His Own Man: Kavanaugh ‘Will Not Be Intimidated,’ and Future Nominees Owe Him a Debt of Gratitude

Brett Kavanaugh is wearing a target. And the Democrats are surrounding assassins, ready to strike with attacks of the “by any means necessary” variety.

A lot of people would cave. Surrender. Run.

Is any job worth this kind of scrutiny and slander?

To many (including Yours Truly), to be sure, that answer is a big fat No.

I have to admire the nominee for presenting a letter (covered earlier by RedState’s Jennifer Van Laar) to Judiciary Committee leaders Monday with a stiff message:

“I will not be intimidated into withdrawing from the process.”

In the lengthy statement — addressed to chair Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, and lead California Democrat Dianne Feinstein — Kavanaugh noted the Left’s absurd desperation to block his ascension to the nation’s highest court:

“There is now a frenzy to come up with something — anything — that will block this process and a vote on my confirmation from occurring.”

No sh**!

Nevertheless, he defended the process as a necessity:

“When I testified in front of the Senate three weeks ago, I explained my belief that fair process is foundational to justice and to our democracy.”

“Fair” might not apply: no one has corroborated Ford’s claims:

“All of the witnesses identified by Dr. Ford as being present at the party she describes are on the record to the Committee saying they have no recollection of any such party happening. I asked to testify before the Committee again under oath as soon as possible, so that both Dr. Ford and I could both be heard. I thank Chairman Grassley for scheduling that hearing for Thursday.”

The Democrats are trying to manipulate sexual politics for Thursday’s testimony: accuser Christine Blasey Ford has refused to be questioned by female staffers, leaving only men among Republican committee members to conduct the interview (see here).

Also, as observed in the letter, an additional allegation made by a college peer remains similarly without substantiation:

“Last night, another false and uncorroborated accusation from 35 years ago was published. Once again, those alleged to have been witnesses to the event deny it ever happened.”

Kavanaugh calls the charges “smears, pure and simple,” degrading the public discourse.

He couldn’t be more right. Watching the Left’s shameful tactics unfold — the aberrated ethics of which seem to know no bounds — what deterrent might this serve for any conservative hoping to one day sit on the elite panel of the Supreme Court?

The Left’s current attacks aren’t just against Kavanaugh, but any who come after him. They’re sending a message: “If you try to penetrate our politics, we will destroy you.”

Kavanaugh acknowledges the same:

“Such grotesque and obvious character assassination—if allowed to succeed—will dissuade competent and good people of all political persuasions from service.”

On the second day of his hearing, the former Bush White House Staff Secretary hit upon what makes a great judge; in light of all he has faced from the tyranny of the Left, it seems he is that very thing he estimated the country needs most:

“I think the first thing that makes a good judge is independence — not being swayed by political or public pressure. That takes some backbone.”

Possessing that backbone, he’s withstanding the storm he didn’t deserve:

“As I told the Committee during my hearing, a federal judge must be independent, not swayed by public or political pressure. That is the kind of judge I will always be. I will not be intimidated into withdrawing from this process. The coordinated effort to destroy my good name will not drive me out. The vile threats of violence against my family will not drive me out. The last minute character assassination will not succeed.”

Sounds good. Future nominees can look to Kavanaugh as a deterrent to left-wing assassins, because he showed Democrats he could not be beaten down by scurrilous attacks. He stood his ground.

Believers of fairness — regardless of party affiliation — should stand with him. Let these accusations come forth, and let there be staunch requirements of proof in lieu of their dismissal. If that standard cannot be met, then let the man take his place as a justice.

So that justice may be served.

For the entirety of the letter, see below.

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Dear Chairman Grassley and Ranking Member Feinstein:

When I testified in front of the Senate three weeks ago, I explained my belief that fair process is foundational to justice and to our democracy.

At that time, I sat before the Senate Judiciary Committee for more than 31 hours and answered questions under oath. I then answered more questions at a confidential session. The following week, I responded to more than 1,200 written questions, more than have been submitted to all previous Supreme Court nominees combined.

Only after that exhaustive process was complete did I learn, through the news media, about a 36- year-old allegation from high school that had been asserted months earlier and withheld from me throughout the hearing process. First it was an anonymous allegation that I categorically and unequivocally denied. Soon after the accuser was identified, I repeated my denial on the record and made clear that I wished to appear before the Committee. I then repeated my denial to Committee investigators—under criminal penalties for false statements. All of the witnesses identified by Dr. Ford as being present at the party she describes are on the record to the Committee saying they have no recollection of any such party happening. I asked to testify before the Committee again under oath as soon as possible, so that both Dr. Ford and I could both be heard. I thank Chairman Grassley for scheduling that hearing for Thursday.

Last night, another false and uncorroborated accusation from 35 years ago was published. Once again, those alleged to have been witnesses to the event deny it ever happened. There is now a frenzy to come up with something—anything—that will block this process and a vote on my confirmation from occurring.

These are smears, pure and simple. And they debase our public discourse. But they are also a threat to any man or woman who wishes to serve our country. Such grotesque and obvious character assassination—if allowed to succeed—will dissuade competent and good people of all political persuasions from service.

As I told the Committee during my hearing, a federal judge must be independent, not swayed by public or political pressure. That is the kind of judge I will always be. I will not be intimidated into withdrawing from this process. The coordinated effort to destroy my good name will not drive me out. The vile threats of violence against my family will not drive me out. The last minute character assassination will not succeed.

I have devoted my career to serving the public and the cause of justice, and particularly to promoting the equality and dignity of women. Women from every phase of my life have come forward to attest to my character. I am grateful to them. I owe it to them, and to my family, to defend my integrity and my name. I look forward to answering questions from the Senate on Thursday.

Sincerely,

Brett M. Kavanaugh

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