In response to the testimony of Brett Kavanaugh today, People For the American Way Executive Vice President Marge Baker issued the following statement:

“Brett Kavanaugh’s anger, rudeness and evasions couldn’t contrast more powerfully with the dignity and honesty Dr. Blasey Ford brought to the hearing room this morning. His gratuitous rudeness towards members of the committee—especially Senator Klobuchar—made it clear that he doesn’t have the temperament that we should be able to expect from any nominee for the federal bench. And he did nothing to address the credibility issues that he raised with his earlier testimony.

“Just as importantly, Brett Kavanaugh’s evasive and dishonest answers regarding the importance of an FBI background check make it perfectly clear that he’s not interested in a thorough nonpartisan evaluation of the facts. Instead, he’s decided to embrace Donald Trump’s playbook for dealing with allegations of misconduct: tantrums and denials. Today’s hearing is, despite what Senator Cornyn might claim, a job interview—an interview for a lifetime seat on the Supreme Court of the United States. No one is entitled to a seat on that court. We should demand the very highest standards for nominees to that position, and Brett Kavanaugh has clearly come up short.  His nomination should be withdrawn.

“Finally, it’s important to remember that there are real women whose lives have been deeply affected by assault who are at the center of this national debacle. We shouldn’t forget their courage or their sacrifice in choosing to tell their stories.”

PFAW released a statement on Dr. Blasey Ford’s testimony earlier today.

People For the American Way is a progressive advocacy organization founded to fight right-wing extremism and defend constitutional values including free expression, religious liberty, equal justice under the law, and the right to meaningfully participate in our democracy. Learn more: https://www.pfaw.org.

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