Dan Rather September 26, 2018

Dan Rather: Kavanaugh Nomination Has Been Bungled

WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 09: U.S. President Donald Trump introduces U.S. Circuit Judge Brett M. Kavanaugh as his nominee to the United States Supreme Court during an event in the East Room of the White House July 9, 2018 in Washington, DC. Pending confirmation by the U.S. Senate, Judge Kavanaugh would succeed Associate Justice Anthony Kennedy, 81, who is retiring after 30 years of service on the high court. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

There is so much to see and hear in this crazy news environment, but as I take in yet one more women coming forth with a story of sexual harassment and assault against Brett Kavanaugh, another one of the senses overtakes me. This whole situation has a stench that smells to high heaven. It is downright rancid.

The headlines are of the specifics of these serious allegations, but coursing beneath is what’s really on the balance of justice. This is about money, privilege and power. All of these naked forces have backed Judge Kavanaugh and are loathe to be defeated. They are personified by the old Republican bulls of the Senate (Grassley, Hatch, Graham, and others) who I believe have greatly misjudged the national mood. They are playing by rules that have long since exceeded their expiration date. Again, this rancid stench.

And what makes this all so easy for the American public to understand is that a picture is emerging of Judge Kavanaugh which suggests that he may that he may be “That Guy,” who many have seen before – the dangerous drunk (strong language I grant you but we have to consider the evidence before us). He may present as a man in control. People who know him in his work environment can attest to his character, but it may turn out to be that famous Jekyll and Hyde. Although he portrayed himself as a choir boy on Fox News, evidence accumulates that he has a record as someone who drinks a lot. And from the similarities of the accusations, we also see a man who may have been steeped in a form of toxic masculinity. A thorough and complete investigation might prove otherwise, but it seems that Judge Kavanaugh and the White House do not want that to happen.

I don’t know where this ends up. But I have never seen a nomination process so bereft of sanity. It has been bungled. It is Inept. Bizarre, and plainly weird. In short it is in keeping with the Era of Trump. But there will be a judgement coming and it will say a lot about the courage and decency of our political leaders and the determination of the public to say that this is all completely anathema to the American character.