Will the vote on Judge Brett Kavanaugh’s nomination to the Supreme Court go forward this week — after new allegations emerged Sunday regarding an incident that one woman says occurred 35 years ago and one man says never did at all?
Christine Blasey Ford, a psychologist at Palo Alto University in northern California, tipped off The Washington Post back in July to her accusations about Judge Brett M. Kavanaugh — after he was included on the shortlist of potential nominees to replace Anthony Kennedy on the Supreme Court.
Turns out Ford also sent a letter that month to Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) via her congressional representative, Anna G. Eshoo (D-Calif.).
“He was trying to attack me and remove my clothing,” Ford told The Post in a piece published Sunday afternoon.
Ford provided The Post with “documentation” of the incident — in the form of mental health professionals’ notes, including couples therapy she engaged in during the year of 2012 and individual therapy the following year.
The couples therapy notes include mention of an attack by students at an unspecified “elitist boys’ school” — who went on to become “highly respected and high-ranking members of society in Washington.”
The individual therapy notes reference “long-term effects” and describe the incident as a “rape attempt.”
Kavanaugh has “categorically and unequivocally” denied any such allegations.
Related: Pirro Erupts at ‘Unhinged’ Liberals Wanting to Stall Kavanaugh Nomination
Mark Judge, the other individual said to be in the room at the same time back then — he, too, had been a student at Georgetown Preparatory School — also denied the incident.
The Post claimed Ford’s attorney suggested she take a polygraph test. The results “concluded Ford was being truthful when she said a statement summarizing her allegations was accurate.”
Ford told The Post, “Now I feel like my civic responsibility is outweighing my anguish and terror about retaliation.” She said the alleged attack contributed to anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms for her. She also said she suffered from academic and social problems, along with difficulty in healthy relationships with men.
Related: Kavanaugh Accuser Is a California Psychologist
Reaction on both sides of this issue has been pouring in all day, both on social media and elsewhere.
Sen. Jeff Flake, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said in an interview on Sunday evening that until he learns more about the sexual assault allegation concerning Kavanaugh, he is “not comfortable voting yes” on the nomination to the Supreme Court at a scheduled Judiciary Committee hearing Thursday, Politico reported.
The Arizona senator is one of 11 Republicans on the panel; without his backing, the nomination cannot move forward given Democratic opposition.
“We need to hear from her. And I don’t think I’m alone in this,” Flake told Politico.
Check out this video — then see the commentary on both sides of the aisle below.
NEWS: Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) tells me in an intv he that doesn’t think the Judiciary Cmte should move ahead with its Thursday vote on Kavanaugh until they hear more from Christine Blasey Ford. “For me, we can’t vote until we hear more.”
— Sean Sullivan (@WaPoSean) September 16, 2018
The most common defense I’ve seen of Kavanaugh is that no one should be defined by the worst act of their youth. Importantly, though, that’s not Kavanaugh’s defense. His defense is this never happened. His accuser is a liar.
— Ezra Klein (@ezraklein) September 17, 2018
My statement on Judge Kavanaugh. pic.twitter.com/QGz3uUyzC9
— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) September 16, 2018
One by one, Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee are issuing statements demanding Kavanaugh vote be delayed and allow accuser’s claims to be fully investigated now that she’s gone public. Republicans still pushing ahead for Thursday committee vote
— Manu Raju (@mkraju) September 16, 2018
Grassley setting up phone call with Kavanaugh accuser before Judiciary Committee vote https://t.co/qBsI8QGlNH pic.twitter.com/8snLcGgqMm
— The Hill (@thehill) September 17, 2018
Re: WaPo report on Judge Kavanaugh, Sen Grassley must postpone vote until, at a very minimum, these serious & credible allegations are thoroughly investigated.
For too long,when women have made serious allegations of abuse, they have been ignored.That cannot happen in this case.
— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) September 16, 2018
.@Judgenap on calls for testimony from Kavanaugh accuser: "I am in favor of giving this woman her fair say and giving Judge Kavanaugh his opportunity to deny it. The burden is on her to prove the validity of these claims." @NextRevFNC pic.twitter.com/XFJPuhlvVQ
— Fox News (@FoxNews) September 17, 2018
Feinstein announces Kavanaugh opposition: 'Justices should not be an extension of Republican Party'https://t.co/fG56J2Hz86 pic.twitter.com/TTi1dRYnYU
— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) September 17, 2018
BREAKING: Sen. Bob Corker says he believes a vote on Kavanaugh should not be held until his accuser speaks to the Senate Judiciary Committee.
If she wishes to do so, he says, "she should do it promptly." pic.twitter.com/fClD9J78c3
— Kasie DC (@KasieDC) September 17, 2018
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