Coons: I wish we could have provided for you a more thorough investigation.
Mitchell for Sen. Sasse, R-Neb.
Mitchell: Did you contact an Republicans? [I did not; where I live the representatives are Democrats.]
Counsel for Ford objects to call for any privileged conversation -- Mitchell had asked about whether she had been informed about offer to come to California. Ford said it wasn't clear to me that she had been offered this.
Had you retained counsel prior to making your original allegation? [No, didn't know she would need a lawyer.]
Mitchell: Letter on July 30, you asked Feinstein to maintain confidentiality until further opportunity to speak.
Mitchell: Did you talk with anyone about letter before you sent it? [Eshoo's office] Why? [Because willing to hand deliver it.]
Ford: I had a phone call with Sen. Feinstein before August 7
Did anyone help you write the letter? [No]
Ford: She asked me about the incident, I answered them. A fairly brief phone call.
Ford's counsel, Michael Bromwich, shows that he, too, is not there as a "potted plant," as Oliver North's counsel Brendan Sullivan once retorted to a senator during the Iran-Contra hearings in 1987.
Ford: "Not that I know of" [Asked if she gave permission to anyone to release letter.]
Mitchell: Aside from lawyers, did you speak to anyone else? [No]
Mitchell: Did you retain counsel between July 30 and August 7? [I was interviewing lawyers during that time.]
Staying with parents? Did you talk to them about it? [Definitely not.]
Mitchell: You testified that you didn't see need for lawyers. What made you change your mind?
Ford: I was advised to get a lawyer.
Did people you talked to include Feinstein or Eshoo? [NO]
Blumenthal: I have found your testimony powerful and credible.
Blumenthal: You have inspired and enlightened America.
Blumenthal: Someone who is honest is candid about what he or she cannot remember.
Blumenthal: Colleagues on the other side have remained silent. This procedure is unprecedented.
Blumenthal now quoting Graham from earlier statement: I learned how much unexpected courage it takes for a rape victim to testify against their assailant.
Blumenthal: If we agree on nothing else today, I hope on a bipartisan basis we agree on how much courage it has taken for you to come forward, and I think you have earned American's gratitude.
Blumenthal: Would you like Mark Judge to be interviewed? [That would be my preference. I'm not sure it's really up to me.]
Blumenthal: It's up to the president of the U.S., and his failure to ask for an FBI investigation in my view amounts to a cover up.
Mitchell for Flake, R-Ariz.
Mitchell: Why did you decide to take a polygraph? [I didn't see any reason not to do that?] Were you advised? [Counsel: I believe you're asking for privileged information.]
Counsel whispers something to Ford.
Mitchell: Have you taken any other polygraphs in your life? [Never]
Mitchell: Did anyone advise you on choice of person who gave test? [Yes]
Mitchell: Why test in hotel near BWI?
Mitchell: He did polygraph on day you attended grandmother's funeral? [Correct]
Mitchell: Did you get instructions on how to take a polygraph? [Never. I was scared of the test itself.]
Mitchell: Did you pay for the polygraph? [I don't think so.] Do you know who paid? [Not yet, no]
Mitchell: Did anyone assist you in writing out statement? [No but you can see how anxious I was from the terrible handwriting.]
Mitchell: Were you audio- and video-recorded?
Ford: I remember being hooked up to a machine and crying a lot.
Mitchell: Did you note any cameras in the room? [He had a computer set up so I assume he was somehow recording me.]
Grassley calls for a break.
Break will be for 30 minutes.
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