. I was a bartender in my youth and, like most good bartenders, developed a sixth sense about drinkers. And I can tell from your behavior today Judge Kavanaugh, that you were (and probably still are) an ugly, nasty drunk. Hopefully the Senate will do the right thing and cut you off before you hurt someone (else).
6
Both testifiers spoke with conviction and were mostly credibly. I thought Dr. Ford had better explanations for her inconsistencies or gaps than Judge Kavanaugh and based on that, I give her the nod.
To me, the deciding factors that point me more in her direction are:
# 1 - Kavanaugh actively trying to belittle his drinking culture from late teens to possibly early twenties is contradicted by several of his friends. Why distort this? Is it to preclude the possibility that he might have had a drunken episode where he was out of control that he did not remember?
# 2 - Dr. Ford's interest in involving the FBI but Judge Kavanaugh's evasion of it. At the same time that he claims "I've passed six FBI investigations", he's clearly avoiding a seventh one despite new credible claims on the premise that "they are not conclusive". Can't have it both ways.
If he said / she said is 50/50, those two things move the needle closer to 65/35 if not 70/30, in the absence of further evidence.
In a court of law, reasonable doubt might require more like a 90/10 distribution, so perhaps the Judge escapes conviction. However, "not guilty is not the same thing as "innocent".
Throw in the Judge's partisan stance ("revenge for the Clintons"), unnecessary swipe at the media and unhinged temperament, he is unfit to be a Supreme Court justice, even if he is not "convicted" of this claim..
6
For those still holding out hope that Kavanaugh's display proved he was disqualified and will not be confirmed:
"Jeff Flake will vote to confirm Kavanaugh"
He said:
“After hearing more than 30 hours of testimony from Judge Kavanaugh earlier this month, I was prepared to support his nomination based on his view of the law and his record as a judge. In fact, I commented at the time that had he been nominated in another era, he would have likely received 90+ votes,"
https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/kavanaugh-senate-committee-vote/i...
Guilty or innocent, how can any person moving forward trust Kavanaugh to produce an unbiased ruling against any position the Democrats take?
3
I have sympathy for those who have been wronged, and wish justice can be done. It could be Dr Ford, if she is telling the truth; if could be Mr Kavanaugh, if he is telling the truth.
Finding the truth is no simple matter, and the specifics of this case makes it even harder. It pains me to think that one of them may not be telling the truth yet it's nearly impossible to find out what the truth is.
Yet so many people seem to have such a strong conviction that it scares me. What if it was myself, my brother, sister, father, or mother in the situation? A misjudgement could possibly ruin one's life. Should we be more careful, and even after we have made up our minds, be cognizant of the possibility that an innocent person may be wronged if we were wrong?
Yet the moment an allegation came out The Times has constantly features opinion pieces and articles that make it look it has taken Dr Ford's side almost immediately. To those people, yesterday's hearing was just a confirmation of their beliefs based on... belief. As a long time reader of the Times who knows its ideological bent, this was still a shock.
When I see a man mocked on TV for anger that could be understandable if he is indeed wrongly accused of such a serious crime gives me chills.
Searching for the truth can be frustrating. But fooling oneself that one has the answer is another falsehood.
1
It would appear someone perjured themselves before the Senate Judiciary Committee yesterday. It is hard to see how both Dr. Ford and Judge Kavanaugh were entirely truthful. And it would seem the committee members would want to know who that individual is. Evidently not though.
1
The righteous indignation of Lindsey Graham in the accompanying video is bordering on hilarious.
So maybe the Dems have it out for Kavanaugh (sexual misconduct allegations notwithstanding). But how is it really different from the 'death by a thousand cuts' strategy the Republicans deployed against Merrick Garland? Yeah... remember that? We still do!
This is tit for tat politics. While I would prefer more ethical conduct in the Senate, I am hoping the Republicans get many more doses of their own medicine. They only understand blunt force, so give it to them!
3
Can someone please check that Senator Graham has had his vaccinations and doesn't bit anyone? And remind him that he represents women, not just men, and not just powerful men in particular.
7
Senator Klobuchar,you were SO close yesterday...one question away. You exude calm, decency, and kindness...but maybe unconscious fear held you back, as "I like beer, do you?" smiled through his rage at you, a bright young woman with alcohol in the family. Deep dishonesty can sit behind a shallow, smiling, pseudo-honest front. "I like beer." Minimal admission. Tiny, tiny honesty. I bet you're familiar.
I grew up in MSP reading your dad, one of the sharpest wits in town. The outer person/inner demon conflict can create a life pattern of brilliant success on the one hand, and horrible missteps on the other. We all want to deny our shadowy aspects.
"Could it be, Judge, that the party guy side of you, "I like beer", has dark chapters that could too-easily come to light under targeted FBI scrutiny?" You look to be pretending to be cut of such seamless cloth. But adverse hints are everywhere. Can someone please speak to Mark Judge?
Bless your Dad, Amy, sober at 90. I hope his daughter gets to be President.
3
This trial/hearing is the ‘To Kill A Mockingbird Bird’ of our time.
1
What is this arbitrary timeline set by GOP to certify this nomination?
The court sat 8 months without a Justice because The GOP would not even meet with Garland.
It clearly is a political spectacle. They do not care about the welfare of this nation, only their party agenda.
It has destroyed the integrity of our judicial system plain and simple. It is who you know, what party you are affiliated with and already what race and gender you are which will dictate what justice you receive.
Sad.
5
A very biased report.
Yes, Ms. Ford words were very moving
but that does not mean they were accurate.
Ms. Mitchell drew out several contradictions from
Ms. Ford, one being that her fear of flying was not
so great that she did not fly often, thus her claim of
not being able to meet with the Committee at an
earlier date did not ring true.
Her selective memory makes it almost impossible to
challenge her account because where she needed to
explain how she got there, how she planned to get home,
how she did get home after she fled the gathering -
simple facts that might be verified are missing from her account.
We have her claim that no one else has supported,
that three people at the gathering have denied.
That she saw Mr. Judge at a Safeway some 5 weeks later
and did not have an overwhelming reaction to that chance
encounter but rather he did, seems odd if Mr. Judge was
as drunk as she says he was during the alleged assault.
You do not convict people 36 years later because you
find their account moving and believable, you can only do
so via evidence and so far their is no compelling evidence.
If a Senator wants to turn down Judge Kavanaugh that do
not have to give a reason and their vote may or may not have
consequences for them if they stand for re-election.
However, the New York Times has an ongoing responsibility
and accountability not to print biased reports as this one is.
3
From the article:
"Washington has not seen anything like it in a generation. For people not used to watching government in action, it was a spectacle of tantrums, tears, preening and political ambition — what Senator Ted Cruz, Republican of Texas, called, “Sadly one of the most shameful chapters in the history of the United States Senate.”"
Really? Ted Cruz? Doesn't he really believe that the most shameful chapter in our history was his failure to even get the Republican nomination for president? If he is a quotable authority on anything it's an indicator of how far we've fallen!
2
It is disheartening to note that Kavanaugh will be confirmed by the republican, women unfriendly senate judiciary only because of all the WOMEN supporting them. With women who hobble our progress forward, aiding and abetting these misogynistic men we have plenty of enemies within our midst. Who are these traitorous women who for political gain are intent in destroying their daughters futures?
3
This is unbearable.
There is no good reason for the nominee and the Republicans to not agree to reopening the FBI background investigation.
The outrage displayed by the committee yesterday was hollow. To accuse the Democrats of an orchestrated smear campaign after what Republicans did to Garland was both cruel and rich.
Blasey Ford deserves better so that she can move forward. Kavanagh should want the same so that he can clear his name and move forward. We all deserve answers so we all can move forward.
And only suspending the vote and reopening the FBI background investigation will allow everyone some sense of resolution. This is an easy, obvious solution.
Why is it being made more difficult than it needs to be?
10
@Kerohde, Because Republicans value their agenda more than the good of our nation?
3
Brett Kanaugh's response to the allegations against him was a disgrace to the judiciary. His opening statement was a partisan rant that clearly demonstrates he is not the fair and impartial judge he claims to be. He got to this point by playing the loyal political hack and it shows.
With regard to Kavanaugh's friend Mark Judge, there may be a reason he would not testify. Apparently, Maryland has no statute of limitations for sexual assault crimes. Thus, Mark Judge's attorney(s) would no doubt advise him to take the Fifth.
8
She was composed and articulate while he was angry and petulant- his demeanour alone disqualifies him from the Supreme Court. We need someone with a a bit more gravitas for this role. He’s not ready and these allegations and the fact he is against an FBI investigation clearly say we need to pass on him.
11
I don’t know who is telling the truth and perhaps they both are in their own recollections.
What bothers me most is the rush to put this through. Dr. Ford was credible and there are other claims. This is enough to warrant an FBI investigation. The GOP which ironically liked to be the “values” part cares only about their political agenda and not the truth.
Misogyny is at play and women and ethical men must rise up and say “ no more”.
12
Judge Kavanaugh was very convincing in his testimony that he did not do any of the things that Dr. Ford is accusing him of. His reputation and good name were on the line and he was in the fight of his life. His testimony was powerful and he did not flinch for one second. He would not give in to the bullying tactics of the Democrats and he won. He was determined to prove his innocence and he no doubt succeeded.
If he is not confirmed by the Republicans, they are making a huge mistake. This man of enormous courage and outstanding character deserves to sit on the Supreme Court. He is brilliant and the manner in which he conducted himself yesterday proves he is up for the task. If there was any question yesterday that he was innocent of all charges brought before him, he certainly put them to rest. Hopefully we will be referring to him very soon as justice Brett Kavanaugh of the Supreme Court, the highest court in the land. This is a position that should rightly be his. He certainly deserves it.
1
@WPLMMT, The only thing Kavnaugh did not flinch from was lying.
3
Absurd. This Newt to Trump period has been a GOP race to the bottom. Used to be that this kind of public controversy would cause a withdrawal. Now Trump has shown that deny, deny, deny plus bluster will Trump good sense and shame.
I am ashamed of the GOP and the Evangelicals for their corruption and injustice.
3
Beyond the multiple allegations of sexual assault, beyond the corroborating witnesses, beyond the financial questions, beyond the documents the GOP is concealing, beyond the questions of the candidate's truthfulness, beyond the concerns about Roe v. Wade, beyond the extreme right wing leanings, beyond the people he chooses for friends (Mark Judge and his misogynistic ideology), now we have questions on his temperament, his partisanship, his lack of decorum, his rage directed at Democrats and now we have further erosion and further spectacle in our once hallowed and great institutions.
9
Kavanaugh's opening statement flat out disqualifies him from serving on the Supreme Court. The blatant political partisanship he exhibited during his disturbingly unhinged yet obviously calculated attack on Democrats means that he cannot be trusted to be an impartial jurist on a whole spectrum of issues that will likely come before the Court.
Just think about this for a minute.
Has any Supreme Court nominee in U.S. history ever sat in front of a Senate committee and condemned an entire political party? In doing so, Kavanaugh also condemned all Americans who vote Democratic.
He is unfit to serve, just like the president who nominated him.
12
If the Senate confirms Kavanaugh without the FBI doing a full investigation of the events relating to the sexual offenses alleged, this will always be a stain on his reputation, on the reputation of the SCOTUS and on the reputation of the US Senate.
The ABA, an organization that represents hundreds of thousands of attorneys, has asked that there be a delay until the FBI can do a check and provide its investigative results.
This vote will go forward today only at the risk of GRAVE damage to many reputations, and to our form of democracy.
9
Don’t understand the quandary the fence-fitters find themselves in. Let the FBI investigate. Nobody has provided a single reason not to.
9
How can they possibly choose a guy who actually interrupts those questioning him and evades answering? I was disgusted at Kavanaughs response to the question if he had ever had so much to drink that he didn't remember what he had done the night before. That is disgusting, even apart from the truth of the whole matter, which is not my place to judge.
But I have the impression that Kavanaugh seems to be a man unable to restrain himself and therefore has no place in the Supreme Court.
10
@Sten Moeller, Kavanau seems to be a man who cannot restrain himself in more ways than one.
This is disgraceful and the rest of the world will confirm this.
This is a sad day for America.
3
The savage contorted face of Brett Kavanaugh yesterday was perhaps more powerful than his words. His demeanor was an object lesson in what a judge should not be: hyperpartisan, prickly, entitled, rude. It is risible that he rejects a neutral investigation to ferret out the underlying facts. Doesn't he know that appellate judges send cases back to lower courts for further factual development before an ultimate decision? While the Groping Old Party (GOP) may yet ram his nomination through, parroting the violence to which Kavanaugh very well may have subjected Dr. Ford, it will be the Supreme Court's Icarus, moving it closer to oblivion in terms of public trust.
7
Kudos to Erin Schaff for the Old Master paintings feel of the Image that accompanies the article. The very seriousness of the issue/setting fully justifies this impression.
Any Republican Senator who votes for Kavanaugh is in effect saying they do not believe Dr Ford.
This must send a message to all decent Americans that these Republicans are not fit to serve and make them pay in future elections.
Dr Ford has no motivation to lie, Kavanaugh has every motivation to lie. Dr Ford wants an FBI investigation, Kavanaugh a Judge wants to prevent Dr Ford and the American people from due process. On the balance of probabilities we must give the benefit of doubt to Dr Ford
Kavanaugh displayed an extreme partisan position, he was insulting to Female Senators , he indulged in conspiracy theories, he displayed a sense of entitlement that must offend all hardworking Americans.
For him to serve on the Supreme Court will bring total dishonor to this August body that has in its hands the power for life to rule on Americans rights and laws.
Be afraid America, very afraid.
One last thing , I am in total awe of Dr Ford, she is indeed a hero and deserves our greatest thanks and protection.
11
What seriously frightens me is that they are creating a new kind of 'maniac' that is eventually going to take the law into their own hands. If, and I've no doubt it will, that does happen, then there isn't any office holder that is going to last 30 years. They are out there, they are angry, and they are armed. The right has created an uncontrolled monster and are too blind to see it from their ivory tower. They should visit the streets.
7
If Brett Kavanaugh pleads innocence, why doesn't he and his GOP backers allow an FBI investigation to settle this matter once and for all? GOP claims that it is politically motivated and is Democrat's plan to sabotage the confirmation. How conveniently they forget they were the ones who steamrolled Merrick Garland's nomination to the SC without any basis.
If the GOP has any moral compass, an FBI investigation is the right thing to do but then, between morals and money (campaign donations), money wins. Shame on you.
9
Well, it’s now up to the State of Maryland, through their outstanding Attorney General, Brian Frosh to convene a grand jury to explore whether to bring charges against Brett Kavanaugh for attempted rape. In Maryland, that crime has no statute of limitations. A grand jury will be able to subpoena all the witnesses that the Senate Republicans were afraid to call for fear that the truth will come out
14
The senate judiciary committee leadership was void of any objective judgement or interests for the truth during the drama packed hearing . Considering the tantrums and outrage on the republicans part, their stated sentiment of respect for Ms. Ford rang hollow.
11
Apart from the accusations of sexual assault, is Judge Kavanaugh too much of a partisan to serve on the Supreme Court? Given his work with Ken Starr on the Clinton impeachment and working in the West Wing of the George W. Bush White House, can he be politically impartial? Political commentators often refer to him as a Republican Political Operative.
Yesterday’s hearing intensified his partisanship, alleging a Democratic conspiracy of revenge to derail his nomination. And his disrespect for Democratic questioners was all too apparent, including asking Senator Klobuchar whether she ever drank too much.
If a case involving a challenge to a voting outcome, such as Gore v. Bush, could a Justice Kavanaugh (possibly as a deciding vote) rule evenhandedly? It’s not hard to imagine a modern-day version of the “hanging chad” such as Russian interference in an election coming before the highest court. Or a case involving campaign contributions that favors one party or the other.
And then there’s the prospect of a case on the powers of the Presidency, including the ability to subpoena President Trump or a self-pardon. Would Justice Kavanaugh be too beholden to the President and the Republican Party to be impartial?
We have never seen a candidate for the highest court who identifies so strongly with one political party, and bringing on a highly partisan Justice could seriously undermine the public’s faith in that critical institution.
18
@JB - Yes, but they want a partisan. And Trump wants his get out of jail free card. Simple as that.
3
Shame on the Senators if they confirm after hearing from only one witness and no FBI investigation. May their decision mark a stain in their career that they can never wash off.
15
Flake probably doesn't have the guts to take a stand. Joe Manchin definitely does not have the guts. And, if Collins and Murkowski were not traders to their gender, they wouldn't be sitting around with the faux outrage, white men over 80 club all day, every day. Change parties already, Senators.
3
For all his experience as an attorney and a judge, Mr. Kavanaugh had no gravitas or command of the facts. Seems like a poor pick to be a SCOTUS member. I wonder what John Roberts thinks?
14
Supreme Court Justices are not picked for ability at extemporaneous speech. They must research and evaluate, reason and hear cases. There is a difference.
Everyone believes Dr. Ford. This is not about believing her.
This is about class, gender, and race privilege.
This is about power and money, and those who still have it driving over those who don't, just like Daisy Buchanan drove over Myrtle Wilson.
7
Aside from the basic issues of honesty and behavior, Kavanaugh's partisan screed against the democrats alone should disqualify him from the Court. No one can trust a justice with such bias, bile, and venom to rule fairly on a case brought by liberal interests (which is roughly half of them) -- or to constrain Trump's autocratic power grab, if necessary.
13
Brett Kavanaugh's opening statement, it seems to me, disqualified him from service on the Supreme Court. How, in our perilously divided time can we appoint a raging partisan to the Court? Judge Kavanaugh described a vast leftist conspiracy, explicitly joined the Clinton haters without offering evidence for his inflammatory charges. Let's suppose there is a replay of the Bush-Gore situation, not an impossible scenario. Can we expect even a modicum of objectivity from this judge? He revealed himself as a partisan, even as he hid his teenage life.
7
Regardless of what one concludes about what happened 35 years ago, Judge Kavanaugh should not be elevated to the Supreme Court. Yesterday he demonstrated an inability to control his emotions, an inability to listen without interrupting his questioners, the defensive behaviour of an alcoholic struggling to admit his addiction to himself, disrespect for the women on the committee through his behaviour towards them as compared to his treatment of the men, a paranoia wherein he actually believes the Clintons orchestrated all this, and an unwillingness to wait a few days for an FBI investigation which could legitimize the rest of his career because the past 10 days had been too painful. These are not the behaviors we want in a Supreme Court justice.
He appears to have a very disordered mind.
18
Kavanaugh believes in a social division that provokes Democrats, who are "them", to destroy him. To him, the merits of the issue concerning Dr. Ford appear to be secondary. Does that tell us that the merits of cases before his court are secondary?
7
No doubt the Trump dominated G.O.P. will put this disgrace on the Court, but he will live with this day for the rest of his life. He did not answer questions, he was unhinged and revealed himself to be totally unqualified by demeanor and judgement to sit on that ugust body.
If he was saved, it was by Lindsay Graham's insame outburt which reconfirmed this Yankee's opinion about some, but thankfully not all, "good ol' boys" from South Carolina. If only John McCain were still here, I doutbt he would have disgraced himself and the Senate with his outburts
God help us as no one else will.
3
The message to women is clear: don't speak out or we will crucify you.
The message to America is: the Supreme Court is not the impartial arbiter of our most significant national conflicts. It is not an umpire calling balls and strikes. The game is fixed.
This last institution of our experiment in democracy is dead, as is the Congress and the presidency.
Going forward, how can we trust any decision of the court.
We are at a moment when there is a desperate need for profiles in courage within the Senate. Will any of the republicans have the courage to say this is wrong, very wrong? Senator Flake says there is doubt that cannot be resolved. Will he vote to confirm despite the doubt?
Is this the kind of man we want on the court? For a lifetime? With all of the serious doubts that exist about his character and temperament? Without having done a real investigation?
Moreover, this episode exposes the flaws and the politics in the confirmation process. Kavanaugh's initial hearings proceeded without full disclosure, with withheld documents, and the glowing recommends of his friends and republicans.
Without Dr. Ford's courage in coming forward, the real Brett Kavanaugh would never have been exposed.
10
In the very likely case that Kavanaugh is confirmed, when they have the control of Congress and white House, Democrats should get to the bottom of this through FBI inquiry and if necessary impeach Kavanaugh.
6
The Republicans are desperate to seat Kavanaugh, their guarantee against Trump's removal from office, so they spread their talking point memo: Get mad, attack, do a "Thomas" and shout them into submission. It worked. My question is, why didn't the Democrats call foul? Why are they always so cowed by the self-righteous fury of the Republicans?
14
"She is pleasing" comment by one of the most senior Senators on the Committee is sexist and demeaning. It shows the true value of women for this power wielding conservative white men: She should please, what she says is not of essence.
5
After suffering yesterday hours of Kavanaugh lies and tirades, and rabid Republican snipes, an absolute, incontestable Fact emerged:
If Kavanaugh makes it to the Supreme Court, he will serve not the U.S.'s best interests, but the Republican Party's.
24
Whatever the outcome, it is Christine Blasey Ford that won the day, and a place in history! She is the one that will be remembered as a hero, and her brave testimony is something I will never forget. There is still greatness in this country, it just isn't sitting in the seats of power. Kavanaugh refuses a polygraph test and an FBI investigation. How, how, how can anyone understand this, and have watched his theatric display believe him? And Graham? What arrogance! I have been pulling back from politics, as there are so few in D.C. that I admire, but this has brought me back in. As much as I have not liked what the Democrats have become, as much as I don't like what I feel the Clintons have done to the party, the Republicans have descended so far that I am back in a fighting. A big thank you to Christine Blasey Ford! You are the real deal!
