Even though Trump himself said that Dr. Christine Ford’s allegations were “credible”, he somehow managed to attack her last night at a rally.
BREAKING: President Trump mocks Dr. Christine Blasey Ford, who has accused Trump’s Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh of sexual misconduct, during a rally in Mississippi. https://t.co/yjrqDceYv6 pic.twitter.com/iv22aHRwhn
— NBC News (@NBCNews) October 3, 2018
What do you do? If I were a principled Republican (and I’m not sure they exist anymore), I would note “no” on Kavanaugh because of Trump’s little mocking alone. Yes, for that reason alone, and I would tell Kavanaugh why. Blame Trump.
The White House says that Trump was highlighting inconsistencies. But I didn’t hear a single inconsistency. It was Trump mocking her for not remembering small and irrelevant details from 36 years ago. That’s not being inconsistent. That’s just how the brain works.
Senator Collins, a swing vote, has spoken against Trump’s speech against Ford. So has Jeff Flake. But how will they vote?
UPDATE — Trump is defending himself this morning — here’s his tweet and an accurate response.
Kavanaugh did seem to be motivating issue last night. Crowd chanted “We Want Kavanaugh” for 10 seconds. Laughed when Trump mocked his accuser. Roared when Trump decried all the attacks on him. https://t.co/xYxODTXp1Y
— Josh Dawsey (@jdawsey1) October 3, 2018
And Flake seems to be flaking out…
Flake just told me Trump’s comments last night on Ford would NOT affect his vote. He downplayed Kavanaugh comments about drinking in college as simply exaggerating – not lying to Congress. He said McGahn has been filling him in about probe.
— Manu Raju (@mkraju) October 3, 2018
Flake also didn’t seem to be interested in an FBI probe about if he lied to Congress about drinking – said the probe is focused on what happened to Ford. He said he has no concerns if Ford NOT interviewed. He said there can’t be a cloture vote Friday if no report is filed by then
— Manu Raju (@mkraju) October 3, 2018
But….
Murkowski on Trump mocking Ford last night: "I thought the President's comments yesterday mocking Dr. Ford were wholly inappropriate, and in my view unacceptable. I am taking everything into account.” via @jeremyherb
— MJ Lee (@mj_lee) October 3, 2018