Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., said Wednesday there is a “reasonable possibility” that professor Christine Blasey Ford, the woman accusing Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh of sexual assault in the early 1980s, will change her mind and appear at Monday’s planned congressional hearing.
During an interview with CNN, Kennedy, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said he doesn’t have any inside information and has been informed only by media reports. But he added that he is more optimistic than some of his colleagues.
“I’m a little more sanguine than some. I think there is a reasonable possibility that Dr. Ford will attend the hearing on Monday,” he said. “I mean, if you put this in context, originally she wanted to remain anonymous. Then Dr. Ford changed her mind. I understand she actually called and reached out to the Washington Post and either she or somebody on her behalf leaked her letter to the New Yorker. Next she asked for a public hearing. Last night I understand she changed her mind. But I think there is a reasonable possibility she’ll change her mind yet again. We’re scheduled to meet 10:00. I have marked that on my calendar from 10:00 to 5:00 p.m. And I’ll stay as late as everybody wants to.”
He added that if Ford feels “uncomfortable” about a public hearing and won’t commit to it, that would be a “mistake,” but also said, “If she wants to do it privately, we can do it privately.”
Kavanaugh has denied any knowledge of the allegation Ford has made against him, but said he would testify about the claim. Republicans tried to set up a Monday hearing for both Kavanaugh and Ford to testify, but Ford has balked. Her legal team is now calling for an FBI investigation to take place first.
Republicans have said it’s not the role of the FBI to examine a local incident like the one described by Ford, and said Democrats supporting such a move are only looking to delay Kavanaugh’s confirmation.
