Posted on 09/24/2018 8:01:06 PM PDT by yesthatjallen
A lawyer for Christina Blasey Ford—the woman accusing Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh of sexual assault—raised concerns on Monday about the setup for a public hearing where Ford will testify later this week.
Michael R. Bromwich, a lawyer for Ford, said in a letter to Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), the chairman of the Judiciary Committee, that the plan for Thursday's public hearing "does not appear designed to provide Dr. Blasey Ford with fair and respectful treatment."
The letter casts some doubt on the deal Ford's team made with Senate Judiciary leaders to appear at a hearing on Thursday.
Bromwich in the letter pointed to the hiring of "an unnamed 'experienced sex crimes prosecutor,'" warning it could help turn the Judiciary Committee hearing into a "circus."
"[It] is contrary to the Majority's repeated emphasis on the need for the Senate and this Committee's members to fulfill their constitutional obligations. It is also inconsistent with your stated wish to avoid a “circus,” as well as Dr. Blasey Ford’s repeated requests through counsel that senators conduct the questioning," Bromwich wrote.
"This is not a criminal trial for which the involvement of an experienced sex crimes prosecutor would be appropriate. Neither Dr. Blasey Ford nor Judge Kavanaugh is on trial. The goal should be to develop the relevant facts, not try a case," he continued.
He added that there was "no precedent" for the Judiciary Committee to use an outside counsel "for the sole purpose of shielding the members" from asking a witness questions when they are testifying before the committee.
Bromwich added that Grassley's staff hasn't responded "to a number of outstanding questions about the hearing," including what the role will be for the "experienced sex crimes prosecutor" during the hearing.
"Please identify this person and ask your staff to send us her resume immediately. We respectfully request to meet with her tomorrow," he added.
Republican senators have been mulling bringing in an outside counsel, potentially a woman, to question Ford and Kavanaugh during Thursday's hearing.
GOP Sen. John Cornyn (Texas) said on Monday after a meeting with Judiciary Committee Republican members that they were "leaning toward" using an outside counsel.
"I think we're leaning toward having a staff lawyer, an outside lawyer do it on our side for continuity ... rather than having 11 people for five minutes each," he told reporters.
But Ford's legal team has raised concerns during negotiations with Grassley's staff that using an outside lawyer would make the hearing too much like a trial. Democrats have said they are going to ask their own questions.
Bromwich in the letter also took aim at Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), who argued during a Senate floor speech that Democrats were using Ford's allegations against Kavanaugh as part of a "smear campaign."
"The Majority Leader dismissed Dr. Ford’s experience as a 'smear campaign,' claiming mistakenly that the witnesses’ statements to the Committee constitute 'a complete lack of evidence,' implying that there has been a thorough investigation," he said in the letter to Grassley.
McConnell during his Senate floor speech accused Democrats of running a "choreographed smear campaign that ignored Dr. Ford's request for confidentiality" in an attempt to hurt Kavanaugh's nomination.
"This is an allegation of misconduct which all four supposed witnesses either flatly contradict or are unable to back up. In addition to Judge Kavanaugh, the other three supposed witnesses have said they have -- quote -- ‘no knowledge,’ ‘no recollection,’ and ‘no memory’ of the alleged incident," McConnell said.
Bromwich's letter comes after Grassley sent his own letter to Ford on Monday saying both she and Kavanaugh "deserve a credible and fair process."
"I'm writing to say that I am committed to fair and respectful treatment of you, as you've requested. I've worked to make certain the committee I chair handles all individuals involved in hearings in that manner, and you deserve the same," Grassley said.
I don’t think so, these evil bastards are making their next move.. hang loose and watch closely! Grassley better not cave again! Take the vote!
I’m not a golfer, but even I recognize “first-teeing” when I see it. That is, he is already making excuses for his client’s poor performance even before she sets foot in the room.
The democrats started the circus.
They have no basis for complaint.
Why not?
They have AT LEAST two more accusers lined up. And more where that came from.
The truth is no respecter of persons. Getting to it is not a delicate process.
Very interesting.
Thanks for posting.
Just put Joni Earnst on the Senate Judiciary Committee, and let her ask the questions.
I mean, she was a pro at "sammiches" in high school and college, wasn't she?
With extra "mayo"...
Disengage from all contact with Dr Fake Claim and her reps. Send a simple message of when to report to the senate for testimony and that’s it. No more of this crap.
I’d be happy to punch the teeth out of Mikey’s lying face for him...
Make an accusation, and you must expect to be challenged. Especially if you utterly fail in repeated attempts to invoke corroborating witnesses. Otherwise, crawl back into your Palo Alto Xanadu and gnaw on your bitterness, you arrant hussy.
Ford, her sleazy resistance attorneys and the Dems have overplayed their hand with this last bit now quite transparent she has no intention of testifying but delaying.
She is losing sympathy with the public and the Republicans can push for a vote Friday when she is a no show Thursday. She will go on 60 minutes Sunday to tell her “story” without scrutiny
This isn’t the puppy shelter, it’s a gladiator arena & the blood doth floweth. You don’t do a proxy poop war expecting no blow-back while hiding under mother’s skirt screaming UNFAIR-UNFAIR! This is the bonus round.....ARE WE NOT ENTERTAINED? #war
What a bunch of contradictory bullsh*t!
They wants public hearing before Congress, so to discover “the facts” ... But they don’t want a trial - which is by definition a PROVING of allegations, and a TESTING of witnesses UNDER OATH through a process CROSS EXAMINATION - so to separate fact from fiction. IOW: the practice of DISCERNING THE TRUTH!
What they really want is an opportunity to further smear Judge Kavanaugh, in Congress - a public forum by which they intend to give their sh*t show a veneer of credibility. Anything that would jeopardize that “plan” is labeled “unfair,” biased, etc.
Hilarious it is that these clowns throw up the hypocritical insinuation of creating a “circus,” since they themselves have done so from the beginning.
How can you have a prosecutor until a crime is committed? I think a grand jury is the first step - oh wait - the first step is to have a credible accusation with at least some evidence.
What are Flake and Collins going to do?
Stick with the narrative from Sen Blumenthal..she is a courageous survivor. Same with the Ramirez chick.
I think you are correct. She will not appear as they are continuing to make excuses that the procedure is unfair. The fact is, Democrats think they are always in charge and to experience anyone getting in their way is rare. Even the news media carrying their water cannot stop the train from a vote to confirm Kavanaugh.
She will not likely appear on Thursday. Of course, that does not mean other clown types will not be dressed up for Halloween again and protesting in the chamber and shouting. I kinda hope they do it, as it will demonstrate how silly and childish they are.
Wouldn't that be great. An aggressive woman, who knows exactly what this filth is up to, being able to deconstruct her from a woman's point of view.
If it really happened, that would be worth paying admittance for.
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