She deserves a standing ovation:
Sen. Mazie Hirono said her message to men in this country is to "just shut up and step up. Do the right thing for a change" following the sexual assault allegation against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh.
Asked Tuesday about being one of just four women on the Senate Judiciary Committee and how that will affect the nomination proceedings, the Hawaii Democrat said, "Of course it helps that there are women on that committee. ... But really, guess who's perpetuating all of these kinds of actions? It's the men in this country. And I just want to say to the men in this country: Just shut up and step up. Do the right thing for a change.
Both Kavanaugh and the woman who has accused him of physically and sexually assaulting her when they were in high school, Christine Blasey Ford, have been asked to testify before the committee next Monday, though
it's uncertain that will occur.
"Not only do women like Dr. Ford, who bravely comes forward, need to be heard, but they need to be believed. They need to be believed," Hirono said alongside her Democratic colleagues Tuesday at a news conference on Capitol Hill.
"Her account is very credible," Hirono said. "I believe her."
"It's shocking, but not surprising, that President Trump is not OK'ing the FBI investigation so that there's at least some attempt at corroboration," she said.
Well said indeed. This fight is far from over and there’s a couple of things you can do. First off, Democracy for America is continuing to mount pressure on the Senate to reject Kavanaugh:
In the aftermath of credible, substantiated claims of sexual assault levied against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh coming to light, the Senate should have an easy decision to make: halt the confirmation process for this dangerous nominee.
However, Senate Republicans are still planning to rush forward a vote on Kavanaugh's nomination, scheduling a new hearing on Monday so they can expedite a subsequent Judiciary Committee vote.
Our stance is simple: We believe Dr. Christine Blasey Ford. Period. And it's time for the Senate to do the same and stop her attacker from receiving a lifetime seat on our nation's highest court.
Will you help us put pressure on the Senate and demand they stand on the right side of history by ending this dangerously flawed, rushed confirmation process immediately?
Yes -- I will call my Senators and urge them to oppose this dangerous Supreme Court nominee and stop the confirmation process of Kavanaugh now.
No, I can't make a call right now -- but I will make a contribution to help stop Kavanaugh.
Despite Dr. Ford's courage to go above and beyond what a survivor should be expected to do -- going public, taking a polygraph test, backing up her claims with notes from her therapist, and offering to testify in a hearing -- Senate Republicans continue to rush their nominee to the bench. It's a shameful example of choosing political party over country, over women, and over survivors of sexual assault.
Now that both Kavanaugh and Dr. Ford have agreed to speak with the Senate over these claims, Democrats cannot make the same mistakes they did when Anita Hill testified: they must be ready to defend Dr. Ford and put an end to this ridiculous confirmation process.
Let's show the Senate that we stand with Dr. Ford and refuse to put a man credibly accused of a violent sexual assault on the Supreme Court where he will be given the power to control the bodily autonomy of women in America for a lifetime.
Will you take a moment to demand the Senate stop Kavanaugh once and for all?
Yes, I will call my Senators right now and urge them to reject Kavanaugh's confirmation.
No, I'm unable to call right now, but I'll donate to help support this important cause.
Whatever happens over the next few days could have damaging implications for women, survivors, and Americans for decades to come. This is our time to take a stand and make a difference.
Thank you,
- Jay
Jay Henderson, Senior Digital Strategy Manager
Democracy for America
Click here to call your Senator.
Second, CREDO Action is building support for Christine Blasey Ford:
We believe Christine Blasey Ford.
On Sunday, she bravely told her story of being physically and sexually assaulted by Brett Kavanaugh.1 She did so knowing what happened to Anita Hill when she made similar accusations against Clarence Thomas. She did so knowing that right-wing media would attack her. She did so knowing that her life might never be the same.
Survivors don't owe us their stories, and Blasey Ford attempted to keep hers confidential. Now that she has gone public, and is scheduled to testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday, all of us who believe her must have her back in every way we can. That includes demanding that every senator treat her, and any other survivors, with respect, compassion and dignity – and holding them accountable if they don't.
Tell senators: Respect Christine Blasey Ford for her courage and refuse to undermine, discredit or defame her. Click here to sign the petition.
