When questioning Dr. Christine Blasey Ford today, Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee gave up their time to a female attorney known for prosecuting sex crimes. It’s arguable whether that was a smart move or not. Their hired female assistant attorney seemed to harshly interrogate Ford, while the Democrats repeatedly thanked and celebrated her for coming forward.
On the other hand, at least Republicans didn’t have to suffer the optics of 11 elderly white dudes bullying a woman about her sexual assault.
Still, even though they didn’t question Ford directly, those Republican senators still managed to be the absolute worst today.
We’ve already covered Chuck Grassley, the committee chairman, and how he was antagonistic towards Dr. Ford and the Democratic senators, interrupting every single woman who spoke today.
Not a single woman has spoken without Grassley interrupting
— erin “a female assistant” ryan (@morninggloria) September 27, 2018
“You have another 30 seconds now because I was rudely interrupted,” Grassley jokes (?) to the female prosecutor, as Harris asks if she can have a copy of document handed to Ford.
This is very uncomfortable.
— Jennifer Bendery (@jbendery) September 27, 2018
“I think it’s important to make sure you’re properly introduced.” -Sen. Dianne Feinstein
“I was going to introduce her, but if you want to introduce her, I’ll be glad to have you do that. I want you to know I didn’t forget to do it. ” –Sen. Chuck Grassley pic.twitter.com/EOsknUuyaS
— TODAY (@TODAYshow) September 27, 2018
But he wasn’t the only Republican to say awful things, despite the rest of them, again, not being scheduled to speak today.
Let’s start with Orrin Hatch, who, during a news conference during a break in Ford’s testimony, was asked by a reporter if he thought Ford was credible. His response: She’s “attractive.” Also, (gag) “pleasing.”
Senator @OrrinHatch asked if Ford has been credible so far:
“It’s too early to make those kinds of determinations, but she’s a good witness. Articulate. She’s an attractive person. But I think it’s a little early to make those kinds of determinations.”
— Garrett Haake (@GarrettHaake) September 27, 2018
God Orin Hatch told CNN that Dr. Blasey Ford “is attractive, a good witness” asked to clarify he says “she’s pleasing.”
🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬
— Clara Jeffery (@ClaraJeffery) September 27, 2018
Orin Hatch’s language is ridiculous.
— Maria Shriver (@mariashriver) September 27, 2018
Gross.
And then there’s Lindsey Graham, who was visibly angered by Ford’s testimony. (He also screamed his way through his questioning of Kavanaugh.) He said the hearing was a “political game” on the behalf of the Democrats. He also said that Democrats never face consequences for sexual assault (because he’s apparently forgotten about his former colleague Al Franken) and that if this is the “new normal,” then Democrats had better “watch out” for their nominees (because I guess he doesn’t remember Merrick Garland).
Lindsey Graham just falsely told a bunch of reporters that Democrats are never subjected to accusations of sexual misconduct, and warned them that if Kavanaugh fails, Republicans will gin up false accusations against future Democratic nominees to even the score. Wow.
— Brian Beutler (@brianbeutler) September 27, 2018
merrick garland says hi https://t.co/xJkZbEPjfr
— Oliver Willis (@owillis) September 27, 2018
Still none of those senators were as terrible as Kavanaugh himself. He spent his time alternating between smugly smirking and (mostly) yelling at Democratic senators. Seriously, if you didn’t watch, the amount of yelling cannot be overstated. It was Alex Jones levels of screaming, mostly about beer.
If Brett Kavanaugh were a woman, they’d be calling this performance “hysterical.”
— shauna (@goldengateblond) September 27, 2018
For someone so terrible, he has inspired some great memes.
Tfw you’ve never been held accountable for your actions pic.twitter.com/20qOsUTZa8
— Lauren Duca (@laurenduca) September 27, 2018
STOP MOCKING ME pic.twitter.com/ofvxA3Go9n
— Carly Usdin (@carlytron) September 27, 2018
I AM A VIRGIN WITH A CALENDAR pic.twitter.com/bkgiOE2tAV
— Noah Garfinkel (@NoahGarfinkel) September 27, 2018
Just let him have Pee-Wee’s bike, and maybe he’ll go away. #KanavaughHearings pic.twitter.com/mmGO2TgcuS
— Shannon DeVido (@shannondevido) September 27, 2018
Reminder: Call your senator. Today.
(image: MICHAEL REYNOLDS/AFP/Getty Images)
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