Today's continuation of the Supreme Court confirmation hearing for Judge Brett Kavanaugh was a long, heart-wrenching day of testimony by Dr. Christine Blasey Ford and Judge Kavanaugh. Both described how their families have faced threats and harassment since Dr. Ford's accusations were made public 10 days ago.
Judge Kavanaugh gave compelling testimony, with specific and detailed recollection. His testimony is corroborated by multiple other statements and evidence. The Democrats’ disgraceful smear campaign of character assassination must come to an end. It’s time for the Senate to vote.
— Tom Cotton (@SenTomCotton) September 27, 2018
Here are some of the remarkable moments from the day:
Judge Kavanaugh strongly proclaimed his innocence, detailed how the allegations have impacted his family, and condemned the Democrats submitting both him and Dr. Ford to threats and harassment for partisan gain:
Judge Kavanaugh: The 10-day delay has been harmful to me and my family, to the Supreme Court, and to the country. I welcomed any kind of investigation because I know any investigation will clear me.
— RNLA (@TheRepLawyer) September 27, 2018
Judge Kavanaugh points out the truth: baseless attacks against him are really just releasing of pent-up anger about President Trump and outcome of 2016 election. But will have permanent negative effect on our country & dissuade good people from being willing to serve country.
— RNLA (@TheRepLawyer) September 27, 2018
Judge Kavanaugh: I'm an optimist but right now I fear for the future of our country. I will not be intimidated into withdrawing. You may defeat me in the vote but you will never get me to quit.
— RNLA (@TheRepLawyer) September 27, 2018
Judge Kavanaugh breaks down noting that his 10-year-old daughter wanted to pray for Dr. Ford during bedtime prayers the other night.
— RNLA (@TheRepLawyer) September 27, 2018
While the Senate Judiciary Committee Democrats made political points and grandstanded for their campaign commercials, the Republicans on the Committee wisely chose to have an experienced prosecutor, Rachel Mitchell, question Dr. Ford. While Dr. Ford told a very compelling and painful story, Ms. Mitchell exposed inconsistencies and lapses in Dr. Ford's memories--both of the underlying alleged incident and of recent events--in a careful, respectful, lawyerly manner. She also exposed the delay and partisan motives behind the way Democrats have responded to Dr. Ford's accusations.
Hearing in recess, after Rachel Mitchell established that Dr. Ford does not remember many details about polygraph test this summer.
— RNLA (@TheRepLawyer) September 27, 2018
Dr. Ford said that she did not know that Chairman Chuck Grassley had offered to bring the committee to her to conduct a hearing or interview, despite the fact that it was clearly communicated to her attorneys. And though Dr. Ford's attorneys claimed that she did not fly in order to justify delaying the hearing, Dr. Ford testified that she flies regularly, including long-distance flights.
The delay seems poltical and that Dr. Ford was used. Keep in mind that Grassley offered to bring the committee there. https://t.co/Apmb2V564R
— RNLA (@TheRepLawyer) September 27, 2018
We find it troubling that there seems to be only politics behind the delaying the hearing for a "fear of flying." Especially troubling because she could have accepted Grassley's offer to have the Senate come to her. https://t.co/lQ6yb4FDN2
— RNLA (@TheRepLawyer) September 27, 2018
Dr. Ford says she didn't understand offer from Grassley included coming to her in CA and that if she had, she would have welcomed it. Was she mislead by her attorneys? It was clear in press releases & statements.
— RNLA (@TheRepLawyer) September 27, 2018
Confusion over how Dr. Ford's allegations were leaked to the press:
Dr. Ford reiterates that she did not give permission for her letter to Feinstein to be released and did not expect it to be. Letter only provided to Rep. Eshoo, Sen. Feinstein, and Dr. Ford's attorneys. Not sure how it was leaked.
— RNLA (@TheRepLawyer) September 27, 2018
In denying charges that her staff leaked confidential info, Feinstein just threw Dr. Ford herself under the bus and implied she perjured herself in testimony earlier today. Ford claimed that neither she nor anyone else on her behalf leaked that letter. https://t.co/BGpZCSbLLD
— Sean Davis (@seanmdav) September 27, 2018
Sen. Lindsey Graham gave an impassioned speech in defense of Judge Kavanaugh and strongly condemning his Democratic colleagues:
.@LindseyGrahamSC "This is going to destroy the ability of good people to come forward because of this crap. your high school yearbook. you have interacted with professional women all your life, not one accusation." 1/
— RNLA (@TheRepLawyer) September 27, 2018
.@LindseyGrahamSC con't: "You're supposed to be Bill Cosby when you're a junior and senior in high school. and all of a sudden you got over it. it's been my understanding that if you drug women and rape them for two years in high school, you probably don't stop." 2/
— RNLA (@TheRepLawyer) September 27, 2018
Graham:"Here's my understanding.if you lived a good life, people would recognize it like the American Bar has the gold standard. 'His integrity is absolutely unquestioned. he is the very circumspect in his personal conduct, harbors no biases or prejudices. entirely ethical.'" 3/
— RNLA (@TheRepLawyer) September 27, 2018
@LindseyGrahamSC More on Kavanaugh and ABA "Is a really decent person. He is warm, friendly, unassuming. he's the nicest person." The ABA! One thing I can tell you, you should be proud of. Ashley, you should be proud of this. 4/
— RNLA (@TheRepLawyer) September 27, 2018
@LindseyGrahamSC More on Kavanaugh and ABA "Is a really decent person. He is warm, friendly, unassuming. he's the nicest person." The ABA! One thing I can tell you, you should be proud of. Ashley, you should be proud of this. 4/
— RNLA (@TheRepLawyer) September 27, 2018
Graham: "That you raised a daughter who had the good character to pray for Dr. Ford. To my Republican colleagues, if you vote no, you're legitimizing the most despicable thing I have seen in my time in politics. [To Dems:] You want this seat, I hope you never get it!" 5/
— RNLA (@TheRepLawyer) September 27, 2018
@LindseyGrahamSC concluded"I hope you're on the Supreme Court. That's exactly where you should be. and I hope that the American people will see through this charade! And I wish you well and I intend to vote for you, and I hope everybody who's fair minded will." 6/
— RNLA (@TheRepLawyer) September 27, 2018
The Senate Judiciary Committee is holding an executive business meeting tomorrow morning at 9:30 AM Eastern, and the nomination of Judge Kavanaugh is scheduled to be voted on along with a number of other judicial nominees. The RNLA will live-tweet the meeting.