So now that we have about 20 areas of Kavanaugh’s misleading statements and failures of credibility as an adult (long thread w/ links below), I hope the Senators focus on the most relevant set for questions today:
1. Did you have any contact with Ed Whelan from Sept 14-18?
1. Did you have any contact with Ed Whelan from Sept 14-18?
2. Did you have any contact with Leonard Leo from Sept. 14-18? (Of course he did. Kavanaugh was in the White House much of 9/17-18)
3. Given that you suggested a case of mistaken identity, did you suggest any suspects to Leo, McGahn, or anyone?
3. Given that you suggested a case of mistaken identity, did you suggest any suspects to Leo, McGahn, or anyone?
4. Did you mention the name of your former high school friend, now a middle school teacher?
(If Kavanaugh helped Leo/Whelan defame and smear his high school friend, it may reflect lack of credibility, and it'd be disqualifyingly monstrous. How else did Whelan get such details?)
(If Kavanaugh helped Leo/Whelan defame and smear his high school friend, it may reflect lack of credibility, and it'd be disqualifyingly monstrous. How else did Whelan get such details?)
5. Did you mention the name of Prof. Ford to anyone before Sunday evening, Sept 16 (before her name was public)?
(Whelan may have gotten her name from other sources, but it is crucial to get Kavanaugh on the record now, and subpoena Whelan in Jan 2019).
(Whelan may have gotten her name from other sources, but it is crucial to get Kavanaugh on the record now, and subpoena Whelan in Jan 2019).
6. Crucial: It is very important for the Senators not to jump into questions about alcohol and sex when he was 17.
This is not about puritanism.
This is about his Choir Boy act and statements on @foxnews and his credibility. Quote his interview first...
This is not about puritanism.
This is about his Choir Boy act and statements on @foxnews and his credibility. Quote his interview first...
7. Time is limited. But his yearbook entry of "[girl's name] alumnius" [sic] is important, because it's also about his integrity as an adult.
"Judge Kavanaugh, this has been public for 4 days. Why have you never apologized to her for publishing this horrible sexual insinuation?"
"Judge Kavanaugh, this has been public for 4 days. Why have you never apologized to her for publishing this horrible sexual insinuation?"
8. Questioning his virginity claims is touchy, and I'm very concerned the Democrats will fumble them and it'll backfire.
Don't even ask unless you've clearly set up the question by quoting his interview statements first, and made it about credibility, not puritanism.
Don't even ask unless you've clearly set up the question by quoting his interview statements first, and made it about credibility, not puritanism.
9. It is relevant that Kavanaugh has been, at best, grossly misleading under oath in at least 4 different statements (using stolen Dem documents, involvement w/ detainees in Bush administration). One Senator should remind the world of that with tight questions.
10. OK, here we go. Sen. Grassley opens by condemning death threats against both Ford and Kavanaugh and apologizes, and calls for civility. Good start.
But then he veers off into a defense of Kavanaugh by citing 6 FBI background checks and attacking Feinstein. How civil.
But then he veers off into a defense of Kavanaugh by citing 6 FBI background checks and attacking Feinstein. How civil.
11. This is grossly unfair and uncivil to Senator Feinstein by attacking "secret evidence" and "11th hour leak." What was Feinstein supposed to do with a witness who requested anonymity and was unwilling to come forward? She did not leak...
12. ...Yes, there should be a full inquiry into who leaked Prof. Ford's letter, but it is NOT relevant to this hearing.
And then he dismisses the relevance of an FBI investigation b/c they only interview and document, they don't conclude.
He unwittingly concedes the point!
And then he dismisses the relevance of an FBI investigation b/c they only interview and document, they don't conclude.
He unwittingly concedes the point!
13. No one was asking the FBI to report on who was right and who was wrong, to serve as judge & jury. The basic request was to have professional, independent documentation, with penalties for lying, rather than CSI: Twitter by Ed Whelan and partisan leaking (e.g. last night).
10. I know I'm biased. But @ChuckGrassley's tone was angry, bitter, cranky, prickly, and partisan. It's obvious why they had to outsource the questioning.
@SenFeinstein's tone is calm, steady. She notes that Prof. Ford "hasn't been introduced," and then does so warmly...
@SenFeinstein's tone is calm, steady. She notes that Prof. Ford "hasn't been introduced," and then does so warmly...
14. I know I'm biased. But @ChuckGrassley's tone was angry, bitter, cranky, prickly, and partisan. It's obvious why they had to outsource the questioning.
@SenFeinstein's tone is calm, steady. She notes that Prof. Ford "hasn't been introduced," and then does so warmly...
