To: Interested Parties From: NARAL Pro-Choice America Date: September 19, 2018
In Their Own Words: The GOP’s Disgusting Crusade to Discredit Dr. Christine Blasey Ford
After Dr. Christine Blasey Ford bravely spoke out about allegations of Brett Kavanaugh’s sexual assault, Senate Republicans have launched a full-fledged attack on Dr. Blasey Ford, offering textbook examples of how not to treat survivors of sexual violence.
Throughout the nomination process, Senate Republicans have desperately tried to paint Brett Kavanaugh as an “ally to women” to downplay the very real threat he poses to Roe v. Wade. But by attacking Dr. Blasey Ford, they have reached a new low. As Anita Hill said in a recent op-ed, “The weight of the government should not be used to destroy the lives of witnesses who are called to testify.”
The statements below range from insulting Dr. Blasey Ford to blaming the victim by empathizing with Kavanaugh, following a playbook we’ve seen used before. They are further proof that the GOP is putting Dr. Blasey Ford on trial and trying to undermine, intimidate, and shame her because they realize Brett Kavanaugh’s long history of lying destroys his credibility. He is simply unfit to serve and his nomination must be withdrawn.
Questioning And Criticizing Dr. Blasey Ford
Trump said it’s “very hard for me to imagine anything happened” along the lines of Dr. Blasey Ford’s allegation. He said: "Look: If she shows up and makes a credible showing, that'll be very interesting, and we'll have to make a decision, but … very hard for me to imagine anything happened.” [Twitter, 9/19/18]
Sen. Grassley said that he doesn’t know why Dr. Blasey Ford would need more time to prepare to testify. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) said on Tuesday that a woman accusing Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh of sexual assault hasn't confirmed that she will testify publicly next week. Grassley told conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt that his staff had reached out to Christine Blasey Ford, Kavanaugh’s accuser, over the past 36 hours but was still waiting for a response..."I don't know why you would need more time. She wants to talk to us. She told us she wanted to talk to us and you think the sooner the better," Grassley said. [The Hill, 9/18/18]
VIDEO: Orrin Hatch: “Somebody’s mixed up… I think she’s mistaken.” Orrin Hatch said in an interview aired on CNN, “I talked to him on the phone today. … He didn’t do that and he wasn’t at the party. There’s clearly — somebody’s mixed up… he’s a very strong, decent man.” When asked “do you believe him?” Hatch answered with an emphatic scoff, “yeah, I sure do.” When asked if he believed the accusers, Hatch answered “I think she’s mistaken, I think she’s mistaken something. But I don’t know, I don’t know her.” [Twitter, 9/17/18]
Hatch: “The problem is, Dr. Ford can’t remember when it was, where it was, or how it came to be… There are some gaps there that need to be filled. [Twitter, 9/18/18]
Grassley on Dr. Blasey Ford: “Why would you hire a lawyer back in August?” [Hugh Hewitt, 9/18/18]
Lindsey Graham asked of Dr. Blasey Ford, “why did she pay for a polygraph in August and why did she hire a lawyer in August...And who paid for” the polygraph? On Fox News, Graham said, “Here’s what I want your audience to know: If Ms. Ford really did not want to come forward, never intended to come forward, never planned to come forward, why did she pay for a polygraph in August and why did she hire a lawyer in August if she never intended to do what she is doing?... And who paid for it?” [The Hill, 9/18/18]
John Cornyn said, “The problem is, Dr. Ford can’t remember when it was, where it was, or how it came to be. There are some gaps there that need to be filled.” [Twitter, 9/18/18]
Mitch McConnell spoke dismissively of Dr. Blasey Ford’s story: “an accusation of 36-year-old misconduct, dating back to high school” brought up in an irregular manner.” McConnell said in a floor speech, “This is what the Senate has considered for the past 70 days. In the Senate and around the country, almost everyone who went into this process with an open mind – who was prepared to give Judge Kavanaugh a fair hearing – has come away impressed. But now, an accusation of 36-year-old misconduct, dating back to high school, has been brought forward, at the last minute, in an irregular manner. It is an accusation which Judge Kavanaugh has completely and unequivocally denied.“ [Majority Mitch McConnell press release, 9/17/18]
