At the end of the day we have two witnesses giving powerful statements. And many in cable TV land are saying we’re back where we started with a he-said, she-said standoff. But are we really?
so we’re left w/two emphatic, 100%-certain witnesses
one – Ford – wants FBI to investigate
the other – Kavanaugh – does not, as he made clear over and over
Nor does he want the self-described high school drunk she says was his accomplice questioned by anyone but GOP staff
— John Harwood (@JohnJHarwood) September 27, 2018
The most respected legal organization in America, the American Bar Association, also made a recommendation last night that they think the FBI should look into the allegations. During the hearing Thursday Senator Lindsey Graham himself described the organization as the gold standard.
Here's the letter: pic.twitter.com/I1au9CbCWJ
— Jennifer Bendery (@jbendery) September 28, 2018
We have learned much about Christine Blasey Ford beyond the facts of her testimony. We could see into her soul, watch her personality and her character on display. She didn’t want to be there. She had nothing to gain and everything to lose.
As for Judge Kavanaugh, he no doubt solidified support from the right, but we got a look into his soul too. He blamed the Clintons, a Democratic conspiracy, a political hit. It was a nominee unhinged.
“Is this judicial temperament?” Kavanaugh’s fiery opening remarks light up the internet https://t.co/r9Uj5tyklT pic.twitter.com/WQhMVuD6gF
— Mother Jones (@MotherJones) September 27, 2018
"He basically had a tantrum and showed that he doesn't have the temperament to be a Supreme Court Justice and he also showed that he can be an angry and belligerent person." @CynthiaAlksne on Kavanaugh's testimony. #Hardball pic.twitter.com/uGtAEij12f
— The ReidOut (@thereidout) September 27, 2018
The “tantrum” caused a big about-face for the Jesuit publication, America Magazine (Georgetown Preparatory School is a Jesuit high school). The editors wrote, “we recognize that this nomination is no longer in the best interests of the country.”
While we previously endorsed the nomination of Judge Kavanaugh on the basis of his legal credentials and his reputation as a committed textualist, it is now clear that the nomination should be withdrawn.https://t.co/CXqVGkaTdY
— America Magazine (@americamag) September 28, 2018
So the Judiciary Committee has scheduled a vote for Friday morning, which means the GOP thinks they have the votes. But there are those who think a yes vote for Kavanaugh will seal the fate of Republicans in November.
"There’s a national epidemic of disbelieving women, of women’s words not being enough. This is just one more look into that." https://t.co/CECZrU2ImF
— USA TODAY (@USATODAY) September 27, 2018
It will be fascinating to watch the polls in the coming days. Expect the divide to deepen, between blue and red, men and women. Many Dems believe if Kavanaugh is confirmed, the GOP will definitely lose the House and perhaps the Senate. From The Washington Post:
“The subject was supposed to be the selection of a new justice on the Supreme Court. Instead Thursday’s showdown on Capitol Hill was a raw, scorched-earth confrontation across the nation’s most emotionally wrenching divides. This was men against women, right against left, a cascade of recriminations, explosions of anger, hours of tears and sobs.”