OMG she showed up and she's under oath.
They are going full kamikaze here.....
They are going full kamikaze here.....
She is completely opened up to perjury charges now.....
I spent a week and a half confident Ford & her lawyers wouldn't put themselves in this position, but here we are.
They've walked into a trap.
NOBODY is going to be allowed to try this bullshit against an innocent man ever again.
Keep watching.
They've walked into a trap.
NOBODY is going to be allowed to try this bullshit against an innocent man ever again.
Keep watching.
Mitchell is now going to introduce the fact ALL FOUR people Ford herself provided as eyewitnesses of her assault by Kavanaugh have gone publicly on the record to deny her allegations.
Mitchell is also going to draw out the fact Ford has told multiple different stories about how many people were at this party and how many people witnessed this alleged assault.
Feinstein interrupts the flow of Ford giving out yet another conflicting answer about how many people were at the party so she can grandstand for 5 minutes & try to blunt what Ford just said.
I'm not sure how many times Feinstein can interrupt, by the rules.
I'm not sure how many times Feinstein can interrupt, by the rules.
Good summary of what's happened thus far once Mitchell began questioning Ford:
https://twitter.com/IvanPentchoukov/status/1045329037948858368
Mitchell is asking Ford now about the multiple different versions of the story she's given, about how many people were present. 3, 4, 4 boys and a girl, four boys and 2 girls, etc.
Durbin gives Grassely the opening he's been waiting for.
Let's be honest about what's happening here. Every single Dem knows Ford is lying. And they don't care. They want her to sound just believable enough for *strategic reasons*.
The strategy is use whatever means necessary to delay Kavanaugh's vote until AFTER the midterms.
The strategy is use whatever means necessary to delay Kavanaugh's vote until AFTER the midterms.
This entire travesty, this farce is unfolding today because Dems are desperate to hold off this vote until they have a shot at flipping the Senate in the midterms and then cancelling Kavanaugh's nomination.
Great point just brought up in @tracybeanz's TL: Leland said she never EVEN MET Kavanaugh.
So it appears Ford changed her story to say she *expected* Leland to be at this party, but is hedging on if Leland was actually present.
So...changing her story again.
So it appears Ford changed her story to say she *expected* Leland to be at this party, but is hedging on if Leland was actually present.
So...changing her story again.
Uh Mitchell gets Ford to look at her contradictory statements about running away from the party on foot, walking home vs. being DRIVEN home.
Here's why Mitchell is asking about the notes: Ford had reportedly shown them to the Washington Post reporters but she and her legal team are REFUSING to give them to the Committee.
So now Ford is testifying that *she can't be sure/can't remember* if the WaPo reporters ever saw the notes or if she just *summarized* them verbally to the reporters.
"I don't remember showing her the notes"
Now the fact Ford has been flying and lying about it is going to be addressed.
It took Mitchell less than 2 minutes to get Ford to admit claims this hearing had to be delayed due to her supposed fear of flying was not true.
The only reason the claim appeared in the PRESS that Ford was afraid to fly and couldn't make the Monday hearing was that her legal team TOLD reporters this.
I believe Ford's legal team ALSO made this excuse to the Republicans on the Committee. If so, they are in big trouble.
Note what's happening here: Mitchell is getting Ford to state ON THE RECORD that she can't remember events involving reporters and members of Congress from JUST A FEW WEEKS AGO.
What does that do for her recollections of events from 35 years ago?
What does that do for her recollections of events from 35 years ago?
Out-of-the-ordinary events in just the last month where media reporters showed up at her home to interview her, she can't remember what happened, whether she showed the reporters her therapist notes or not......
After her lawyer objects to the question Ford is now going to pretend she didn't know Committee investigators would have traveled to CA to interview her.
Sure...
Sure...
I'm ignoring Senator Stolen Valor.
The two times so far Andrew McCabe's lawyer has spoken up:
1) to refuse to have Ford answer about knowing Senate staff would have flown to CA to interview her
and
2) Who advised her to take a polygraph.