17
Until today I thought it incredible that someone with trump's reputation for sexual assault could have made it to be POTUS. The idea of having the same type person on the SCOTUS is mind boggling.
24
It's simple: I can't imagine that Christine Ford was lying. It would, in fact, be mind-boggling to come to this conclusion.
Dr. Ford said Mr. Kavanaugh and Mr. Judge and "P.J." were at the party -- before Mr. Kavanaugh's calendar, which confirms that the three were friends, was publicly released. She said she saw Mr. Judge a few weeks later at the Safeway he was working at. However, Mr. Judge has never made it public knowledge that he worked at a Safeway; his memoir only reveals that he worked for a time at a "supermarket."
The most reasonable conclusion is that Dr. Ford was acquainted with Mr. Kavanaugh and Mr. Judge -- and if she was acquainted with them, there is absolutely no reason to suppose she would mistake their identities. Now, for her to be acquainted with Mr. Kavanaugh and Mr. Judge and still come forward with a false story against them, she would have to be a truly evil person, a person of great malice. You don't have to be a great judge of character to be able to tell, from yesterday's testimony, that she is not an evil person, and she is not a person of great malice.
Finally, if Dr. Ford is not lying, then Mr. Kavanaugh is. Now, Mr. Kavanaugh may not now be the same person he was as a teen. He may be a good husband and father. He may be a good basketball coach. But if he was lying yesterday, under oath, it's as clear-cut as can be: Brett Kavanaugh shouldn't be confirmed to sit on the Supreme Court.
19
Senators and the public should not forget the first part of Kavanaugh's confirmation hearing, where he he was asked whether a president could issue a pardon in exchange for a bribe. The judge said he hadn't studied the question and couldn't answer such a hypothetical. That alone is disqualifying. The same goes for his identical answer to whether the president can pardon himself. No on in this country is above the law. A judge who doesn't know and back that shouldn't be on the high court.
9
Judge Kavanaugh showed yesterday that he lacks maturity and fitness for a jurist position at the Supreme Court. His belligerent disposition, inability to control temper, extreme partisan attitude, disdain for established processes, and derisive and
contemptuous responses to questions make him squarely unfit for the job notwithstanding his judicial knowledge.
7
The fact Kavanaugh fell into a sniveling wreck and is blaming Democrats for the position he’s in disqualifies him from serving in a lifetime position on a non-partisan body that makes the rules for all.
10
Senate Judiciary Committee-the world is watching.
6
A few observations about the participants;
Dr. Ford— scared to be there but knew she had to be.
Judge Kavanaugh— obviously got message Trump's message that he needed to be angry and attack.
Graham— auditioning for AG after Sessions is fired
Grassley and Hatch— old men who'v learned nothing since Anita Hill.
FBI— absent from the proceedings.
26
Checks and Balances 2.0 and “judicial incrementalism”: https://www.fundamentalreform.org/
Excessive political polarization has the potential to ruin this country and must be addressed. Checks and Balances 2.0 believes the root cause of our excessive political polarization is that the Constitutional processes that determine how voters and representatives take political action through each branch contain excessive political risk (potential variance in political outcomes). In each case, excessive political risk translates to a group or individual having the potential to disproportionately impact the political direction of the country. The latter translates to excessively high political stakes each election cycle, and, as we are currently experiencing, with each SCOTUS nomination and appointment process. Excessive political risk is perhaps the single greatest threat to our representative democracy. Excessive political risk has to be reduced.
Checks and Balances 2.0 is a series of risk mitigation measures that would significantly reduce the political risk of our Constitutional processes. On the site Checks and Balances 2.0 describes three high-level sub-concepts: legislative incrementalism and proportionality, executive incrementalism, and judicial incrementalism (SCOTUS appointment and maintenance); the need for the latter has been demonstrated clearly over the last several weeks.
Please go to https://www.fundamentalreform.org/ to learn more about Checks and Balances 2.0.
Lindsay Graham drank Trump's kool-aid. It only took a couple of rounds of golf with Trump for Graham to lose all sense of civility. What happened to the Graham who once aligned himself with John McCain's civil approach to governance? Senator McCain must be turning over in his grave.
14
All the male Republican Senators....and Lindsay Graham....should be ashamed of themselves.
3
"My life is wrecked"
God save us all so our lives and the life of our country is not wrecked by such volatile, immature, shallow, desperate individuals...and Donald Trump.
10
Is this sniveling, entitled, vindictive, evasive spoiled child really to be considered as Supreme Court material? His self-centered portrayal of what he sees as his victimization gives us a very good idea of how his mind works. I fully expect these traits to find their way into the decisions he renders should he become a Supreme Court Justice.
9
Kavanaugh was debauched in his youth, and eventually learned to renounce that kind of behavior when he entered the working world, after college.
I wouldn’t be surprised if he really cannot remember the incident with Dr. Ford, because he was a blackout drunk. It might be that he only committed his sexual misdeeds when he got to a state of extreme inebriation—after sobering up, he might not remember his actions.
Plenty of people have debauched youths, and eventually turn their lives around. It actually takes a lot of character to restart one’s life and have enough character to begin again.
Many people not only turn their lives around, but then lead especially exemplary lives, which I believe Kavanaugh has done since college. And so with Kavanaugh, we have someone who literally cannot remember his sexual indiscretions, due to blackout drunkenness; and someone who has lead an exemplary adult life.
The problem is that his particular blackout misdeeds were extremely damaging to other people, such as Dr. Ford—he reformed himself, but could not repair the damage he wrought to other people.
And it leads to the present predicament, where we are confronted with choosing between two people who are equally certain of their experiences.
3
Judge Kavanagh's petulant, evasive, boorish, crass, and maudlin testimony fortified my belief that he is not fit to serve on the Supreme Court, even though I found Dr. Blasey's testimony to be unpersuasive.
4
Christine Blasey Ford may not stop Kavagnaw from getting his precious toy, his gift from Donald Trump, but her testimony may save countless young girls in the future from similar fates, these young women, some who are children now, will remember that testimony and those words will be seared into their brains, they will either avoid frat parties like that, or if they do attend will go with trustworthy friends both make and female. No sacrifice is in vain, good comes from good, while evil consumes itself. Christine Ford did more good by speaking up then she can ever know. Bless her. It was a true profile in courage on a very real battle field.
9
There is no doubt that questions remain and urgency is invoked by the GOP. Rather than vindicate a nominee with a full investigation, they surge to decision.
Clearly, the background investigation was insufficient to the demands of establishing the nominee's character with sufficient detail to allay concerns, and Sen. Grassley will own that failure for history.
Faced with a request to investigate in order to achieve true resolution, the committee rushes to judgement with an eye on political goals over the higher responsibility to the United States Constitution.
Finally, Kavanaugh himself overreaches his evidence and morphs from a solid jurist to a partisan hake attacking Democrats without facts in evidence. If he had retained his composure, been honest about his youth, and held to a judicial temperament, this would have been a slam dunk confirmation. Instead, he has amplified and divided us politically more fully than ever.
Yes - Democrats have political agendas, but they didn't go off the road - they focused on evidence and opportunities for confirmation and support where easily obtained in areas of character and temperament.
Brett was his own worst enemy - he raised the specter of partisan motives and wrapped himself in the GOP Flag - for Shame (if you have any)
6
If the republicans want a Supreme Court judge with the morals of their president then that’s where we are going. 63 million Americans put this guy into office and a lot of them because they wanted conservative judges. They’re getting that and more.
1
Kavanaugh's performance yesterday was what was expected. A booming shock and awe opening citing a Democratic plot hatched as Clinton revenge followed by a long, embarassingly weepy list of his accomplishments. Professor Ford wasn't employing over the top theatrics in her testimony. Just her recollection of what happened to her. I believed her 100%.
15
POTUS wants Kavanaugh to be rejected. If they Senate votes No go and Kav, it will appear APPEAR to be a deceitful, sneaky win by the Democrats --- which he'll use to his advantage. This will embolden Trump's voting base and possibly other Republicans on the sideline and move them to re-elect in two short years.
Kavanaugh's display was to defend the honor he has come to believe he is worthy of, not to support his innocence of the act. I don't think he realized this. And there was a continuous false equivalence between saying the letter from Judges's attorney "under penalty of perjury," for example, is the same as "under oath" in an investigation in person. Finally, taking an albeit tearful page from the President's book was in essence a most common and primitive male response to accusation: "Get angry. Become aggressive." It only pursuance believers. The Dems should have stuck to questions instead of grandstanding politically after the comments on her heroic performance. But hey, This wasn't Masterpiece Theater, it was arranged by Karma's fury in the name of Merrick Garland.
2
Kavanaugh apparently feels entitled to a seat on the Supreme Court and he's mad that has to go through this exercise before claiming what is rightfully his. Sorry, Brett. Conservative, White, judges are a dime a dozen in this country. A replacement for you could be found in five minutes. In fact, Trump already has a list of other candidates drawn up. There's nothing special or unique about Brett Kavanaugh. He's no great legal mind that will set a standard for the next 40 years. The Republicans should have replaced him as soon as the first hint of potential problems cropped up. This circus was completely unnecessary.
12
The arrogance and contempt of the Trump-boot-licking Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee sadly indicates that the American experiment in democracy is in poor health. We've been here before and recovered. It's likely, but not a one hundred percent certainty, that we will do so again.
Yesterday, during Kavanaugh's angry, abusive testimony, he and his committee defenders kept returning to a point: "Why have another F.B.I. investigation when I (he) have had a half dozen previously during my (his) government career?" After hearing that said for the fourth or fifth time, one has to ask, "Exactly what was discovered in those previous background checks?" Possibly, another background check will only embarrassingly rediscover what was already found years ago, such as arrests for DUI's and DWI's. And even a charge or two from disgruntled parents of inappropriate behavior by Kavanaugh with one of their teenage daughters.
A challenge for New York Times investigative reporters: Find the raw data of those old background checks, and publish it. After-the-fact reports published by congressional committees simply can't be trusted since key information discovered by the F.B.I. may have been purposely omitted to expressly rig votes in favor of Kavanaugh. (In light of yesterday's pitiful decision to call a vote today, certainly anything may have happened in the past to enable Kavanaugh to progress in his career.)
12
Any doubt in this doubt ridden and emotional quandry must be resolved in favor of protecting the integrity and legitimacy of the Supreme Court. We cannot have a Supreme Court that half of the country believes is populated by men who have violated the law. This means nothing to Mitch McConnell who has undermined every institution of this Republic, but other senators must understand that respect for the members of the Supreme Court is bedrock to the stability of the rule of law in this country. Let's have an FBI investigation or start over.
4
Kavanaugh was less mature than my teenage son when he's guilty and mad about his consequence. He was emotional to the point of hysteria. He was self-pitying, entitled, and, well, mawkish. He was partisan and so self-focussed he could not see the big issue before him. This is a nominee for SCOTUS? It was quite obvious why they all do not want a FBI investigation. In fact, if Democrats take the Senate and House (this looks assured if this weak, pitiful candidate is put on SCOTUS), they have every right to investigate the process as a cover up. Then bring in the FBI. Kavanaugh lied about little things, easy to prove things--like whether he watched Dr. Ford. It will be easy to prove perjury before the committee, which is an impeachable offense. Then. Impeach him.
18
The only argument that the Republicans made in defense of Kavanaugh was that all this information came out "at the 11th hour of his nominating process."
When it comes to putting a judge on the SCOTUS for a lifetime there is no 11th hour, there is only a Midnight Hour, after they are already seated and then all the bad stuff comes out.
2
We learned nothing new yesterday, except that the Senate has no business being involved in such hearings. I would rather put my trust in a true jury of 12 American citizens to make a proper decision on my fate, after listening to all the testimony and evidence. The Republicans and Democrats behaved as usual, minds already made up. I did notice that Kavanaugh when asked never would say he wanted or would be ok with the FBI doing a follow up to his background checks. Kavanaugh would only say that the FBI don't make findings, true but no law enforcement agency does. They present there findings to say either a County Attorney or District Attorney, who then decides if there is enough to warrant a complaint or a grand jury. Even if there have already been a few checks by the FBI, they can look again if new information is learned. That's how it works. Kavanuagh complained about his family and name being destroyed by all this. If he settles for the spot we are at, with some many unanswered questions, then he will have to live with accusations forever if he puts on a Justice Robe or not. Even the American Bar Association has put out a statement that the Senate needs to slow down, put the matter on hold and have it further looked into. What happens if he is confirmed and such information does eventually come out to prove the accusations against him, what then. It is possible, since this matter is just not going away any time soon.
8
I have never been more disgusted by anything in my life than the testimony of Judge Kavanaugh and the antics of Senator Lindsay Graham. The way Judge Kavanaugh addressed Senator Klobuchar's questions was not respectful. His actions and attitude yesterday were not judicial. God bless you Dr. Ford. VOTE IN NOVEMBER. Flint still does not have clean water but this man is up for a lifetime appointment; this is what you get when Trump is president.
7
Sure, Kavanugh is outraged that he is being called on his behavior.
His outrage shows how entitled he feels to control and abuse women's bodies---he is furious that a woman questions him.
6
"I Like Beer."
Have you ever become aggressive when drinking beer?
"What do you mean by that... I don't know what you've got."
Had this case been tried in a criminal courtroom the only defense to be offered would that of "intoxication" Of course, no defense attorney would put him on the witness stand.
Worst of all he did not even say "I LikED Beer."
I have empathy for anyone who struggles with alcoholism. He is not struggling with it he embraces it and does not recognized it. He thinks everyone drinks just like him. I guess he runs in a different crowd.
Let's keep that crowd out of positions of responsibility and authority. I wouldn't give him a job as a bus driver.
Disgusted this is even a question.
3
One touching moment came when Richard Blumenthal shared a most sympathetic passage regarding abuse survivors from "My Story," Lindsey Graham's autobiography (p.93) He obviously hit a nerve.
2
Can the State of Maryland commence a criminal investigation today, based on Ford’s testimony today? If yes, this should happen.
12
I try to apply common sense to most situations.
I ask simple questions, like:
How many of the people who report sex crimes each year do so through encrypted applications used to communicate with politicians?
How many sex crime victims demand an FBI investigation before they even call the police?
Couldn’t you find a victim with a real memory and not just a memory recovered through voodoo?
2
@Ken, apparently you haven't been a victim of sexual assault. Otherwise, you'd know that deep trauma often causes feelings of shame and guilt, and thus also hesitation to reach out to authorities (e.g., police). THIS, Ken, is common sense.
3
A credible victim comes forward and give riveting and emotional testimony. Two other people have come forward with allegations. And republican party wants to vote? This is pure insanity. They need to get to the bottom of this and stop whining about the timing of the accusations. Even if the timing was political that doesn't mean these accusations are false. No women would put herself through this for any political party. And there are three. There will come a day when there are enough women in power to stop promoting entitled men with questionable backgrounds. It is past time for the good old boys club to get voted out.
8
Republicans have desperately tried to frame this as a criminal trial where the burden of proof is on Dr. Blasey Ford.
It is not a trial. It is a job interview. The burden of proof is on Kavanaugh to show that he is the best candidate for the job.
The Senate has received derogatory information about the job candidate. Even many Republicans have said that Dr. Blasey Ford is a credible witness. If they are not lying, then how could they hire Kavanaugh?
14
This looks like another John McCain thumbs-down moment approaching. Hopefully there are a few Republicans with his character and fortitude to step up stop this from happening.
4
A person is proven innocent until proven guilty. The democrats wanted to stop Kavanaugh by any means. They have almost done that.
Now what?
There are holes in Ford’s testimony, holes that the Republicans miserably failed to bring out. They sat there in fear of accusing a liar and playing to the media. Only Sen. Lindsey Graham had the courage to unleash against the corrupt and unethical politicians on the left. I found Ford as a first rate liar. She got acting lessons; the Committee failed to establish the legal and histrionic support tendered by the Democrats to help her testimony.
As a man, I fear what this means when some woman comes up with unsupported allegations that are four decades old. In the absence of proof, the accused remain not guilty.
The Committee should and the Senate should vote without delay to confirm Judge Kavanaugh.
1
@Appu Nair
Do you remember what the Republicans did to Judge Garland? I'm not saying turn about is fair play. But if you want to discredit this hearing and Dr. Ford and throw out the old "innocent until proven guilty" THEN what was President Obama and Judge Garland guilty of, exactly.
And this is not a criminal trial. No one is carting Kavanaugh off to prison ... just keep him from gaining a lifetime appointment to the most important branch of government. Heaven knows "checks and balances" no longer exists. We are just trying to hang in a little longer. Who knew we'd be a country of the Montagues and the Capulets.
2
I like to engage in a thought experiment which flips everything. So, imagine the Democrats had stalled a Supreme Court nominee for an entire year. Imagine President Hillary Clinton behaves the way President Trump does. Imagine a female Democratic Supreme Court nominee behaved the way Judge Kavanaugh did yesterday. And on and on . . .
8
After yesterday's intolerable [temper-tantrum] performance, Kavanaugh has 2 strikes against him: (1) he's a proven pariah who lacks the moral/ethical fortitude to serve on the nation's highest court, and (2) he's a mere partisan puppet of a party (Republican) that craves his advancement to the Supreme Court so that he can further the party's self-serving, exclusionary agenda, and of a president who pulls his strings (Kavanaugh adhered yesterday not to his own script, but to Fearless Leader Trump's).
For U.S. ideals, norms -- and stability -- to escape implosion over the next many, many years, Kavanaugh must suffer strike 3 starting today with the Senate Judiciary Committee's vote, and culminating with the Senate's Saturday vote. Kavanaugh must be REJECTED.
10
This is the first time that a person who is seeking to become a member of the supreme court acted as if he was running for office. I trust there are two republicans who realize he is not the person who needs to be on court. That would be best for the United States.
11
The attempt to confirm Kavanaugh as a Supreme Court Justice by contemporaries of those who molested me more than 50 years ago sickens me as I watch them give him a Hail Mary pass because of his youth at the time of this particular sexual assault. Though they haven't uttered the phrase "Boys will be boys", it appears to me as a thought balloon above the collective heads of these "good ol' boys" who probably still have fun laughing together about their own exploits and continue to use their power to seduce women they otherwise couldn't touch. Believe me, I have been there....
As for Kavanaugh, he cannot even be trusted with a hall pass.
After a lifetime of working for civil rights, including the right of a woman to control who touches her body, I fear I have been overly optimistic that things have changed for the better for this generation of young people. For the first time, I am considering talking and writing about my own survival, still a daunting prospect.
4
Once again Republicans are showing their contempt for women by dismissing the emotional description by Christine Ford of a sexual assault by the Supreme Court nominee Kavanaugh. Kavanaugh has been described by several people who knew him from high school and college as a fall down drunk. No wonder he claims that the incident never took place, he was too drunk to recall it. Why weren't witnesses called? If Kavanaugh is innocent as claimed he would have welcomed an FBI inquiry but when repeatedly asked dodged the question. This is not just about "truth" but about character and Kavanaugh did not pass the test. Trump Republicans know the drill--bald faced lies and then back the lies up with over the top anger. Women will have their day in sprite of Republican bullies in the fall mid-term election and hopefully silence the worst presidential display of deeply flawed character this nation has ever seen.
4
He's guilty!
We don't need any evidence or witnesses.
So what if she can't remember anything from 2 weeks ago or 37 years ago. She's a victim! So, she lied about her fear of flying. So what? Why else would she sniffle like that?
He doesn't agree with my views so he must be guilty. I'v already decided weeks ago.
Signed - The radical left
1
It seems to me one or the other committed perjury. Wouldn't make sense to find out who is lying...maybe not, politics does defy logic
@NativeAZ
I guess we may forget that the Supreme Court is not supposed to be about politics. It's supposed to be the non-partisan branch of government, "blind" to any consideration beyond interpreting the Constitution and applying the law.
It really doesn't matter who is lying when it comes to making a decision about Judge Kavanaugh. Even without Dr. Ford he has proven himself to be far from the type of person, with a measured respectful demeanor and a gravitas equal to the position. A lifetime appointment could mean forty years of this unimpressive man as a member of the Supreme Court is depressing - regardless of politics. It's not as if it's Kavanaugh or nobody. There are many able candidates.
1
@Umi Unfortunately, in 2018 the Supreme Court is about POLITICS. This factor was made painfully clear to every observer watching and listening to the hearing. I found myself wondering if D. Trump himself wrote Mr. Graham's rabid and defensive response. The Republican Senate members quickly seemed to lose sight of the factor that this hearing occurred because of concern that Judge Kavanaugh might me a sexual predator. Why didn't the Committee demand and/or insist that Mark Judge be ordered to appear before the committee to testify? He wasn't just a close friend, supposedly, he was a witness and participant to this whole horrid event. Also, he has information and experience connected to Judge Kavanaugh's behavior. I agree with you. I don't care how stellar Brett's academic portfolio and experience is, his behavior gives cause for serious concerns. Find another qualified candidate and move on.
The way Kavanaugh acted showed the following:
when under pressure, he is angry, pitying himself, aggressive to obstructive, self-centered and openly partisan;
he presents facts in a selected, misleading way to support his position (as was already the case in the previous hearings); and
he did exactly what Trump had asked him to do - deliver a message of fury and hit the president‘s political opponents.
