Pretty wild to come into the office and see the @atlblog editorial team in their suspended animation tanks, resting up for tomorrow.
— Thornton McEnery (@ThorntonMcEnery) September 26, 2018
Here is Christine Blasey Ford's written testimony for tomorrow: "I am here today not because I want to be. I am terrified. I am here because I believe it is my civic duty to tell you what happened to me while Brett Kavanaugh and I were in high school." https://t.co/LM38aEsnlR pic.twitter.com/8Fwlr9Qois
— Zoe Tillman (@ZoeTillman) September 26, 2018
Kavanaugh to acknowledge that he was not a choir boy, per his written testimony pic.twitter.com/mYs18TyMim
— Sam Stein (@samstein) September 26, 2018
https://twitter.com/jentaub/status/1045275779322515456?s=21
Contrast Trump yesterday: "People want fame. They want money. They want whatever."
With Ford's written testimony: "I am not here because I want to be. I am terrified."
— Azadeh Moshiri (@Azadeh_Moshiri) September 27, 2018
This Detail From Christine Blasey Ford's Opening Statement Is A Punch In The Guthttps://t.co/KxmthyME8V
— Ted Corcoran (RedTRaccoon) (@RedTRaccoon) September 27, 2018
The motivation behind this story is horrifying. Being sexually active makes one amenable to being sexually assaulted the same way enjoying zoos makes one amenable to being mauled by a bear. https://t.co/dZRwXQCf8V
— Joe Patrice (@JosephPatrice) September 27, 2018
Christine Blasey Ford is about to testify against a Supreme Court nominee. Here is what happened when Anita Hill did in 1991. https://t.co/aKJrp7FuPH
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) September 27, 2018
Grassley’s diatribe, with Dr. Ford sitting there captive, is clearly designed to rattle her. It’s a powerful man trying to diminish a far less powerful woman. It’s a capsule summary of everything that’s going on here.
— Joyce Alene (@JoyceWhiteVance) September 27, 2018
A reminder of what concerns Grassley most in the wake of Dr. Ford's allegations: how powerful he feels. https://t.co/cD2C9gE667
— Steven Mazie (@stevenmazie) September 27, 2018
Feinstein correctly notes that Republicans took sexual harassment allegations in 1991 more seriously than they're taking sexual assault allegations in 2018. She calls for Mark Judge — the one alleged eyewitness — to be subpoenaed. pic.twitter.com/Pnyoou0jQK
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) September 27, 2018
.@SenFeinstein reminds her colleagues: While rejecting an FBI investigation, Republicans are also refusing to hear testimony from any other witnesses today.#WhatAreTheyAfraidOf? https://t.co/CvkNWq32z8
— Vanita Gupta (@vanitaguptaCR) September 27, 2018
https://twitter.com/courtneymilan/status/1045319216688070657
And now @SenFeinstein brings up the problems with lifetime tenure at #SCOTUS.
Maybe we shouldn't be giving anyone in government jobs for life? https://t.co/rBrc0dC6Yc
— Fix the Court (@FixTheCourt) September 27, 2018
I wonder if these intros, by both sides, could have been done before Dr. Ford was called into the room. #SCOTUS #KavanaughHearings
— Michelle Olsen (@AppellateDaily) September 27, 2018
https://twitter.com/nhannahjones/status/1045314622394441733
That Feinstein/Grassley exchange will be on heavy circulation tonight https://t.co/zvCi9XYn3K
— Michael M. Grynbaum (@grynbaum) September 27, 2018
The look Christine Blasey Ford's lawyers gave each other when Grassley's lawyers said this hearing was scheduled "in close consultation" with them: pic.twitter.com/lM77qqky1T
— Peter Stevenson (@PeterStevenson) September 27, 2018
Feinstein says Judge should be subpoenaed to provide testimony as a named eye witness
Any prosecutor would agree with this statement. I can't believe Mitchell, as a prosecutor, is okay without his testimony
— Jessica Mason Pieklo (@Hegemommy) September 27, 2018
https://twitter.com/achorowitz/status/1045317567362093057
jfc, Grassley is not even trying to be evenhanded here. It's a choice.