It is clear that Republican extremists will do anything, no matter how gross or partisan, to stack the Supreme Court. Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee knew about – and prepared for the fallout from – Blasey Ford's allegations before they were made public. But instead of acting on such obviously disqualifying information, they rushed the nomination and buried key documents that could shed further light on Kavanaugh's character.
Now right-wing media is racing to denigrate and discredit Blasey Ford's story, undermine her credibility and punish her for speaking out.2 The Wall Street Journal's editorial board called the allegations a "calculated political ambush" and said Republicans should proceed in confirming Kavanaugh.3 Sen. Orrin Hatch said yesterday that Kavanaugh was “honest” and “straightforward” and that Blasey Ford could be “mixed up.”4 Sen. Susan Collins, who has been desperately trying to find a way to vote yes on Kavanaugh while maintaining her pro-choice credentials, tried to impugn the timing of the allegations, restated Kavanaugh's denials and demanded that both Blasey Ford and Kavanaugh testify under oath before the Senate Judiciary Committee.5
The committee hearing has now been scheduled for Monday. These kinds of public investigations are systemically stacked against survivors. With 11 white male Republicans in charge, that bias will only be amplified. Blasey Ford will likely be attacked and discredited. Some senators may try to back her into a corner to make it seem like she is lying. They will force her to defend both her decision to keep her story private and her decision to speak out. Kavanaugh, who already lied under oath, will likely be painted as a victim who deserves the chance to continue to lie to save his career.
We have to build massive momentum that puts Republican senators on notice and makes clear they will not be allowed to get away with defaming or discrediting Blasey Ford. We also need to remind Democratic senators of the stakes and of their responsibility to stand up for survivors. Can you add your name today?
Tell senators to respect Christine Blasey Ford for her courage and refuse to undermine, discredit or defame her. Click the link below to sign:
https://act.credoaction.com/sign/Senate_Survivors?t=7&akid=30097%2E2512583%2ExuvkJT
Thank you for speaking out,
Heidi Hess, Co-Director
CREDO Action from Working Assets
References:
- Emma Brown, "California professor, writer of confidential Brett Kavanaugh letter, speaks out about her allegation of sexual assault," The Washington Post, Sept. 16, 2018.
- Zachary Pleat, "Right-wing media go all-out to denigrate Christine Blasey Ford, who says Kavanaugh assaulted her," Media Matters for America, Sept. 17, 2018.
- The Wall Street Journal Editorial Board, "The #MeToo Kavanaugh Ambush," Sept. 17, 2018.
- Leigh Anne Caldwell, Tweet, Sept. 17, 2018.
- Ariane de Vogue and Eli Watkins, "Brett Kavanaugh, Christine Blasey Ford to testify on assault allegations in public Monday," CNN, Sept. 17, 2018.
Third, the Progressive Change Campaign Committee is launching an ad campaign against Kavanaugh:
Republican Senator Orrin Hatch -- who grilled Anita Hill 27 years -- said today that Dr. Christine Blasey Ford was "mixed up" about Brett Kavanaugh attempting to rape her. The character assassination begins.
Republican Senator Susan Collins claims to be pro-choice and pro-woman, but says "I don't know enough to make a judgment" on Kavanaugh.
URGENT: We want to launch a new, hard-hitting ad in Collins' hometown newspaper in the next 48 hoursasking her: “Do you believe Dr. Christine Blasey Ford?" It also asks, "Do you believe Trump and Kavanaugh when they express hostility to Roe, saying it is not settled law?”
Please donate $3 to help us get this ad in Collins' hometown newspaper ASAP,
This follows our first round of newspaper ads, which made a huge splash:
NBC NEWS: “The PCCC has taken out full page ads in Collins’ hometown paper the Bangor Daily News. The ad says Collins’ legacy will be more than 50,000 women jailed by 2032 for getting abortions if she votes for Kavanaugh.”
WASHINGTON TIMES: “Voters in Maine are opening their newspapers to find an ad warning that Sen. Susan Collins could send 50,000 women to jail for seeking abortions, should she vote to confirm President Trump’s Supreme Court nominee.”
We are on the verge of winning this Supreme Court fight! But Collins is a key vote and she needs pressure NOW. Please donate here to run this ad.
Thanks for being a bold progressive.
-- The PCCC Team
Click here to donate to PCCC’s ad campaign.
Lastly, let’s thank Hirono for her service and for speaking up. Click here to donate and get involved with Hirono’s re-election campaign.