One can expect he will do the same when confirmed as a judge. He will not be independent. I am not American, but it strikes me that how he acted yesterday - irrespective of whether he committed the alleged sexual assault - disqualified him for the position as Supreme Court judge.
7
The moment Judge Kavanagh snarled to Senator Korbacher, " Have you ever blacked out? " in response to her question about his drinking and after her heartfelt admission regarding her father's lifelong struggle with alcohol, did it for me.
The terrible look on his face, his teeth bared, I saw how he might treat people who confront him...a belligerent, nasty response to a honest question.
It made my blood run cold with fear.
9
As a woman and a voter, I wouldn’t elect Brett Kavanaugh dog catcher (he would require a political litmustest before rescuing)? I’m 100% certain I speak for the VAST majority of women in Florida. The Republican Party puts this clearly temperamentally unqualified individual on the Supreme Court at their peril and utter political defenestration come November.
10
This story has obviously touched a raw nerve in so many men and women in the U.S. and around the world. Perhaps it is a turning point (one can only hope) in men finally getting it. That women need to be heard and respected as they have not been up until now. Most believe that Christine Blasey Ford was completely telling the truth yesterday; despite being very nervous in doing so. As a matter of fact; it was her raw emotions that conveyed the sense of honesty I felt in my bones. Brett Kavanaugh came across as what I believe he has always been; a deep seated a spoiled privileged partisan hack; who does not have the temperment to ever be a fair judge. Anger is a very poor substitute for the truth. He looked like a Trump clone yesterday.
20
“We need an investigation”, “we are sincerely concerned”, say the folks who hid this accusation til the last week of the process. Months ago a cry for “investigations” would have been credible. Now the accused have shown their true intentions and lack of ethics.
5
@Joe Yoh The Republicans could have gotten an FBI investigation done last week, or next. This is on top of their other obfuscation of denying access to records and Kavanaugh's continued reliance on rehearsed responses to their questions.
Even if you don’t believe Feinstein’s story about why she waited until the last minute, and even admitting that the calculation was purely political, that doesn’t mean an investigation unnecessary or impossible.
The fact is that the woman deserves the benefit of the doubt as a victim and it’s a question of justice as an ideal and the integrity of the court whether she gets that. Should justice be denied her in the form of a thorough investigation because she had the misfortune of having to go through politicians to be heard? Should justice be denied her because of Feinstein’s supposed political cynicism?
Absolutely not. All this talk about the Democrats having waited until the last minute is a distraction from the bigger issues here. An investigation is both necessary and possible, and the fact that the Democrats waited until recently to refer matters up does not change that.
You appear to be missing the point. So an investigation process now, as opposed to a few weeks ago, is less compelling and and the facts uncovered dismissible?
Today, Friday and this coming Monday will determine whether we're a country based on law or politics, on democracy or authoritarianism. determined by the many or the few.
6
After having watched the testimonies yesterday Kavanaugh seems arrogant. I believe Ford was assaulted and I was not convinced yesterday that Kavanaugh did not do it.
That being said, this has become less about "what is" and more about "this is how this makes me feel". "Ford/Kavanaugh makes me feel this way thus I have this opinion." I know Ford's testimony hits hard with a lot of people and I'm truly saddened by that, but at the end of the day this has to be more than feelings. We have to maintain some sort of objectivity.
I try to remain as level headed as possible but I will give one nod to the GOP regarding what they said about the Democrats just trying to stall until after the election. This is completely obvious. Though many will stay "great, I'm glad their stalling!" I disagree as this has come at the expense of Dr. Ford being. What's happening now should have happened several weeks ago.
Regardless of how the vote goes today this is a lose-lose for our country.
2
Does the name Merrick Garland ring any bells? The GOP didn't even bother to interview him.
These are a misogynistic group of people who will literally do ANYTHING to hold on to power.
1
@kenyalion Of course Merrick Garland rings a bell. I remember riding home listening on the radio about the GOP senators refused to even consider Garland. I thought "How absurd is it that you can you keep your job by not doing your job?"
The major difference between the Garland and Kavanaugh situation is how Dr. Ford was used. Period. She displayed incredible courage and strength and I sincerely hope this somehow helps her going forward. Democrats used her to play political games and they need to be held to account. If not, these kind of things are going to keep happening. Same thing needs to happen when the GOP pulls these stunts.
Lastly, being a minority I take great exception to you attributing a certain characteristic of some to the entire group. It taints your argument.
Did we just witness the singular moment of Trump speaking the truth in his tweet about us being exactly why he nominated Kavanagh? Yes, we did see why, you nominated a man who was willing to admit to his belief in conspiracy theories, and was willing to put partisan issues above being judicial. It was shockingly clear, and the real "danger" to our Democracy. Good people, not just "men", will always want always serve our nation, that's not our fear, Kavanagh's unbridled partisanship is our fear.
17
While the incident in question happened decades ago, what the Justice's testimony evidenced yesterday is current character, attitude, and respect (or its lack) for Constitutional process - when he himself is the process object. The serial failure to acknowledge the obvious utility of a focused FBI background check into the allegation raises serious questions about current potential criminal liability at the state level. Too, there was sheer self-righteous arrogance, even condescension at various times, in repartee with a Committee cast, from either party, just doing its Constitutional task. Thus, curiously, the allegation hearing on the past offered clear and consistent present testimony sufficient gravity for the Committee to advise the Senate that it withhold consent.
Professor Ford is a new chapter in Profiles in Courage.
16
Dr. Ford painfully answered every question to the best of her ability. Judge Kavanaugh spoke over Democrats questions and relied on rehearsed responses like, I was a great student, and there were four affidavits.
She asked for the FBI to investigate her claims, he refused to even after being encouraged by Senators to ask.
He pretended this was a political attack on him, while she reminded us that she had tried to get her story to the White House so Kavanaugh would not be the nominee.
He shouted, she was polite and apologetic. I believed her, and I would like my government to use the FBI to investigate this before any vote is taken.
19
Whether Ford is correct that the assault occurred AND Kavanaugh was the assaulter
OR
whether Kavanaugh is correct that he was not the person who assaulted
should not be decided on whom one thinks made the better impression during the hearing.
The questions should be decided on the basis of evidence.
That is why it is essential that the FBI do an investigation BEFORE the Judiciary Committee and full Senate vote.
12
Yale Law School has never looked so bad. The rubber stamp of privilege
13
Whatever his behavior as a teenager, it's even more chiling to read how his mind has worked as a grown-up. Here are some of his reckonings as a lawyer & judge. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brett_Kavanaugh
8
Cavanaugh's belligerence was disqualifying. But the Grassley Hatch GOP tirade was truly disgusting. The party of Trump has descended into lower depths of the swamp. Are voters in Utah, Iowa really American?
10
The Committee should have checked Kavanaugh's blood alcohol level right after that political outburst. He showed exactly the belligerent, aggressive, supremely self-pitying, self-entitled Mr. Hyde his Yale classmates said lurked within the normally reserved Dr Jekyll choir boy. It's not just his distant, adolescent past; it's very much his present nature, This scary monster who once laughed maniacally sexually terrorizing a young Dr. Ford does not belong on the Supreme Court or any other bench.
22
After this unbelievable debacle's dust settles, if it ever can, there can only be one legacy that comes out of it all. The right seriously has no grasp of human rights- at all. This alleged "law enforcer" is seriously biased against not only women, but the law, the left, and what actually "makes America great". God, we are not worthy, but please help us ALL.
14
Kavanaugh's display of temper at this hearing was a huge mistake. It became very obvious he could sit UNBIASED on the Supreme Court. He is too compromised, and does not have the character and temperament needed.
I believe Dr. Ford, and I believe that there's a great possibility that Kavanaugh was too drunk to remember what he did or did not do. It seems obvious he drank to excess in his earlier years.
The Republicans are going to make a huge mistake if they try to push him through today.
11
I believe Kavenaugh was angry because this has happened to him. We need an FBI Investigation to help Dr. Ford and the Nation before sending this guy to the SCOTUS. His tears didn't fool us. They were tears of anger at being stopped in his tracks when he thought it was in the bag. This sort of anger does not belong on the highest Court.
16
A mature woman testified of a situation in which she got locked up, overpowered by a man and laughed at (enjoying her misfortune). I saw a 4 year old boy angrily shouting at those who would forbid him playing with his favorite toy, "Master of Justice". I saw a 4 year old boy wheeping on his own fate after being treathened to give to someone else his favorite toy. I saw an irrespectfull arrogant adult with a smile on his mouth, countering a question of a senator woman. Trying to put the blame on her, for his heavy drinking. His no-answer (did you?) fully demonstrated the joy he feels in dominating a woman (countering and attacking) by refusing twice to answer her question with an enjoyfull "smile". This guy fully demonstrated the behaviour described by the mature woman. He is used to manipulate in order to obtain what his EGO must have.
Dear poor poor America.
10
Let's put a guy on the Supreme Court who thinks that being accused of getting blind drunk and abusing women is a payback plot orchestrated by the Clintons.
That's exactly the kind of clear thinking needed on the Supreme Court.
27
The proceeding was a national disgrace. After a short while (female sex crime attorney questioning), the politicians took over and all they did was grandstand, making it a political spectacle. It was a joke. We know nothing more now then we did before. Innocent til proven guilty. These matters are for law enforcement. Total joke. A disgrace.
11
Disagree. We got to see Kavanaugh and the Republicans on display in their full repulsive glory, masks off their anger, arrogance and entitlement. I hope everyone remembers this for a long time.
2
A guy who cites political reasons, specifically, Democrats gunning for him, as the reason his confirmation is in question, is in some form of denial. He was there to answer to accusations of use of force, sexual molestation and attempted rape.
He was not convincing. He noted his love of beer far too much. He went from sniveling and crying about his family, to bragging about how great a person he was, to disparaging his confirmation process and Democrats, to casting his gaze around the chamber, not paying respectful attention to his questioners and eye-rolling. He was belligerent and disdainful.
He refused, 6 or 7 times, to ask for an FBI investigation. Dr. Blasey Ford wants one, as does the American Bar Association.
He lied about the Bermuda Triangle--it's a sexual encounter which involves one woman and three men, not a drinking game. One of his aides edited Wikipedia as soon as Kavenaugh gave this definition, calling it a drinking game like beer pong.
Blasey Ford was far more composed than Kavanaugh, polite, helpful, precise and knowledgeable. I imagine she would have had the same demeanor even if she was a Supreme Court nominee. She was definitely the more credible of the two.
Kavenaugh's performance was much like Trump's s angry diatribes. It's clear he's depending on the Republicans to vote him through, all of whom wish to politicize the Supreme Court, not serve justice.
9
Mr. Kavanaugh's rants against Democrats and the 'left' indicate that he is unfit to serve on the Supreme Court.
If Mr. Kavanaugh sits on the court our politics will become MORE toxic and extreme.
His nomination must be withdrawn. I believe Dr. Ford. I do not believe a word from Kavanaugh's mouth.
It is offensive to me that Kavanaugh, and Republican Senators, appear to think that the people of the United States are idiots who will believe any lie.
13
Christine Ford is lying through her teeth. Somehow she remembers all the sordid details until she ends up outside the house. Then all of a sudden her memory lapses, only to be picked up again in exquisite detail when she sees Mike Judge in the supermarket looking at her pale as a ghost. But it is not just that she says she cannot remember how she got home, having had 36 years to jog her memory. It is that it would have been impossible for her to get home. She was 15, unable to drive, out on the sidewalk, no cell phone, and unwilling to call her parents. So how did she get home? Walk six miles on the highway? Go back in the house and ask Brett Kavanaugh to drive her? This woman is a liar. Period.
5
He sure acted guilty.
Maybe she is lying, maybe she isn't. But the points you're trying to make only prove that you apparently haven't ever missed a freeway exit simply because your mind has been on something or somewhere else. How much more would your attention not be fully 'here' if you were 15 years old and just sexually (and emotionally/socially) assulted? If she was lying it was a lie that was completely consistent with such a traumatic experience.
1
I remember some details of the night a man tried to rape me, but not others. I remember where the dorm was on campus and the dorm room I was in, but not the name of the dorm. I remember the laundry basket full of kitchen items I had with me, but not what I was wearing. I remember his face, but not his first name. I remember what he said to me when he woke me from my sleep by climbing on top of me, ("I want to have sex with you"), but I don't remember our conversation earlier that night. I remember telling him I had a knife and to get off me, but I don't remember how or when I left the room. I remember the pictures he drew in the disturbing, sordid letters he sent me later, but I don't remember what he wrote.
She is not lying.
2
People who do not lie about big things (most people tell white lies) have absolutely NO CONCEPT of how there are people who LIE CONTINUALLY AND LIE BIG. Many people think Bret Kavanaugh is lying because he is so emphatic about defending his honor.
Wake up and smell the coffee, naive ones! Liars will lie till the death...look at Trump re Stormy Daniels, look at Bill Clinton re Monica Lewinsky, look at at every single person who claimed they didn't do it....when CLEARLY THEY DID.
I'm reading comments from people imploring Kavanaugh to be honest -- get real, he doesn't have the capacity. This is not an individual who cares about truth...he only cares about himself.
The Supreme Court is the last place someone like this should be allowed to be a part of.
10
@smh326
I meant to say that many people think Kavanaugh is NOT lying because he is so emphatic about defending his honor.
no way to edit after i sent it.
He was so arrogant and belligerent. Often got a smug look on his face. I don't think he has the temperament to be on the Supreme Court.
15
Nominate Kavanaugh.
Get voted out in November.
That's what it should come down to.
His "performance" yesterday a disgrace:
what an angry, nasty person there is beneath
all that grooming.
18
If the Republicans have the indecency to put BK on the court, can we investigate properly and impeach him later?
That would only be fitting for the ugly thing they are doing now. And we might get back a (stolen) SC justice position.
8
@Tokyo Tea Given that each state, including small, permanently Republican states, have two Senators (same # as CA or NY), more than 1/3 of the Senate will always be in Republican hands. Always. Forever. Accordingly, even if Trump, Kavanaugh, [fill in the name of any Federal Republiacn subject to impeachment] is impeached by the House, the Senate will never assemble the 2/3 vote needed to remove. So (as in the case of Bill Clinton, incidentally), impeachment is a pointless political stunt.
Brett Kavanaugh sounded like a spoiled brat who thinks that everything should go his way. There are kids who get cancer--now THAT is unfair. Those who vote for him are doing so out of partisan bitterness not concern for our country.
14
Does anyone believe that the uncontrolled anger and arrogance displayed by Kavanaugh will not translate into bias on the court? Shame on Lindsay Graham and the Judiciary Committee. There’s a John Lennon song I cannot stop from playing in my head; an ugly truth that prevails across the universe.
6
My humble opinion in this difficult case for everybody is to call back Judge Kennedy and stop this.
13
@Ely2k
I know it's selfish but I cannot understand why Justice Kennedy couldn't stay on the bench through these 2018 elections. Wishful thinking...didn't happen. No disrespect towards Justice Kennedy intended.
If this was a liberal nominee who performed exactly the same he'd be described today as showing "righteous indignantation" by most commenters on this board. Since he's a conservative he's an "angry drunk".
6
@Ryan This is where you are wrong, and where we can maybe bring such disparate factions together. Regardless of politics the vast majority want truth. At this point it is not how we got here but how best to move forward - getting the facts out on this one is important - I see no other way than a short delay and FBI investigation.
The description of the cynical laughter of the two men as they prepared to assault Ms. Ford is also a fitting metaphor for how the Republican administration and its crooked leader are engaging our nation and its institutions. I would term it "Rape of the US"
8
1. Mitchell asked a pointed question about drinking, "How much is too much?" The GOP stopped Mitchell's inquiry because she was getting at the truth.
2. Graham stepped in with his histrionics and then asked the most extreme question possible: "Have a you ever gang-raped a woman?"
As if that's suppose to answer everything we want to know. Case closed.
The American people deserve better. We deserve the truth. We would have gotten closer to it if Mitchell had been allowed to continue her questioning of Kavanaugh.
16
As an Evangelical Christian I have no choice but to honestly state that I believe Dr. Ford.
Like Senator Graham, and many other Republicans, I continue to support Judge Kavanaugh because I believe that he will save countless unborn babies from the cruel death of abortion.
2
can't you do both, believe Blasey and believe that Kavanaugh does not exhibit the character to be a judge. There are other possible candidates.
as for the choice issue - let women decide. there are too many Kavanaugh's in this world forcing their unwanted attentions on women resulting in pregnancies. Let the women at least have some control over their own bodies and what they bring into this world.
1
"Neil" writes below,
"As an Evangelical Christian I have no choice but to honestly state that I believe Dr. Ford.
Like Senator Graham, and many other Republicans, I continue to support Judge Kavanaugh because I believe that he will save countless unborn babies from the cruel death of abortion."
And this is the corrupt unholy bargain between Evangelical Christians as spearheaded by the 700 Club and the Republican Party of Newt Gingrich.
Truth doesn't matter. Justice doesn't matter. This unprincipled marriage of convenience is why we see all this hoopla about stopping abortion on one hand but on the other hand the dismantling of early childhood medical care, child care, and education. Trump and Brett Kavanagh are just the latest manifestation of the unholy intersection of Republicans and Evangelicals.
I am both an Evangelical as well as a Traditional Republican Conservative. I think that Evangelicals should not try to legislate away their failure to win hearts and minds. We should be concentrating on social justice. We should be treating living children with the same concern we treat the unborn.
We shouldn't be making deals with the devil in a mistaken sense that God is incapable accomplishing good without compromising with evildoers.
The GOP will collapse without Evangelical support just because GOP policies and corruption lack common sense and common good. This distortion of conservatism is only surviving and in power as the Trumplican Party because we lack faith.
1
So you’re saying that, since you believe Dr Blasey, you’re happy that a would-be child molester, rapist and perjurer sits in judgement on the US Supreme Court, possibly for the next 30 years or more? Just because one of his beliefs happens to coincide with one of yours?
I respectfully suggest that you reconsider this point of view. Judging by the temperament on display yesterday, the man is not suitable anyway. As a potential child molester, rapist and purjurer he definitely isn’t.
The amazing Kavanaugh is no longer a closeted, semi smart, right winger. And, he’s becoming a Supreme Court Jurist?
4
Oh, his temperament, that fine, calm, equidistant temperament of an accomplished, completely impartial judge, was manifest! Did he turn the tables in anger, he did not! Did he tossed the kegs around with uncontrolled fury?, he did not! Did he jump and hit his accuser or a few impertinent Democrats? Nope, he did not! He was oozing calm and self control, and if he does gets confirmed by the Republican 'ol boys, he will excuse himself from his wife and kids, lock himself in the basement, drink a keg by himself and howl loud, Yeah, I did it!
Great job Brett!
2
So Kavanaugh blames this whole thing on the Democrats. This whole mess is their invention. They didn't do it for Gorsuch, they singled him out.
His nomination should be tossed aside for that reason alone. How is he to assume the position of the highest honor in our country with that level of partisan hatred?
8
Sen. Flake said “there is doubt.” There should be no doubt about a nominee to be a justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.
5
He said. She said. They said. What difference does it make? Sound and fury, signifying nothing. The die is cast. The Rubicon has been crossed. It's a done deal. Kavanaugh will be confirmed, and that's that. We are in for thirty years of backward evolution toward a second Dark Ages, governed not by logic and reason but by religious doctrine. However, in the near future we will program the human mind in a computer based on a "survival" algorithm, which will provide irrefutable proof of how we confuse the mind with our ridiculous beliefs about just what is supposed to survive - creating minds de facto programmed for our destruction. When we do this, we will begin the long trek back to reason and sanity. See RevolutionOfReason.com
2
Every Senator had best remember that women are 54% of the voting electorate...and we show up at mid-terms.
10
Really? Where were you gals in 2014? Democrats just don’t show up to midterms. In 2018 people will, but let’s not pay ourselves on the back for past performance.
1
And some of us believe that this is a pathetic politically-motivated circus
Kavanaugh should be willing to wait a few weeks for an FBI investigation that could clear his name and give him job security for the rest of his life. I think his children would agree with that. He cried, he yelled, he accused, but not once did he call for the one thing that could clear his name. He reminded me of a child caught with his hand in a cookie jar who blames everyone else, or the criminal who realizes that he has been caught red-handed and lashes out at everyone around him.
10
What these 2 testimonies demonstrated to me is that Dr. Ford is more qualified than Brett K to sit in fair judgement on the highest court of the the United States. He showed himself to be a raging maniac with no self control, interrupting and attacking senators to the desperate point of asking an insensitive question to a female senator whether she had a drinking problem just after she shared that her 90 yr old father was still in AA. The fact that he had more female clerks ...does that say he was not discriminating or that he had more woman to emotionally abuse on a daily basis?
7
One thing I think we can all agree on: an innocent man would be begging for an FBI investigation.
13
Putting aside whether or not you believe Dr. Ford--and I do--Kavanaugh is clearly a biased, rage-filled, political possible-addict with a personality disorder. Wholly unsuitable for the job.
But does that matter when it comes to the party of "family values"? I mean when 54% of our falsely pious "Christian" countrymen think he should be confirmed even if the allegations are true, we are dealing with people who have zero moral compass.
Side note: I'm hoping Graham is nominated for that Oscar he's so clearly gunning for.