Grassley criticized Dr. Blasey Ford for not sending the letter to him and claimed he would have shared a letter like Dr. Blasey Ford’s with the whole committee earlier. Grassley criticized Feinstein for not sharing Dr. Blasey Ford’s letter earlier in the nomination process, though he acknowledged that she did not share the letter due to the wishes of Dr. Blasey Ford: We wouldn’t have needed a public hearing, like we’re going to have Wednesday [crosstalk] if Senator Feinstein had shared with me, or better yet Dr. Blasey had sent it to the chairman of the committee instead of the ranking member, we would have investigated this thing in July or early August and we could have done all the background work that needed to be done to fill in what the FBI did not gather for us.” [Hugh Hewitt, 9/18/18, audio begins around 19 minutes]
Grassley expressed doubt that Dr. Blasey Ford would attend the hearing he scheduled on Monday. In an interview with Hugh Hewitt, Grassley frequently called into question whether or not Dr. Blasey Ford would show up to the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing. Grassley said, “We have reached out to her in the last 36 hours three of four times by email, and we’ve not heard from them, so it kind of raises the question do they want to, do they want to come to the public hearing or not?” He also said, “I would surely hope she'd come Monday. I mean, look at all the details she put in the Washington Post. She’s surely prepared. She hired a lawyer, I understand, back in August. Why would you hire a lawyer back in August?” [Hugh Hewitt, 9/18/18; Twitter, 9/18/18]
Strong-Arming Dr. Blasey Ford Into Testifying Without Support Or A Thorough Investigation
Sen. Grassley said that Dr. Blasey Ford is “not in a position to make conditions” about if and when she testifies to the Senate Judiciary Committee. When asked earlier in the day if Republicans would consider allowing her to postpone testimony until an investigation was opened and completed, Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, a member of Republican leadership and member of the Judiciary Committee, said, “She’s not in really a position to make conditions in my view.” [NBC News, 9/19/18]
Sen. Collins proposed that Kavanaugh’s attorney be allowed to cross-examine Dr. Blasey Ford. In a letter to the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Sen. Collins wrote: “I respectfully recommend that you invite the attorneys retained by Dr. Ford and Judge Kavanaugh to pose questions during the hearing. Dr. Ford’s attorney would be permitted to question Judge Kavanaugh, and Judge Kavanaugh’s attorney would question Dr. Ford. Each approach would provide more continuity, elicit the most information, and allow an in-depth examination of the process.” [Twitter, 9/18/18]
Sen. Graham claimed Dr. Blasey Ford’s request for a full FBI investigation of the sexual assault allegations “is not about finding the truth, but delaying the process till after the midterm elections.” In a tweet, Graham wrote: “Requiring an FBI investigation of a 36 year old allegation (without specific references to time or location) before Professor Ford will appear before the Judiciary Committee is not about finding the truth, but delaying the process till after the midterm elections.” [Twitter, 9/19/18]
Sen. Cornyn said the Judiciary Committee wouldn’t call other witnesses: “We don’t want this to be a three-ring circus.” According to Fox News, Cornyn said the committee’s refusal to call other witnesses was because: "We don't want this to be a three-ring circus. We want this to be an orderly and dignified presentation." [Twitter, 9/18/18; Twitter, 9/18/18]
Sen. Grassley said it wasn’t necessary for the Senate to give Dr. Blasey Ford a full investigation, “you’re talking about history. We’re not looking back. We’re looking forward.” His comments came in response to a question about why he wouldn’t call more witnesses to testify, as the Senate did in the Anita Hill hearings. [Twitter, 9/18/18]
Sen. Corker pushed for the Senate Judiciary Committee to rush to vote on Kavanaugh if Dr. Blasey Ford doesn’t testify at the proposed Monday hearing. He wrote on Twitter: “After learning of the allegation, Chairman @ChuckGrassley took immediate action to ensure both Dr. Ford and Judge Kavanaugh have the opportunity to be heard, in public or private. Republicans extended a hand in good faith. If we don’t hear from both sides on Monday, let’s vote.” [Twitter, 9/19/18]
Senate Republicans said they intend to go forward with a vote on Kavanaugh if Dr. Blasey Ford does not testify on Monday. “Senate Republicans on the Judiciary Committee, after leaving a meeting in McConnell’s office today, made clear they would support a vote as soon as next week if Ford doesn’t show up Monday. Her attorney’s letter unlikely to change the plans” [Twitter, 9/18/18]
Sen. Cornyn implied that Dr. Blasey Ford is not cooperating with the Senate Judiciary Committee. He wrote: “The Judiciary Committee is attempting to investigate Dr. Ford’s allegation but can’t without her testimony. We can do that in any setting she is most comfortable with.” [Twitter, 9/18/18]
Sen. Collins said she wants Dr. Blasey Ford to testify on Monday: “I hope that Dr. Ford will reconsider and testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday. It is my understanding that the Committee has offered to hold either a public or a private session, whichever would make her more comfortable.” [Twitter, 9/19/18] Empathizing With Kavanaugh
Sen. Kennedy parroted Kavanaugh’s denial of Dr. Blasey Ford’s allegations: "He was resolute, he said 'absolutely not, this did not happen. Did not happen.' He could not have been more unequivocal. He’s not angry, he didn’t have anything bad to say about anybody.” [Twitter, 9/19/19]
Sen. Graham called Dr. Blasey Ford’s allegations against Kavanaugh a “drive-by shooting.” According to the Washington Post, Sen. Lindsey Graham said, “All I can say is that we’re bringing this to a close...They’ve had tons of time to do this. This has been a drive-by shooting when it comes to Kavanaugh. . . . I’ll listen to the lady, but we’re going to bring this to a close.” [The Washington Post, 9/19/18]
Sen. Cornyn argued that Dr. Blasey Ford’s account “has a lot of holes in it” and suggested the revelation may be “just an exercise in character assassination.” In a September 18 statement on the Senate floor, Senator Cornyn said:
“Mr. President, last night, the Senate Judiciary Committee announced that there would be an additional public hearing to address the allegations of misconduct that had been made against Judge Brett Kavanaugh, who has been nominated to the U.S. Supreme Court. So far, all we have is an accusation — one that, frankly, has a lot of holes in it as far as the time and circumstances under which this alleged event occurred ...We will take these accusations with the seriousness they deserve, and that is in a way that is fair to both the alleged victim and the judge himself…He had no opportunity during his confirmation hearing, either in open or in closed session, to answer questions about these allegations. This has really been a driveby attack on the character of this judge...As he said yesterday, anyone who comes forward under circumstances like this deserves to be heard in an ‘appropriate, precedented and respectful manner.’ How our colleagues across the aisle conduct themselves will prove whether they are actually interested in getting to the truth of these allegations or whether this is just an exercise in character assassination.” [Quorum, accessed 9/19/18]
Sen. Graham: “Is there really enough evidence here...to deny this man, who has lived an incredible life, a promotion to the Supreme Court?...They are trying to destroy his life.” In a Sept, 18 interview with Sean Hannity, Sen. Graham attacked Dr. Blasey Ford’s motives for coming forward and submitting to a polygraph test. He then suggested that the accusation is just an effort to “destroy [Kavanaugh’s] life”:
If I believed the person in front of me had committed disqualifying offense that would disqualify them from being on the Supreme Court, then I would have brought it up to them. I would not have let that go unchallenged. So here’s what I am going to do. This is not that complicated, it’s a 36 year old allegation, it’s a serious allegation. Everybody needs to be heard, but also people need to defend themselves. I am going to listen to look at she has to say about what she said about Brett Kavanaugh in high school and compare that to everything else I know about Brett Kavanaugh, including his denial, and I will make a decision. Here’s what I want your audience to know: if Ms. Ford really did not want to come forward, never intended to come forward, never planned to come forward, why did she pay for a polygraph in August and why did she hire a lawyer in August if she never intended to do what she’s doing? [Crosstalk] And who paid for it? [Crosstalk] She is welcome to come. We’re going to have a hearing Monday. She can come if she likes. If she doesn’t want to, she doesn’t have to. Kavanaugh can come if he would like. I think he will. We’re gonna vote on Wednesday. All I can say is that I’ve been a prosecutor, a judge and a defense counsel, all my life before I got into politics. This case could not come before a criminal court now because it is too old. No lawyer would bring it as a civil suit, because it’s just too hard to prove. The question for the Senate is there really enough evidence here, given the nature of the allegation, how old it is, the uncertain nature of it, to deny this man, who has lived an incredible life, a promotion to the Supreme Court? And why did not the Democrats challenge Judge Kavanaugh when he was sitting right there in front of them... I think it’s part of a pattern. They can’t beat him on the law so they are trying to destroy his life. [Twitter, 9/18/18]
Bob Corker: "I’ve been impressed with all that I’ve heard about him and again it’s unfortunate. I mean I can’t imagine the horror of being accused of something like this." [Twitter, 9/17/18]
Grassley: “I’d hate to have someone ask me what I did 35 years ago.” Hewitt asked, “what will go into your own evaluation of Dr. Christine Blasey Ford’s testimony should she appearing on Monday?” Grassley said, “the credibility of it, and how well she can remember facts from that far back. You understand we’re talking about 35 years ago.” [Twitter, 9/18/18, Hugh Hewitt, 9/18/18, audio starts around 8:30]
Orrin Hatch: “All I can say is he has denied this and I feel bad that this is happening to him." [Twitter, 9/17/18]
Orrin Hatch: “The judge, who I know very, very well, is an honest man said this didn’t happen.” When asked if Kavanaugh could have been too drunk to remember the party himself, Hatch replied, “he said that’s not true. ... He said this did not happen and he’s naturally very upset about it.” [The Hill, 9/17/18]
Orrin Hatch: It would be “hard for senators to not consider who the judge is today.” [Twitter, 9/17/18]
When asked if he was sympathetic to Dr. Blasey Ford’s concerns over how being attacked over her allegations, Grassley expressed his sympathy but pivoted to Kavanaugh: “I would imagine Judge Kavanaugh has been subject to the same thing.” Hugh Hewitt asked Grassley: “Are you sympathetic that Dr. Ford is justified and worried that she will be attacked by crazy people, by lunatics, and that her family will be threatened, and that she will be dragged, that’s the term in quotes, dragged online because of this? Do you, are you sympathetic to her concern?” Grassley said, “I’d have to say I’m very sympathetic to it. I’ve noticed how some people that are not very civil as would expect in American society by kicking the president’s press secretary out of a restaurant, or the secretary of Interior, driving them out of a restaurant, you can expect almost anything. And I would imagine Judge Kavanaugh has been subject to the same thing.” [Hugh Hewitt, 9/18/18]
Blaming And Criticizing Democrats
Sen. McConnell: “That this process has played out with so little order and so little sensitivity lies solely at the feet of Senate Democrats.” [Twitter, 9/18/18; CSPAN, 9/18/18]
Sen. Hyde-Smith questioned the timing of Dr. Blasey Ford’s allegations against Kavanaugh. Hyde-Smith said in a September 18 statement: "Having met with Judge Kavanaugh, I found him to be imminently qualified to serve on the Supreme Court, and remain confident of his confirmation...I have serious reservations regarding the questionable timing and handling of this last-minute allegation. The Democrats knew about this months ago and chose to wait until now to release it. The Judiciary Committee has scheduled a hearing on the allegation. This process should go forward so both sides can be heard." [New Haven Register, 9/18/18]
