Last week, Judge Kavanaugh testified in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee as a nominee for the Supreme Court. Dr. Christine Blasey Ford also testified. Her testimony detailed an alleged sexual assault committed by Kavanaugh, and another alleged attacker, back in the summer of 1982 when the two were in high school. Dr. Ford recounted the event in detail while Mr. Kavanaugh categorically denied the allegations. I believe Dr. Ford. And with events coming out as of today that Mr. Kavanaugh had thrown ice at someone at a bar while he was Yale, further solidifies the theory that he is belligerent and prone to violence. Now, of course, people change. We all do dumb things. From high school and well through college, and even into adulthood, people do dumb things. We are all not perfect. The hope is that we grow as individuals, learn from the event, and do better next time. Hearings for Supreme Court nominees are times for the individual to showcase their ability to be a judge for the rest of their lives. They must showcase their maturity, their ability to judge fairly and honestly, and dignify the highest court of the land with their outstanding character. It is a court of prestige. But, appointees have not always been fair and impartial, but an instrument of the executive’s political ideology. Kavanaugh is no different. He was instrumental in writing the Starr Report, was appointed by George W. Bush on the federal circuit court, and made many decisions based on conservative values. There is nothing wrong with a Republican President appointing a conservative judge to the court. Democratic presidents have appointed liberal judges. But, Kavanaugh’s character is suspect. How can the American people put faith in someone who votes very conservative, doesn’t show impartiality, and projects aggression during testimony where he is accused of sexual assault. Kavanaugh’s opening statement was the exact attitude not to employ. He blamed partisanship, the Clintons, and a liberal media – “fair and impartial.” His demeanor was unbecoming. He was combative with Senators, dodged many questions, and projected an untrustworthy vibe. Instead, he should have played the high ground as much as possible, showed compassion, and should have admitted that no matter what he said could convince members from the opposing party on the hearing panel. Below is a transcript of the opening statement Kavanaugh should have said in the hearing. Maybe he should have consulted someone before he wrote his actual statement.

 

“Chairman Grassley, ranking member Feinstein, and members of the Senate Judiciary Committee, thank you for your patience and compassion throughout this hearing as accusations of sexual assault have changed the tenor of this hearing. These accusations have called into question my character and my conduct. Before I continue, I must applaud Dr. Ford for coming forward and sharing her testimony in the full light of public view. I understand she came forward to this committee with the faith that she would maintain her confidentiality. I applaud her bravery and her strength in this difficult time. Victims of sexual assault, unfortunately, do not receive fair treatment when they share their stories. Unlike Dr. Ford, I have never been assaulted nor have had to address greatly personal allegations in front of the entire country. But like Dr. Ford, my family and I have been victims of personal threats. After watching Dr. Ford’s testimony, I believe everything she says, except one very important detail. I did not do what Dr. Ford said I had done to her. As a human being, I have done my fair share of dumb, sometime reckless things. But in this case, nor in any case, have I ever forced myself onto a woman, verbally harassed a woman, nor sexually assaulted a woman. As I grew older, I matured and entered law where I sought and still seek to uphold the standards and traditions of being a judge of the court. I deliver judgment fairly and equally without politics or personal bias. I understand that whatever I say throughout this hearing will be examined under a microscope and either confirm yours and the American public’s predetermined conclusions about where they stand with regards to my character and conduct. My hope is that my character and conduct throughout this hearing will give you pause and ask yourself if this type of man could do such a thing, even all those years ago. Again, I have sympathy for Dr. Ford through this difficult time. I am using all my strength to avoid making this personal, especially with this type of accusation. I am using all my strength to not see this as a political maneuver. I am using all my strength to showcase to this committee, and the American people, that my character and conduct are worthy of a lifetime appointment to the Supreme Court. Thank you.”

 

This hypothetical testimony would have changed Kavanaugh’s history as a judge. His history as a judge clearly showcases his conservative bent, and therefore, he would not have had the permission to accurately make that proclamation of removing political bias from his judgments. Kavanaugh is an individual who clearly takes sides, an attribute uncharacteristic of a fair and impartial judge.

 

The Republicans have put their weight behind Judge Kavanaugh as if they knew him on a personal level. This amazes me. Yet again, it’s politics. Though, I applaud Flake for wanting the FBI investigation to gather corroborating evidence from a third-party. Let’s see what happens in a week from now