Impossible to know if Ford’s allegation against Kavanaugh is true. Partisans are going to believe what they want. Other allegations against him have been less credible, though some will vaguely refer to them. All other named witnesses have no recollection of any such behavior or events. Numerous character witnesses from his early 80s school days and on have said such behavior was never seen and would have been out of character. So we’re left with a well-qualified judge with a long track record and numerous people supporting his personal and professional character, stacked against one uncorroborated claim of assault.
On that background, Republicans only have a political calculation. Either they vote against Kavanaugh in case the allegation is true, less because it bears upon his ability to serve on the Court or because it has been proven true, but to send a message (to society and males in particular) and most importantly to try to not alienate women voters. Or they see the danger of validating this manner of undermining nominees with something that might have happened in high school, especially when it is uncorroborated and out-of-character with all other evidence and testimony. To be sure, Kavanaugh’s Fox News interview was ill-advised and the performance today was ugly, if understandable if he is telling the truth.
Democrats have been completely awful and untrustworthy. They wail and gnash their teeth about a further FBI background check but they fail to make any efforts, even behind closed doors, to investigate. They should have referred the matter to the FBI and the Chairman of the Committee right away. There is no excuse for that failure. Most incredible is that Feinstein was apparently going to remain silent about the allegation and let the vote go forward on the nomination. Only because it leaked to the press are we hearing about it. Democrats continue to be apoplectic about Garland and Trump and that explains quite a bit about their theatrics.
Republicans have little choice but to forge ahead. It’s not a good look for anyone, but this is apparently how our government operates. It’s possible that one or two GOP Senators defect and Kavanaugh doesn’t get confirmed but I also think that’s unlikely.