@SenFeinstein's tone is calm, steady. She notes that Prof. Ford "hasn't been introduced," and then does so warmly...
15. She effectively notes that the FBI investigated Anita Hill's claims, and that the GOP prevented other witnesses from testifying today.
"Why the rush to judgment?"
Then she quotes stories about Kavanaugh as "aggressive and belligerent" drunk, vs. his "Choir Boy" claims
"Why the rush to judgment?"
Then she quotes stories about Kavanaugh as "aggressive and belligerent" drunk, vs. his "Choir Boy" claims
Some complain Sen Feinstein went on too long. I disagree. After @ChuckGrassley’s unpleasant and aggressive opening, it was wise to give Prof Ford a little time to settle in with a more sympathetic intro.
17. I just want to note that right-wing Twitter was all a-Twitter last night with hopeful speculation that Prof. Ford wouldn't even show up.
Prof. Ford showed up.
And Prof. Ford is showing up. She is understanably emotional, and she is strong.
To be honest, I have chills.
Prof. Ford showed up.
And Prof. Ford is showing up. She is understanably emotional, and she is strong.
To be honest, I have chills.
18. Why did Republicans not subpoena Mark Judge?
It's a rhetorical question, but there is no way the Republicans can undo that egregious error if they confirm Kavanaugh.
It's a rhetorical question, but there is no way the Republicans can undo that egregious error if they confirm Kavanaugh.
19. Her recounting of the events was chilling, emotional, steady, clear.
And a clear, cogent explanation of how she told her husband for 1st time about the attack in 2012, naming Kavanaugh.
And there is broader social significance in her talking through her agonizing choices.
And a clear, cogent explanation of how she told her husband for 1st time about the attack in 2012, naming Kavanaugh.
And there is broader social significance in her talking through her agonizing choices.
20. She talked about her great support from her community. And she talked about the death threats, "worse than I ever expected."
This sets up a choice for the Senators. It may be unfair, but a vote for or against Kavanaugh will inevitably be framed as taking those sides.
This sets up a choice for the Senators. It may be unfair, but a vote for or against Kavanaugh will inevitably be framed as taking those sides.
21. Ford: "I've never been questioned by a prosecutor before, but I will do my best."
Her discomfort at the idea of being interrogated by a prosecutor *adversely* was powerful. She understandably feels prosecuted. I get that.
But I am trying to be hopeful about Ms. Mitchell.
Her discomfort at the idea of being interrogated by a prosecutor *adversely* was powerful. She understandably feels prosecuted. I get that.
But I am trying to be hopeful about Ms. Mitchell.
22. I have heard mixed things about Rachel Mitchell. I was pleasantly surprised by commentators I trust that she would be fair and professional. Some others speculate that she may have her eye on a federal judgeship, which presents mixed incentives.
So far, she seems careful.
So far, she seems careful.
23. This GOP format of outsourcing questions to Rachel Mitchell is not working for them. She asks questions methodically and carefully, but before she can elicit any clear points, the 5 minutes run out, and then she cedes time to a Dem Senator. No progress so far. But we'll see.
24. Leahy: "Judge Kavanaugh and the White House promoted a wild theory about a look-alike attacker" which blamed an "innocent man."
BOOM.
Ford: "In fact, that man introduced me to Kavanaugh and Judge. It wasn't him."
BOOM.
BOOM.
Ford: "In fact, that man introduced me to Kavanaugh and Judge. It wasn't him."
BOOM.
25: Leahy: "You were the object of their laughter?"
Ford: "I was stuck underneath one of them. Yes."
Ford: "I was stuck underneath one of them. Yes."
26. Ford continues: "Uproarious laughter. They were having fun at my expense. Two friends having a really good time with each other."
Horrible.
Horrible.
27. Now back to Rachel Mitchell asking about details at the house.
Ford is amazingly steady. But I feel like Mitchell is turning up the pressure on questioning her on details.
Sen Harris intervenes to ask to see all documents and floor plans, too.
Smart, @KamalaHarris
Ford is amazingly steady. But I feel like Mitchell is turning up the pressure on questioning her on details.
Sen Harris intervenes to ask to see all documents and floor plans, too.
Smart, @KamalaHarris
28. Durbin: "You have called for an FBI investigation... Mark Judge should be subpoenaed from his Bethany beach hideaway...
What is your degree of certainty it was Brett Kavanaugh?"
Ford: "One hundred percent."
Strong and clearly stated. Chilling moment.
What is your degree of certainty it was Brett Kavanaugh?"
Ford: "One hundred percent."
Strong and clearly stated. Chilling moment.