— Thornton McEnery (@ThorntonMcEnery) September 27, 2018
Every woman I am in contact with is sobbing right now.
— Irin Carmon (@irin) September 27, 2018
https://twitter.com/AmesCG/status/1045322105804468225
Immediately apparent that Dr Ford is an overwhelmingly powerful, credible, sympathetic witness.
— southpaw (@nycsouthpaw) September 27, 2018
https://twitter.com/ClaraJeffery/status/1045322020597059585
https://twitter.com/JHWeissmann/status/1045322501444837376
Cheers to the wise wise people in and out of the administration who let this get to this point, everyone deserve a public relations and strategy medal pinned to their lapels
— Asawin Suebsaeng (@swin24) September 27, 2018
Ford's statement includes a part about how she wishes she could be more helpful in remembering details from that night.
Women. Still accommodating even when laying their trauma bear for all to see.
— Jessica Mason Pieklo (@Hegemommy) September 27, 2018
answer is crystal clear: allies of his friend Kavanaugh absolutely, positively, do not want Judge questioned publicly. they fear that what he would say would kill Kavanaugh's nomination https://t.co/O06Tr9AYlW
— John Harwood (@JohnJHarwood) September 27, 2018
https://twitter.com/JoshuaHol/status/1045322098720350208
https://twitter.com/OsitaNwanevu/status/1045323579506786304
Source close to Christine Blasey Ford says she wrote this statement herself.
— Savannah Guthrie (@SavannahGuthrie) September 27, 2018
https://twitter.com/courtneymilan/status/1045325279768412162
That was so painful. In awe of her courage.
— Vanita Gupta (@vanitaguptaCR) September 27, 2018
Grassley now hands over questioning to Rachel Mitchell, the prosecutor committee majority has brought in to ask their questions. Opens with sympathy for Ford and asks about her initial contact with the Washington Post
— Michael Macagnone (@mikemacagnone) September 27, 2018
I will never believe that the GOP got away with this whole using a woman as a political human shield.
— Thornton McEnery (@ThorntonMcEnery) September 27, 2018
Five minutes goes fast. Mitchell was just starting to question Ford about elements of the letter sent to Feinstein detailing the alleged assault when time ran out and Grassley had to go over to Feinstein for her Qs. They'll alternate Qs between Republican and Dem members
— Zoe Tillman (@ZoeTillman) September 27, 2018
It's almost like giving people 5 minutes to question is INCREDIBLY STUPID and NOT DESIGNED to get at truth! #KavanaughHearings
— Elie Mystal (@ElieNYC) September 27, 2018
Five minute interrupted increments. Not a good method. On something like this.
— Preet Bharara (@PreetBharara) September 27, 2018
https://twitter.com/PenMeiAlyv/status/1045328500612366336
The *precision* with which Ford tried to answer Mitchell's first round of questions was excellent. If she can keep that up for 50 more minutes… she'll deserve an honorary law degree.
Contrast that with #Kavanaugh's 04 and 06 Congressional testimony… where he lied.
— Elie Mystal (@ElieNYC) September 27, 2018
I cannot fathom the courage it took to do what Dr. Blasey Ford just did. Or what it meant for the countless women across the country who have suffered as she did to hear her clear, brave voice.
— Joe Kennedy III (@joekennedy) September 27, 2018
What's breaking my heart right now is Ford's desperate and quite earnest desire to please.
— Jennifer Senior (@JenSeniorNY) September 27, 2018
https://twitter.com/waltmossberg/status/1045328320332791809
"Absolutely not" – Dr Ford re: whether this could be mistaken identity
— Jared Rizzi (@JaredRizzi) September 27, 2018
The men who have outsourced their job because they didn’t trust themselves to be respectful and treat a survivor appropriately. pic.twitter.com/fw5ksUVG1d
— Vanita Gupta (@vanitaguptaCR) September 27, 2018
I have examined many witnesses, deposition style, as this prosecutor is doing now. These ground rules (don't guess, ask me to clarify if necessary) are not to reduce her stress. It's to pin her down. #ChristineBlaseyFord
— Lisa Bloom (@LisaBloom) September 27, 2018
When we lawyers want to show someone is lying, we drill down on details. It's very hard to get every detail of a trauma straight. Will Kavanaugh have to answer DETAILED questions like this or will he be allowed general denials like he's given so far? #ChristineBlaseyFord
— Lisa Bloom (@LisaBloom) September 27, 2018
Truth from @SenatorLeahy: The way to make this truly credible is to do what we’ve always done: Ask the FBI to investigate.
