"Mr. Chairman, Ranking Member Feinstein, and Members of the Committee: Eleven days ago, Dr. Ford publicly accused me of committing a serious wrong more than 36 years ago when we were both in high school.
I denied the allegation immediately, unequivocally, and categorically. The next day, I told this Committee that I wanted to testify as soon as possible, under oath, to clear my name.
Over the past few days, other false and uncorroborated accusations have been aired. There has been a frenzy to come up with something — anything, no matter how far-fetched or odious — that will block a vote on my nomination. These are last minute smears, pure and simple. They debase our public discourse. And the consequences extend beyond any one nomination.Such grotesque and obvious character assassination — if allowed to succeed — will dissuade competent and good people of all political persuasions from serving our country.
As I told this Committee the last time I appeared before you, a federal judge must be independent, not swayed by public or political pressure. That is the kind of judge I am and will always be. I will not be intimidated into withdrawing from this process. This effort to destroy my good name will not drive me out. The vile threats of violence against my family will not drive me out.
I am here this morning to answer these allegations and to tell the truth. And the truth is that I have never sexually assaulted anyone — not in high school, not in college, not ever. Sexual assault is horrific. It is morally wrong. It is illegal. It is contrary to my religious faith. And it contradicts the core promise of this Nation that all people are created equal and entitled to be treated with dignity and respect. Allegations of sexual assault must be taken seriously. Those who make allegations deserve to be heard. The subject of allegations also deserves to be heard. Due process is a foundation of the American rule of law.
Dr. Ford’s allegation dates back more than 36 years, to a party that she says occurred during our time in high school. I spent most of my time in high school focused on academics, sports, church, and service. But I was not perfect in those days, just as I am not perfect today. I drank beer with my friends, usually on weekends. Sometimes I had too many. In retrospect, I said and did things in high school that make me cringe now. But that’s not why we are here today. What I’ve been accused of is far more serious than juvenile misbehavior.
I never did anything remotely resembling what Dr. Ford describes. The allegation of misconduct is completely inconsistent with the rest of my life. The record of my life, from my days in grade school through the present day, shows that I have always promoted the equality and dignity of women. I categorically and unequivocally deny the allegation against me by Dr. Ford. I never had any sexual or physical encounter of any kind with Dr. Ford.
I am not questioning that Dr. Ford may have been sexually assaulted by some person in some place at some time. But I have never done that to her or to anyone. I am innocent of this charge."
Judge Kavanaugh was clear, concise, and confident in the testimony he gave. At no time did he say, "I do not remember' about any of the details of such a monumental, life-changing event.
Judge Kavanaugh presented an incredibly EPIC point:
The record of his life shows he was committed to education, law, and the Judicial system. His beliefs in the core values and tenets of our judicial system is stressed in his comments above, a life dedicated to these beliefs. Kavanaugh stated that in high school he was not unlike many teenagers who drank - at times too much with his friends - but emphasized he never did anything close to what he has been accused of.
Such a person who had such a disregard for human life, for women, for innocent vulnerable people, and for the law - someone who would drug a female and not only have non-consensual sex with her but who would join in with several others to take turns raping their victim...or someone who would physically assault a female and force himself upon her - rape her - is NOT realistically the type of person who could simply flip a switch and turn into a completely different person 1 or two years later.
We are to believe that the man who has been praised, exemplified, and hailed by both Republicans and Democrats, by all those who knew for being such an outstanding man of faith, integrity, morals, ethics was just 2 years earlier someone who could / would drug, incapacitate, rape, and even engage in 'gang-rapes' / 'trains', committing heinous acts / crimes against women?
I have no doubt that the rabidly partisan left have no problem painting Kavanaugh of being capable of doing so, of being 'that' mane, but the fact is what he is being accused of is an aberration - something completely out of snych / step / flow with every other known aspect of his entire life. It does not add up.
The accuser's case was not proven. The details changed, the story changed, almost nothing she testified to was substantiated / reinforced by evidence - even her own 'witnesses' have stated the event she described did not happen.
She did not want to go public with this. Once it did she did not want to testify. Kavanaugh did IMMEDIATELY.
I truly believe that those who are adamant in their claims / belief that Kavanaugh is guilty are the same partisan individuals who thought the same thing before this hearing, that nothing was going to change that view.
I personally choose to look at the entire body of a man's life and work. Kavanaugh's entire body of work - his education, his work, his family, his life - does not reflect any of what he has been accused of. The entire body of work, which he confidently presents and defends, rejects the hazy, gap-filled memory of accusations presented today. Ford and her attorneys did nothing to prove otherwise, IMO.
While Ford protested, marched, chanted, and demonstrated her political hatred for Conservatives, Republicans, Donald Trump, and Conservative judges Kavanaugh studied law, perfected his trade, built a dedication to a fair and equal justice system...while working on soup lines to feed the hungry/needy and teaching sports to kids.
What we are left with after today's hearing is our own personal belief - our own decision to make of who we believe. No evidence was presented proving the accusations made against Kavanaugh. They remain just that - accusations.
As for me, I base my decision on EVIDENCE, and with the lack of any evidence supporting the accusations against him, I also base my decision on his overall body of work and his life.
IMO, it is time to hold the hearing and confirm Judge Kavanaugh as the next USSC Justice,