Supreme Court nominee JudgeBrett Kavanaughis defending his “emotional”testimony in front of the Senate Judiciary Committeeon Sept. 27.
“I was very emotional last Thursday, more so than I have ever been. I might have been too emotional at times,” Kavanaugh, 53, wrote.
“I know that my tone was sharp, and I said a few things I should not have said. I hope everyone can understand that I was there as a son, husband and dad. I testified with five people foremost in my mind: my mom, my dad, my wife, and most of all my daughters,” Kavanaugh continued.
During the hearing last week, Kavanaugh — at times crying— addressed the committee following a three-hour testimony fromChristine Blasey Ford, the 51-year-old research psychologist and professor at Palo Alto University, who claims that Kavanaughsexually assaulted her at a high school partyin the 1980s.
Ford claims Kavanaugh allegedly pinned her down to a bed, groped her and tried to remove her clothes. Kavanaugh has denied the allegations.
“At times, my testimony— both in my opening statement and in response to questions—reflected my overwhelming frustration at being wrongly accused, without corroboration, of horrible conduct completely contrary to my record and character,” Kavanaugh wrote in his op-ed.
While Kavanaugh pleaded with the public to be sympathetic towards his emotions, he promised his behavior from the hearing will not affect his duty as a judge.
“Going forward, you can count on me to be the same kind of judge and person I have been for my entire 28-year legal career: hardworking, even-keeled, open-minded, independent and dedicated to the Constitution and the public good.”
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Kavanaugh also claimed he has a “long record of advancing and promoting women.”
“A majority of my 48 law clerks have been women,” Kavanaugh wrote before adding he was a “longtime coach of girls’ basketball teams.”
Despite the manyprotests to prevent his confirmation, Kavanaugh wrote he is trying to remain positive.
“Every day I will try to be the best husband, dad, and friend I can be. I will remain optimistic, on the sunrise side of the mountain. I will continue to see the day that is coming, not the day that is gone,” Kavanaugh concluded.
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At this time, senators arereviewing the findingsof the investigation and a full Senate vote for Kavanaugh to take a seat on the highest court in the land is expected this weekend.
On Friday, all 100 United States senators will hold avote on what is called “cloture”— basically voting to see if they want to limit debate on Kavanaugh to 30 hours, and in essence, moving him along to a final vote.
Republican Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell filed a motion Wednesday to have Friday’s cloture vote, which is expected to pass.
ThePew Research Institutiondescribes a cloture as an effort to “push presidential nominations past a recalcitrant minority” — and in this case, that minority is the Democrats, who number 49 (including two independents).
A simple majority of 51 is needed to pass the cloture motion.
Once that critical vote concludes, a final confirmation vote on Kavanaugh is expected up to 30 hours later, as early as Saturday.
While some Republicans have said they are pleased with the report, critics claim itwasn’t a fair investigation.
Kavanaugh has denied all of the allegations.
source: people.com
