Are you saying that Justice Kennedy was right to just keep quiet and not defend his law clerk in any way?
He did not have to defend Kavanaugh from the scurrilous charges.
All he had to do was state what kind of law clerk Kavanaugh was. That’s all.
I don’t know how any judge that worked with Kavanaugh would not have praised his demeanor and accomplishments.
But I guess Kennedy was afraid that any positive comments would blackball him from his DC “friends.” The man is an ungrateful coward.
One more thing. Kavanaugh’s first FBI investigation when applying for his first federal job would have been the most telling in regard to his high school and college behavior. That’s when the FBI would have the “freshest” information.
Kennedy knew his law clerk passed that initial FBI investigation. Still said nothing.
I do not accept your premise that he did not help "in any way", and although I don't know if you have the knowledge or expertise even to declare that he did nothing, I am no fan of "all or nothing" language, because it usually indicates a person who speaks rashly and judges harshly out of his/her depth.
But even if he did do "nothing", I commend him for erring on the side of discretion as befits a top Justice of the land. The Court gets politicized by small increments. He wisely avoided adding another. What he did do is play a key role in the reconciliation and show of support at the swearing-in.
What he did behind the scenes, I don't know; but I suspect a LOT of positive help. What he did behind the scenes, you probably do NOT know; but you suspect utter negativity and condemn without knowing. See the difference?