— Vanita Gupta (@vanitaguptaCR) September 27, 2018
https://twitter.com/courtneymilan/status/1045330320701059073
Limiting Senators to one five-minute round of questioning could end up being a real strategic mistake.
— Steve Vladeck (@steve_vladeck) September 27, 2018
.@SenatorLeahy speaking to Grassley points out they were both their during Anita Hill hearings "at that time the Senate failed Anita Hill … I'm concerned we're doing a lot less for these three women today" who have made allegations against Kavanaugh.
— Eliza Collins (@elizacollins1) September 27, 2018
https://twitter.com/courtneymilan/status/1045330886906994688
Responding to Leahy questions about what she remembers, Ford grows emotional again as she talks about remembering Kavanaugh and Judge laughing.
"I was underneath one of them while the two laughed. Two friends having a really good time with one another."
— Zoe Tillman (@ZoeTillman) September 27, 2018
https://twitter.com/KimberlyEAtkins/status/1045329031816785921
Law nerd point: The 5 minute thing… is fucking up… MITCHELL.
She can't get a rhythm going. She can't lull Ford into a comfortable state. Ford keeps getting breaks. Dems get to make speeches every 5 minutes. It's hurting Mitchell. #KavanaughHearings
— Elie Mystal (@ElieNYC) September 27, 2018
"I'm used to being collegial" – women's training everywhere.
— Liz Kennedy (@LizKennedy_) September 27, 2018
https://twitter.com/AliciaMenendez/status/1045331636232040448
https://twitter.com/JHWeissmann/status/1045332735416578048
Wonder if Senate Republicans are beginning to regret hiring a prosecutor to interrogate a sexual assault victim on national television pic.twitter.com/ZOozXuV0DG
— Fiddler (@cFidd) September 27, 2018
there is an extraordinary juxtaposition here between Dr. Ford the accomplished scientist and grown woman she has become and the shaky voice of the 15yo she was when this happened, both present in this testimony
— Susan Glasser (@sbg1) September 27, 2018
Senator Durbin rightly insisting Judge has to be here.
— Eric Segall (@espinsegall) September 27, 2018
https://twitter.com/courtneymilan/status/1045333867287068672
Ford describes encountering Mark Judge at a Safeway, where she thinks he worked, six to eight weeks after the incident and how he was struck pale and “looked a little ill” when she said hello to him.
— southpaw (@nycsouthpaw) September 27, 2018
The tides of our nation swirl on Capitol Hill. And I see a woman, a private citizen, a human being, who asked for none of this… then… or now. Her voice echoes her fear and courage. It's a poignant reminder that the balance of history often pivots on unlikely fulcrums.
— Dan Rather (@DanRather) September 27, 2018
Whatever else happens today, I'm pretty sure Christine Blasey Ford will be a folk hero to the left for the rest of time. And deservedly so.
— Mark Joseph Stern (@mjs_DC) September 27, 2018
Andrew Napolitano: Christine Blasey Ford came across "with great credibility, with serious intellect, and with appropriate emotion. At this point she is one 100%. No one has laid a glove on her and she's absolutely believable in my opinion."
— John Whitehouse (@existentialfish) September 27, 2018
https://twitter.com/sadydoyle/status/1045338385403924485
Yes, this. Survivors, we’ve got you, we believe you, and see you. Read summaries from trusted sources when you’re ready. Dr. Ford is showing extraordinary courage; knowing when you need to assert your need for safety and care is also brave. https://t.co/3U9XyqEr7t
— Elizabeth Wydra (@ElizabethWydra) September 27, 2018
Mitchell has come back from the break with an even *more* prosecutorial tone.
So the Senate GOP men got to her during the break and said "get after her, that's what we need."
