Hearings: Blasey-Ford and Kavanaugh

A "terrified," but remarkably composed and articulate Christine Blasey-Ford testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday morning.    She was somewhat reserved, but firm, and never belligerent in telling her story of being sexually assaulted by Brett Kavanaugh when she was 15 and he was 17.

When asked by Sen. Dick Durben (D-IL) to what degree did she believe that it was Brett Kavanaugh that assaulted her, she was unequivocal:   "100%," she said.

Dr. Blasey Ford, who has a PhD in research psychology and is on the faculty at Stanford, came across as authentic and natural, forthright and honest, and altogether believable.

In fact, former federal prosecutor Daniel Goldman, speaking on MSNBC, said:   In all his years as a prosecutor, she was the most credible witness he had ever seen.

Then the afternoon brought testimony from Judge Brett Kavanaugh, who was channeling the man who appointed him, President Donald Trump, who had reportedly been disappointed with Kavanaugh's bland appearance on Fox News.    He let it be known that he thought Kavanaugh should be more forceful.

So the judge gave the boss what he asked for -- in spades.    He came out ready for battle, seething with anger as he read his opening statement.   He was combative with Democratic senators, interrupting their questions, dodging questions, throwing questions back at them -- often in a very disrespectful manner. 

One example was with Sen. Amy Klobachar who was asking him about his reputation in high school as a heavy drinker.   She had prefaced her question with some comment about her own father being an alcoholic.   Kavanaugh threw the question back at her -- "Yes, I like beer.   Do you like beer, Senator?    Have you ever drunk too much and not been able to remember what happened?

In fairness to him, after the break, he did apologize to her.    But all in all, what he showed us, in my opinion, was not that he can be forceful;  but that he is a bully, when he gets angry.

Which confirms what his college roommate said about him:    "When he drinks a lot, he can become aggressive and belligerent."   The bullying temperament confirms what we know about his dissent in a case of a pregnant teenage immigrant girl, who already had a judge's approval to get an abortion.   His dissent was to the decision on appeal that allowed this to go forward.   He alone, among the panel of judges, tried to put further obstacles to delay this being carried out.

I'm sure his boss (Trump) and Trump's base loved it.    To me, it raised serious questions about whether he has the requisite judicial temperament -- aside from his far-right policy positions.

Kavanaugh likes to parade all the letters signed by women who know him and love him and say he is a gentle and faithful friend for years.    But I also believe that he has this other side -- the anger out of control, aggressive, belligerent side that is consistent with the stories of sexual assault at question in these hearings.

He was asked at least seven different times whether he would ask the President to instruct the FBI to reopen its background investigation of him to check out these three new allegations -- and, if he is innocent, clear his name.    He never answered the question.    When he tried his usual dodge with Kamala Harris, she said calmly:   "I'll take that as a No."    Why, if he is innocent, is he so opposed to further FBI scrutiny?  What's he afraid will be found?

The American Bar Association, speaking for its 400,000 members, has called on the Judiciary committee to delay the vote until the FBI can do a proper investigation of these allegations against Judge Kavanaugh.

At the end of Blasey-Ford's testimony, the mood felt like she had hit a home run and that his confirmation was probably doomed.    He may have saved it with Trump and most of the Republican senators with his performance.   But it may also be that it will backfire with enough who were wavering that they vote against it.

The Republican caucus was set to meet later Thursday night to decide how to proceed.   Mitch McConnell had scheduled a committee vote for Friday morning, with a vote of the full Senate set for early next week, if the Justice Committee advances his nomination.

Ralph

PS:   A side note to all this.   Lindsey Graham had two grand-standing, angry, Democrat-blaming tirades on TV, one in the hallway and one inside the hearing  -- supporting Kavanaugh, of course and blaming the Democrats for a con job farce.   I'm more convinced now of what I've been suspecting for some time, since Graham went from being critical of Trump to being his #1 supporter and frequent golf partner.    Lindsey wants to be the next Attorney General.