Sen. Grassley argued that “No other OUTSIDE investigation is necessary” and attacked Democrats for “refusing to cooperate.” In a September 19 Twitter thread, Sen. Grassley wrote: “If Senate Dems think they need the FBI to investigate, why didn’t they alert the FBI on July 30? As soon as I learned of the allegations from the Washington Post on Sunday I moved swiftly to follow up on Dr. Ford’s allegations As the FBI has said its role here is complete… Cmte investigators are following up on the leads from Dr. Ford’s allegations & news stories No other OUTSIDE investigation is necessary for the Cmte to do its investigation. Don’t know why Dems are refusing to cooperate in the cmte’s investigation I hope Dems will join me.” [Twitter, 9/19/18; Twitter, 9/19/18; Twitter, 9/19/18; Twitter, 9/19/18]
Sen. Cornyn attacked Democrats over the process. In a press release, Sen. Cornyn wrote: “So far, Dr. Ford’s lawyer has refused to respond to invitations to participate. We certainly hope that she takes advantage of this opportunity if she still would like to. We’ve offered her basically either an open or closed setting. But again, to reiterate what Leader McConnell, the point he made, we wouldn’t find ourselves, nor would Dr. Ford find herself in this situation, if Sen. Feinstein hadn’t sat on this letter she’s had since July, said nothing about it during the course of the hearing for Judge Kavanaugh, and now raising it at this late date.” [Senator John Cornyn, 9/18/18]
John Cornyn: “That Democrats have so egregiously mishandled this up until now is no excuse for us to do the same. If Democrats reject the committee handling this swiftly and in a bipartisan way through regular order, then it’s clear that their only intention is to smear Judge Kavanaugh and derail his nomination.” [Senator John Cornyn press release, 9/17/18, The Hill, 9/17/18]
John Cornyn: “I think it would be a mistake to reward bad behavior.” CNN reporter Manu Raju also reported that Cornyn said Democrats wanted to “create a show trial.” [Twitter, 9/17/18]
Orrin Hatch criticized Democrats: “By working with us to get the facts expeditiously—and by maintaining Chairman Grassley’s initial timeline — Democrats can prove that their first priority is the truth, not politics.” [The Hill, 9/17/18]
Mitch McConnell extensively criticized how Democrats managed Dr. Blasey Ford’s allegations in a Senate floor speech: “Neither she nor any of her Democratic colleagues chose to raise this allegation during the committee staff’s bipartisan background calls with the nominee…. Now they choose to introduce this allegation. Not through the standard, bipartisan process. Not by advising the Judiciary Committee colleagues and committee staff through proper channels. But by leaking it to the press. Because the chain of custody of this letter runs through the Democrat side of the Judiciary Committee.” [Senator Mitch McConnell press release, 9/17/18]
Thom Tillis: “Senate Judiciary Democrats deserve the criticism they are receiving from across the political spectrum for making a conscious decision to sit on this serious allegation for nearly two months without taking action. They have badly mishandled this and have done a disservice to the accuser, Judge Kavanaugh, and the American people.” [Senator Thom Tillis press release, 9/17/18]
Claiming Sen. Grassley Was The Real Victim In The Situation
Sen. Grassley suggested he, not Dr. Blasey Ford, faced the prospect of discrimination in the hearings before his own committee. Responding to a question about whether an all-male panel of Republican Senators would be insensitive in questioning Dr. Blasey Ford, Sen. Grassley said he was actually the one being discriminated against: “Well, journalists are very insensitive to Chuck Grassley because I'm the only chairman, when it says Senator Chuck Grassley chairman of the aging — of the Judiciary Committee 84 years old, they never say that Alexander chairman of the Health Committee is 64 years old. So there's already discrimination against me, so there is a possible discrimination out there and and we have to consider all those things. We hope that everyone in the room treats the hearing with the seriousness that it deserves, including the public.” [YouTube, 9/18/18, via Progress Iowa]
“Nothing”
Ben Sasse: Chad Pergram, FOX News reporter, tweeted: “GOP NE Sen & Judiciary Cmte mbr Ben Sasse when asked about Kavanaugh allegations: “I’ve got nothing”” [Twitter, 9/17/18]