This is a freaking travesty. #KavanaughHearings
— Elie Mystal (@ElieNYC) September 27, 2018
https://twitter.com/annasproul/status/1045340744624590848
https://twitter.com/AaronBlake/status/1045337667456643072
This is an awful process. If you're going to have an evidentiary hearing, it's not fair to the witness or conducive to the goal of getting to the bottom of things to disjoint hearing with 5-minute rounds rather than let each side have time to develop lines of inquiry.
— Andy McCarthy (@AndrewCMcCarthy) September 27, 2018
.@SenWhitehouse: Never in the history of background investigations has an investigation not been purused when new, credible, derogatory info was brought forward about the nominee…It's a grave disservice to [Dr. Blasey Ford]. #KavanaughHearings
— American Constitution Society (@acslaw) September 27, 2018
Grassley bickering with Democrats on a point of process looks on tv like he’s lecturing Dr. Ford. She physically sits as far back in her chair as she can and nods. Then, a segue to the prosecutor fishing for other irrelevant instances of trauma in her life.
— southpaw (@nycsouthpaw) September 27, 2018
This line of questions, about other factors contributing to Ford's PTSD, is bizarre, insulting, and out-of-place.
— Eric Segall (@espinsegall) September 27, 2018
https://twitter.com/JHWeissmann/status/1045344035462885376
Grassley's mini freakout followed by the fear-of-flying questions do not make the GOP look good right now. Both were tangential to the core issue of the hearing and seem petty, imho.
— Corey Yung @[email protected] (@CoreyRYung) September 27, 2018
This is a good time to remind everyone that Brett Kavanaugh has ruled that polygraphs can be accepted as gospel by employers in making hiring decisions.
— Joe Patrice (@JosephPatrice) September 27, 2018
My unscientific observation is that @JeffFlake is listening intently and seems distraught at times. And @LindseyGrahamSC looks bored and dismissive. pic.twitter.com/KPMfOgpaEo
— Vanita Gupta (@vanitaguptaCR) September 27, 2018
Chuck Grassley sure loves yelling at women!
— Mark Joseph Stern (@mjs_DC) September 27, 2018
Republicans refusing to have Ford's polygrapher testify while they maintain this hearing should have protections similar to a criminal trial should have Justice Scalia turning in his grave. See, e.g., Melendez-Diaz v. Massachusetts, 557 U.S. 305 (2009).
— Mike Sacks (@MikeSacksEsq) September 27, 2018
https://twitter.com/courtneymilan/status/1045346628268261383
Mitchell asked Ford why she contacted WaPo. Ford said she was "panicking" about timing, and getting different advice about going to the press, hiring counsel, going to her congressperson. Ford said she decided to go the "civic route" and contact her rep, and also contact WaPo
— Zoe Tillman (@ZoeTillman) September 27, 2018
This whole line of questioning is the Republicans angry about how they found out about these allegations so late in the confirmation process. They can't understand how hard this must of have been for Dr. Ford.
— Peter A. Shulman (@pashulman) September 27, 2018
This needs to be amplified, and I'm glad Coons is doing it.
Dr. Christine Blasey Ford was trying to *warn* the GOP to select LITERALLY ANYBODY ELSE BUT THIS GUY. Again, she was trying to HELP your stupid political party. #KavanaughHearings
— Elie Mystal (@ElieNYC) September 27, 2018
Senator Coons emphasizing Ford came forward before K was nominated. Again, this is highly relevant if we care about credibility and how real people act. Too bad the GOP doesn't.
— Eric Segall (@espinsegall) September 27, 2018
https://twitter.com/courtneymilan/status/1045348066650275840
Fox News anchor says Kavanaugh case prompted his own daughters to reveal their stories https://t.co/wX1odlTPy2
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) September 27, 2018
The question for people who back Kavanaugh but believe something happened to Ford is why they find her credible about an attack but not who did it. https://t.co/kYhscRetob
— Maggie Haberman (@maggieNYT) September 27, 2018
https://twitter.com/JHWeissmann/status/1045348985010106368
https://twitter.com/annehelen/status/1045341678599528449
""Why would you hire a lawyer?" asks the lawyer who was hired to ask the question.
— Thornton McEnery (@ThorntonMcEnery) September 27, 2018
.@SenBlumenthal tells Dr. Blasey Ford: "You have inspired and given courage to women to come forward…That is a profound public service, regardless of what happens with this nomination." #KavanaughHearings
— American Constitution Society (@acslaw) September 27, 2018
Folks need to remember Ford is testifying under penalty of PERJURY. Kavanaugh too…..but he lied three minutes after being introduced by Trump so maybe he's more used to it. Why would she chance this if she wasn't telling the truth?
— Eric Segall (@espinsegall) September 27, 2018
As we watch Mitchell, it’s worth remembering that as a prosecutor, she’s not normally in the position of trying to undermine a victim’s credibility. https://t.co/XnjbnwYwn7
— FiveThirtyEight (@FiveThirtyEight) September 27, 2018
https://twitter.com/courtneymilan/status/1045351673256763392
The facial expressions on the Republican side of the dais is very interesting to observe. pic.twitter.com/NQbADRCB23
— Seung Min Kim (@seungminkim) September 27, 2018
The polygraph timing cross was even worse than the airplane cross.
— Preet Bharara (@PreetBharara) September 27, 2018
https://twitter.com/courtneymilan/status/1045352666421813248
Chris Wallace of Fox News: "This was extremely emotional, extremely raw, and extremely credible…This is a disaster for the Republicans." pic.twitter.com/Rt5JgKFDtn
— Axios (@axios) September 27, 2018
The day is young, but so far a very different tone than the Clarence Thomas/Anita Hill equivalent. I think the senators realized that @CSPAN is forever. #KavanaughHearings
— Michelle Olsen (@AppellateDaily) September 27, 2018
Mitchell’s clumsy effort to impeach Ford’s polygraph exam tells you all you need to know about this “hearing.” Her question about whether Ford had been coached on how to beat the test was as cruel as it was absurd. https://t.co/IhfhvsrX1G
— Jeff Stein (@SpyTalker) September 27, 2018
https://twitter.com/yoursbc/status/1045351426862583808
Grassley: “her privacy would have been protected.” But somehow Ed Whelan got her name and identity before it was public. Hmmmmm
— Norman Ornstein (@NormOrnstein) September 27, 2018
https://twitter.com/DanaSchwartzzz/status/1045357254176722944
Every prominent Republican I've spoken to in the past two hours believes the decision to have Mitchell do the questioning is an unmitigated disaster.
— Yashar Ali (@yashar) September 27, 2018
To put it mildly, this hearing isn't working for GOP. Dems are asking big, meaningful questions. What do you remember? What did you feel? Could it have been anyone else? Getting big, meaningful answers. GOP's Mitchell focusing on little stuff. Huge contrast.
— Byron York (@ByronYork) September 27, 2018
I can’t imagine anyone forgetting the image of Brett Kavanaugh and his sidekick Mark Judge laughing uproariously while Brett mounted Christine Blasey Ford, covered her mouth to muffle her screams, and tried to rape her. I don’t know how Kavanaugh will be able to erase that image.
— Laurence Tribe ⚖️ (@tribelaw) September 27, 2018
Today will never be undone but it can be avenged.
— Ana Marie Cox (@anamariecox) September 27, 2018
If Democrats do not take the Senate in November, Lindsey Graham will likely serve as the next chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee. https://t.co/Q2eRMtb5tk
— Mark Joseph Stern (@mjs_DC) September 27, 2018
https://twitter.com/JustADCohen/status/1045357531961352192
"Christine Blasey Ford faces the eleven male senators who make up the Republican majority on the Senate Judiciary Committee, and her bravery is staggering," @dstfelix writes. https://t.co/QTLPiAXroi
— The New Yorker (@NewYorker) September 27, 2018
https://twitter.com/imillhiser/status/1045362580791984128
“Mitchell appears to have avoided national politics throughout her career, and it has not emerged how Senate Republicans settled on her or decided to place such a delicate and high-stakes matter in her hands.” https://t.co/WBVCRBn2eS
— southpaw (@nycsouthpaw) September 27, 2018
https://twitter.com/mattyglesias/status/1045364451128426496
https://twitter.com/annehelen/status/1045353624598011904
https://twitter.com/ProfMMurray/status/1045350454425767937
Hirono asks if there was a political reason for coming forward.
