A conservative columnist for the Washington Post who wants to see the truth about a possible sexual assault committed by Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh come out has proposed that his accuser skip appearing before a hostile GOP-led Judiciary Committee.
According to commentator Jennifer Rubin, Kavanaugh accuser Christine Blasey Ford has multiple options available to her that do not include being bullied into appearing by committee chairman Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA), who has refused to support an FBI investigation of her claim that the judge sexually assaulted her when they were teens.
"Ford might choose to appear on Monday, and make a powerful opening statement accusing Republicans of running a sham investigation," Rubin wrote. "Committee Chairman Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) has figured out it would be a good idea to interview her in advance of Monday’s hearings, but the staffers conducting the interview would be unlikely to have the ability or the will to follow up on investigative leads. Ford can and should refuse to give her inquisitors two bites at the apple."
After listing off ways that Ford could put the onus back on Republicans to defend their candidate in a nationally televised Judiciary Committee hearing, Rubin suggested a better path to combat that expected onslaught of personal attacks from the likes of Senators Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and John Cornyn (R-TX).
"Ford can use the hearing to put the senators, who have behaved shabbily, on defense," she wrote, before suggesting, "Ford has another option: Hold a news conference with her own experts and make the case directly to the American people. She can sit down for an interview with a respected TV journalist. She can say whatever she wants, make certain that experts are heard and even recount the much more extensive investigative efforts undertaken when Hill stepped forward. To make her case to the American people and convince them that she is sincere, honest and credible, Ford doesn’t need the Senate."
Rubin's suggestion mirrors that of former Nixon White House counsel John Dean who wrote on Twitter Wednesday night: "If GOP Senate Jud Comm insists on hearings Monday on Dr. Ford’s charges she should go on “60 Minutes” Sunday to explain how unfair and inappropriate it is to do so, then show up Monday to make her charges. Meanwhile, DOJ should provide Ford & family with Fed Witness Protection."
Rubin also suggested taking her case out of the federal government and going local, noting (according to The Hill): "Can Brett Kavanaugh be investigated for an attempted rape he allegedly committed over three decades ago? In Maryland, it’s entirely possible under the law, according to some experts. Now members of the American public are calling for Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh to open an investigation, especially if the FBI doesn’t.”
Rubin pointedly added, "That would be a process over which neither the Senate nor the Trump administration would have any control."
"In short, Ford has a powerful story to tell," Rubin warned GOP leaders. "As Kavanaugh’s approval rating slides, Republicans need to consider whether it is worth unleashing a firestorm to defend a nominee who might be a further drag on their midterm races."
You can read the whole piece here.