6
Kavanaugh has disqualified himself with his statement. He is not temperamentally suited to be on SCOTUS. If he sits on the Court he will further tarnish the current reputation of SCOTUS. And Senator Lindsey Graham's outburst has destroyed what little respect I had for him with his groveling to Trump.
6
Hmmmm: I wonder if Kavanaugh is equally concerned about the national disgrace our government has become under Trump, McConnell and Ryan...
5
The US of beyond repair. We are a disgraceful mess. There is no coming back. Every day a new low. This has become the new normal.
5
I was just saying the other day that just what we need is an angry, partisan judge on the Supreme Court who wants to take control of women's bodies in more ways than one, reverse Roe vs. Wade, and who can't control himself or his temper. He sounds like an ideal candidate for Duck Dynasty. Since Trump has destroyed and/or corrupted just about every great institution in America, it stands to reason that the Supreme Court is next.
10
How many women have seen exactly that kind of alternatively angry and self-pitying display after catching their boyfriend or husband dead-to-rights cheating? That was not the response of an innocent man. That was the yelling, crying response of an entitled emotional terrorist, backed into a corner, seeking to have his own way regardless.
14
Judicial temperament? Judge Kavanaugh proved yesterday that he has NONE. He doesn’t belong on ANY court.
Lindsay Graham proved to be a partisan hack. He doesn’t belong in the Senate - maybe on the wrestling circuit. John McCain wouldn’t be proud of his friend or his party.
4
The democrats have not accused Kavanaugh. 3 women have and maybe more will come forward now that Blasey-Ford had the courage to be the first one. Possibly some scurrilous accusations may also come up. How will we know the truth until this is investigated. That aside, Kavanaugh's opening statement-bringing up ghosts of the Clintons, 2016, and whatever else, showed that he is truly a partisan hack. I wonder what the current bench thinks of his histrionics.
8
The manufactured piety of Lindsey Graham was disgusting. He's no John McCain. His grandstanding is to solidify the Republican hold on the SCOTUS before the midterms. That's the all important goal.
The democrats better flip the Senate.
6
What an amazing display! Aggressive, belligerent, self-righteous,self-pitying, maudlin, evasive, entitled, boorish, antagonistic, victimized. And all this without the beer he likes so much. I shudder at the thought of this man sitting on the highest court in the land.
14
"Everyone sees through the GOP’s utter hypocrisy, but it doesn’t matter; they’re going to win anyway and tilt the Supreme Court for generations to utter conservatism."
If only it were actual conservatism. Instead it's a hard right turn towards unbridled corruption and injustice. I can't tell you how disappointed I am in the GOP.
4
Kavanaugh and the Senate Judiciary Committee Republicans refuse, and avoid even discussing, a proper FBI investigation because they are pretty sure what it will uncover--and that discovery will destroy Kavanaugh's nomination. So they dodge and weave and clearly avoid the whole issue whenever it comes up.
Aside from that, Kavanaugh has revealed himself as a petulant, desperate, entitled little man who is appalled at having to publicly answer for his behavior. He has demonstrated that he is mentally and emotionally unfit for the Supreme Court. He and his Republican colleagues resort to performance art: bluster, fake outrage and paranoid theatrics to try to distract from Kavanaugh's evident unfitness. The fact is, Dr. Ford not only has nothing to gain from testifying as she has, but rather has already lost much of the peace and security of her life; and Judge Kavanaugh has everything to lose if the multiple allegations are true, and has an enormous incentive to lie.
10
“The most unethical sham since I’ve been in politics?” No Lindsey. Even under your interpretation of "unethical" it doesn't top the Senates failure to even give Merrick Garland a Supreme Court confirmation hearing.
13
Senator Orrin Hatch, when asked by reporters about Dr. Ford's credibility, called her "attractive"" and "pleasing" (I assume to the eye). Her physical appearance has nothing to do with the perceived veracity of her testimony. Senator Hatch's comments are a demeaning view of all women, and they show that, even in 2019, some men's thinking hasn't changed at all. As a woman, I find that scary, and even a little pathetic. Grow up boys.
5
I was bullied for most of the first two decades of my life, and generally those bullies were what we called 'jocks' back then. I therefore had a front-row seat on their behavioral type. The first time I saw Kavanaugh testifying (during the hearings), he reminded me of those bullies. As he clumsily dodged the Democrats' questions, his facial expressions were full of 'my' old bullies' disdain and dismissiveness. Obviously, such a perception is entirely subjective, and, yes, I was already prone to oppose him because I care about the rule of law, something he will obviously help certain parties, especially the president, avoid. But my initial perception was proved out yesterday in spades. He behaved precisely as I saw bullies behave time and again. When cornered, they invariably exploded in loud, finger-pointing denials, their self-pity not volcanic, but rude, blustering, and full of lies. Volcanic is the wrong word to use to describe what we saw yesterday. Volcanic, to me, implies an extreme inner power. Instead I would fall back to Shakespeare's phrase: full of sound and fury, signifying nothing but his own arrogant sense of privilege. If the Republican's put him on the SC, it will seal that court's complete delegitimization.
11
I watched and recorded the entire soap opera, from the very beginning to the inglorious end. I was exhausted both mentally and spiritually. It seems that almost everyone forgot what the real reason was behind this charade. In reality, it should have been about Judge Kavanaugh and how he handled the questions. A Supreme Court Judge who serves for a Lifetime can chart how America reacts to some of its most challenging opinions. What an incredible responsibility for any human being. Their decision could rise up a nation or bring it to its knees. So–whether you’re a Republican or a Democrat, do you really feel comfortable having someone with Judge Kavanaugh’s background in question making Supreme Decisions?
Is it possible that he’s totally innocent of the charges? NO. Is it possible that he actually believes it never happened? YES. Just ask O.J.
9
Never in my 89 years have I seen such a spectacle as Kavenaugh. He does not qualify as a Judge at any level- and Must be removed, NOT elevated. Disgraceful. There are plenty of qualified candidates. The witnesses and background checks make his unfitness clear, as well. But his crying, screaming at the Senators yesterday was horrible.
13
Why should the Judicial branch of government be required to have a moral composition higher than the Executive branch? If our POTUS can continue to 'govern' the US while battling down past accusations of extramarital affairs and aggressive sexual behavior towards women, why can't US Supreme Court Justices follow his lead?
Just like the Presidency has become a complete and total chaotic circus like we have never experienced before, the Supreme Court is becoming more irrelevant, and more partisan, than ever. My question is, and I would appreciate an informed answer: Why do we even have one?
2
RE: "A furious Senator Lindsey Graham, Republican of South Carolina, practically jumped out of his seat as he denounced the proceedings"
I have usually only seen that kind of anger when it is personal. When you are getting too close. It made me wonder for the first time, "What is Lindsey Graham hiding?"
In self interest predators always defend predators. They don't have a choice if they want to protect themselves.
11
Judge Kavanaugh lied under oath about his age while drinking in 1982. He was 17 in 1982, so regardless of whether Maryland's legal age was 21 or 18 ( it appeared to change in July 1982), he was underage when he was drinking.
8
I spared myself the emotion of watching all of this. Judge Kavanaugh has not been forthright about matters other than this, and that is all we really need to know about his suitability.
I am sick and tired of Republicans claiming that Democrats are all partisans who want "revenge" for Hillary's loss and the shabby way Merrick Garland's nomination was handled If that's their excuse for why so many people are disgusted by all of this, it's a poor one. I just want decent and honest people running the country. So far the GOP has had a hard time delivering.
3
There is going to be enormouse pressure on Flake today from the President and Flake's Senate peers. But this is his hour. Especially given the ABA's plea to pause and turn to the FBI, we need Flake to be the adult in the room.
7
Republicans thought that they could alter the optics of the hearing by having a woman question Dr. Ford. They have learned nothing since the Anita Hill testimony. The fact that they are not letting the other women that have accused Kavanaugh of sexual misconduct to testify, nor other key witnesses, speaks volumes as to how unethical and misogynistic they are. Kavanaugh came off as a whiny frat boy who obviously can't survive an FBI investigation.
11
Kavanaugh should be disqualified based simply on his performance yesterday. He was disrespectful, angry, rude, partisan, argumentative, unprofessional. He was a caricature of an immature "frat boy" trying to bluster his way out of a tight situation in which he knew he was guilty. His behavior said it all.
17
WE THE PEOPLE
Play number one from the Trump playbook-attack. The best defense is a strong offense...the sad part is that it works especially on those who are not very bright and can be easily manipulated. Unless the opposition finds a leader it can rally around and quickly things are going to get a whole lot worse before they get better. The best way to fight fire is with fire my grandfather always said, and unless the opposition grows a spine and plays the kind of dirty winner take all hardball that Trump does, then all is lost-and without a fight. If Kavagnaw is elected women should take to the streets, they should walk off their jobs in protest and shut down every city in this country. Everything that Trump favors is un-American in some way or another, so the best way to fight back against Trump is the most American way of all-with protest-which is something our founding fathers expected of all of us when the government began to get out of control and go against the will of the majority of the people.
3
Brett Kavanaugh is unfit!
For four reasons: one, he followed marching orders and showed no independence! He refused to request an FBI investigation to substantiate his degree of involvement with Dr. Blalsey and in the greater drinking and sexualized culture of his youth and young adulthood, from high school to college. When asked he set silent. He took marching orders from Trump. He abandoned his best defense, the FBI.
Two, Kavanaugh does not possess
the temperament, character, or attention to detail necessary to be made a custodian of our nation's laws.
His visible contempt for Democrats and women was on display in various forms of sarcasm and hostility, and occasionally mocking, borderline threatening, and insulting. His metier did not describe a man who would judge the law in balance. He would always seek a partisan benefit.
Three, at heart Kavanaugh is a partisan hack! He spent his career as a hard drinking, hard-charging political operative, searching out loopholes and new uses of power for an agenda grown even more extreme from his days in the Bush White House. Kavanaugh is the operative Republicans plan to embed on the Supreme Court.
Four, he is willing to lie to justify a situation what and put himself in a better light. When a man is dishonest within himself, he is going to be dishonest with others! Such a man cannot be trusted. He lied when he said he drank legally in Maryland at 18; the legal age was 21.
12
“We need an investigation”, “we are sincerely concerned”, say the folks who hid this accusation til the last week of the process. Months ago a cry for “investigations” would have been credible. Now the accused have shown their true intentions and lack of ethics.
2
The one certainty from yesterday's hearing is that Mr. Kavanaugh lacks the temperament to be a judge. If he ever was neutral and non-partisan, he has demonstrated he is not now. We cannot afford to have a person on the Supreme Court who makes public such animus towards one of our two political parties.
9
"For Judge Kavanaugh, and the nation, the stakes could not be higher"
For the judge this is certainly true, for the nation I'm afraid not. The Heritage Foundation had a list a mile long of candidates who will reliably vote their ideology. Unless the Democrats take back the Senate in the midterms the Court is turning to the right for our lifetimes with or without Judge Kavanaugh on it.
9
July 1st entry in Kavanaugh's includes "skis" with Judge, PJ and Squi (who Dr Ford dated) plus a few others at Timmy's house ... yet there was "never" such a gathering as described by Dr. Ford. In addition it places the timeline of bumping into Judge in the Safeway 6-8 weeks later prior to football camp. Connecting dots ... at a minimum the people at this gathering cannot dispute that no such gathering ever occurred that summer.
9
The "exemplary behaviour" towards women as emphasized by Judge Kavanaugh during his professional life may very well be interpreted as a -possibly subconscious- atonement for his allegedly reprehensible behaviour in early student years.
Agressions which at the time may not have internalized within his conscious memory, alcohol- and testosterone fueled misdeeds which by this protective mechanism he now vehemently denies, but not disproved beyond reasonable doubt.
Now why not read "atonement" as a subliminal indicator of guilt?
3
That's unfair. There are a lot of reasons to reject Kavanagh's testimony and nomination. But using current good behavior as evidence past behavior is not right.
1
“The basic principles that underscore the Senate’s constitutional duty of advice and consent on federal judicial nominees require nothing less than a careful examination of the accusations and the facts by the F.B.I...."
- from the American Bar Association
Personally, I find it hard to believe after that bullying and manipulative histrionics that just wreaked of childishness accusations about a "leftist" conspiracy, blatant bias, and his insistence that due to his entitlement we shouldn't even be wasting time with this - that Kavanaugh should even be a DISTRICT judge.
6
Brett Kavanaugh and his GOP backers say that if he does not get to be a Supreme Court justice, his life will be ruined.
Really?
He is a judge on the Court of Appeals, he has a nice family, and he has enough money to plunk down tens of thousands for his friends' ballgame tickets.
He's doing pretty well.
My life should be so ruined.
11
This could all have been avoided if the Republicans had put up a moderate candidate for SCJ ... a first step toward healing the terrible partisanship that has hobbled our government for the past 8 years. Instead the leadership has decided to go to war with half of our country.
8
I'm sorry, Judge Kavanaugh does not have the temperament to be a supreme court justice. He has shown himself to be a partisan warrior and not qualified by his demeanor and attitude.
12
I make no heavy demands on the resources of this country.
I have enough savings to get by and a family to help me whenever I am in need of it.
I pay all of my taxes honestly and promptly.
I receive no special government benefits.
I rarely if ever contact government officials for help.
I have never publicly protested for or against anything.
I support no radical left or right wing causes.
I obey all local traffic regulations and place my garbage outside on the street on Wednesdays exactly as I am instructed to.
All I ask in return is government that acts in a decent, orderly and honest way.
I watched the Judiciary Committee hearing yesterday and decided
that the U.S. Senate is not keeping its bargain with me.
27
The testimonies of both Dr. Ford and Judge Kavanaugh were quite different. Dr Ford's demeanor was one of conviction. She has lived the story for so long that she is almost numb to parts of it. Even so, she was visibly shaken but very very composed. She spoke in her own words and was not coached (evident when she had to be advised as to what was going to occur when she stood up to take an a oath). Her testimony was riveting. She's a victim of sexual assault and has had to live with it for a long time. She is believable and is a hero now to millions of women everywhere.
Now, Judge Kavanaugh's testimony was full of anger and even rage with a loud voice, crocodile tears and never gave a straight answer when challenged as to why he never asked for a reopening of an FBI investigation. IF he is innocent, then an FBI investigation would provide the evidence to support his innocence and he'd already be on the bench. However, Grassley, Graham, and Cornyn were simply not going to allow any FBI investigation to occur as they wanted to get Kavanaugh appointed ASAP. They were stymied by the allegations of a few women, setting a date for a vote (today). Why the rush, gentlemen, when you delayed President Obama for 18 mos or so with his nominee? Hypocrisy at its finest.
Kavanaugh's anger and rage and tears are simply not what you'd want to see from a judge, much less in the Supreme Court. Will every case before him as a judge force him to recuse himself? Will he be impeached?
10
Two diametrically opposed sets of facts cannot both be true. Judge Kavanaugh and Republican Judiciary Committee members blamed Democrats; Judge Kavanaugh described Democratic involvement as “an organized political hit.” Besides fringe thinking, Judge Kavanaugh demonstrated near-manic entitlement, arrogance, and rage, behavior and temperament not suited for any judge. As Senator Flake described the hearing, doubt will always be with us, but it did not have to be that way. The Judiciary Committee did not allow key witnesses; they did not use their Legislative power to delay any vote until the President reopened an FBI background investigation to provide facts that may have eliminated doubt. This nomination and subsequent confirmation hearings have been a disservice to this country.
9
A) What has happened to Senator Graham over the past 6 mths? He has pulled a 180 and has erased any respect he has earned from the majority of Americans who reside outside Trump's America within America. One sure vote for Kavanaugh.
B) Senator Flake has nothing to lose since he announced he's out of there after the mid-terms. Does he vote against Kavanaugh to vindicate himself for all the vile, back alley attacks on him by Trump or does he put the finishing touch on Jerry Falwell's dream of a Christian Conservative caliphate with a Supreme Court citing the Bible, instead of, the laws of the land?
C) Does anyone doubt that Kavanaugh was on the phone with Forrest Trump during Dr. Ford's testimony being coached on how to turn the tables on the committee? The Kavanaugh who sat before the committee in the afternoon was a far cry from the man we've seen and heard over the past 40 days. Kavanaugh even got Trump's mad man facial expressions down pact.
D) Kavanaugh will be sitting on the Supreme Court bench soon.
3
Why did no-one ask during the hearing if Brett Kavanaugh knew or ever met Christine Ford ?
6
Almost certainly the question was asked. It's too obvious to not have been asked. That it wasn't asked publicly under oath means something. Welcome to the Spin City.
1
Both Ford and Kavanaugh offer plausible, sincere explanations. With limited information, it is impossible to know the truth in this matter; that is why an FBI investigation is necessary to make this process more thorough and legitimate. Those involved who did not recommend an investigation are guilty of carrying out an incomplete, unjust and undemocratic hearing.
At times, Kavanaugh's comments and demeanor were concerning, especially given the law is central in his life. This judge claims he will make non-partisan legal decisions, but one cornerstone of his argumentative defense was entirely political, biased and harshly accusative. Yet Kavanaugh knew that 1.) this process is intense and his life would be scrutinized, and 2.)certainly, Mrs. Ford's (and other women's) serious, credible accusations should be taken into consideration given this is a lifetime appointment to the Supreme Court.
Kavanaugh's opening statements described a life of privilege and hard work. His angry comments suggested he feels entitled to the position of Supreme Court Justice, and that he should not be subjected to the same professional and personal scrutiny (and unfortunate attacks) faced by many before him, including individuals in cases in which Kavanaugh himself participated.
Kavanaugh's life is not ruined nor is our democracy damaged by this important hearing. He will return to his relatively blessed life, and this incomplete, unjust process will reach its conclusion.
12
Campaign cash turned the Republicans into greedy children, the special interests driving policy today will destroy the country, way sooner than anyone thinks.
Ms Ford and Judge Kavanaugh were caught in the middle of the mess, I hope no permanent damage occurred
Trump is responsible for the behaviour side, wow Graham and Hatch and even Grassley, too much anger for such postings in the Senate....like they were waiting for their cash out in the hallway.
Kavanaugh has opinions, if he follows the law we will all be ok, if not, it will be trouble, especially for women.
Please vote in November
2
The Republicans complain about the partisan nature of all this, but they seem to forget that they are the ones who dragged this country down this toxic path. The Republicans have been fighting dirty for years. Barack Obama always tried to be above the fray. Yes, the Republicans were the opposition party, but Obama always treated them as if they were honest, ethical, fair-minded partners, even as they repeatedly resorted to dirty tactics. That was Obama's biggest fault. How naive! "They go low, we go high" sure sounds inspirational, if all you aspire to is being the Republicans' perpetual punching bag. I am tired of the divided, hyper-partisan atmosphere of American politics and look forward to the day when all sides dial it down a notch or two and try to work together. But until then, the Democrats better learn to fight.
11
"The Republicans complain about the partisan nature of all this, but they seem to forget that they are the ones who dragged this country down this toxic path. The Republicans have been fighting dirty for years."
We can thank Newt Gingrich and the Evangelicals/700 Club and cronies for kicking off this period of unbridled obstruction followed by hypocrisy and corruption.
Self-serving greed has Trumped common sense, justice and the good of our country. The Republican Party has eaten by the Trumplican Part. Actual conservatism is apparently dead.
2
I would have had some respect for Kavanaugh had he emphasized, in his defense today, the fact that sexual harassment is such an enormous issue for women. He could have discussed it from a legal point of view as well as from a personal one—he does have a mother, a wife, and two daughters. He could have denied the accusation but taken it to a higher level. He could have shown some concern for the victim, whoever the perpetrator was. This would have alleviated or at least calmed the very valid concerns of so many as to his character and perhaps gotten even some Democrats to vote for him. Politically it would have been quite astute. But no. He - and assumedly the supporters who advised him - made a choice to fight back as he did with tears, with counter-attacks, with anger. To me this lack of strength of character and of deep, distanced, mature, well-thought out reaction to an issue is what the committee should be analyzing in deciding who is worthy of sitting on the highest court of justice in the land.
273
@Lynnsie Kantor
You make an astute point, thank you. His reaction was so charged, so bitterly resentful, one wonders how he could ever serve impartially now. As Feinstein said: “Is this the best we can do?” I think not!!
2
@Lynnsie Kantor since when is the onus on the accused to prove their innocence? is that standard different for rape, or sexual harassment, than it is for non sexual allegations? and why so? I have a wife and daughter and would demand justice if someone hurt them in any way, but I also have a son and would vigorously defend him if one day a woman make a false accusation against him. why is it the responsibility of the accused to make such an effort to empathize with their accuser? why is it not enough for you for someone to say that they didn't do something? you think a vigorous defense of yourself belies a lack of character? if someone accused me of something that I firmly believed I did not do, I most certainly wouldn't be making great effort to empathize with them, I would be defending myself as is the obligation of everyone who is subject to a public attack on their character.
2
@Lynnsie Kantor Well said!
Yesterday's hearing was absolutely unbelievable. Those Republicans had no intention of ever believing Dr. Ford. They lacked any interest in learning about how women who survive abuse react and behave.
Kavanaugh's anger and privilege were on full display. Just imagine that guy drunk. I was shocked with how he spoke to Senators, at one point snarling at Senator Hirono "I got into Yale Law School" like it was some kind of guarantee that he was a man who never set a foot wrong.
My heart goes out to Dr. Ford. I've never been sexually assaulted but I've had events where sexual behaviour occurred (men masturbating and exposing themselves on the street/in the university library) to know that you forget some of the details but not others.
18
Emotional? How about hysterical? How about, displayed all the signs of a raging drunk with a couple of drinks in him?
Does anyone really believe this entitled, angry little "aggreived" white man has ever or will ever be unbiased in his legal rulings? There was not even a pretense of non-partisan, impartial professionalism. Qualified? Doesn't matter to republicans. All that matters is, for some unexplainable reason, he's the one, the only one. There was only the white man's indisputable privilege of The Benefit of the Doubt to consider; only his victimization at the hands of evil, all-powerful liberals interferring in something that is none of their business.
Woe to any liberal female seeking justice in his courtroom.
33
Trump's input and influence are all over Kavanaugh's behavior yesterday. Mini-Trump isn't fit for the job. Bad enough we have a narcissistic, lying, bullying, angry presidnet. But the Supreme Court is another story. We can't let that institution be sullied with Trump's filthy fingerprints.
19
It is clear that the Republican Party has declared a war on women.
27
Kavanaugh's tearful protestations were pathetic.
He doesn't deserve to a member of the highest judicial body in the land.
There's no crying in the Supreme Court.
22
Remember when there were capable responsible adults in Congress?
AAHHHH.. the good ol' days
13
@MyNYC Actually there never has been. Wherever there's money there is corruption.
1
The probability that Kavanaugh assulted women sexually is greater than zero, 100 kegs or bust, Judges book, his room mates statements and two other women coming forward and Fords session yesterday.
14
I found the whole diary/journal thing that Kavanaugh kept highly questionable. Yes, a very nerdy 17-year-old introvert may well have done that, but an outgoing, party boy, which Kavanaugh appeared to be, that seems questionable. An FBI investigation could look at the actual diaries and after testing, be able to tell if they are indeed 36-year-old entries. That is only one of the many items the FBI could prove or disprove. Then, I would believe Kavanaugh; although I still don't like his views or lack of ability to weigh issues evenly enough to be a supporter.
8
That this malfunction of a congress will fill another seat on the Supreme Court with an appointee selected by a malignant narcissist is revolting. This whole roomful of Neanderthals is revolting,
For the love of God, vote in November and begin the process of getting rid of these ticks. They're draining our lifeblood.
19
I remember seeing Clarence Thomas bristle with anger during his confirmation hearings 27 years ago. But I do not remember him complaining about "the Democratic Party" or "the Left." I also don't recall Douglas Ginsburg complaining about Democrats when they sunk his 1987 nomination over "revelations" put about by NPR that he had smoked marijuana.
Of course the whole thing was a lamentable political spectacle. But Brett Kavanaugh was given a silver-platter opportunity to show that he's above the political fray, and he failed miserably. For that reason alone, he's unfit to sit on the Supreme Court.
21
Brett Kavanaugh was lying. His body language gave him away. Period.
27
“For people not used to watching government in action, it was a spectacle of tantrums, tears, preening and political ambition.”
To be accurate, the phrase should be “male government in action.”
It was mandatory that every woman in the room be preternaturally calm: from the Republicans’ puppet prosecutor, to every female senator, to the survivor herself: god help the females if they hadn’t been even-toned, calm, reasonable, unemotional, scientific.
How would the court of public opinion and news media judged Dr Ford if she’d yelled, shouted, broken down and sniffled? What if Senator DiFi had behaved like Lindsey Graham, shrieking, spittle flying, nagging and condemning? What if the dignified senator asking Kavanaugh about his drinking had displayed an ounce of his arrogance when he bullied her “how a bout you? Do you like to drink? Do you have blackouts?”
And dare I even ask: what would they have done to Hillary Clinton in all those hours and hours of grilling they had subjected her to in those very chambers if she had even once conducted herself as Brett Kavanaugh did?
It’s still a white mans world, through and through.
38
1. Kavanaugh can not maintain the composure expected for such a public position.
2. Ford tried to remain anonymous and try to stop is nomination before it happened. Unfortunately her senator failed to act in a timely manner. This is not the profile of someone who is looking for attention.
3. Kavanaugh appears to treat all women in a disrespectful manner.
4. Kavanaugh may not remember this or other assaults because of his pattern of binge drinking. That does not excuse him. Many heavy drinkers do not behave this way.
Kavanaugh should not be confirmed.
23
"Anonymous person stops nomination." Great
1
I wondered about Kavanaugh's wife who remained tearless even when her husband was bawling his eyes out. She looked profoundly sad, and bowed her head only when her daughter was mentioned.
It's just a guess, but I wonder whether she is well aware of the type of belligerence he demonstrated yesterday. These episodes are never isolated nor one-of-a-kind. She may be helpless in facing the truth about two-beers Brett.
My own ex-husband was able to turn the charm off and on like a tap, as well. You have to see it to believe it.
24
In his opening remarks, Kavanaugh proclaimed that he was open to additional investigations, a move calculated to make him look innocent. However, it soon became clear that he was only open to investigations by the partisan, Republican-dominated Senate Judiciary Committee, not by the FBI, the agency charged with background checks.
The Republicans' minds are made up. An investigation by their staff would prove nothing. Only the FBI could be trusted to be impartial. But "impartial" is a dirty word in today's hyperpartisan environment.
Kavanaugh will almost certainly be confirmed, but this shoddy effort makes it clear that the Supreme Court is not a nonpartisan body, simply enforcing the laws as the Framers and Congress intended. They are a political body and should not have lifetime appointments.
18
I do not know if Dr. Ford was assaulted by Mr. Kavanaugh. Her testimony was credible and heart-breaking. Her irrational need for two front doors, the specificity of running into Mr. Judge at Safeway a few weeks later and their mutual embarrassment, the loutish laughing -- these details provide her story with details that, for me, confirm she was assaulted and has suffered trauma.
Mr. Kavanaugh's testimony was bitter, defensive, and unprofessional. No one lacking elite privilege would ever receive a job promotion after that intemperate display. Further, Kavanaugh's unwillingness to call for an unpartisan, fact-finding investigation -- in contrast to all of the accusers who are calling for such an investigation -- undermines his display of righteous indignation. His insistence that the calendars were exculpatory suggests an incredible lack of self-awareness and seriousness.
If Kavanaugh is innocent, he should welcome an independent investigation. By attempting to make himself an angry martyr of partisanship, however, I think he's disqualified himself as a SC candidate. His is attack on Senator Klobuchar alone is disqualifying from my perspective.
Really? Is this the best we can do?
29
Mr. Kavanaugh testified under oath that he had nothing to do with the attempted rape or attack against Mrs. Ford, even after she testified that she was 100 % sure it was him. There’s a good chance Kavanaugh is lying and is aggressively hanging on to the chance of joining the Supreme Court. I’m troubled about it and demand a thorough investigation, questioning witnesses under oath. A candidate willing to possibly commit perjury does not belong in the highest court.
13
So many takeaways from this. I will try to list them in order of importance.
1. Republicans 100% do not care about the truth. They care about forcing the nomination through quickly. Case in point: Why have we not heard from Mark Judge? *The guy was allegedly in the room.* And what's the big deal if we spend some more time gathering evidence and reviewing testimony? Oh, and what about the other women who came forward with additional accusations? There is so much more digging that should absolutely be done. We're talking a Supreme Court Justice here...
2. Kavanaugh is *clearly* lying about the extent of his drinking. 100 Keg Club, DKE, the Klobuchar answer, "Skis", etc. It goes without saying that a Supreme Court nominee lying during sworn testimony should be disqualifying. Side note: Kavanaugh is also lying about the Renate thing. It was a term of friendship? Please. And it wasn't according to Renate. (Side side note: He's lying about the other yearbook slang too. Google devil's triangle.)
3. Kavanaugh has neither the temperament nor the independence desired of a Supreme Court justice. He is not simply conservative on jurisprudence; he is clearly and openly against Democrats. His behavior on the stand also highly supports the possibility that he can get aggressive when drinking. He did absolutely nothing to convince me that he couldn't have ever done what he is accused of doing and, in fact, I think his behavior made it seem more likely that it's possible that he did it.
40
Even if Kavanaugh is confirmed as expected,
I saw him as another privileged rich kid, all grown up, who in spite of his achievements, didn't convince me he wasn't capable of acting like a frat boy who was above it all, and due to lack of evidence, got away with it.
21
Regardless of who you "believe" at this point..without deeper investigation it will only be a "he said / she said" situation..but as a job interview, I think it was rather clear that Brett Kavanaugh did not show the patience or temperament that one would desire in a Supreme Court Justice..
17
I wanted Dr Blasley to be asked this question because I think it would have given her extra credibility. Four to six teenagers are sitting around a living room and a girl goes up the stairs followed by two boys. There is commotion upstairs and eventually the boys come down and join the others and the girl comes running down and out the door. Didn't the other two or three kids ask what happened upstairs or ask her if she was alright? That seems so pertinent to me.
3
Some real oddities. He was totally out of control. I can’t imagine anyone in this day and age with privilege bragging about getting into Yale 30 years ago. It’s just unrepresentative of our society to have someone that spoon fed to be on the highest court. Embarrassing actually.
26
Would any reasonable institution hire Kavanaugh with the uncertainty hanging over him? Yet the President and Republican congress wants to place Kavanaugh on the Supreme Court for a life time appointment with the power to make laws that effect all our lives. Our government is rotting from the top down. We deserve better.
17
It’s the height of hypocrisy for Graham and his GOP cronies to deride the Democrats for trying to derail the nomination, win back the Senate, and keep the seat open until they win in 2020. Incredible hypocrisy that everyone sees through—it’s their own playbook that led to Gorsuch instead of Garland on the Supreme Court, leaving the seat open for nearly 12 months. Everyone sees through the GOP’s utter hypocrisy, but it doesn’t matter; they’re going to win anyway and tilt the Supreme Court for generations to utter conservatism. That’s all that matters to the evangelicals and to the rest of the right, and the country’s ideals our doomed. Sad day for America.
15
Why not delay everything and let the FBI investigate?
Joe Biden explained this clearly during the Clarence Thomas confirmation in 1991.
"The next person who refers to an FBI report as being worth anything obviously doesn't understand anything. FBI explicitly does not, in this case or any other case, reach a conclusion, period. Period."
I’m with Joe.
9
Putting the charge of sexual assault aside just for a moment. Watching Brett Kavanaugh yesterday I wouldn’t trust him to be impartial on the bench. He showed partisanship, disrespect, belligerence, lack of empathy and narcissism. He came across as an entitled little boy that is used to getting his way. And why he felt he needed to lie about a some small stuff makes me question his integrity. His reputation as a judge, Supreme Court or not, is forever tainted.
31
Exactly. Well said.
1
@Dan
You think he would hold a grudge against Democrats for falsely accusing him of sex crimes and smearing his name?
Seems like they deserve it.
1
@Ken: The Democrats did not accuse him. They asked for an FBI investigation, which Kavanaugh and the Republicans refused. Why?
Yesterday’s circus boils down to 2 words: Merrick Garland.
8
"The two very different versions of the truth"
No!
Kavanaugh is known to have already perjured himself, though no charges were brought. A liar once, a liar always.
This man is totally unfit to be on any court, let alone the Supreme. His conspiracy theory about his opponents alone, let alone his bullying behavior, should disqualify him.
If I were arguing for a woman plaintiff before the court, I would demand that he recuse himself.
23
Absolutely. Regardless of whether there is an FBI investigation, this man cannot be a Supreme Court Judge. He lacks the impartiality and the temperament to hold a lifelong Supreme Court position.
2
Oh boy, I had enough after watching the short video. Kavanaugh comes across as a self-entitled person channelling his angry 17-year-old self. I fully believe he is capable of doing what he is accused of; he is irrational and has no place on the Supreme Court bench. And Senator Graham, he is something else altogether.
18
She credible he was not. He does not belong on any court.
9
I think the judge Kavanaugh just lost it. What a contraste between his performance on Fox news a serene guy with a loving family a picture perfect, just missing : a dog. Then at the hearing we had someone who was fighting for his "honor" yes, but lost it. Yealling, nearly crying, making face, and finish with his little girl willing to do "priére" for Professeur Ford , is just du Walt Disney at his best. A woman with the same attitude would be call "hystérique" I would never vote for this judge , I don't think he will impartial . And to finish what God has to do here??
14
Yes, everything except the " ...plain cloth coat..."
2
I pray that this committee will step back and look at the bigger picture and throw out the partisan attitudes. Dr. Blasey Deserves justice!
8
Kavanaugh aid "this is a circus."
He should know, because he is the clown.
13
If a man lies about the small things, does he he lie about the big things? The Devil's Triangle is not a drinking game and boofing is not about passing gas.
12
Kavanaugh's shouting, hysterical behavior is unbecoming of even a regular lawyer. For someone who wishes to be a Supreme Court judge, it is embarrassing. Failing to confirm him says nothing about the American legal system as a whole. Rejecting his confirmation won't even really make a difference in the Court since Trump can just nominate another maybe even MORE conservative who just isn't a drunken sexual predator.
16
Should they whisper false of you,
Never trouble to deny.
Should the words they say be true,
Weep and storm and swear they lie.
Dorothy Parker c. 1935
23
The sad thing is that the senate will vote today and they will vote a “yea” to confirm Judge Kavanaugh’s nomination. It really doesn’t matter that much to them anymore whether they hold their seats in the senate. If forced out come November they just move along to the private sector, be it lobbying or oil or a natural gas company, where they will accumulate even more of taxpayer dollars. They will have achieved their ultimate goal of a firmly held conservative SCOTUS and a continuing process of overturning the federal court system with record speed by stacking it with conservative judges, also with lifetime appointments. When the republicans fully hold the federal court system they will continue to push ahead their agenda with the knowledge that they will be protected within the judicial system they created. People just do not see the full scope of what is at work. These republican Senators may lose their seats this November, but it is only a matter of time before they hold power in both chambers again. And God help us if trump is re-elected, or any republican holds the office of the presidency in the near future.
6
Political greed - this is as naked and raw a display of Republican political greed as we are likely to see in our lifetimes.
11
I was withholding judgement until I could hear both sides. Judge Kavanuagh's rude and boorish response to Sen. Klobuchar's questions told me everything I needed to know about him-not fit for the supreme court and not fit to coach any of my kids teams either- what an entitled, arrogant , partisan creep.
15
It seems to me that the huge difference between the two testimonies was one person was telling the truth and the other person told their version of the truth, that much was obvious!
Of course, the FBI should be brought in to investigate, and Kavanaugh, if he was actually fit to do the job he is after, should be the first person to request that investigation, but he isn't and he won't!
12
Like music, the notes and the pauses combined. The truth in Dr. Blasey's testimony was her words. Fatally for Kavanaugh the truth was what he did not say....sad, sad notes he played. The more he played the more he uncovered the truth. This symphony will live in our collective consciousness for years to come.
4
"at one point, he turned a question around on Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, asking if she had a drinking problem"
Telling that it was a woman he said this to.
Telling that he didn't disrespect a male senator that way.
13
On top of the sexual assault accusations, there is the growing concern, at least on my part, that Kavanaugh is a high functioning alcoholic. His answers regarding his drinking or just about any question regarding drinking were revealing because they were so equivocal. Another reason not to advance him.
10
Dr. Ford told the truth. Judge Kavanaugh lied to protect his "assets" and staged a trump-like exhibition. I am so sick of the politics in this country and the way it has tainted the Executive and Legislative Branches of government...now the Judiciary. We need to protest now and vote for Democrats in November.
6
There is zero chance he isn't confirmed... republicans wouldn't go ahead with the vote if they didn't have the votes needed, and from the get go this vote was going to happen regardless of yesterday or anything anyone said...
Republicans do no care about criminality, morality, or ethics unless they can use those topics against a democrat.
5
How many women, having seen this kind of rage before, were bracing for what usually follows: "Look what you made me do!" ?
RE: "It was a striking display by a nominee to the Supreme Court"
Regardless of the truth what we saw was a display of raw entitlement and privilege bespeaking of Kavanaugh's position of power where no one dares questions him. On anything.
"How dare you challenge me. How dare you deny me," Were clearly evident on his face in his barely controlled anger. "No one speaks to me like that!"
His belligerent and vindictive responses lashed out betrayed a temperament that should not be allowed on any bench whether local jurisdiction or the Supreme Court of the United States.
Regardless of the truth those who believe that he, and they, are similarly privileged (for whatever reason) will feel as Kavanaugh does. That he has done, but more importantly, that can do no wrong simply because of who he is. In this belief if right and privilege we see why he believes that the president should be held immune from the law and why Trump believes so strongly in Kavanaugh being of the same mindset.
12
How Lindsey Graham can call this inquiry into a serious allegation of assault a sham when he would not even have a meeting with Merrick Garland is the height of hypocrisy. I'd like to think Jeff Flake will have a spine, but he, too, refused to meet with Garland. Who is playing politics with the Supreme Court? No one plays harder ball than the Republicans.
7
I actually think there are important distinctions to be made between the politics played by the Republicans over the Garland nomination and the politics played here. In the Garland nomination, McConnell took a calculated political risk that Trump would win the presidency. Recall at the time, no one but Putin believed this was possible. Had Hilary won, she very likely would have nominated a much younger and more progressive nominee who would have won, even with a Republican majority as many Republican traditionalist Senators have a record of voting for qualified nominees even if they disagree with that nominees likely positions. This would have resulted in a liberal majority on the court and a justice that would be present for many years to come. At no time did McConnell attack Garland. Remember, the Democrats and the media have gone full bore after Kavanaugh on a personal level even before Dr. Ford’s accusations came to light. The political game that McConnell played was protecting his caucus from a vote and encouraging his base to come out to vote for Trump. It was a brilliant political gamble and he won.
To be continued...
1
America saw clearly the two truths that corroborate the allegations of Dr. Christine Blasey Ford and millions of other men and the #MeToo movement on display in the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing yesterday. The first truth is that Dr. Blasey Ford's claim of of sexual assault was completely and poignantly credible. The second truth that the white male patriarchy is guilty of sexual misconduct was revealed in the angry, aggressive, and frankly abusive conduct, especially toward women, by Judge Brett Kavanaugh as well as the men on the committee who rallied to the equally hostile, histrionic rant by Sen. Lindsey Graham. It was right there before our eyes in a shocking display of apha-male belligerence and ominous threats. Judge Kavanaugh revealed the hostile drunk he was claimed to be by many men and women in his overly aggressive comments to Sen. Amy Klobuchar when she gently probed his drinking. He was, as drunks often are, in her face in the most inappropriate and menacing way. Even he, or one of his handlers, realized the spectacle he'd created, and he apologized to Sen. Klobuchar after a break was called and he could calm down. That Donald Trump and the male senators seem to embrace and rally to this behavior was Exhibit 1 in the culture war between women who seek justice against male sexual predators and the phony righteous indignation of the entitled, powerful and privileged Republican male political establishment.
12
The hearing was just a formality. Nothing more. They will go ahaed and nominate as if nothing happened. A judge at supreme court with some dirty secrets is way better than a judge without. You could not find a better candidate than this for the current president. They will tap each other on their backs. High fives all around.
A great display of hypocrisy. Hope this changes for the better through better representation of a class of people that serves with dignity and courage.
4
The senators didn't go into the detail of the music inside the bedroom. What music? Radio, record player, cassette player? What kind of music? There is a terrible anti-white man bias in this country. White women are being duped about this and they need to realize that they should not spit on their own kind because of the alternative (angry nonwhites and angry nonwhite women).
3
The Republicans and their candidate turned this hearing into a horror show. The government is about to seat a second sexual harasser and abuser to the Supreme Court. Our democracy, imperfect as it has always been, is being ripped away from us. Having watched that hearing yesterday from start to finish, I can’t feel anything now but dread.
4
The Republicans found Dr. Blasey credible----yet they will support Kavanaugh's confirmation.
It's worth remembering that the latter's name was put forward in the first place because overturning Roe v. Wade is part of their agenda and he will be their man supporting its demise.
The hearing came to nothing and predictions are he'll get the votes. So there's only one thing left for sane American public to do. November is coming....Vote them all out.
6
There are NOT “two very different versions of the truth.”
There are NOT “alternative facts.”
If this is the best reportage that The Times can provide, then the media has learned nothing in two years (or five) and Trump has won.
4
I watched or listened to every second of this. I was stunned by Mr. Kavanaugh's indignation. I also gasped when, in his throes of denial, he was shaking his head 'yes' while repeating the word 'no'; gulping water and blinking like he had something in his eye. All signs of lying.
11
“All I can say is that we are 40-something days from the election and their only goal, not Ms. Ford’s goal, is to delay this past the midterms so they can win the Senate and never allow Trump to fill this seat,”
-Lindsay Graham
“What goes around, comes around.”
-Brett Kavanaugh.
4
For me the big moment was the 1 July calendar reveal. When Mitchell read out the names, my reaction was: Wait, those include the names in the allegation … then she did nothing with it.
Going for “skis” on a Thursday when he had claimed under oath he NEVER went drinking on a weekday – lie #1. The the group of names – close enough to the specific event – lie #2. Devil’s triangle – lie #3.
Doesn’t mean he actually did what he is accused of but he lied about critical details. That should be enough to exclude him.
But this is in an environment of a president who’s a habitual liar and who has sanctified rape talk as “locker-room talk”.