29 @ChuckGrassley objects to @SenatorDurbin 's comment on GOP obstruction, and he starts ranting angrily about "your side" hiding the letter
Grassley comes across as a bitter, angry frustrated self-absorbed partisan.
Because he is.
Grassley comes across as a bitter, angry frustrated self-absorbed partisan.
Because he is.
30/ Honestly, if I were a friend of GOP's questioner, prosecutor Rachel Mitchell, I'd be texting her:
"Prof Ford is calm, credible, and steady, you've made zero progress in 15+ minutes, and you're not going to benefit by pushing harder. Lay off and protect your own future."
"Prof Ford is calm, credible, and steady, you've made zero progress in 15+ minutes, and you're not going to benefit by pushing harder. Lay off and protect your own future."
31. I didn't like @KamalaHarris handled her questioning of Kavanaugh on Kasowitz lawyers.
But she is stepping up today by being a careful trial lawyer. Great job being on top of the details. She is setting up to be Ford's defense lawyer if Ford stumbles.
But she is stepping up today by being a careful trial lawyer. Great job being on top of the details. She is setting up to be Ford's defense lawyer if Ford stumbles.
32. A friend just asked what the Russians are making of all of this.
I am reposting how I received an email from RT inviting a televised debate:
"Agree or disagree: The #MeToo movement is causing deep, dangerous, and maybe irreversible damage to society.
shugerblog.com/2018/09/24/rt-…
I am reposting how I received an email from RT inviting a televised debate:
"Agree or disagree: The #MeToo movement is causing deep, dangerous, and maybe irreversible damage to society.
shugerblog.com/2018/09/24/rt-…
33. @ChuckGrassley's rants are so tone deaf and defensive. Shameful.
Friends are telling me that even @FoxNews is finding Ford credible and is sympathetic.
That's big.
Here's something from before the testimony:
Friends are telling me that even @FoxNews is finding Ford credible and is sympathetic.
That's big.
Here's something from before the testimony:
34. Rachel Mitchell taking up 5 minutes on Ford's air travel history went nowhere, a fail because it looked like scraping the barrel, desperate to find an inconsistency... on PTSD effects.
Mitchell was calm in asking, but I thought it was sneaky ugly.
Mitchell was calm in asking, but I thought it was sneaky ugly.
35. Senator @amyklobuchar is terrific. Her tone and concise substance were spot on. And now she moves to put the polygraph results in the record. Important moment...
Ford's lawyer takes a chance to emphasize polygraph. Well done.
Ford's lawyer takes a chance to emphasize polygraph. Well done.
36. Ford's lawyer is @mrbromwich, who has a great reputation. He had to resign from his firm to take on this role because allegedly other partners feared political backlash.
Good for him, shame on them. bloomberg.com/news/articles/…
Good for him, shame on them. bloomberg.com/news/articles/…
37. There is a tense moment when Mitchell asks Ford a question that was covered by atty-client privilege. A mistake by Mitchell created an awkward moment. Ford handled it with such poise, and calmly and graciously addressed @ChuckGrassley.
I am so impressed by her.
I am so impressed by her.
38. @SenBlumenthal quotes @LindseyGrahamSC's own book (after noting the GOP's silence today): "You can learn so much about courage from rape victims who decide to step forward."
An important moment.
@LindseyGrahamSC should take notes on courage from Dr. Ford.
An important moment.
@LindseyGrahamSC should take notes on courage from Dr. Ford.
40. @SenBlumenthal objects to @ChuckGrassley entering Mark Judge's statement into record, because the committee had an opportunity to bring Mark Judge, failed to, and should not use this cowardly back door (those are my words).
Right on.
Right on.
41. I think there may be some basis for this interpretation. She pressed a bit on some details, and I don't think she was sympathetic, but she then mostly backed off:
42. I'm watching the C-SPAN feed. I haven't listened to the C-SPAN callers for years.
If you thought the on-line comments sections or anonymous Twitter was a cesspool, try listening to raging C-SPAN callers.
I feel so bad for those hosts.
If you thought the on-line comments sections or anonymous Twitter was a cesspool, try listening to raging C-SPAN callers.
I feel so bad for those hosts.
43. What to watch for at 3 pm:
The Democrats should try to ask the questions I have posed above on Kavanaugh's credibility more broady, on other examples of his lies.
The question is how aggressive @ChuckGrassley and GOP will be in trying to cut off those questions.
I don't know.
The Democrats should try to ask the questions I have posed above on Kavanaugh's credibility more broady, on other examples of his lies.
The question is how aggressive @ChuckGrassley and GOP will be in trying to cut off those questions.
I don't know.
44. @JohnCornyn testing the waters. He knows she was credible, and she is perceived as credible. Pull the plug on Kavanaugh.
