Multiple mainstream fact checkers are questioning California Sen. Kamala Harris, Democrat, after her office published a heavily edited video characterizing Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh as being anti-women.
During last Thursday’s confirmation hearing, Kavanaugh was asked about his ruling on a 2013 case involving a religious organization and whether they should be forced to fund their employee’s contraception. Recounting the position of the religious group, Kavanaugh called contraception “abortion-inducing drugs,” and Harris tweeted out the clip claiming his words were “a dog whistle for going after birth control.”
On Tuesday, left-wing Washington Post said Harris’ edited video wasn’t even remotely accurate, giving the potential 2020 candidate four Pinocchios, their worst rating given to outrageous errors.
Harris’ now viral video suggested that Kavanaugh seeks to take away “a woman’s constitutionally protected right to make her own health care decisions.” She added, “Make no mistake – this is about punishing women.”
The tweet has now been shared over 23,000 times and liked more than 30,000 times.
Kavanaugh chooses his words very carefully, and this is a dog whistle for going after birth control. He was nominated for the purpose of taking away a woman’s constitutionally protected right to make her own health care decisions. Make no mistake – this is about punishing women. pic.twitter.com/zkBjXzIvQI
— Vice President Kamala Harris (@VP) September 7, 2018
Debunking Harris’ edited video, The Post claims, “Kavanaugh’s answer during the hearings shows that it is broadly consistent with his written opinion. One can question why he used the phrase “abortion-inducing drugs” rather than “abortion-inducing products” or “abortifacients.””
They added, “But it’s pretty clear from the context that he was quoting the views of the plaintiffs rather than offering a personal view.”
The mainstream newspaper gave the liberal senator four Pinocchios and stated “her fellow Democrats should drop this talking point.”
The fact check from The Post was the second in just a few days for Harris. Politifact also rated Harris’ statement on Kavanaugh as false.
Even after her claims were debunked, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton parroted Harris’ tweet on Wednesday, saying, “I want to be sure we’re all clear about something that Brett Kavanaugh said in his confirmation hearings last week. He referred to birth-control pills as “abortion-inducing drugs.””
I want to be sure we're all clear about something that Brett Kavanaugh said in his confirmation hearings last week. He referred to birth-control pills as "abortion-inducing drugs." That set off a lot of alarm bells for me, and it should for you, too.
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) September 12, 2018
Hillary quickly drew backlash from commentators and Republicans.
Nothing is more fitting for a Democrat than a highly edited video that fits into their liberal narrative.
Harris is considered to be a top-tier presidential contender for 2020 to challenge President Donald Trump. And considering her willingness to lie and deceive, she should quickly become a darling of the Democratic Party.
–Kylie Handler is a news editor for The Horn News