Here we go. The Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Brett Kavanaugh’s Supreme Court nomination is getting ready to start, just two weeks after the news leaked out that a woman had accused him of sexual misconduct. Those weeks have been filled with new revelations, truly disgusting Republican excuse-making and victim-blaming, and inspiring and thought-provoking activism and analysis. Going into this hearing, it’s become clear that Republicans believe the allegations against Kavanaugh are credible and that that’s exactly why they don’t want a full investigation or witnesses at the hearing. What we’ll learn in the coming hours remains to be seen. Here’s how we’ve gotten to this point:
News broke on September 13 that Democrats had referred a secret letter to the FBI. After the basic outlines of the allegations leaked out, Kavanaugh issued his first denial and Republicans swiftly released a letter signed by 65 women who said they had known Kavanaugh in high school and that he had “behaved honorably and treated women with respect.” Because if he didn’t try to rape every woman he met, he must be innocent of trying to rape any woman. The response was so swift, you had to wonder what Republicans knew when. On September 16, Christine Blasey Ford came forward with her now-familiar allegations: that when she and Kavanaugh were in high school, he cornered her at a party, pinned her to a bed, and covered her mouth to keep her from screaming as he tried to tear her clothes off. She was able to get away because Kavanaugh’s friend Mark Judge drunkenly jumped on top of them, allowing her to break free. By September 17, Kavanaugh had quickly lawyered up, while Republicans postponed the committee vote on his nomination and announced a hearing for the following Monday. They made that announcement without consulting Ford on the timing, however. In fact, they didn’t even consult committee Democrats. On September 18, Donald Trump claimed to want a “full process,” but ruled out an FBI investigation of the allegations, allowing Republicans to claim that it was Ford’s word against Kavanaugh’s, with the expectation that the general public wouldn’t notice Trump and Republicans standing in the way of more evidence. Trump and Republicans have continued to block a serious investigation or fair hearing of the allegations throughout, even as Democrats have urged an investigation. As the allegations against Kavanaugh sank in, Republicans launched a predictable series of smear campaigns. They suggested it was a case of mistaken identity, a theory floated early on by Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT). They described the assault as merely “rough horseplay” or something that “never went anywhere.” A series of false attacks and smears against Ford circulated. And, of course, Donald Trump attacked Ford and praised Kavanaugh.We need a Senate that believes women. Please give $3 each to elect Jacky Rosen in Nevada and Beto O'Rourke in Texas.
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