In light of Christine Blasey Ford’s compelling testimony to the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, in which Ford alleged that Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh assaulted her at a high school gathering, Republicans should join with their Democratic colleagues and push hard for public testimony from Mark Judge. Judge is the other man that Ford alleges assaulted her on that night more than 30 years ago.
[Read: Ford describes ‘indelible’ memory of Kavanaugh, friend laughing at her during alleged assault]
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The critical consideration here is that with Kavanaugh insistent on his own innocence, and neither he nor Ford offers independent witnesses who can corroborate what happened or did not happen that night. Correspondingly, Judge’s testimony is instrumentally important. While Judge denies he assaulted Ford, the national import and seriousness of the allegations here should motivate Republican senators to call Judge to testify. Only he can bring added light to this situation.
Yet the greatest need for Judge’s testimony comes from Kavanaugh. Because the federal judge’s nomination to the highest court is very much in doubt now. And right or wrong, the political power of Ford’s testimony will be dramatic. In that context, it’s hard to see how Kavanaugh will earn the support of Republican Sens. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., and Susan Collins, R-Maine, or attract any Democratic votes aside perhaps from Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va.
The simple truth is that to save his nomination, Kavanaugh needs Judge to credibly support him in public.
