The long drawn out saga of Judge Brett Kavanaugh's nomination to the Supreme Court is finally winding down with the voting process expected to start tomorrow. As a closing statement, tonight he wrote an op-ed in the Wall Street Journal tonight describing why he was so emotional during the hearing last week:
After all those meetings and after my initial hearing concluded, I was subjected to wrongful and sometimes vicious allegations. My time in high school and college, more than 30 years ago, has been ridiculously distorted. My wife and daughters have faced vile and violent threats.
Against that backdrop, I testified before the Judiciary Committee last Thursday to defend my family, my good name and my lifetime of public service. My hearing testimony was forceful and passionate. That is because I forcefully and passionately denied the allegation against me. At times, my testimony—both in my opening statement and in response to questions—reflected my overwhelming frustration at being wrongly accused, without corroboration, of horrible conduct completely contrary to my record and character. My statement and answers also reflected my deep distress at the unfairness of how this allegation has been handled. . . . I hope everyone can understand that I was there as a son, husband and dad. I testified with five people foremost in my mind: my mom, my dad, my wife, and most of all my daughters.
But Judge Kavanaugh emphasized that his emotional and understandable response to attacks on his character and his family did not change the kind of judge he is, as he has shown throughout 12 years on the bench:
Going forward, you can count on me to be the same kind of judge and person I have been for my entire 28-year legal career: hardworking, even-keeled, open-minded, independent and dedicated to the Constitution and the public good. As a judge, I have always treated colleagues and litigants with the utmost respect. I have been known for my courtesy on and off the bench. I have not changed. I will continue to be the same kind of judge I have been for the last 12 years. And I will continue to contribute to our country as a coach, volunteer, and teacher. Every day I will try to be the best husband, dad, and friend I can be. I will remain optimistic, on the sunrise side of the mountain. I will continue to see the day that is coming, not the day that is gone.
I revere the Constitution. I believe that an independent and impartial judiciary is essential to our constitutional republic. If confirmed by the Senate to serve on the Supreme Court, I will keep an open mind in every case and always strive to preserve the Constitution of the United States and the American rule of law.
RNLA Executive Director Michael Thielen also wrote an op-ed today about how Judge Kavanaugh is being convicted without evidence by the left simply because he was nominated by President Trump:
The reality is, Judge Kavanaugh is being convicted for being associated with the modern devil, Donald Trump, and being nominated for the swing seat on the Supreme Court. . . .
Today we are told, “You have to believe the women.” OK. But I am a lawyer. Lawyers have been taught eye-witness testimony is unreliable. It is a fundamental principle of our legal system that all are innocent unless proven guilty.
The lawyers I know went into the law, in part, because we loved lawyers such as Atticus Finch in “To Kill a Mockingbird.” Now we are told that Finch is the bad guy, and Tom Robinson is guilty.
As a single Dad of teenagers, I say what about Brett Kavanaugh and his daughters? The Left is now attacking him for liking beer and being angry.
It looks like this father and good man, not to mention an excellent judge who reveres the Constitution and the rule of law, will finally receive a vote. The cloture vote on Judge Kavanaugh's nomination is expected tomorrow morning around 10:30 AM. The final confirmation vote will follow either Saturday or early next week. Follow the RNLA on twitter and Facebook for the latest.