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Christine Blasey Ford was the first of a three women to accuse Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh of sexual misconduct, including assault. Julie Swetnick is the latest accuser, alleging incidents of gang rape involving the candidate.
A Senate committee is now charged with considering the allegations amid a confirmation hearing for Kavanaugh. Blasey Ford testified Thursday morning, relating her allegation that Kavanaugh and his friend Mark Judge attempted to rape her when they were teenagers.
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As the hearing proceeds, there is a lot at stake for alleged victims, Kavanaugh, and their families. Former Washington State Attorney General Rob McKenna said there are also other consequences being considered by politicians.
“It’s tough for the senators on both sides of the aisle because the Democrats are at risk of looking like they are politicizing something very bad that happened to these women, and the Republicans are at risk of looking like they are insensitive and ignoring evidence, and the strongly conflicting statements…” McKenna said.
There is no statute of limitations for the alleged crime. Standards for criminal cases are very high – beyond a reasonable doubt. That may not be met in Blasey Ford’s case, McKenna said. But what is happening is not a criminal case. It’s a Supreme Court confirmation hearing. The outcome won’t be punitive, it will be political, he argues. Beyond the allegations, there is a larger political battle at