13
Did anyone ask kavanaugh, “What do you mean, ‘What goes around comes around.’” Is that some sort of veiled threat? Sounds like one.
8
@David J
He was talking about his interrogation of Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinsky. He certainly doesn't want that sin revisited upon him and his accusers.
2
Why YES Mr. Trump, Judge Kavanaugh did indeed show us EXACTLY why you nominated him. You two are clearly of the same slimy and, after Kavanaugh's display today, unqualified mold.
11
I guess I'm beyond being disappointed by democrats by now. Why one of them didn't jump up at some point and forcefully say "We are Senators, you are a witness. We ask the questions and you answer. You do not talk over us, insult us, disrespect us!" There have to be Senate rules about witness behavior.
The R's once again spend great capital for a very short term victory, producing many opportunities for campaign ads of angry white men bullying their way through their self-interests. We'll see if the D's are smart enough to exploit these opportunities.
7
Judge Kavanaugh would not get confirmed if the Senate still operated under the sixty vote rule. Donald Trump would not be President if not for the loophole in our system known as the electoral college. The Republican party under Trump has become an ugly ideological cult. The man cheapens everything he comes in contact with and the once vaunted Supreme Court is no exception.
11
It's not as if the republicans had very far to fall to get down to Trumps level, but they are surely there.
The party of anger and exclusion has found their man in Kavanaugh, an obviously evasive, rude, and shameless blamer of all others. I don't see how he complements any court.
6
After an articulate, vulnerable, quiet and persuasive voice of a woman determined to tell the truth, Kavanaugh and Senate Republicans may have "saved" the Judge's nomination by displays of anger and shouting, displaying pure alpha male aggression, seemingly uncontrolled and worthy of a pack of snarling primates, baring their teeth while under attack.
11
@Norman
She was believable in part because she was so calm, compliant and likable. He behaved like a complete jerk and is still viewed as credible by many. Imagine if a woman ever behaved remotely like he did. The behavior that people think give him credibility would've gotten her declared insane.
2
Jeff Flake will cave. A lot of ex Congress members become lobbyists so he will have his eye on the next chapter, likely a job with a conservative outfit.
1
Kavanaugh's and Republicans' actions were despicable and a national disgrace.
In the age of Trump, they were all empowered to act the way that way knowing there would be ni negative ramifications from Trump.
All sane voters need to get out and vote for only Democrats this November to stop this Republican Insanity.
7
Oh. Let’s demand men be more in touch with their feelings; more attached to their family.
Then let’s despise them when they are.
And decry them for being 'undisciplined, out of control, belligerent' when not obsequious, muted, and compliant.
More hypocrisy of the left.
2
Kavanaugh has shown himself to be an extreme partisan hack with a casual relation with truth. He is unfit to be a judge on any court. Collins, Murkowski, et al. have a profound choice in front of them. Do they want to be remembered and revered by the posterity as brave and historic figures who saved the nation? Or, do they want to be forgotten as political careerists who fell in line?
12
Aside from the allegations and speaking directly to Judge Kavanaugh's opening statement. What has me incredibly concerned it the animus he has shown towards the Democratic party and its members. It truly frightens me that Mr Kavanaugh decided to not stay neutral and the implications of his impartiality on the Supreme Court.
13
If Kavanaugh is confirmed, I will never vote Republican again.
13
If you are atune to semantics, Mr. Kavanaugh may not be lying when he says he did not sexually assault Dr. Blasey Ford - because when she was 15 and he 17, she was not yet a doctor. If you took the question literally, Mr. Kavanaugh would not be lying. Maybe it’s worth someone’s time to review the tapes on this and see if the question needs to be rephrased.
As an observer of both testimonies, on face value they were both believable in their opening statements. However, Mr. Kavanaugh’s childish tirade and partisan antics during the questioning gave the appearance of him having something to hide. Not to mention Senator Graham’s partisan meltdown, copying the methods of the sexual predator in the White House.
If there wasn’t anything to hide, Mr. Judge would have been at Mr. Kavanaugh’s side defending him and revealing his side of the story. If he and the committee have nothing to hide, they would invite an FBI investigation, pure and simple.
What other skeletons are in Mr. Kavanaugh’s closet? Yes, I feel sorry for his wife and daughters, but not for him. He should have withdrawn days ago.
His reputation is forever tarnished and should he be confirmed by the GOP, the Supreme Court shall be forever diminished and tarnished. I pray Collins, Flake and Mukowski can look past partisan politics and do what is right for the country.
Mr. Kavanaugh’s partisan display today was unworthy of a Supreme Court Justice.
5
Oh. Let’s demand men be more in touch with their feelings; more attached to their family.
Then let’s despise them when they are.
And decry them for being 'undisciplined, out of control, belligerent' when not obsequious, muted, silent, and compliant. And complain about their 'temperament' and 'suitability'.
Sound familiar?
More hypocrisy of the left.
4
@Autumn - connecting unconnected things. And then finding fault in for it. That is hypocrisy.
5
Tell the gentleman from s.c. that his self- righteous ravings don’t cut it.. he might want to refer to Merrick Garland when he produces such disgust over the worst sham since he’s been in congress... 100,000 documents that never saw the light of day, an FBI probe that was disallowed, other credible accounts of the moral unfitness of the supreme court nominee skipped completely... the scent of the fiasco that ensued over the last 4 hours of yesterday, will linger long after, I’m guessing here, Kavanaugh is seated at the court.. Two things... congress, such as it is, reduced, AGAIN. And the supreme court... reduced along with it.. God help this country!
10
I felt compassion for both Dr Ford and Kavanaugh. However, Judge kavanaugh's behavior during his testimony was so partisan, unmeasured, at times undignified. An important characteristic of a good judge is someone who can rise to the occasion when it's difficult but called for; someone who can put their personal hurts aside and act honorably. Mr Kavanaugh could not do either. He also seemed defensive about questions regarding his drinking, unwilling to admit his young weaknesses, unable to characterize himself other than perfect - but we could have forgiven him. I think he lied because he did not believe we could forgive. That lying - for me - is the reason he is not qualified.
10
The American Bar Association is calling for an FBI investigation in the wake of FOUR allegations of sexual harassment and abuse. That should be enough to shame these immoral Republicans into requesting one. An investigation is what is needed to determine if Kavenaugh should receive this privileged position as a justice on the highest court in the land. Otherwise, it’s just a sham.
6
What is clear from the Kavanaugh hearing is that by the end of today the Trump and partisan infections could be firmly rooted within the Supreme Court. What he exposed in his rhetoric yesterday should be as equally shocking as the allegations against him. This is not representative of the court that we need.
6
Dr. Blasey Ford's testimony yesterday was a gift to the world. It was gripping, inspirational, and will have a lasting effect throughout history. If Brett Kavanaugh gets voted in this morning without further investigations taking place, he and his family will never escape the gift bestowed on us by Dr. Blasey Ford. Be careful of what you wish for, Mr. Kavanaugh, you just might get it.
12
We already have an unstable head of government. After seeing Kavanaugh’s disgusting Trumpian performance, does this country really need an unstable petulant personality this time with a lifetime appointment to the Supreme Court?
7
Your title is incorrect. Dr. Ford did not face off with Mr. Kavanaugh. Dr. Ford faced a committee of several men with strong political pressure to discount and not believe her. By his own admission, Mr. Kavanaugh did not even watch her testimony. Also by his own account, Mr. Kavanaugh was doing black out drinking during that time, and he may truly not remember what he did, if he was experiencing a walking blackout, but his inability to tolerate even seeing her side of the story displays his utter inability to take responsibility for the things he did. The members of the committee asked him the wrong questions. Here are some of the questions they should have asked him.
Have you ever had anyone tell you about things you did while you were drinking that you do not remember doing?
Have you ever had a sexual experience you did not want?
Have you ever participated in a sexual experience where you knew someone else was having a sexual experience they did not want?
Have you ever lied about having a sexual experience?
Have you ever lied about an episode of drinking?
When was the last time you experienced an alcoholic blackout?
Have you ever forced a woman to have sex against her will?
Have you ever tried to have sex with a woman against her will?
Have you ever assaulted a woman while drunk?
If you are a black out drinker, how can you be sure that you have never assaulted a woman while you were so drunk you don't remember?
7
Will the Committee disregard the ABA and still try to ram this confirmation down the country's throats? What has to happen: must Ford file a rape complaint? Must the SC Justices speak?
The ABA is not a Democratic pawn. The Committee must end this fiasco.
10
This is not about an attempted rape and sexual assault so much as the SHOVING in, in a hurry before the election in November, of a very partisan judge in a lifetime position on the Supreme Court without initially and all though refusing to look into all there is to know about him. In the end we saw enough of his temperament and strong leanings to a partisan side, his denial or whitewashing of his past, his wound licking and blaming to know he does not have the judicial temperament we need for this awesome position- particularly in such a pivotal role most assuredly tilting the court away from the majority sentiment in this country.
Justices can be liberal or conservative and they are, but they should not be so partisan.
11
Regardless of guilt and innocence, I don’t see how the Supreme Court maintains any dignity with Kavanaugh on the court. I can’t think Roberts would even want him on the court at this point.
7
We need an FBI investigation into the accuser and her backers. Who were the "Beach Friends" who cajoled her into coming forward with these wholly uncorroborated allegations. Are they the same Palo Alto backers who she said are funding her campaign against Kavanaugh? If she intended to remain anonymous, why did Feinstein direct her to a lawyer and an inadmissable polygraph test. When did Feinstein first decide to weaponize these allegations, knowing that she did so even as she was interviewing and questioning Kavanaugh in person, and in public and private testimony. Was the accuser unfortunately exposed or actively involved in this political hit? What are we to believe when 4 of the supposed attendees deny her allegations? Are they all liars, including her longtime friend? What about a meticulous calendar that makes no mention of the party in question? But let's get to her claims. She says they turned up the music very loud to drown out her screams, but somehow she heard their laughing as they left and a discussion downstairs. She must have superhuman hearing. This is a woman who finds flying traumatizing, who regularly flies to Delaware, New Hampshire, Hong Kong, Costa Rica, etc. Again, there is zero, zip, zilch corroborating evidence to her claims - even as Democrats set out to weaponize this allegation several weeks ago. They had several weeks to corroborate and investigate her story - and they did nothing and found nothing.
6
@TL None of what you are saying matters. What Dr. Ford describes happened to her, happens on colleges campus' and house parties throughout the country. Despite not knowing Kavanaugh, Dr. Ford is telling the truth and the accused fits the description of the type that would do such a thing. That is all that really matters in the court...of public... opinion.
2
@Leo The accused fits the description? Of what? Your perception of "entitled white boys". You mean like the Duke Lacrosse players and the UVA fraternity - both vilified for "fitting" your description, both groups smeared and defamed to fit an agenda. There is very wide gap between what the left wants to believe and what is actually corroborated. Kavanaugh isn't there to take the hit for what you believe happens on college campuses. The left's anger against white men will continue even after you sacrifice Kavanaugh in blind outrage. It's a shame to watch power hungry Democrats cash in on this anger and stoop so low in search of power. Again - ZERO corroboration.
The question is: do the Senators have daughters or grand daughters and, if so, what will they tell them about the way they voted?
3
Lindsey Graham's very visible anger yesterday suddenly got me thinking: why is he so angry? Could it be that there is something similar in his early years that he see parallels to? Did he drink too much in high school or college? Did he get "fresh" with a girl or two in school?
Everyone of us has skeletons in our closets. Some closets are bigger than others...
6
With all the problems and issues in the world today, the USA is fussing about something a middle-aged man may or may not have done 36 years ago when he was in high school.
6
I woke up in the middle of the night and the first thing that came into my mind was those Republican Senators spewing venom in their outrage that their Supreme Court nominee was facing serious questions and in danger of losing the vote. They were accusing the Democrats of using Ford's claims as a ruse to gain power by blocking the Republican's nominee. This hate fest occurred despite the fact that these same men had remorselessly stone-walled Obama's nominee and left the seat open for themselves to fill. I am left shocked at how little conscience these men showed. Getting to see the real face of who has been in control of the country for the last number of years has been a frightening revelation. As for Kavanaugh, it should be noted that he stated under oath that his reputation had been destroyed. How can someone whose reputation has been destroyed be granted a seat on the Supreme Court. Don't those judges need a reputation? The effect he describes was brought about in large part by the credibility of Ford's testimony, but in addition, by background being unearthed about his high school/university years, for which he has no one to blame but himself.
6
Just think for a moment where this country is today nearly two years after Trump’s election. Yesterday’s debacle orchestrated by the Republican Senate is a culmination of two years of total chaos. Men against women, black against white, Democrats against Republicans. We are at each other’s throats and in the process of destroying what this country stands for. Yesterday we saw raw, mean spirited passion, from Judge Kavanaugh and Senator Graham. We are now TrumpAmerica, it only took him two short years to turn us against each other.
10
People are seeing what they want to see. I see it like this – everything Trump has done has made things worse, has separated people. If there’s anything our enemies (the enemies of Democracy are the International oligarch billionaire class) want, is to have Americans fighting among themselves – it makes things so much easier for them. Every single time Trump came to a fork in the road and one road lead toward uniting us and the other lead toward chaos, anger, demagoguery, breaking the country in two, he will always take the latter path. This country has not been this torn in two in a long time.
The GOP and Kavanagh could just have the FBI investigate; so simple. Instead of taking this path of logic and least resistance they instead opt for ranting and raving without any of the evidence an investigation would provide.
Go figure.
The Supreme Court should be about impartiality and justice; Kavanagh’s performance yesterday made it clear that he does not possess these traits.
10
Yesterday's hearing wasn't primarily about finding out whether the assault took place. It may seem like a distinction without a difference, but the hearing was about whether Kavanaugh's denials were credible, whether he was credible and fit to sit on the Supreme Court. He showed he was not, in more ways than we expected to see.
11
We witnessed Lindsay Graham's nasty bullhorn blaming the Democrats for the circus hearing in the Judiciary Committee yesterday. Screaming blame. The SCOTUS nominee, Kavanaugh, obviously loved and still loves beer and even asked a couple of Dem senators what they liked to drink. The sign of a sloppy drunk is his consummate interest in drinking (and "ralphing" as Kavanaugh's high school yearbook page attested). Now that Trump has tweeted how wonderfully right he was to nominate Kavanaugh, who was "born to be on the Supreme Court!", and President Bush has twisted the committee's G.O.P. arms since the sexist hearing ended after 10 hours last night, there isn't much hope left that the few Republican Senators who were on the fence will vote against confirming Judge Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court. Though the ABA at least suggested pausing in the confirmation process for an FBI investigation, hope is moribund this morning. Our nation is divided, our democracy in the ER on a gurney, in extremis. Are there any better angels eft in the U.S. Senate? Lindsay Graham is democracy's Charon rowing across the Styx.
6
Kavanaugh refused to answer the question if he would like the FBI to do an investigation. Why not? What is he afraid of? His friend Mark Judge is now an alcoholic. Both used to drink a lot. Is Kavanaugh an alcoholic? Some alcoholics can hide it. We don't need someone like that on the high court. The fact that he's so evasive and won't answer simple questions disqualifies him. He may be qualified as a legal scholar but he lacks credibility.
17
Kavanaugh should not be confirmed for 3 simple reasons:
1. He is consistently evasive and malleable with the truth
2. His behavior yesterday was unbecoming of a Supreme Court justice
3. He has shown himself to be an unabashed political operative
Go back to the drawing board.
16
As a former college president, I dreaded every Monday morning when on my desk appeared the Security Department’s report chronicling any incidents of drunken debauchery from the weekend that yielded property damage or far worse - sexual assaults. Despite all our best efforts to reduce and control such outcomes, the truth remained that alcohol, hormones, and freedom from parental oversight were a toxic combination. Predatory urges among certain populations of male students led to horrific incidents during my tenure, including a gang rape of an inebriated co-ed by five football players. The victim soon transferred, went into therapy, and her parents divorced soon after over how to come to terms with the attack. None of the five males saw jail time. The girl and her family were destroyed.
I don’t believe Brett Kavanaugh for one second. What Dr. Blasey Ford described so vividly happens more often than the public knows. It is a sad reality of our sick society and the culture of male dominance that has existed among our species forever. Ford had nothing to gain through her testimony and Kavanaugh everything to lose. Kavanaugh was positioned by his Republican handlers as the choirboy victim. I believe he is neither. He, and his GOP partisans, will go to any length to preserve the Old Order. That this battle should be occurring on the scales of Blind Justice when the credibility of our system of jurisprudence hangs in the balance is absolutely appalling.
32
Very important and insightful comment. Should be at the top..,
4
“I’m torn” means “I’m a well intentioned, decent person, but I support the nominee”
He will be confirmed.
2
Moderates, where are they?
They left when Paul Ryan, Kevin McCarty, and Eric Kantor hand fed the Tea Party Candidates they ushered in back in 2010, all 67 they got elected to the House of Representatives.
And with the arrival of this new cabal of Republicans was the exit of those Republican politicians, their House members ,who could reach across the aisle.
And where is there any mention of this by the 'talking heads' on our air and e-waves. These members of the media delivering the news are so shallow, so spin oriented, and for someone who grew up in the 50's and 60's and witnessed the birth of their 'boomer nation-battlegrounds of civil rights, the environment, the fight to end the Vietnam War, and the right for a woman to have their Right to Chose, it is difficult everytime the moniker of "Breaking News' introduces each presentation of the news.
Selling ads and 'click bait' are not the way to portray a news item, as the news. once again, is more about the medium being the message and not solely the news item.
2
It was inevitable that Republicans would claim that Dr. Blasey's charges against Judge Kavanau would be deemed part of a Democratic conspiracy to block Judge Kavanau's nomination. That's hardly tenable now, especially given Dr. Blasey's presentation yesterday.
Of course, claim of a conspiracy begs for a comparison with Republicans’ “handling” of the Garland nomination. That too is inevitable.
When I try to consider the assertion of Democratic conspiracy, one thought comes to mind: If you want to beat a Republican, you have to think like a Republican.
Regardless of whether or not her story is true, I don't think she would have made the accusations if Kavanaugh were a left leaning Clinton pick for the court. This is purely political.
2
Two words: Al Franken.
He clearly showed that he was owed tbe appointment. How many times did he tell us of his academic and athletic prowess? 20 ?
7
An estimated 18 million American women were raped in the last 20 years. Breathtaking.
6
Grassley, Graham and the Good Ole Boys Party give new meaning to perverting the course of justice. Or maybe coarse perversion of justice…anyway, it was clearly perverse and I don’t need an FBI investigation to know that.
9
At the end of the day, the old men of the GOP committee dissed yet another woman. The very one they picked to ask their questions.
She tried her best without complete background checks to ask their questions on their behalf, to prove their case that maybe she is "lying" or "mixed up". They could not resist throwing their own female prosecutor under the bus and taking over. And that there showed their true selves. The extent they will go to to cover up potential incriminating facts. One thing I will agree with the disgraceful Sen. Graham. This whole thing is a Kangaroo court without proper investigation. Yes Mr. Graham a sham that you have created. Shame on al of you.
17
For either party – Democrat or Republican to act shocked & disgusted by the opposing party is the height of hypocrisy. Both sides have created this moment we are experiencing – however with the bitterness & anger expressed by Bret Kavanaugh towards “The Left Wing Clinton Conspiracy” it seems ludicrous that he (Kavanaugh) would be awarded a seat as an impartial judge on the Supreme Court, the highest and supposedly impartial court in our country. But I suspect he will be seated.
After Kavanaugh's statements - any left leaning group appearing in his courtroom would be justified in calling for a mistrial.
The posturing from Lindsay Graham may have pleased the Right & Mr. Trump but it was total hypocrisy.
15
"One of them, Jeff Flake, could tip his hand at Friday’s Judiciary Committee vote. "
Don't count in Flake. As his name suggests, he's going to vote in favor as he is nothing but another regressive republican.
And so will Collins, another shining example of regressivism from the "great" and poor state of Maine.
And so will Murkowski.
9
Kavanaugh's open hostility towards the Democratic party is only a precursor to his behavior as a SCOTUS member should his nomination succeed. How impartial is that?
15
While senators divided along typical party lines, only one party called for further investigation of both Blasey Ford and Kavanaugh's claims, the Democratic Party.
Only one witness, Dr Blasey Ford, agreed without hesitation to undergo a FBI background check despite as one Democratic senator pointed out it could reveal her memory to be in error.
Only one witness, Blasey Ford, conducted herself with decorum and respect for the judicial process. The other with contempt for the process, the truth, and Democrats. He behaved like a spoiled entitled brat. Kavanaugh made it clear that if appointed he will rule in revenge.
This could have been cleared up with a simple additional background check by the FBI when Dr Blasey Ford came forward, and by subpoenaing Mark Judge. Republicans refused both.
Republican leadership believed they could intimidate Blasey Ford into remaining silent. When that didn't work they provided a sham proceeding. They hired and used Ms Mitchell to interrogate Blasey Ford. When it became clear Ms Mitchell was using the same approach with Judge Kavanaugh, Republicans jettisoned their hired "female assistant" for a new strategy, demonizing and demonstrating their contempt for Democrats and the truth while bucking up the ego of Kavanaugh.
Would Republicans have conducted themselves so shamelessly if Blasey Ford had still been in the room? Probably.
I wonder if Justice Kennedy regrets allowing himself to be forced off the bench?
