Swing Votes Start Moving into Kavanaugh Column. Corker Will Vote 'Yes'
Sen. Bob Corker, the retiring Tennessee Republican whose anti-Trump rhetoric made him a possible swing vote on Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, has said that he will vote “yes” on Kavanaugh if his nomination makes it to the Senate floor.
In a statement issued after the testimony of Kavanaugh and accuser Christine Blasey Ford on Thursday, Corker “announced his support for Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh.”
While echoing the belief that sexual assault accusers deserve an airing of their claims, Corker said, “Kavanaugh has conducted himself as well as anyone could expect throughout this process.”
“I believe those who come forward with allegations of sexual assault deserve to be heard,” Corker’s statement read.
“That’s why I was one of the first members of the Senate to call on the judiciary committee to delay the original vote on the nomination so that both Dr. Ford and Judge Kavanaugh could provide additional information.
“I know it took courage for Dr. Ford to appear before the committee today,” he continued. “I also very strongly believe that Judge Kavanaugh, like all Americans, deserves the presumption of innocence and that it was equally as important for him to have the opportunity to address the charges and defend himself.
I plan to vote to confirm Judge Brett Kavanaugh. My full statement: pic.twitter.com/LDj4epYyhc
— Senator Bob Corker (@SenBobCorker) September 28, 2018
“While both individuals provided compelling testimony, nothing that has been presented corroborates the allegation,” Corker continued.
“There is no question that Judge Kavanaugh is qualified to serve on the Supreme Court, and in a different political environment, he would be confirmed overwhelmingly.
“I believe Judge Kavanaugh has conducted himself as well as anyone could expect throughout this process and plan to vote to confirm him.”
Uh-oh. It appears Corker was focused on identifiable facts, corroboration and the presumption of innocence as opposed to Twitter rants and people shouting “believe all victims!” That presumably means he’s never going to be able to eat in peace in a restaurant ever again.
Anyone who sat through the spectacle Thursday — even part of it — could tell that after all of the prefabricated donor-email outrage from members of the Senate Judiciary Committee, the only one who presented any evidence was Kavanaugh. And, what did people focus on? The fact that he had the temerity to be upset over the fact he was being called an attempted rapist.
Oh boy-Kavanaugh is going full angry belittled marginalized white man. Tough sell for today.
— Luke Russert (@LukeRussert) September 27, 2018
Apparently, the tough sell is in the other direction. We’ll see where the other three Republicans who were swing votes on Kavanaugh — Sens. Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Mike Enzi of Wyoming — stand after his testimony, as we will with the red-state Democrats who still have to convince voters in places like West Virginia and Indiana that they’re not inveterate liberals for another month and change.
However, the fact that Corker is on board with the nominee isn’t a good augury for those determined to stop Judge Kavanaugh at any cost, including those willing to indulge in the most baseless of smears.
Truth and Accuracy
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism. Read our editorial standards.
Advertise with The Western Journal and reach millions of highly engaged readers, while supporting our work. Advertise Today.
