Cruz: All three witnesses Ford named did not corroborate her claims.
Cruz: Ford told that only attorneys, ranking member, and member of Congress received letter. So only one of them could have released letter. That is not a fair process.
Feinstein: I did not hold story. She asked me to keep it confidential and I did. I did not leak the letter.
Feinstein: Normally, all witnesses would be interviewed, but that has not happened.
Congressional investigation the committee is heralding has not been a nonpartisan process.
Cornyn: Did your staff leak the letter?
Feinstein: I do not believe that they would. The answer is no. I just asked.
Cornyn: Somebody leaked it. Feinstein: I did not.
Cruz: Does committee have process to assess allegation in confidential forum? Grassley: Yes
Cruz: So this could have been heard two months ago in a confidential setting.
Feinstein: It's my understanding that her story was leaked before the letter became public. She said she spoke to her friends about it. That's probably how the story got out.
Feinstein: It's my understanding that the story was leaked before the letter was made public.
Feinstein: The letter itself never leaked. She testified this morning that she had talked to friends about it and to the media.
Harris: Have you taken polygraph test? [I'll do whatever the committee wants.]
Harris: All three women who have made sworn allegations have called for FBI investigation. You've declined to do so. The FBI is an agency of men and women who are sworn and trained law enforcement. Are you willing to ask the White House to authorize the FBI? [I'll do whatever the committee wants.] That's not the question. Are you willing? [The FBI would gather witness statements; you have those.]
Harris: You characterized these allegations as a conspiracy against you. Gorsuch was nominated by this president, considered by this body. You have similar resumes. The only difference is that you have been accused of sexual assault. How do you reconcile the idea of a conspiracy with experience of Gorsuch?
Kavanaugh: Look at the calendars, at the witness statements.
Harris: Do you believe possible for men to be friends with some women and to treat others badly? [Of course, but if you go back to 14, you will find lots of people I've been friends with, all the way through.]
Kavanaugh: That is who I am.
Harris: Did you watch Dr. Ford's testimony? [I did not. I plan to but was preparing mine.]
Flake, R-Az., for one minute, Kennedy, R-La., for four minutes.
Flake: I called for testimony right away. I'm sorry for what's happened to your family and to hers. Not a good process but it's all I've got.
In the end, there is likely to be as much doubt as certainty after today.
Kennedy: This could have been avoided. Do you believe in God? [I do]
Kennedy: In front of God and country, look me in the eye, are Dr. Ford's allegations true? [They are not accurate as to me, I do not question she may have been assaulted, but I've never done this.]
Kennedy: Are Ms. Ramirez's allegations about you true? [They are not]
Kavanaugh: If that had happened, would have been talk of campus. It's not true.
Kennedy: Are Ms. Swetnick's allegations true? [Those are not true. Never met her. Don't know who she is.]
Kennedy: None of these allegations are true, no doubt in your mind? [Correct] You swear to God? [I swear to God.]
Grassley just adjourned the hearing.
That's it for tomorrow. We have heard that the whole Republican Senate conference is meeting tonight, to talk about next steps.
We are going to sign off for right.
We will continue to monitor what the next steps the SJC may be.
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