18
Noticed how touchy Kavanaugh got when he was questioned about his drinking. And then the obfuscation by him really came to the forefront. He is either lying about the event in question or he was so drunk he just doesn't remember.
18
Judge Kavanaugh made two things very clear yesterday:
1. He has poor temperament and is capable of being very belligerent
2. He definitely does not want to have to talk to the FBI about Ms. Ford's accusations.
That should really be all that anyone needs to know.
505
@rs And he definitely doesn't want the FBI to talk to the others: Mark Judge, James Roche, or the others who mighr corroborate his drinking habits.
1
@rs Would love to see how you would handle the disgraceful treatment that he got from Democratic Senators. The Senators that stated immediatly after he was proposed that they would not vote for him. Yesterday we witnessed sympathetic treatment of Doctor Ford by Republicans. We also witnessed horrific treatment by Senators Leahy, Hirono, Booker, Durkin that made everyone embarrassed. I don't doubt something happened to Doctor Ford. I believe it was someone else. I believe Doctor Ford needs extensive medical assistance. Judge Kavenaugh has a history you would love to have. Those Senators were abusive and totally disrespectful!
4
@rs. He was coached by the GOP and when they saw that was backfiring they called for a break. Did you notice the before and after behavior? He is bought and paid for. They own him. Scary he is a judge anywhere let alone the Supreme Court.
Whether Kavanaugh was a lewd young man without compassion or grace, whose drunken behavior led to violence, I can't say for sure, but his performance--and that's the right word for it--at the hearing did nothing to convince me he doesn't see himself as entitled or superior. He was supercilious in his attacks, expected senators who questioned him to cede him the floor even when he told irrelevant stories. His testimony was characterized by excessive repetition and obfuscation, no different from the hearings regarding his judicial activity under George W. Bush.
I couldn't believe it when he asked Amy Klobuchar if she had ever been drunk as a way to deflect her gentle probing of his proclivities. The man's character disqualifies him, and of that I am certain.
23
Here is what obviously needs to be done by either the FBI or concerned citizens - find out where Timmy Gaudette lived in 1982, get into that house, take photos of the living room, stairwell and upstairs bedrooms and bathrooms, and show the photos to both Blasey Ford and "Two-Beers" Kavanaugh. Based on all the data, that is the most likely place that the assault happened.
6
Regardless of whether he committed the assault, he has demonstrated in this hearing that he is belligerent, volatile, out of control, and apparently unable to understand questions and reply appropriately.
The Dems didn't do this, he sank his own future himself in yesterday's performance.
16
Does Mr. Kavanaugh have a judicial temperament? I guess not! I would be scared to death if he were presiding over a trial where I was the innocent defendant. Where was the gravitas, the impartiality, the advisable stoicism? He was perfect for a Groucho Marx movie.
7
@Snip, Or The Three Stooges.
Sadly, it does not matter any more who is telling the truth.
Kavanaugh has shown that he is not Supreme Court material:
1) he is willing to force decisions he wants by suppressing evidence and refusing to listen to the testimony of key witnesses
2) he clearly has animus toward Democrats--he will have to recuse himself on all political cases that come before the bench
3) he becomes nasty when things don't go his way--clearly not a judicial temperament
This should be the end for him. And he can thank the Republicans for the implosion.
14
Do not confirm Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court. He revealed a temperament that was churlish, belligerent and highly partisann, evoking the Clintons and suggesting some members of the Judiciary Committee were resentful of the Democrats’ loss of the presidential election as a purported motive behind the hearing. He appeared to be playing to Trump, who had indicated that Kavanaugh’s recent performance in an interview televised on Fox was not forceful enough. He repeatedly evaded questions and refused to say whether he would agree to an FBI investigation of the sexual assault charges that recently came to light. His demeanor was unprofessional and at times rude and insulting to the senators who questioned him. In the end, as happened 27 years ago, the Good Old Boy network seemed to prevail. We can and must do better than this man, this deeply flawed candidate.
12
Senator Lindsay Graham summed it up best after Ford's testimony saying that Senator Feinstein should have come forward with the allegations the moment she received them and should not have allowed the Kavanaugh nomination go to Committee. She used her constituents anguish for political gain. That is unethical and immoral. Senator Feinstein and her Democrat colleagues, especially Senators Booker and Harris, have made the process a joke, all because they want to protect a woman's right to abortion. It is for that reason why I have become increasingly steadfast in my opposition to the practice, which I once supported. It is my sincere hope Judge Kavanaugh is confirmed to the Supreme Court. Who knows how he will rule on a case with the potential to overthrow Roe, but I hope he and the other originalist make the right decision. Thank you.
2
Beyond a reasonable doubt—-in the context of a life long appointment to a position of profound power the country must have complete confidence in the character and ability of a Supreme Court justice to ensure its legitimacy. Partisan concerns aside yesterday’s circus unequivocally creates extensive doubt about Judge Kavanaugh’s actions, character and behavior as to render him unfit for the Supreme Court. The testimony by his accuser, his multiple references to alcohol and sex, multiple accusations of other women and classmates regarding his behavior and a refusal to allow an investigation or testimony of a possible eyewitness must lead any rational citizen or senator to harbor doubt regarding his candidacy and therefore to reject him.
7
An Incredibly convincing Lady !
I Bow to her
6
You gotta have some sympathy for poor Kavanaugh. He may never again be able to enjoy his beers with as much gusto after this hearing.
5
He lied multiple times yesterday. That alone is disqualifying. He lied about the statement from Mark Judge's lawyers. Mark Judge never submitted a personal statement, much less an affidavit. Judge Kavanaugh knows this and lied about it yesterday. He lied about the meanings of the words in his yearbook and this isn't frivolous given a devil's triangle is what he's being accused of. And he lied about his drinking. He should be censured for lying under oath as a sitting judge, not confirmed.
14
I have seen very little attention given to the utter lack of judicial temperment. Kavanaugh's histrionic testimony showed how unfit he was to serve as a judge. In addition, his rant against the democratic conspiracy showed how biased he was. This is not a man who can come to the bench with objectivity and neutrality.
13
The Democrats are hypocrites? What about not giving President Obama's candidate even a semblance of a hearing last year? Shame on all of them.
14
What a sad and bizarre spectacle. And what a ridiculous way to run a judicial system. Perhaps you need a re-think. This is what happens when you allow the unqualified to wade in on a process in which they should be playing no part.
The selection process should be down to those who are qualified to make the appointment as it is in other modern democracies. That would be a properly constituted, apolitical, suitably i.e. legally qualified and experienced, committee. And absolutely not on the whim of a transient politician and his cronies.
Your country's obsession with what a woman can and cannot do with her own body, simply adds to the toxicity of the three ring circus masquerading as an exercise in democracy, when it is self evidently the exact opposite. The US is no different in that respect from many of the countries around the world against which it has the hypocritical temerity to rail, for their treatment of the rights of women.
Why that should even be a consideration in such matters underlines the utterly venal charade, that is the nomination process. Time to rip it up and start again. It's your only hope.
10
Something which inadvertently has been uncovered in this so far is the fact that Kavanaugh clearly broke the law in drinking underage. Is a law-breaker a suitable candidate for the Supreme Court? You could see him struggling to avoid putting himself knee deep in an underage drinking controversy.
2
Judge Kavanaugh was evasive, which freed him from answering questions. It also effectively used up the questioners' 5 minute allotment of time.
His hostile bluster was the typical male way of shouting down his attackers. If you can't convince someone with facts and reason then intimidate them. His performance strongly suggests who wears the pants in his family.
If that doesn't work, he relied on the classic teenage refrain, "But, Mom, everybody's doing it."
He portrayed himself as a victim; one filled with self-pity. Recovering alcoholics have a saying for that - Poor me, poor me. Pour me another drink.
The biggest farce, however was how that fiasco was set up and run. Rachel Mitchell implied as much at the end of Ford's testimony when Mitchell commented on the 5 minute questioning time.
I don't know if Judge Kavanaugh did that to Dr. Ford or not, and I doubt if the public will ever know. I am convinced, however, that I don't want him on the Supreme Court.
10
Kavanaugh or Ford? Eloquent, emotional, evasive, spoiled brat
versus, petrified, professional, polite, persuasive obvious victim.
In your heart and in your gut, whom do you believe? Maybe not beyond a reasonable doubt, but that is not the standard for what even he admits is a job interview.
Does it matter to the truth or falsity of the allegations how they arrived where they arrived? Does the promise of a US Senator to a constituent to maintain confidentiality mean anything anymore? Is the "Made-for-TV anger" of Faust Graham anything more than his thunder and brimstone, smoke and mirrors audition to replace Sessions?
8
Look at how he treated Senator Klobuchar. If that's how he treats a powerful woman in public, imagine how he treats powerless women in private.
25
@LT
or more importantly, in "his" courtroom.
1
A gross injustice is being done today, this is not what our founders had in mind when they charged us with forming a more perfect union.
6
The Republicans began this - I remember Merrick Garland. We would not be having any of this if he had been seated on the Supreme Court.
10
If he gets elected to the Supreme Court without the FBI clearing his name, how does he or the Court have any credibility? Supreme Court judges should be above reproach. America seems to be loosing its way and it's moral values
8
There are so many layers to this. But the one line between the lines that keeps waking me up in the middle of the night is there is a “train” of boys out there. It is almost like the Catholic Church and child abuse. Popular, community engaged, powerful in their communities and respected throughout their congregations, priests abused children in front of everyone’s noses. Not until (and 18 years ago) now we are learning what happened to those children. So here we are, with a train of respectable boys, waiting for their turn to whatever and no one wants to learn what really happen in those schools and parties and how many young girls (or boys) were attacked. And similarly to the Catholic Church scandal, it is going to take another 20 years to learn these parties were as real and hurtful as they have been described this week, with many casualties left on their way.
11
The old "I have hundreds of people who never witnessed the event" defense. Not compelling.
Let's bring it down to brass tacks. Back in the day, President Clinton nominated two women for Attorney General, both of whom were withdrawn. The first had illegally hired an illegal immigrant nanny. The second, Kimba Wood, hired an illegal immigrant legally - at the time there was no law prohibiting it - and had paid all taxes appropriately. She was withdrawn, not because she had done wrong, but because her position required NO question of wrong doing, no whiff of scandal.
Fast forward, to now, when the position, unlike Attorney General, is for life, and firing the person is all but impossible. The mere whiff of scandal does not scotch the nomination, and the sober judge at the center goes partisan postal defending himself, using a totally illogical "I have thousands of people who are witnesses to me never committing a crime" defense. And the GOP - do they demand a withdrawal? No they march forward.
Does a 36 year old unproven crime disqualify you? Well, not anymore, although a non-crime disqualified a very competent woman. But what does disqualify Kavanaugh? His less than judicial defense and demeanor.
Can him, Sen. Flake, Senator Murkoswski. I m sure there are better candidates. We passed Gorsuch, did we not?
5
Each side accuses the other side faking emotions. So the simple solution is to let an impartial party like the FBI to investigate the veracity of each side.
Right now, the Reps are playing the angry man card. Why was Graham furious? They hired Rachel Mitchell but kicked her to the curb after she has done a hatchet job on Ms Ford.
Why aren't the Dems fighting back is quite a mystery. People saying they believe in Prof. Ford here on NYT are just wasting their breaths if the Dems resign to the fate that this is a Thomas-Hill redux. Ordinary people are fed up and they start the #MeToo movement but the Dems like NY Sen Gillibrand and FL Rep Debbie Schultz just got tough with their own party but not the Reps. This is very mysterious!
If Trump or Judicial Committee won't allow the FBI to get improve, just compel Kavanaugh's friends PJ and Mark Judge to testify under oath. If they refuse or plead the 5th, then the burden falls on Kavanaugh. Ms Ford took a polygraph and probably is willing to do so again, make Kavanaugh do it too. He had no qualm with it in his own court ruling back in 2016 but not himself now?
This is all very mysterious unless everyone is play acting like all the reality shows on TV
3
Two things:
1. Judge Kavanaugh provided the months of May-August. That leaves out Labor Day Weekend. It is still summer. There are many parties, especially because school has just started or is about to start. Too bad we did not get to see what happened on that weekend.
2. At my high school, it was against school rules to drink while playing sports. The penalty was getting kicked off the team. I wonder if this was the rule at Georgetown Prep. If so, judge Kavanaugh seems to have had no problem leading a double life of being a sports star while also breaking the rules.
5
Even if Kavanaugh wins the GOP nomination, he could still face impeachment for perjury should Democrats take control of House. Apart from facing allegations of sexual assault and misconduct, he could still be held accountable for lying before Congress about documents stolen from Democratic senators to advance Bush’s judicial nominees. He lied under oath as part of his 2004 and 2006 confirmation hearings for his position on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. And he lied again in the September testimony.
American people have the right to demand integrity and trustworthiness from their Supreme Court justices.
21
I only saw excerpts of the testimony on the Times video. Since it was not closed captioned I could not understand much of it. So my opinion is based solely on body language and facial expression.
Dr Ford came across as genuine, sincere, and highly credible. I applaud her courage for going public and every victim that does the same.
Judge Kavanaugh also came across as a victim, however he has now one to blame but himself. His own actions as a boy and young man speak for themselves.
6
Pretty unforgiving, but what I guess that’s what to expect nowadays. Sad.
2
How good can a judge be who does not want to have all the evidence possible, or all the witnesses possible, come forward?
If Kavanaugh sat on the Supreme Court, and a case against Republicans came up, how much evidence will he try to suppress?
26
The American Bar Association sent a letter late yesterday to Sens Grassley and Feinstein requesting the FBI investigate the allegations against Judge Kavanaugh before the Senate votes on his nomination.
I was sexually abused 48 years ago when I was 13. I do not remember the day or the month ,the before or the after. The only thing stuck in my mind was the assault, the face of my assaulter smiling ,my mother and his wife having coffee in the kitchen.I did not react at the time and as I got older I felt stupid,ashamed and angry. Over the years I have told almost everybody close to me about this man .You never forget. What I didn’t expect was this feeling of catharsis that the MeToo movement has offered me.
315
@Anonymous
Thank you for sharing your truth. You are not alone. There are many of us. The MeToo movement has provided catharsis and solace for me as well, as did writing about it previously here.
1
@Anonymous You are brave! SO happy you shared this self portrait!
@Anonymous Thank you for sharing and I'm sorry for the pain inflicted on you by that sorry excuse for a man.
Mr. Grassley: If you haven't figured it out yet, history has its eyes on you today. It will pass over all your years in the Senate and focus on this day. This is your Sam Ervin moment.
13
Moderate Republicans should ask themselves "How would John McCain have voted?"; Oh so sad that he is not here to show some decency and spine. He would have been so disappointed in Lyndsey Graham.
17
@Daniel
McCain? The old Navy Playboy? No question HE would have voted FOR Cavanaugh, of course. Why wouldn't he?
1
A common thread in these comments, is that the party with the greatest amount to win/lose, has the greatest incentive to lie. I agree. Democrats in the Senate are about to lose ideological influence over the Supreme Court for a generation, as a reliable conservative replaces 'swing vote' Justice Kennedy. Those Democrats hence have a great incentive to lie, leading to theirdesperate attempts to smear Judge Kavanaugh. Despicable, as Senator Graham observed, and fruitless, like the failed high-tech lynching of Justice Clarence Thomas.
10
Republicans DENIED President Obama’s nominee a meeting, a hearing and a vote because they knew he was qualified and they wanted to control the court for a generation. Republicans consciously ignored the 200 year history of Senate protocol for a political purpose. There was no advice and consent: there was simply roadblocks. Was that ethical?
Most importantly, NO EVIDENCE the democrats conspired with Doctor Ford to create these allegations. Judge K displayed an obvious bias against Democrats. Is he going to recuse himself from all political issues that come before him?!
5
Dick,
In case you forgot, it's the supreme court, which is SUPPOSED to be ABOVE "ideology." And if lying denotes what you have to lose, it is regressives who have the most to lose since THEY are the ones who will lose influence with an evenly divided court.
Once again, you angry regressives get it completely WRONG.
Having watched the proceedings, I find myself sympathetic with Dr. Ford's and Judge Kavanaugh's statement. It should be said that both could be telling their own truth, as best as they remember, about the event in question. Perhaps Judge Kavanaugh displayed similar behavior so often, got away with it, and never thought it was wrong that his assault of Dr. Ford doesn't register as significant in his mind and thus wasn't something he held onto any longer. Perhaps after many years of repressing the memory, Dr. Ford has created a false memory of her attacker. I may be giving Judge Kavanaugh the benefit of the doubt in that last case, but regardless, an investigation should be demanded.
The more conservative side of the aisle tried to argue that the left sat on the information for too long and an investigation should have taken place already if not for Democrats impeding the process. But as one senator mentioned, an investigation may only take one week, and it shouldn't matter with such serious charges and for such a serious position in play for our nation.
9
I agree with most of what you said. But you are wrong in one aspect: the delay in bringing fords accusation has extolled a terrible price for everyone. And that is the real tragedy— that should not be forgotten.
3
@Penn
If Senator Feinstein's claim that the victim did not want her identity revealed was false, and just a political ploy, then I 100% agree with you. She should not have sat on that information. If we are to believe the victim and understand that she wanted her identity protected, then it is reasonable what occurred. Even in a closed-door meeting, which Chairman Grassley suggested would have been possible, leaks might happen. Or, the senators on the right may not have taken an anonymous report from a democratic senator seriously.
But maybe Senator Feinstein purposefully withheld some options for Dr. Ford (e.g., closed-door meeting or having senators visit CA). There is room for doubt about that. Still, I have to say, in a case where the topic is sexual assault, where both the accused and the accuser are facing serious stress and consequences (the relative weight for each is to be debated), it seems flippant to say that "the real tragedy" is the timing of a bureaucratic process.
As I watched Senator Graham's absurd, cartoonish performance yesterday afternoon, I wondered whether Attorney General Sessions was doing likewise and recognizing that his old pal Lindsey had just thrown the switch on Sessions' Career Dissipation Light. Graham used his time yesterday to perform for an audience of one, who was undoubtedly glued to his television, and to audition for the post he seeks to occupy following the mid-term elections.
I've spent the past quarter-century practicing law (overwhelmingly on the civil side with only a smattering of criminal work) and during that time I've probably taken 2,500 to 3,000 depositions. I'm always struck by how people in positions of authority (real or presumed) take offense at being required to answer questions and not being permitted to control the circumstances in which they have to answer them. Judge Kavanaugh's obnoxious response to Senator Klobuchar's question was a textbook example of how such a witness lashes out.
His after-the-break apology - no doubt forced upon him by a lawyer or advisor - rang as hollow and as patronizing to me as him reminding Senator Klobuchar, not once but twice, just how much respect he had for her. He said it as if her existence required his validation.
38
1: The GOP has no Shame - only outrage when entrenched power and privilege is challenged.
2: The Separation of Powers is a Joke.
26
I sobbed throughout Dr. Blasey's testimony, her pain at recalling the assault was palpable and her memories so detailed. A few minutes into Kavanaugh's statement, I almost felt compassion. It faded quickly as I realized he is a belligerent, entitled, angry rich boy, with a temper so fierce that even when he should have been on his "best behavior" - SOBER!- interviewing for this country's highest honor in the legal profession, and a critical responsibility, he was atrocious. The way he spoke to the female members indicated to me that this is how he regards all women - with the possible exception of his mother (whom he probably fears) and his wife (of whom he can play the almighty protector and good dad; unless she too is a victim and therefore complicit.).
Remember, this is a guy whose mother was a judge and knows all the legal tricks in the book, and whose father was one of the highest paid lobbyists in the business, heading the Cosmetics industry association - not the bastion of ethics by anyone's definition. Mark Judge is nowhere to be seen because he's been paid off and corralled somewhere. Kavanaugh was not so much sobbing as he was dealing with the nose itch of his lying. This is how Washington works - Lindsay Graham's histrionics, Orrin Hatch's Neanderthal comments about how Dr. Blasey was "pleasing" and Grassley's obvious shade and disrespect for Feinstein. Kavanaugh will get in. Line up every adult you can and clean house in November, please!
29
Stomach turning and revealing. No one can say now he "didn't know" about Brett's character flaws.
The Supreme Court, courtesy of the venomous right wing, is hurling us backwards to the 19th century. It may even find a way to legalize child labor, among other horrors.
I hope in Nov. we put the Democrats in the majority. Despite their flaws, they would choose better judges.
I hope too they have the courage to expand the number of judges on the Supreme Court.
Negating the pernicious effects of vengeful judges like BK and Clarence Thomas would begin to heal our country.
14
Is Sen. Lindsey Graham auditioning for Attorney General? I would not be surprised if President Trump fired both AG Sessions and Asst AG Rosenstein next werk.
13
Putting aside the sexual predator allegations, Kavanaugh disqualified himself by his attack on Democrats during the hearing and appearing solely on Fox. He is not, and could never be, an impartial Justice.
29
@Jay Davies
His appearing on Fox was unseemly and revealed him to be a partisan hack. That alone showed he has no place on the Supreme Court, but it's the party of Trump now. Any remaining pretense of decorum is dead.
6
The American Bar Association has just come out with a statement asking that the vote today be postponed until an FBI investigation can proceed, citing too many unanswered questions. They seem to implore the Senate Judicial Committee to put the rule of law ahead of politics. Good luck with that.
Senator Graham as much as said what I have always thought: they all hitched their wagons to Trump and now they fear they might lost the Senate and will take a scorched earth approach to get what they want: a conservative Supreme Court. If there is political fall out- they don't care because they will have a conservative court for the next 30 years, as the Republican party continues its decline of influence.
