Three of Brett Kavanaugh’s most fervent Republican supporters on the Senate Judiciary Committee — Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), John Cornyn (R-TX) and Orrin Hatch (R-UT) — have suggested that they may question Christine Blasey Ford during the hearing on Thursday, according to Politico, despite Republicans’ appointment of a female prosecutor to do the questioning for them.
“There’s gaps and there’s inconsistencies, but I expect that will be covered by the staff counsel. If it’s not then I’ll reserve the right to ask questions,” Cornyn told Politico. “Dr. Ford identified three people who were allegedly present who didn’t have any recollection of any such event occurring. That’s one way you provide evidence is provide corroboration.”
While Graham and Hatch didn’t say outright that they planned to question Blasey Ford, neither are “ruling out asking their own questions,” in Politico’s words. Republican committee members asked a female lawyer with a background in prosecuting years-old sex crimes to attend the hearing and question both Blasey Ford and Kavanaugh for them, primarily to avoid appearing insensitive to the accuser as the committee majority is all white men.
Graham — who has been blatant about his distrust of the third woman (and her lawyer) who has accused Kavanaugh of sexual misconduct — told Politico that accusers deserve to be heard, “but when you accuse someone of a crime, the accuser needs to be tested.”
Blasey Ford and Kavanaugh will both testify during a hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday about Blasey Ford’s allegations that Kavanugh sexually assaulted her in high school.
Someone needs to tell them, “Hey, guys, you can’t have it both ways. You hired a mouthpiece to question this woman. You’ve made your bed, now lie in it.”
(No, I understand that no one can prevent them from questioning, but they should be called out on it, loudly.)
One way you provide evidence, you freaking barnacle, is to do an actual investigation. You refuse to do that.
ETA: And what an idiotic road to go down. The answer to this is simple, “I have asked repeatedly that the other witnesses be brought in to testify under oath as I am doing. Your committee refused to do so.”
And have those witnesses testify under oath to the FBI
“Barnacle”?!
You’re right, of course.
Does that mean these Republicans will be taking back their 5 minutes from Ms. Mitchell that she’ll will be afforded to cover for each of those Senators in the hearing?
That’s all the Republicans on the committee are granting the Democrats…5 minutes each and only one round, as I understand it.
If Ms. Mitchell gets to question Ms. Ford and the Republicans also end up doing so, they are essentially giving themselves double the amount of time as the Democrats it seems to me. Seems kinda fishy to me.
Who’s in charge of the clock and these new fangled rules anyway?