1) to refuse to have Ford answer about knowing Senate staff would have flown to CA to interview her
and
2) Who advised her to take a polygraph.
Mitchell's about to expose Ford's legal team lying to the media about the polygraph being administered 'by the FBI'.
Ford now on the record stating NOBODY helped her write the letter.
Oof......
Ford has NO IDEA who paid for that polygraph....I wonder if she has any idea who's paying for those lawyers sitting on either side of her?
Ford has NO IDEA who paid for that polygraph....I wonder if she has any idea who's paying for those lawyers sitting on either side of her?
https://twitter.com/seanmdav/status/1045352604757368833
I check Twitter and Never Trumpers are saying this hearing is a disaster thus far for Republicans because Mitchell is doing a horrible job or something.
They
have
no
clue.
They
have
no
clue.
I'm surprised #BeachFriends isn't trending yet....
Note: before this hearing began, ALL FOUR EYEWITNESSES NAMED BY FORD HERSELF had publicly gone on the record under oath, under penalty of perjury, and speficially & categorically denied her allegations.
And [checks card]...that's still the case right now!
And [checks card]...that's still the case right now!
Senator Guilty Until Proven Innocent When You're A Republican Conservative is now 'questioning' the witness.
Mazie Hirono D-HA now droning on about how courageous Ford is for coming forward.
Mitchell now asking Ford what arrangements were made to pay for the polygraph and her legal representation.
Ford says several GoFundMe accounts have been set up, won't volunteer any info about who set up the accounts.
Ford says several GoFundMe accounts have been set up, won't volunteer any info about who set up the accounts.
Mitchell is an experience prosecutor. She is *building* a case here that she will summarize at the end.
Ford's lawyers are desperate to keep somebody/several somebody's related to Ford on deep background.
Mitchell wants this clearly on the record: that Ford didn't authorize Feinstein or her staff to make her letter public or leak it to the media.
It's now Senator I AM SPARTACUS's turn to grandstand for 5 minutes.
Mitchell now asking Ford when she first asked for an FBI investigation.
Ford looks at her lawyers, puzzled.
Ford looks at her lawyers, puzzled.
Just how sedated and isolated WERE these lawyers keeping Professor Ford?
Andy McCabe's lawyer Bromwich and Debra Katz now volunteer that they are handling Ford's case pro bono and don't expect to be paid.
Mitchell now trying to draw out how familiar she was with Brett Kavanaugh, how many social events attended together, etc.
Senator KneePads is now questioning the Witness.
Senator KneePads is now questioning the Witness.
Mitchell now confronting Ford with the fact all four people who's names she provided as witnesses have denied her allegations of having been at this party or witnessed this assault.
Holy shit. Mitchell is leading Ford into admitting the 'BEST EVIDENCE' she has to prove her alllegations of assault are the therpist notes she WON'T turn over to the committee but had no problem showing to reporters.
Holy shit it could be Ford is JUST NOW FINDING OUT all 4 of her witnesses went on the record to deny her story.
Remember, I was struck by the confused look she gave her lawyers when Mitchell asked her when she first asked for an FBI investigation.
Remember, I was struck by the confused look she gave her lawyers when Mitchell asked her when she first asked for an FBI investigation.
Let this sink in.
Blumenthal just OBJECTED to entering the sworn statements of 3 of Ford's own named witnesses into the record.
Blumenthal just OBJECTED to entering the sworn statements of 3 of Ford's own named witnesses into the record.
Kavanaugh comes next, then the closing statements from the Senators.
If Grassley is holding on to any bombs, that's when they'll be dropped.
If Grassley is holding on to any bombs, that's when they'll be dropped.
Another example of how Democrats willing abused this process.
1) Refuse to be there for statements being taken from Ford's named witnesses denying any knowledge of the party/assault
2) Object to sworn statements being entered into the record because Dems weren't present
1) Refuse to be there for statements being taken from Ford's named witnesses denying any knowledge of the party/assault
2) Object to sworn statements being entered into the record because Dems weren't present
"You can't enter these sworn statements from Dr. Ford's eyewitnesses denying her account because we weren't there when they were taken! We have questions! MANY MANY QUESTIONS!"