Their behavior is despicable and I hope serves as a lightening rod for every person to get out and vote in November. As my white middle class sister in law put it, "I think the country is getting sick and tired of rich white men telling us what to do". After watching the hearing yesterday, I can put Brett Kavanaugh squarely into that category as well.
416
@EB
The Republican party defers to the Federalist Society, not the American Bar association, the professional society of the legal profession.
That shows EXACTLY where they're at.
2
@EB
Spot on, excellent post!
1
@EB
I agree with you 100%, but I know of some Trump voters ( some in my extended family) that aren't even watching the proceedings. We are in a new age of voters that cast their votes against other people rather than for the benefit of all. I'm afraid that there are still 60 million voters out there that think Trump and the Republican Party are doing a great job.
The judge doth protest too much, methinks.
I saw a man who has been almost feverishly making up for an act in his adolescence--maybe only one--that he deeply regrets.
One has only to watch his behavior when being questioned by Democrats. His tearful pleading for his dignity and lost innocence and his helplessness in the face of overpowering force (the crazy process of the dysfunctional Senate and rapacious media) are a mirror image of the situation he participated in with Dr Ford 36 years ago.
13
Kavenaugh is now showing his defensive nature along with his violent nature when pressured by questioners . This should shows America just how dangerous giving Kavenaugh a seat on the the Highest Court of the Land would be and his nomination should be stopped .
23
Lindsey Graham, John McCain would have been so ashamed of your behavior.
14
@Anne
McCain was a Dyed-In-The-Wool REGRESSIVE, just like Graham and in secret would have commended him on a "good job."
Sounded to me as though Kavanagh proved that he and Trump are peas in a pod.
23
How did a 15 year old know the name of two close friends listed (by his own testimony) on Judge Kavanagh’s 1982 calendar? Mark Judge and PJ? Really PJ how many people do you know with a nickname PJ?
4
She was so poignant and obviously truthful I couldn't bear to watch her for weeping.
He was so dodgy and prevaricating I couldn't bear to watch him for boofing.
12
Christine Blasey Ford, courageous and composed.
Republican Sen. Lindsey O. Graham, for shame -- braying and screeching like a donkey's behind until scarlet in the face, calling allegations against Brett Kavanaugh “the most unethical sham since (he’s) been in politics.”
Democratic Sen Dianne Feinstein, for shame — tossing Ford under the bus by suggesting the story was leaked by Ford’s friends rather than Feinstein’s office, which had control of the letter that landed in the hands of the media.
And etc., etc. Our country is so broken in so many ways it feels unmendable. The sorrow felt in this household is all-consuming.
Kavanaugh, here's a saving-face "out" for you: Announce you will step aside for "the good of your family" and slink back into the swamp.
14
Yes Donald, we see. When it comes to women and the truth, you're both cut from the same cloth.
20
Blasey has no reason to expose herself to this examination of her young life and Kavanaugh has all reason to hide his past.
The person with the greatest to lose is the one who will lie to win.
All our judgment of human nature points to Kavanaugh being guilty of Blasey's charges. All our senses detect his blazing desire of owning the great honor of being a Supreme Court Judge.
All the Republicans on the committee will do anything to keep hold of their power.
Blasey is again a victim of men who don't care.
13
The whole thing was pointless. The result was preordained. The sex offender will get a lifetime appointment on the S. Ct., to join his fellow misogynists (all Republicans) on the bench. This whole circus was done to create some TV ratings.
2
"My hand-written calendar says I didn't rape anyone so there you have it, proof Senators"
This. THIS?! This is who Republicans feel is the single most qualified person to appoint to the highest court in the land? For life?!
Watching this hearing made me ashamed to share the same country with these men. Seeing them desperately cling to the power they feel they so rightly deserve sickens me.
Vote in November.
26
Kavanaugh is not qualified to sit on the Supreme Court--or any other court, as his belligerent, biased, bullying behavior today clearly demonstrated. He does not meet the standards of judicial temperment. No wonder Ttump likes him; like Trump, he's an egotistical, unbalaced loose cannon who lacks insight, emotional intelligence, and self-control.
Dr. Ford, on the other hand, seemed honest and credible. I'm with "her !"
14
I found her testimony very credible. I believe her. I was also willing to give Judge Kavanaugh the benefit of the doubt that as a testosterone laden intoxicated youth he may have groped and tried to have sex with her. Her interpretation of events may be very different from what he thought it was. It sounded as if the bumbling attempt to have sex was a stupid, crude attempt made worse by drunkenness and a male audience. It sounds like his friend may have tried to stop it by jumping on the bed and forcing everyone to fall off of it and allow the girl to escape. They certainly didn't pursue her as she left. His testimony however was disgraceful and alarming. Just be honest. It is plausible that he was so drunk that he did behave inappropriately, so admit to that possibility, apologize, and move on. I personally believe nobody should have an event from when they were drunk seventeen year old define them for the rest of their life.
3
The French expression "noyer le poisson", or to "drown the fish," means evading issues, muddying the waters. Kavanaugh seemed to be drowning a lot of fish.
14
Lets assume what Blasey Ford says is true. But then she told her parents when happened. And the parents called the police. Would there even be charges filled back then? She was pushed on a bed and groped by Kavanaugh. Then Judge jumped on the bed and it was over. What would the police and families do if that happened? She didn’t get raped. She didn’t even have her cloths taken off. This seems to be like a less therm a minute thing. Alcohol was involved with teens. My guess is the families would just talk about it. Have the boys apologize and move on.
4
Sadly, we are learning from the number of assaults coming to light--and the resulting trauma that numbs many into silence--that these events are all too common. The Kavanaugh hearing spectacle puts parents, caregivers, and other adults on notice that they must have protective talks about safety with ever younger children and to be especially alert and investigate if they see a change in behavior.
5
I streamed this ENTIRE testimony today, timing even my bathroom breaks around theirs. First, they didn't "square off" by any stretch; they weren't even in the same room! And Kavanaugh admitted he didn't watch Ford testify, so he didn't know what Ford had said. Second, of COURSE this is why Trump nominated Kavanaugh, whose testimony (after the sobbing whenever his family was invoked) was belligerent, combative and the epitome of entitled-acting, like a HS jock who was caught cheating. He behaved as though he thought he had stooped to being there, questioned by senators on both sides. His opening statement clearly was crafted by politicians, as it attacked the Democrats and only heightened the partisanship; Ford didn't do that whatsoever. A SCOTUS nominee resorting to attacking Hillary Clinton in this testimony and weaponizing his verbiage against one political party over which he is supposed to be neutral? It was frustrating to watch him deflect and evade answering questions with the exact same lauguage, especially the nine queries into whether he would request/welcome an FBI fact-finding investigation. He clearly doesn't want the FBI to investigate. Why is that? WHAT ARE YOU HIDING, Kavanaugh?? IMO, he does NOT exhibit the character or temperament of someone we want on the SCOTUS.
18
My rage is nearly boiling over at this moment.
8
With Republican senators' minds clearly already made up, and poised to nominate this ill tempered adult adolescent to the highest court in the land, then in November women are going to do what these white Republican men think we do best, CLEAN HOUSE!!
17
All Kavanaugh showed is that he is as unstable and as much of a liar as Donald Trump. The Republicans just showed their bias.
14
Kavanaugh "denounced a partisan “frenzy” bent on destroying his nomination, his family and his good name."
Gee, could it be that Kavanaugh has some small insight into how it must feel to be Renate Schroeder -- a woman whom he gleefully smeared in print alongside other Georgetown Prep boys?
Wouldn't that be just?
11
Basically, she showed grace under pressure, while a man with his lifetime job opportunity on the line came across as combative and petulant as heck - with a temper to match. I could entirely see him as an attacker of women,angry when he didn’t get his way.
One became a role model, the other came across far worse than Clarence Thomas - and that’s saying something!
14
So that performance by Judge Kavanaugh, that's Judicial temperament? Really. OMG! Forget the alleged sexual behavior. The alleged drunken behavior. That exhibition by the judge yesterday afternoon was disqualification for any judicial position.
21
This is not good for America.Trump & co may bulldoze and taste temporary
success in trade wars.But genuine cries of women may not be that easy to ignore and march on!Times are changing.
6
Just by the way he lost control of his emotions, how abusive he became, this man simply doesn’t have the temperate to sit on the Supreme Court. No other Republican President in the history of this country would stand by this man, but this is Trumps America, a cruder, more aggressive America, and they are , the both of them , giving the green light to a whole generation of young American men to behave disgracefully, lie, cheat ,steal, nothing is a crime unless your dumb enough to get caught. You can even grab them by the .....
13
#IBelieveHer
The horror of Predator Kavanaugh's dissembling "testimony" is that he is allowed to continue to suggest that because he has helped some women, his assault of another is somehow mediated. It does not matter if you love and support a million women, if you sexually assault one woman, you are not fit for public office.
7
Belligerent, entitled and arrogant. Not what I want in a supreme court judge.
15
Kavanaugh's Checkers Speech. All he has to say is yes, let the FBI investigate. But no. His aggression is out of place --- asking Klobuchar if she has a drinking problem. Disgusting.
16
Imagine if a woman behaved like Judge Kavanaugh did today, interrupting the senators, answering with anger, aggression and belligerence, crying, grimacing and squirming, such a woman would be probably be removed from the room! She would be described as hysterical, aggressive and unsuitable for a supreme court seat.
619
@RickiS
Interrupting is a debating strategy employed by the desperate to trip up their adversary when they feel they're losing.
3
@RickiS ... just as he is hysterical, aggressive and unsuitable for a supreme court seat.
2
@RickiS Hillary certainly did not cry through all oh the hours of hearings when she was hectored by Republicans, but she did, once, show a bit of pique:
“With all due respect, the fact is we had four dead Americans,” she said. “Was it because of a protest or was it because of guys out for a walk one night who decided that they’d they go kill some Americans? What difference at this point does it make?”
And that may in part have cost her the election to a job for, at most, eight years.
Kavanaugh could be on the Supreme Court until he dies.
He showed yesterday he does not have the temperament for the job, and he also showed he's not even half the man Hillary is.
1
"Judge Kavanaugh showed America exactly why I nominated him.”
Which is exactly why he shouldn't be confirmed to the highest bench in the land. His display of aggression and naked partisanship was frightening. I think Trump thinks he's finally getting his Roy Cohn. Kavanaugh all but called the hearing a "witch hunt."
11
This is puzzling. She didn't hear them coming upstairs behind her?
She said it was clear that Mr. Kavanaugh and his friend, Mark Judge, had been drinking, and that she had just had one beer. When she went up the narrow staircase to use the restroom, she said, she was pushed from behind into a bedroom.
Christine Ford: inspiring
Brett Kavanaugh: indignant
Mark Judge: in hiding
11
Here we go. You will now hear the republican mantra, they both are telling the truth. That way you can pat the woman on the head and say someone else did this to you.
6
It’s outrageous to not have the FBI investigate! Justice is not being served. The American people deserve better.
13
Brava, Dr. Ford. The mendacity displayed by the Republican men and Kavanaugh is appalling. November 6.
10
The most unethical scam was not this hearing but the GOP's refusal to follow the constitution and even hold a hearing for Merrick Garland. Their rush to appoint Kavanaugh after doing nothing for a year shows that they put party over country. Kavanaugh's interview with Fox shows he is just as partisan. It all makes me sick.
14
Kavanaugh twisted the meaning of four letters to try to prove his case which shows how he would judge if on the Supreme Court. He will twist evidence and affidavits to a fit an outcome, to fit his own ideological agenda.
8
How does our evolving understanding of the limitations of eyewitness testimony and memory impact how we should see this case? I personally believe the Doctor, but I've also seen multiple cases of convicted rapists and murderers proven completely innocent despite victims and eyewitnesses being unshakably certain that they had identified the right person.
1
How often does misidentification occur when you know the people? This was not picking two strangers out of a lineup.
3
Should a judge on the Supreme Court not be independent? Kavanaugh behaved like a member of the Republican Party. Clearly, the opening statement was dictated by Trump, because it included everything Trump always says, including the Clintons. Nobody will ever know for sure what happened in that bedroom, but we all saw what happened in the hearing room. And only on that basis Kavanaugh is totally disqualified to be a judge - at any level, let alone the Supreme Court. A very bad week for America on the world stage. NOT GOOD.
13
The most disgusting display of political posturing on both sides of the aisle. Both democrats and republicans are only interested in supporting or refuting Dr. Blassey's accusations in order to gain a political victory regarding Kavanaugh's nomination.( with a few exceptions.) Flamboyant news coverage including the Times avoids straight forward reporting in favor of sensationalized accounts to boost readership. A crime may or may not have been commmitted. It was not worthy of a committee hearing; it warranted a full scale law enforcement investigation prior to any judgements being made.
With this appalling character assassination, the Democrats have taken their victim. But look well, oh Democrats. What goes around, comes around. If you ever nominate any individual, male or female, for the Supreme Court or any other high office, you had better scrutinize that individual's background all the way back to elementary school. Leave no stone unturned, oh Democrats, and burn the midnight oil, because if there is anything out there, it will be found, and it will be used.
4
I am so glad Mr Kavanaughs family and life are being ruined. It's the least he deserves
4
Kavanaugh came across as an angry dry drunk, unfit to serve on the supreme court.
12
I don't think Kavanaugh has enough experience to be a Supreme Court Justice. After all, if to become president of the USA you need at least 19 credible accusations of sexual assault raised against you in your life time surely a Supreme Court Justice needs more than a couple? As for alcohol, it is astonishing that no one asked about any other types of alcoholic drink he imbibed other than beer (which he wrongly claimed was not illegal when at school in Maryland) or if he ever took illegal drugs. Since the hearing yesterday one of his two room mates at school has openly stated on TV that he was a heavy drinker et al and that Kavanaugh was lying to the nation. Kavanaugh's evasiveness said it all and why on earth (as now recommended by the American Bar Association) the Senate don't just go ahead and get the FBI to investigate all the relevant facts is a sad day indeed for the USA. Even Kavanaugh admitted two accusations against him were credible by (rather stupidly for a judge) emphasising that just one of them was absurd albeit denying all three. If Kavanaugh is appointed it will be a sad day for the US Constitution as the Supreme Court has just been affirmed (as many may have thought beforehand anyway) as being a political as opposed to a judicial body. Given Kavanaugh's tirade against the Democrats at the start of his "defence" how could anyone ever assume he wasn't politically biassed now?
6
What a hearing. I have never seen anything like it in my life. The utter rudeness and contempt that was displayed by one party, the Republicans (and I am lumping the Judge with the Republican because he sure acted like he was one of them). The R members constantly berated the Democrats and all they did was asked questions, that was what they were there for, weren’t it? I saw no Democrat being dipsrectiful towards Judge Kavanaugh, not one. The Democrats were almost leaning backwards to be nice (I would even say they handled him with kids gloves despite the outlandish manner in which he was behaving). Go over the hearings, turn the sound off and take in his mannerisms, totally unacceptable behavior. If I had a job interview and acted anywhere near how he did I would not have the job today. He acted entitled, rude, condescending and downright partisan. Aside from that the Judge:
Lied constantly about issues that can be easily refuted: Did he watch the testimony of Dr. Ford? He lied multiple times about terminologies related to the yearbook including “Renate” (what a thing if one of those other guys in the yearbook would be brave enough to come forward and speak the truth)
He was very evasive and did not answer most of the questions asked as it relate to the FBI and Mark Judge. By the way notice none of the R Senators asked him any real questions.
The hearing was really a low point even in the times we find ourselves living.
9
Kavanaugh’s exchange with Sen. Klobuchar unmasked his true personality. His sense of entitlement and cruelty were on full display. And he was sober!
11
I would expe t from every judge to herself or himseld demand the accusation Brett Kavanaugh is subject to be investgated.
I would expect from every devent person to know and acknowledge that someone known having being a strongly drunken cannot be trusted when she or hw claims never to have assaulted anyone while being drunken.
That the two points above are not respected show how low the US judiciary and the US politics have fallen.
2
The most amazing thing about these hearings, and the cultural dynamics surrounding them, is that neither side acknowledges that the underlying issue is abortion law.
So Democrats and Republicans are weighing every nuance of this 35-year old report involving the sexual behavior of high school and college students, but no one makes the connection.
2
Depending on which side of the great proletarian divide a reader is stationed in life, the extraordinary saga playing at all channels & newspapers about an event gone awry in the distant past is taking a few interesting turns,riveting global attention,away from even global warming.
One side says that the Accusations has evidence.
A rather contrary statement as evidence is evidence,a sort of fact & non accusatory in nature.
But in this days of heightened sensitivities,such things are brushed aside.
The other side has evidence as in case of Chinese meddling in US Midterm poll,which is derisively swept aside as mere accusations.
Both sides however have crystal clear memories of those not so salacious days & this lends credence to the fact as to,is this some sort of unrequited personal matter turning sour & ...
There is one thing that’s very interesting,that there’s no dull moment in the United States.
Everyone has a strong story from the past to present.
1
She was calm and believable.
He was angry and belligerent, aggressive and dismissive to the people interviewing him for the job. He's not someone you'd leave alone with your daughter.
It's possible that he remembers and is lying but more likely that he has either never remembered, being so drunk, or chosen to forget an embarrassing part of his life.
Do you want someone so very angry and frankly prone to hysteria on your most important court?
11
Does it really matter anymore who's telling the truth here? His absolute partisan, conspiracy theories infused, attacks on Democrats (and the Clintons!), have disqualified him already from being an impartial judge.
Any case involved women, coming in front of the supreme court, he should recuse himself. I will never agree for him to have a vote in a case I'm involved with. The US supreme court will now be tainted forever. 7 judges and 2 sexual predators. Democracy type B minus.
7
Didn't see mention in this story about Kavanaugh's sneering, snarling, petulant and contemptuous behavior toward some senators -- especially the women on the committee who all just happen to be Democrats. We want the truth, or as close as we can get to the truth. Toward the pursuit of truth and justice, we must have an FBI investigation. If Kavanaugh's name can be cleared, it should be cleared. The country deserves that.
5
The still Senator Lindsay Graham's hysterical outburst at the hearings yesterday, apparently coming straight from a cheap and hystrionic soap opera, loaded with low political intentions and veiled threats, fully caracterizes the majority of today's Republican Party: A political party subservient to Donald Trump's excentric and dangerous behavior, empty of useful and uplifting political ideas and ideals, but full of demagoguery and populism, catering to the worst and basest political instincts of the american people.
9
Dr. Ford presented herself yesterday more suitable for the Supreme Court than Judge Kavanaugh.
9
Judge Kavanaugh's intemperate performance yesterday not only demonstrated a lack of self control, and at times , incoherence, but I fear a potential vindictiveness. Should he wind up sitting on the Supreme Court, you can say good bye to Roe, welcome back DOMA.
5
If there is doubt Mr. Flake you should vote no! There should be no doubt about who our Supreme Court Justices are unless you believe like Kavanaugh does that he has a right or entitled to this seat on The Court.
4
I watched it all, and I can tell you that I saw a woman who was in control of herself and her intellect, a woman who knew what had happened to herself 35 years before and knew positively who did it. Her answers were concise and to the point. I also saw a man who was emotionally out of control from the beginning of his opening statement to the end of his testimony, a man who could not and would not truthfully answer questions put to him or even treat the Republicans' own interrogator (who spoke for them while they cowered in the background) with dignity and respect. In short, I saw the man that Dr. Ford accused of attempted rape. He was enraged, evasive and couldn't believe anyone would even think of questioning what he had done 35 years ago. Let us not forget that Republicans controlled the process, and that they had to abandon their strategy when Judge Kavanaugh started to go off the rails. All the Republicans had left was to rail against the Democrats. It was the Republicans who turned the process into a disgrace. It was a shameful performance not only by the Republicans but also by the man they want to put on the Supreme Court. Every thing Judge Kavanaugh did and said during the hearing verified what Dr. Ford and his classmates had said about him being belligerent, out of control and abusive when he got drunk. During the interrogation, he was drunk on power, out of emotional and intellectual control and abusive to his questioners. He does not belong on the Supreme Court.
15
Lindsay Graham and Brett Kavanaugh's parallel hissy-fits achieved perfect pitch.
No matter what happens to this nomination, they've attacked a sober, believable woman on national television in front of a gigantic audience.
Both of these whiny frat boys come off as entitled tantrum-throwers.
Kavanaugh's partisan tirade guarantees he can never be considered even remotely impartial on any significant issue that's the subject of political division that comes before the Court.
Kavanaugh's off-the-wall screech that this is all revenge for the Clinton loss presents him as Alex Jones in an expensive suit.
This is not the response of a first-class mind.
The political impact is obvious.
As the GOP tries to elevate this guy's questionable reputation over the pain and distress caused by sexual predation -- they've jammed their heads into a gigantic political bear-trap.
The forces set in motion by Trump's gross disdain for women and his self-confessed predatory acts will be accelerated and magnified by this evet, whether or not Kavanaugh is confirmed.
7
I would not trust a man of Kavanaugh’s temperament to watch over my children, let alone to steward and safeguard their civil liberties.
I’m a dogged optimist with a deep faith in the future, so I trust that this pain we all feel — *all* of us — is a cultural growing pain on our way to something better.
I have to believe that, because the alternative is far too depressing.
7