Dan Rather covered Anita Hill when she testified Clarence Thomas sexually harassed her back in 1991 and he covered the controversial nomination of Robert Bork in 1987. With those hearings in mind, he joined CNN’s Chris Cuomo to put the allegations against Brett Kavanaugh into perspective.

ON WHY HAVING AN OPEN HEARING IS IMPORTANT

“Do we prioritize, power or justice? Now that’s not prejudging anything in this case. it is emphasized why we need the hearings, why the hearings need to be open hearings. Because part of what we’re dealing with here, whether this woman is speaking the truth or not, people get a chance to judge for themselves.” 

ON CHRISTINE BLASEY FORD’S CREDIBILITY

“She may be a very accomplished college professor but she walks into a room in which she’s going to be roughed up. So whatever you think of the story, it takes guts to do that. It is — it is a very brave thing for her to do.”

ON HOW THIS PUTS KAVANAUGH’S NOMINATION IN JEOPARDY

“This changed things dramatically. The center of gravity changed. His nomination is hanging by a rope and that rope is fraying quickly. You have to know in the balance of the White House, someone is saying, do you know what? We may have to drop this nomination.” 

Watch below for more.

https://twitter.com/CuomoPrimeTime/status/1041877432951693313