Grassley opening for Kavanaugh's section of the hearing by noting the sworn statements of all of Ford's witnesses denying her story have been entered into the record before Kavanaugh makes his opening statement.
REminder: After Kavanaugh makes this opening statement, this is the FIRST TIME the Dem Senators orchestrating this farce have faced him to discuss these allegations.
Dear Democrats: Brett Kavanaugh has had ENOUGH OF YOUR SHIT.
I am looking forward to having this guy on the court for 50 years making Democrats eat it for what they did this past month.
Powerful statement from the next Supreme Court Justice.
He denies it all. Powerfully. His wife is crying behind him.
He denies it all. Powerfully. His wife is crying behind him.
Judge Kavanaugh emphasizes that he's been through 6 exhaustive FBI investigations in his career. Not even a whiff of something like this ever arose.
Brings up the intense digging done by Dems on ALL of Ken Starr's staff when investigating the Clintons in the 1990's.
Brings up the intense digging done by Dems on ALL of Ken Starr's staff when investigating the Clintons in the 1990's.
Just over Kavanaugh's left shoulder you can see Ford's attorney Bromwich and actress Alyssa Milano
Kavanaugh gets emotional discussing why he kept detailed calendars.
It's because it's something his father did. He's crying trying to explain.
It's because it's something his father did. He's crying trying to explain.
I'll say this: if people had alleged *I* was the leader of a serial gang rape ring back in high school when I was 17 years old, I'd be alot more emotional and ANGRY than Brett Kavanaugh is being here.
IMHO Kavanaugh has spent WAY TOO MUCH TIME going over these calendars, discussing his events of the summer of '82.
OK finally making the point about high school drinking and beer. That's a plus.
OK finally making the point about high school drinking and beer. That's a plus.
You own this Democrats. You made this happen. This good man had to come before the country today and answer the most vile allegations made with no evidence whatsoever.
YOU made it so he had to give this statement.
YOU made it so he had to give this statement.
To delay the vote on this man going onto the Supreme Court the Democratic Party engaged in the most reprehensible tactics imaginable.
And they won't care about that if the tactics WORK.
Well they'll care about it when the tactics DON'T work & get them a Red Wave in November.
And they won't care about that if the tactics WORK.
Well they'll care about it when the tactics DON'T work & get them a Red Wave in November.
Kavanaugh is going IN DEPTH to confront Democrats with the MAN and the LIFE they have sought to destory using these slimy, underhanded tactics.
Kavanaugh thanks God every day for his wife and being his rock in the midst of this absolute horror that the Democrats have turned this nomination process into.
Judge Kavanaugh stresses that Democrats in seeking to stop his nomination have resorted to undermining due process and the presumption of innocence, foundational principles of our system.
He has ended his opening statement and Grassley is now deferring to Mitchell for questions
He has ended his opening statement and Grassley is now deferring to Mitchell for questions
AGAIN: REMEMBER: Focus on this: Feinstein knows there's NOTHING for the FBI to investigate as far as a CRIMINAL matter on this alleged attack.
The accuser can't confirm the house, who was actually present, and all named thus far besides her have denied it.
The accuser can't confirm the house, who was actually present, and all named thus far besides her have denied it.
Feinstein fumbles around, gives Kavanaugh the opening to say the Swetnick allegations are a joke a farce.
Everybody involved in this knows there's nothing for the FBI to investigate. Every time the Dems bring it up it's just as a delay tactic "Let's wait for the conclusion of an FBI investigation! Let's delay the vote!"
I mean what's the assumption here? The Senate investigators already INTERVIEWED all the witnesses Ford named, under oath...are they going to testify any differently under oath to the FBI?
There's no FORENSIC evidence. Place, date, etc. are unknown.
