I keep hearing people on TV say how upstanding an adult life Brett Kavanaugh has lived.
I want to barf.
Sen. Hatch commends him for being so forceful in what he believes. I can agree that Kavanaugh has demonstrated — as a adult — his willingness to do anything to achieve what he seeks, but I am not sure that is commendable.
Without going over the entire record, let me mention a few items that when people praise Kavanaugh’s adult record ought to be brought up in rebuttal.
They date from his time working for Ken Starr.
Most people at Daily Kos have by now surely heard of or read about them.
First, Kavanaugh pushed for a further investigation of the suicide of Vince Foster, even though it was a topic that had already been fully explored, thereby subjecting Foster’s family to continuing unhappiness and unwanted attention.
Second, when Monica Lewinsky was reluctant to testify against Bill Clinton for a VOLUNTARY sexual relationship by an adult, Kavanaugh threatened her with criminal prosecution if she did not cooperate.
Kavanaugh was focused on bringing down the Clintons, and apparently was willing to go to any lengths, operating on the Machiavellian principle of the end justifying the means. Here I note of that principle that it certainly was NOT a value taught to him by the Jesuits at Georgetown Prep.
He was part of a cabal of young Republican operatives who used going after the Clintons as a means of fast-tracking themselves in Republican / conservative circles. Just a few other names that one can associate with this include Laura Ingraham and Matt Drudge, to give a sense of the crowd with which he was associated. David Brock, who regularly hosted the crowd at his apartment.
Brock has written about this recently.
Dr. Ford through her lawyers has expressed her willingness — her desire — to be interviewed by the FBI as part of that agency’s checking out her story.
What is interesting is that Kavanaugh, Judge, and Smith — the three men she has so far identified as being at the part — apparently do not want to be interviewed, the latter two not wanting to appeared before the Judiciary Committee to testify under oath. Kavanaugh is willing to testify,and has been practicing with a “murder board” including Sarah Sander and Bill Shine (whose own career at Fox News ended prematurely because of his involvement in covering up sexual problems of others at the Network). Were he to testify, one wonders if Grassley would attempt to rule out of order the kind of probing cross-examination to which he would be subjected by experienced prosecutors like Klobuchar, Harris, Blumenthal, and Whitehouse. Now, that would be interesting.
Even without Ford’s testimony, I believe Kavanaugh has disqualified himself by the perjurious statements he has already made, in this hearing and in his hearing for his current position. He has submitted false documentation — the printed version of his speech at Catholic Law does NOT include words audible on the video that what happens at Georgetown Prep stays at Georgetown Prep (yes, I know that is minor, but it is indicative of the kinds of distortions and half-truths sprinkled throughout both sets of testimony).
There is a clear record of Kavanaugh being less than an exemplary adult, unless you take the view that any action taken in advancing a “conservative” agenda is exemplary.
He should be challenged.
Pundits should make sure the American people know this.
He should not be a judge of any kind.
Just saying.
UPDATE 7:48 AM: Listening BRIEFLY to Morning Joe on my way in, I heard Kasey Hunt make an astute observation: so far Dr. Ford’s lawyers have NOT said she will not testify tomorrow. This can be a negotiation (not going to work). Or as I might add, this is a way they can lay down some markers that keep the discussion in the news and raises issues in a way that — if Ford does testify Monday — makes things more problematic for Republicans.
Guess we will know by 10 AM tomorrow, which is time Grassley has said she must submit her bio and opening statement (in order to give time for Republican operatives to dig through and prepare their lines of attack? Will Dems receive Kavanaugh’s opening statement at the same time? If not, another issue of unfairness).