Republican strategist: Sexual assault allegations against Brett Kavanaugh are a ‘sideshow’ — but I support #MeToo

One Republican analyst on MSNBC lambasted the attacks on Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh. Yet, she followed up her accusations with the claim she supported the MeToo movement.

During a panel discussion, Republican Noelle Nikpour argued that Sens. Susan Collins (R-ME) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) will vote to support Kavanaugh because the only issue they care about is upholding Roe v. Wade. While neither senator has indicated one way or another, if they care about Roe, they also presumably care about the rights of survivors of sexual assault.

"It is, you know, what has happened is a sideshow," Nikpour called the criticisms of Kavanaugh. "Is it a political sideshow, and don’t get me wrong. I’m 100 percent for the #MeToo movement. You know, any woman that has been harmed or put in harm’s way sexually, it’s awful. Harvey Weinstein, all these monsters, you know, Bill Cosby that have done these horrible things. But you know what. I smell a rat in this."

But when it comes to accusers of Republicans like Kavanaugh or President Donald Trump, Nikpour brushed it off.

"In this era of MeToo, you still think this is a sideshow, a clown show in your words, as you put it?" asked MSNBC host Frances Rivera.

"Yes, I do. I really do. You know, this is not saying that I am — I believe in the MeToo movement. I think that there have been some really bad actors. Really horrible, despicable monster men that have, you know, been out," Nikpour said.

Democratic strategist Michael Starr Hopkins wondered why the GOP wants to rush the nomination through instead of doing a careful, cautious and thorough job of vetting the judge. According to poll numbers just after the hearings, only 36 percent of Americans approve of Kavanaugh, one of the lowest approvals of a judicial appointee of all time.

"I think one of two things will happen," began Hopkins. "Either Miss Ford will have the opportunity to come before Congress and talk, be asked questions and she can explain what happened, and we’ll go from there, or Republicans will ram this through. I’ve got to say; they’ll be held accountable come November because women were already excited to go to the polls with Donald Trump, whether it’s in name or whether in action on the ballot. And this only furthers that. There’s a lack of respect for women across this country and men will be held accountable whether it’s Democrats or Republicans and this is another example of women not being appreciated or respected."

Watch the full debate below: