'I believe Dr. Ford' — Whitmer and others respond to the Kavanaugh hearings

In what can perhaps best be described as a supreme spectacle, Thursday's hearing between Dr. Christine Blasely Ford and Judge Brett Kavanaugh broke precedent, turned stomachs, and dominated Twitter feeds.

During the two weeks leading up to Kavanaugh's confirmation for Supreme Court following his July 9 nomination from President Donald Trump, three women have come forward accusing Kavanaugh of sexual assault. The first of these women, Dr. Ford, opened yesterday's eight hour hearing with gripping testimony, recounting her alleged traumatic sexual assault that took place at a party in the summer of 1982. A petulant rebuttal followed from Kavanaugh — the man Ford claims, with "one hundred percent" certainty, was behind the attack.



What followed was nothing short of unbelievable as Kavanaugh stuttered his way through defensive responses, shouting "I still like beer!" and attempting to paint a portrait of an all-American boy cutting lawns, playing football, and awkwardly avoiding sex well into his college years. When asked by Sen. Amy Klobuchar he had ever drank to the point of blacking out, he replied no, turned to her, and asked, "Have you?"

While the Senate Judiciary Committee voted to move forward on the nomination process Friday morning, during which time several Democratic senators walked out, Michigan representatives have taken to social media to stand in solidarity with Dr. Ford, and to call out Kavanaugh's petulant temperament as being unfit for SCOTUS.

I believe Dr. Ford

— Gretchen Whitmer (@gretchenwhitmer) September 27, 2018

We believe you. We believe you. We believe you. #KavanaughHearings pic.twitter.com/oRB4tpI6n0

— Abdul El-Sayed (@AbdulElSayed) September 28, 2018

I believe Dr Blasey Ford. Full stop.

But beyond this, Kavanaugh disqualified himself today. He is being vetted our most important judicial body.

He was intolerant of process, disrespectful of the search for truth, impetuous, and entitled.

A vote tomorrow would hurt America.

— Abdul El-Sayed (@AbdulElSayed) September 28, 2018

It is clear that Kavanaugh assaulted Professor Ford. Stop doing this to her! Now, they are discussing her therapy session notes. What have we become? This is sick. #StopKavanaugh

— Rashida Tlaib (@RashidaTlaib) September 27, 2018

Kavanaugh making it crystal clear he's a right-wing political operative completely incapable of being a neutral arbiter of the law. This diatribe is a low point. #KavaNOPE

— Rashida Tlaib (@RashidaTlaib) September 27, 2018

Senator Debbie Stabenow issued a statement saying, "...if Brett Kavanaugh did not do these things, why isn't he calling for a background investigation to clear his name? This is an important day."

Please read. #KavanaughHearings pic.twitter.com/MOKRWgo9hZ

— Debbie Stabenow (@stabenow) September 27, 2018

Democratic candidate Andy Levin called out Kavanaugh for blaming the Clinton's for these allegations, citing "revenge."

Rather than answering questions about sexual escapades or excessive drinking, Judge Kavanaugh changes the subject to academics, sports and church. Unfortunately, we all know highly successful people often have drinking problems and engage in sexual misconduct.

— Andy Levin (@Andy_Levin) September 27, 2018

Kavanaugh’s claim that the allegations against him involve “revenge by the Clintons” is ridiculous. His extreme partisanship and vengefulness are disqualifying. He doesn’t exhibit appropriate judicial temperament.

— Andy Levin (@Andy_Levin) September 27, 2018

Dana Nessel, Democratic nominee for Michigan Attorney General, released a statement Friday saying, "Dr. Ford’s allegations are serious and credible – I believe her."

She continued, “Mr. Kavanaugh has demonstrated he lacks the moral fitness we should demand of anyone who aims to sit on our nation’s highest court. How can we expect him to rule fairly on the myriad of women’s issues, including sexual assault and harassment, which are likely to appear before the US Supreme Court in the coming years?”

There’s still time for an @FBI background investigation to be completed. Why are Republicans so worried about an investigation of the allegations against Kavanaugh? #WhatAreTheyHiding

— Brenda Lawrence (@RepLawrence) September 27, 2018

Happening now! ⁦@HouseDemocrats⁩ marching to the Senate to demand that ⁦@SenateGOP⁩ #PostponeTheVote on the #KavanaughConfirmation! America has too much to lose. #WhatsAtStake pic.twitter.com/354tO7rfw3

— Brenda Lawrence (@RepLawrence) September 28, 2018

Republican Gubernatorial candidate Bill Schuette blasted Twitter with a call for voter registration without acknowledging the hearing. He was not alone as many of the Republican U.S. House candidates from Michigan also chose to remain silent.

President Trump, unsurprisingly, gave praise to Kavanaugh, deeming that "his testimony was powerful, honest, and riveting."

Judge Kavanaugh showed America exactly why I nominated him. His testimony was powerful, honest, and riveting. Democrats’ search and destroy strategy is disgraceful and this process has been a total sham and effort to delay, obstruct, and resist. The Senate must vote!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 27, 2018

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