Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh and his accuser’s highly emotional and, at times, fiery appearance before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday captivated a nation.
In the end, Kavanaugh is poised to emerge with the support of the Senate Judiciary Committee. Kavanaugh is expected to be officially endorsed by an 11-10 vote early Friday.
Late Thursday, the nominee got a key endorsement behind closed doors — and it could have been the final push wavering Republican senators needed to officially back his nomination.
After earning the expected Senate Judiciary Committee’s recommendation, Kavanaugh’s nomination will head to the Senate for a final confirmation vote.
The special prosecutor Republicans brought in to question both Kavanaugh and his accuser, Dr. Christine Blasey Ford, said behind closed doors on Thursday that she’d never bring the issue to court.
Rachel Mitchell, a sex crimes expert, told 51 Republican senators huddled in an overnight meeting that there wasn’t enough evidence to justify further investigation.
Her endorsement of Kavanaugh’s story helped push wavering Republican moderates to support the nominee’s controversial bid.
“Mitchell spelled it out and was clear with senators that she could not take this anywhere near a courtroom,” Fox News reported one of their two sources said.
Additionally, one of the reported eyewitnesses to the alleged sexual assault issued a second statement after Ford’s testimony late Thursday.
Mark Judge, who Ford identified as an accomplice, said that “under penalty of felony” he “never saw Brett act in the manner Dr. Ford describes.”
“I did not ask to be involved in this matter nor did anyone ask me to be involved,” Judge wrote, and referred senators to his prior letter from Sep. 18.
New #Kavanaugh friend Mark Judge letter – obtained by FOX – on why he didn’t want to testify as a recovering alcoholic and cancer survivor, and says he never saw Judge Kavanaugh act in the manner Dr. Ford describes. pic.twitter.com/sLLqIDd7Fn
— Mike Emanuel 🇺🇸 (@MikeEmanuelFox) September 28, 2018
Arizona Sen. Jeff Flake, a Republican senator considered a critical swing vote on the Senate Judiciary Committee, said early Friday he would vote to confirm Kavanaugh.
Flake said that the “presumption of innocence” was critical for all American citizens and, “absent corroborating evidence” he would support Kavanaugh. ”
While some may argue that a different standard should apply regarding the Senate’s advice and consent responsibilities, I believe that the Constitution’s provisions of fairness and due process apply here as well. I will vote to confirm Judge Kavanaugh,” Flake said.
Flake’s endorsement secures 48 pledged votes of the 50 needed by Republicans to finally confirm Kavanaugh next week.
Over the weekend, focus will shift to three final critical swing votes: Maine Sen. Susan Collins and Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski, Republicans, as well as West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin, a Democrat.
It’s likely the Senate will vote on Kavanaugh’s final confirmation on Monday.
— The Horn editorial team