Dr. Ford is credible in terms of what she believes and impressive in her presentation.
Rachel Mitchell is quite empathetic, professional, and impressive.
This is shaping up to be quite informative, in no small part because everyone will be on their very best behavior today.
Rachel Mitchell is quite empathetic, professional, and impressive.
This is shaping up to be quite informative, in no small part because everyone will be on their very best behavior today.
July 30 - Aug 7 (What Happened That Week Is Key)
Dr. Ford admitted she does not know who paid for the polygraph test. Knowing how Dr. Ford got in touch with the law firm that is representing her now is key, but her attorneys will fight tooth and nail for that not to be revealed.
Dr. Ford admitted she does not know who paid for the polygraph test. Knowing how Dr. Ford got in touch with the law firm that is representing her now is key, but her attorneys will fight tooth and nail for that not to be revealed.
Kavanaugh's Challenge
Fair or not, if Judge Kavanaugh is not as convincing in his testimony as Dr. Ford is in hers (she even specified the neurological mechanism involved in searing the memory of her trauma on to her hippocampus), the needle will move irreversibly against him.
Fair or not, if Judge Kavanaugh is not as convincing in his testimony as Dr. Ford is in hers (she even specified the neurological mechanism involved in searing the memory of her trauma on to her hippocampus), the needle will move irreversibly against him.
There you have it. Sen. Feinstein recommended to Dr. Ford that she get in touch with Debra Katz's law firm. This is the same Debra Katz who said in 1998 that Paula Jones' case against Bill Clinton had no merit.
Also, both the lawyers representing Dr. Ford, Debra Katz and Michael Bromwich, are working pro bono (i.e. Dr. Ford will not be paying for them) and they admitted they paid for the polygraph test.
One of the times Dr. Ford had no credibility is when she refused to divulge that she knows she will not be billed by the lawyers for their services. Nobody hires very expensive lawyers without knowing whether they will be paying for them or not. Rachel Mitchell was excellent.
Two more things.
(a) It is clear Dr. Ford's lawyers never told Dr. Ford that Chairman Grassley had offered to interview Dr. Ford in California if she wanted. This is horrible. Isn't this some violation of the code of conduct for lawyers to keep the client in the dark. 1/
(a) It is clear Dr. Ford's lawyers never told Dr. Ford that Chairman Grassley had offered to interview Dr. Ford in California if she wanted. This is horrible. Isn't this some violation of the code of conduct for lawyers to keep the client in the dark. 1/
(b) Dr. Ford also admitted that she would have gladly participated in an interview by Senate Judiciary Committee staff. Once again, her lawyers seem to have ensured it didn't happen, and that she had to fly to DC to appear in a public hearing. 2/
Nothing wrong with the lawyers coaching a client for an interview, but they clearly have split loyalties. They are not working pro bono out of the goodness of their heart. They are clearly placing the interests of the Democratic Party above Dr. Ford's interests. 3/x
The only people Dr. Ford seemed to be intimidated by today were her two lawyers.
Kavanaugh Testimony
Judge Kavanaugh is speaking. My initial sense is this:
(a) He has been told he has nothing to lose if he goes for the Democratic jugular.
(b) Republicans are going to go for a Judiciary Committee vote tomorrow.
Judge Kavanaugh is speaking. My initial sense is this:
(a) He has been told he has nothing to lose if he goes for the Democratic jugular.
(b) Republicans are going to go for a Judiciary Committee vote tomorrow.
Best line of the day (in response to Sen. Feinstein's question, "Why is FBI not interviewing you?"): "You are interviewing me, Senator, you are interviewing me!"
I would say both Dr. Ford and Judge Kavanaugh have been compelling witnesses today, and as such have neutralized each other's testimony. We are back to trusting our gut to come out wherever each of us come out.
And no matter where any of us come out, I have to say, Democratic senators on the Judiciary Committee have neither served Dr. Ford well, nor Judge Kavanaugh, nor the Senate, nor the nation. They have behaved disgracefully, in the process hurting everybody and everything.
Many people disagree with me on my assessment of Dr. Ford's testimony, and I respect everyone's opinion on today's proceedings. Like it or not, it is not simply a search for truth today, which we may ultimately never know. It is mostly a moment of national catharsis.
While ultimately I come down strongly on the side of "presumption of innocence" as a guiding principle, and hence, based on what I have seen and read so far, I strongly favor Judge Kavanaugh's confirmation, I am extremely sympathetic to Dr. Ford from the bottom of my heart.
Till yesterday I had my doubts about Dr. Ford's veracity. I no longer have a doubt about Dr. Ford having suffered the kind of trauma she claims she did. I don't trust her memory is flawless, but I trust her experience is authentic and not made up. Hence my deep sympathy.
I admire Lindsey Graham more and more every passing day. The man is speaking from the heart, and holding up a mirror to Democratic Senators like no one else has to date. Well done and thank you, Senator Graham.
@LindseyGrahamSC
@LindseyGrahamSC
This is well worth watching repeatedly.
Kavanaugh Confirmation
As I predicted 7 hours ago just as Kavanaugh started speaking (see above under Kavanaugh Testimony):
-- Senate Judiciary Committee votes tomorrow
-- First procedural vote in the Senate takes place on Saturday
-- Full Senate confirmation vote early next week
As I predicted 7 hours ago just as Kavanaugh started speaking (see above under Kavanaugh Testimony):
-- Senate Judiciary Committee votes tomorrow
-- First procedural vote in the Senate takes place on Saturday
-- Full Senate confirmation vote early next week
Sen. Lindsey Graham just made the point I made above yesterday. It is possible Dr. Ford was kept in the dark, and away from all news, by her Democratic apparatchik lawyers and others who are being paid not by her but by someone else.
