Here are two true and very relevant facts:
1) The Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee, probably together with the fundraiser/lawyer they sent Christine Blasey Ford, are guilty of an unconscionable series of dishonest political dirty tricks. They cannot be considered good faith actors in Brett Kavanaugh’s nomination, because they are dedicated to sinking, by any means necessary, any nominee who possibly could undo Roe v. Wade.
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2) There are still unanswered and potentially answerable questions about Kavanaugh’s defense and Ford’s accusation. If answered, these questions could—for open-minded viewers of good faith—either lift the cloud over Kavanaugh, or make it seem likely he’s materially lying about what happened in 1982, thus disqualifying him from the court.
Part of the reason there are unanswered questions is that Democrats didn’t ask them. They just wanted to hammer away about an FBI investigation, which has always struck me as a delay tactic. If such an FBI report were to come back, I am 100 percent certain Dems would demand further investigation. The model they point to—the FBI’s investigation of Anita Hill’s charges against Clarence Thomas—was superficial and “show[ed] us nothing.”
Republicans, meanwhile, are rushing to confirm Kavanaugh. Any further investigation to them plays into the hands of the Democrats, whose dishonest delay tactics (including sitting on the letter and apparently lying to Ford about the GOP’s offers to hear from her) are aimed at keeping this seat open until the midterm elections, and then until 2021.
Even though it kills me to seemingly give an inch to the likes of Feinstein, a concern for truth should still hold up, even as the jackals circle. I agree with Ross Douthat about reasons to worry about Kavanaugh’s testimony and about opportunities to challenge or confirm some of Ford’s account.
I also agree with Megan McArdle about the dangers of just plowing ahead with his confirmation by brute force amid unanswered questions.
The problem, again, is that any investigation that involves Dianne Feinstein and Cory Booker is one where finding the truth will take a back seat.
So what to do?
Here’s my proposal.
Have another hearing. Bring in witnesses. Bring in Kavanaugh, Ford, Mark Judge, P.J. Smyth, Timmy Gaudette, “Squi,” Bernie, members of the Blasey family, and Leland Keyser.
Have Grassley put them all under oath. Then have every senator shut up and sit there silently as two attorneys—one Republican and one Democratic—ask questions of all the witnesses.
Maybe scrap the time limits. Maybe keep out the cameras. I don’t know.
But the questions I would want asked of P.J., Judge, Kavanaugh, Bernie, and Squi include: Tell me everything you remember about July 1, 1982, and “skis at Timmy’s.” Was Timmy there? Were his parents? Did you go to a second location? Were any girls ever present that evening? Was Devil’s triangle really a drinking game?
The questions I would ask Leland Keyser: Were you ever alone at a party with a bunch of boys including Judge, Smyth, and Squi? Were you ever at any of their houses, including the Gaudettes’. Do your doctors believe your memory was impaired by your health problems?
The questions I would ask Ford: Did you read articles about Kavanaugh in the Spring of 2012? How dark was it in the room? Did you stay in touch with Squi after that night? Can you look at the pictures of the exterior or interior of these various homes and tell me if any look familiar?
The questions I would ask the Blaseys: Do you remember your daughter coming home early? Do you remember picking her up somewhere strange? Do you remember anyone odd bringing her home?
Others could think of dozens of more questions. We could do it early next week.
Asked by attorneys who aren’t politicians, under oath, these questions and others may get us closer to the truth, which would be good for the country.
