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Professor Christine Blasey Ford has given emotional testimony to the Senate Judiciary Committee about her allegations of sexual assault against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh.<\/p>\n
Ford was probed for more than four hours by senators and prosecutor Rachel Mitchell, an expert in investigating sex crimes who was selected by Republicans. The hearing was a rollercoaster of emotion, with Democrats taking every opportunity to praise Ford’s courage in coming forward, while Mitchell delivered the tougher questioning, challenging her on a number of issues, including the circumstances surrounding her polygraph test and her fear of flying.<\/p>\n
READ RT’S LIVE UPDATES of the testimonies by Dr. Ford and Judge Kavanaugh<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Anxiety\u00a0and emotion<\/strong><\/p>\n Ford, who appeared anxious and nervous throughout, gave an account of her memories from the night of the alleged attack, with her voice frequently breaking as she spoke. She told the committee that she wished she could provide more detailed answers to questions, but said she does not remember as much as she would \u201clike to\u201d<\/em>. Describing the alleged assault, Ford also said she worried that Kavanaugh might \u201caccidentally\u201d<\/em> kill her.<\/p>\n Chris Wallace, asked on Fox News about the “gaps” in Ford’s memory, says those gaps are consistent with an honest account. Says “I’ve been schooled by my daughters on this.” #KavanaughHearings<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Angus Johnston (@studentactivism) September 27, 2018<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n Democrats praise \u2018heroic\u2019 Ford<\/strong><\/p>\n Democrats heaped praise on Ford and pointed to gaps in her memory as evidence that she has been truthful, with Illinois Senator Dick Durbin noting that a \u201cpolished liar\u201d<\/em> can create a \u201cseamless story\u201d<\/em> while a survivor \u201ccannot be expected\u201d<\/em> to remember every detail.<\/p>\n Later on in the hearing, Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut made a similar comment, saying that \u201csomeone who is honest is also candid about what he or she cannot remember.\u201d<\/em> New Jersey Senator Cory Booker called her actions in coming forward \u201cheroic\u201d<\/em> in a dramatic speech which appeared to prompt Ford to cry.<\/p>\n Ford was only questioned by Democrats, while Republicans on the committee left the probing up to Mitchell. Blumenthal criticized Republicans on the other side of the room who \u201chave been silent\u201d<\/em> during the hearing.<\/p>\n Divisive prosecutor<\/strong><\/p>\n Mitchell seemed to elicit criticism from all quarters with her questioning, with some saying she was too harsh and was on the Republicans\u2019 side while others suggested she was too soft on Ford. Senator Mazie Hirono of Hawaii hit out at Mitchell\u2019s approach during the hearing, saying she had aimed to undermine Ford\u2019s credibility.<\/p>\n Every GOP campaign strategist and Hill staffer wishes they had the button to open the trap door under Rachel Mitchell\u2019s chair. What a total and complete Political disaster for Republicans.<\/p>\n \u2014 Steve Schmidt (@SteveSchmidtSES) September 27, 2018<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n To lay this bare: Mitchell’s questioning is implying Ford is laying her trauma bare for personal gain, and so can’t be trusted. <\/p>\n Kavanaugh wants a lifetime seat on the Supreme Court. If having an interest in the outcome renders you untrustworthy, well…<\/p>\n\n\n
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