There's no FORENSIC evidence. Place, date, etc. are unknown.
The only person who hadn't been interviewed under oath before today was Dr. Ford because Democrats on this committee & her lawyers were HIDING her, even to the point of using transparent lies about her being afraid to fly.
Grassley knows any FBI investigation that starts at this point is just going to REPEAT what Senate investigators did: interview the SAME people while having no alleged crime scene to examine.
It's all about delaying the vote.
It's all about delaying the vote.
Leahy obfuscating that Mark Judge already submitted a sworn statement under oath to the Senate committee.
Leah tries to shush kavanaugh from discussing Mark Judge's sworn statement under oath, Kavanaugh ignores him, talks over him. Leahy looks down, beaten, changes the subject.
Leahy going to the yearbook.
he must be a glutton for punishment.
he must be a glutton for punishment.
Kavanaugh is refusing to play Leahy's game. He is getting in his face, he knows where Leahy is going, won't have it.
Leahy then lamely tries to get Kavanaugh to say he's a character in a book Mark Judge wrote.
Kavanaugh says "You'll have to ask him."
Mitchell back to questioning Kavanaugh about his calendar for summer '82
Kavanaugh says "You'll have to ask him."
Mitchell back to questioning Kavanaugh about his calendar for summer '82
Mitchell getting Kavanaugh on the record under oath that at no time in his professional career until his nomination hearing was ended & Feinstein leaked Ford's letter had he EVER been accused of a rape, unwanted sexual advance, or a sexual slur.
Dick Durbin is about to prove what a dick he is. Says Ford sat in that chair, answered their questions, claimed she suffered a sexual assault 'at your hands'.
The FBI can't 'complete' it's investigation of Kavanaugh because there IS no FBI investigation of Kavanaugh.
The FBI can't 'complete' it's investigation of Kavanaugh because there IS no FBI investigation of Kavanaugh.
This the worst kind of grandstanding. Durbin is gaslighting that there's *already* some kind of FBI investigation underway.
His question to Kavanaugh was so dishonest Grassley is now reprimanding him.
His question to Kavanaugh was so dishonest Grassley is now reprimanding him.
There is no FBI investigation underway and Kavanaugh is not being any kind of 'obstacle' to one. They do BACKGROUND CHECKS. They don't reach conclusions, as Joe Biden reminded everybody during the Clarence Thomas hearings.
OK. Who didn't coach Kavanaugh on how to handle these incessant demands from Democratic Senators to halt the nomination until the FBI GETS DONE INVESTIGATING FORD'S CLAIMS?
Because for the first time Kavanaugh looked incoherent.
Because for the first time Kavanaugh looked incoherent.
EVERY SINGLE DEMOCRATIC SENATOR WAS GOING TO ASK HIM to agree to delay going forward "until the FBI can conclude an investigation".
Everybody knew this was coming. Durbin just made it blatant that's the strategy.
Everybody knew this was coming. Durbin just made it blatant that's the strategy.
All Kavanaugh has to say is "There's nothing for the FBI to investigate and they don't reach conclusions anyway."
Instead Kavanaugh looked lost.
Lindsey Graham now questioning Kavanaugh.
Instead Kavanaugh looked lost.
Lindsey Graham now questioning Kavanaugh.
HEY DEMOCRATS YOU'VE TURNED LINDSAY GRAHAM INTO A FIRE BREATHING DRAGON WELL DONE.
Kavanaugh has to get this down. All the Senators that haven't questioned him about yet are going to : "SAY YOU WANT A HALT TO THESE PROCEEDINGS UNTIL THE FBI CAN CONCLUDE AN INVESTIGATION!"
Whitehouse right, Booker and Hirono and Klobuchar and several more are coming up.
Whitehouse right, Booker and Hirono and Klobuchar and several more are coming up.
"You say you welcome an investigation! Great! Agree to stop your nomination process right now until the FBI can conclude it's investigation of Dr. Ford's allegations against you!"
He's gonna hear this about seven more times.
He's gonna hear this about seven more times.
