Collins wants accuser's lawyer to question Kavanaugh

[DonViejo]

Source: The Hill


BY TAL AXELROD - 09/18/18 12:42 PM EDT

Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), a crucial swing vote in Judge Brett Kavanaugh’s Supreme Court confirmation, announced Tuesday she wants the attorney for Christine Blasey Ford, the woman who accused Kavanaugh of sexual assault, to question the judge.

In a tweet, Collins said she would ask Judiciary Chairman Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) and Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), the panel's ranking member, to allow the questioning. She also said Kavanaugh’s attorney should question Ford.

“I'm writing to the Chairman & RM of Judiciary Cmte respectfully recommending that at Monday’s hearing, counsel for Prof. Ford be allocated time to question Judge Kavanaugh & counsel for the Judge be granted equal time to question Prof. Ford, followed by questions from Senators,” she tweeted.

“Such an approach would provide more continuity, elicit the most information & allow an in-depth examination of the allegations,” she added.

Link to tweet

Read more: https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/407229-collins-wants-accusers-lawyer-to-question-kavanaugh

[Iliyah]

1. I do not trust any of the GOPs

none.

[asiliveandbreathe]

2. I want Hatch and Grassley to recuse as well...their reputations and comments

and bias precede them both - they need an experienced investigator to ask the questions...straight up questions unknown to witnesses....

Hey Mark Judge - nothin' to say??? A man needs to prove himself?? Be a man Mark...

Imagine being 15 and having someone put their hand over your mouth to prevent screaming - in this situation -

[CincyDem]

3. Optics.

They do not want the image of 7-8 old white republicans grilling her. Bad optics before the mid terms

Want to bet Brett had a female lawyer for the task.

[Raven123]

4. File under desperate measure for desperate times

[Cirque du So-What]

5. And when Grassley says 'nope'

that'll be the end of that.

[irresistable]

6. They won't say no to Collins

[Mr.Bill]

7. Thanks, Susan,

but my Senators, Feinstein and Harris, can do an adequate job of questioning anyone. That's what we sent them to Washington to do. Outside Lawyers I didn't vote for needn't be involved.

[TryLogic]

16. Harris can. She's fabulous at questioning.

[iluvtennis]

8. Why bring lawyers into this , this isn't a trial. As Anita Hill said it should be a fact finding

exercise. Bring in an expert in sexual assault and let that person interview both Dr Ford and Kavanaugh and then that expert brings the findings to the judiciary committee.

[Mr.Bill]

9. The "I" in FBI

stands for investigation. They should be allowed to do their job.

[iluvtennis]

10. can't argue with that Mr. Bill, but a sexual assault expert can add value as well.

[Mr.Bill]

12. I would imagine an organization the size of the FBI

has many such experts on their payroll.

[BumRushDaShow]

11. Took the words right out of my mouth!

A U.S. Senate "hearing" is not a "trial" in a court of law.

As it is, everyone on the Committee except (R)s Grassley, Sasse, Flake, Tillis, and (D) Feinstein, are lawyers.

[red dog 1]

13. Well, I think it's a good idea

Has Ms. Ford agreed to attend Monday's Judiciary Committee meeting yet?

(K&R)

[True Blue American]

15. Her Attorney has not replied.

[red dog 1]

20. Thanks

[True Blue American]

14. I just read an article that Republicans are concerned

Because they are all male they are thinking of letting Staffers do the questioning.

[andytheteacher]

17. Another reason why she needs to show up

This is an unbelievable opportunity. Collins is BEGGING for a reason to vote "No" and claim McCain's "maverick" mantle because it makes you a powerful senator.

If the accuser doesn't come, they will call for the vote and he will be confirmed.

[jcgoldie]

19. Collins is BEGGING for a reason to vote "No"..,

Pretty sure from everything I've seen its exactly the opposite. Collins has been stumbling around looking for any excuse to justify voting yes and not look like a complete hypocrite for weeks. When it came out that Kavanaugh has written that Roe isn't settled law, Collins said basically...'nothing to see here' and ignored it. When people raised over a million dollars to challenge her if she votes yes, she called it a "bribe" which doesn't even make sense. Now she wants to lend credence to this hearing without investigation by letting Ford's attorney question Kavanaugh... what the headline leaves out is that she also wants Kavanaugh's lawyer to interrogate Professor Ford...

Susan Collins is not a maverick she's a hypocrite and they'd be better off focusing on Flake and Murkowski.

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

18. Kick

[Ruby the Liberal]

21. This is so stupid

Just let the FBI handle this (talking to you too, WH). This is what the Feds do for a living, but you are putting the future of this country on the backs of a couple of defense attorneys? What a scapegoat nonsense response. No offense to defense attorneys...

You are all dancing on a thin line here trying to shove this highly questionable candidate into a lifetime position, while leaving a seat open for 400 days just a damn year ago. We see you.