After an intense and complicated nomination process, Brett Kavanaugh is now a Supreme Court justice. He was sworn in on Oct. 6. After a long speech on the Senate floor, Senator Susan Collins of Maine voted to confirm Kavanaugh, with Senator Joe Manchin quickly announcing that he would also vote to confirm him.
On Thursday night, The Wall Street Journal published an op-ed by Kavanaugh which responded to some of the criticisms of his testimony on September 27.
I was very emotional last Thursday, more so than I have ever been. I might have been too emotional at times. 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.
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. As a judge, I have always treated colleagues and litigants with the utmost respect. I have been known for my courtesy on and off the bench. I have not changed. I will continue to be the same kind of judge I have been for the last 12 years. And I will continue to contribute to our country as a coach, volunteer, and teacher. 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.
I revere the Constitution. I believe that an independent and impartial judiciary is essential to our constitutional republic. If confirmed by the Senate to serve on the Supreme Court, I will keep an open mind in every case and always strive to preserve the Constitution of the United States and the American rule of law.
It might not just be a divisive vote among the American people. It’s also divisive in the Senate, as Senator Jeff Flake bucked the Republican party by insisting on an FBI investigation.
What are women, especially conservative women, across the country thinking and feeling about the Kavanaugh nomniation? Will this impact their support of Republicans and the president?
We’ll unpack the Kavanaugh confirmation process today and get you the news and analysis you need to understand a complicated news cycle.
Produced by Bianca Martin. Text by Gabrielle Healy.
GUESTS
Mona Charen, Syndicated Columnist, Senior Fellow, Ethics and Public Policy Center, @monacharenEPPC
Eliana Johnson, White House reporter, Politico; @elianayjohnson
Inez Stepman, Senior contributor, The Federalist; @inezfeltscher
For more, visit https://the1a.org.
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Copyright 2018 WAMU 88.5