More Yearbook Fun™ With Sentator Whitehouse!
SEnator Whitehouse is just shocked, SHOCKED everybody to discover teenage kids drink and use tha F WORD.
That's my Senator, John Cornyn and he's had enough of the Dem's "Guilty Until Proven Innocent" BS.
Pointing out the talking point 'this isn't a trial, it's just a job interview is BULLSHIT.
Lying to that committee is a CRIME, as Kavanaugh just acknowledged.
Pointing out the talking point 'this isn't a trial, it's just a job interview is BULLSHIT.
Lying to that committee is a CRIME, as Kavanaugh just acknowledged.
TAKE NOTE. THIS IS THE ONLY FREAKING THING KAVANAUGH SHOULD SAY EVER F**KING TIME A DEM SENATOR SAYS "FBI FBI EEEEEFBEEEEEEEEIIIIIIIIIIIII!!!!"
https://twitter.com/redsteeze/status/1045414345218379778
Sen. Klobuchar going into more naughty naughty high school yearbook hijinks and teenage drinking fun.
Wheeeeeee!
Wheeeeeee!
Grassley now reminding everyone the FBI already did all it can do: it took Ford's letter and filed it.
Grassley now pointing out the FBI has said they do not reach conclusions. PERIOD.
Grassley is quoting Joe Biden from 1991.
Grassley now pointing out the FBI has said they do not reach conclusions. PERIOD.
Grassley is quoting Joe Biden from 1991.
Sen. Whitehouse now gaslighting the entire room by pretending the FBI could open an investigation into Ford's allegations of assault by Kavanaugh if they were asked to do so.
Grassley says go away.
Grassley says go away.
America is watching Democratic Senators...supposedly serious professional people...question a distinguished Judge and legal scholar about his high school yearbook from 36 years ago and drinking games and fart jokes and high school gags by 17 year olds.
Sen. Orrin Hatch is now up. Mostly reading a statement, but very enthusiastically.
Hatch brings up the anonymous letter, no names, no return address that somehow became national news.
Hatch now asking Kavanaugh a series of questions to highlight exactly how badly Democrats have made a farce of these proceedings.
Senator Pointy Bald Head [D - Guilty Until Proven Innocent] now asking Kavanaugh about his high school drinking/dating habits.
More whining from Senor Pointy Bald Head about the fact Mark Judge wasn't dragged here to be a part of this farce today despite the fact he already submitted a sworn statement to the committee that is testimony.
Sen. Mike Lee is up. Going to hammer the Dems on their dishonesty of repeatedly asking for Kavanaugh's nomination to be suspended until 'the FBI can finish an investigation'.
Lee calls the Dems out FOR SKIPPING all the Senate investigative hearings on these allegations. They all did that DELIBERATELY so they could whine the nomination should be suspended & the FBI brought in. This was their strategy.
Dem's had the opportunity to be there when Judge and the other witnesses made their sworn statements and answered questions. THEY REFUSED TO PARTICIPATE so they could engage later bullshit drama about a 'real' investigation being done later by the FBI.
Richard Blumenthal [D-Stolen Valor] now questioning Kavanaugh after Ben Sasse again threw it in Democratic Senator's faces that they SAT ON these allegations for more than 40 days, so their demanding a delay now to 'investigate' when they wouldn't share info = ludicrous
Oh my God, Blumenthal makes like the 4th Dem Senator who's decided to go high school yearbook parsing in this hearing.
Blumenthal outright lying by trying to say Mark Judges sworn statement isn't really a sworn statement given under penalty of perjury.
Blumenthal is floundering. Allowed Kavanaugh to again hammer the point home: Ford wanted confidentiality and Dem senators on THIS COMMITTEE did not respect her wishes and outed her publicly to the media by leaking her letter.
Blumenthal bizzarely ends with a parting shot where he asks Judge Kavanaugh "Do you believe Anita Hill!?"
And...I'm outta gas folks....I...I can't.......I can't hold on any longer......ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
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