No Ford says, noting she had hoped the information got there while there were other candidates
— Jessica Mason Pieklo (@Hegemommy) September 27, 2018
Almost every person close to Trump who had told me having a sex crimes prosecutor question Ford was good strategy is saying they think it was a mistake after the first portion of the hearing.
— Maggie Haberman (@maggieNYT) September 27, 2018
https://twitter.com/amandalitman/status/1045333396736471041
https://twitter.com/abbydphillip/status/1045367588098699266
She did it all for that sweet complementary polygraph, seems to be the theory we’re pursuing now
— southpaw (@nycsouthpaw) September 27, 2018
https://twitter.com/AnthonyMKreis/status/1045361369200152576
https://twitter.com/JHWeissmann/status/1045370330586341376
Inexplicable only if you think this is a search for the truth. https://t.co/N1wcKOclRe
— Rick Hasen (@rickhasen) September 27, 2018
https://twitter.com/1a/status/1045335048805847045
Booker using his time to narrate on rape culture
— Jessica Mason Pieklo (@Hegemommy) September 27, 2018
The sex crimes prosecutor is interrogating the victim instead of investigating the sex crime. This is so messed up
— Ari Berman (@AriBerman) September 27, 2018
https://twitter.com/ezraklein/status/1045329271198273536
https://twitter.com/DanaSchwartzzz/status/1045358753816535040
.@CoryBooker to Dr. Blasey Ford: "You speaking your truth is nothing short of heroic." #KavanaughHearings pic.twitter.com/oJGTNCSQ7e
— American Constitution Society (@acslaw) September 27, 2018
Mitchell has spent much more time on the process of how Dr. Ford got to the committee than the truth of what happened in the summer of 1982. Very telling.
— Rick Hasen (@rickhasen) September 27, 2018
During questions from Mitchell about legal costs, one of Ford's lawyers jumps in to say that both of the lawyers with her are representing Ford pro bono
— Zoe Tillman (@ZoeTillman) September 27, 2018
https://twitter.com/AngryBlackLady/status/1045311744275615744
Harris is giving the witness a break.
Wait till she gets to Kavanaugh. She got under his skin last time. https://t.co/uUxkNauC0G— Rick Hasen (@rickhasen) September 27, 2018
Harris just thanked Ford and it made Ford cry.
— Jessica Mason Pieklo (@Hegemommy) September 27, 2018
Mitchell: Why don't the other people remember.
Ford: My friend has medical problems. PJ wouldn't remember. You people didn't call Mark Judge.
Mitchell: … Moving on. #KavanaughHearings— Elie Mystal (@ElieNYC) September 27, 2018
Mitchell's gone rogue, people.
— Joe Patrice (@JosephPatrice) September 27, 2018
So Mitchell has kind of had it with this Chuck and pony show.
— Thornton McEnery (@ThorntonMcEnery) September 27, 2018
Mitchell now making the case for the professional FBI investigation her clients have refused to allow??
— southpaw (@nycsouthpaw) September 27, 2018
Mitchell ends by essentially saying this whole proceeding is crap. Strong finish.
— Preet Bharara (@PreetBharara) September 27, 2018
Literally, Mitchell's last question was "This is a stupid process. The Republicans really should do an investigation." #KavanaughHearings https://t.co/vmNVZa1SRm
— Elie Mystal (@ElieNYC) September 27, 2018
The format didn't matter much. Rachel Mitchell didn't matter much. To call Dr. Ford credible is a massive understatement. She was extraordinary.
— Brian Schatz (@brianschatz) September 27, 2018
New scene from that Milwaukee bar, as Mitchell questions Ford.
"She's not on f-ing' trial!"
"Unfortunately, she is on trial, and she is f-ing killing it."
Someone on TV says 2/3 of victims don't report sex assaults. Female bartender yells: "Because no one f-ing believes them!" https://t.co/qqeQg1a6d6— David Fahrenthold (@Fahrenthold) September 27, 2018