Bottom line, the WaPo didn’t believe her, either. They’re only playing along now because they got their orders to do so.
I’m sure the Post checked it out. It would be a huge story for them if it was even plausible. I think neither the Post nor Feinstein or Eshoo believed her.
That’s why they didn’t use it until it was forced out.
Not because “they were trying to be fair to judge Kavanaugh” but because the Post was worried about a Bush Nation Guard letters. And Feinstein and Eshoo were worried about a Tawana Brawley 2.0
Going with something like this and it blows up, is worse politically than not doing it at all.
But staffers were in on this from the start. As were, likely, multiple journalists at the WP.
Debra Katz was seen on Capitol Hill the day before Feinstein referred it to the FBI.
I think Katz essentially blackmailed Feinstein to release the story (implied threat would be to leak it herself, and blame Feinstein for “covering it up”). Feinstein doesn’t want to be tainted so she “refers” it to the FBI for investigation.
And now we have the big stall. Blasey Ford was eager to testify until she was asked to testify. then she became reluctant and now wants to negotiate the shape of the table... etc.
Whatever the Post found that made them cautious,they will never reveal. But others will find it and we will all know.