Does Sen. Orrin Hatch think this is a compliment?
Republican Sen. Orrin Hatch's treatment of Dr. Christine Blasey Ford has been a disgrace.
Since she came forward with her story that Brett Kavanaugh tried to rape her in high school, Hatch has accused her of being "mistaken" and "mixed up," while also saying that even if her allegations are true, he still thinks Kavanaugh is a "good man" anyway.
Even listening to Ford's heartbreaking testimony on Thursday isn't enough to convince Hatch that she is telling the truth.
"It's too early to say," Hatch answered when a reporter asked whether he found her convincing. But it's not too early for Hatch to comment on her looks.
"I think she's attractive, a good witness."
Asked what he means by attractive, he responded, "In other words, she's pleasing."
Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee have been very worried that they would look like a bunch of misogynists ganging up on a victim of sexual assault. They even hired a woman to come in and do their questioning for them.
But the truth of this group of old white men is inescapable. They have treated Ford with disrespect and disdain, continuing to defend Kavanaugh even as more women came forward with serious allegations about his behavior. Letting a woman ask their questions for them has done nothing to make them look better.
Now, in a brief but telling moment with reporters, Hatch has demonstrated just how deep the ugly sexism goes. Hatch thinks it's too early to have an opinion about Ford's story or her credibility. And he will, in all likelihood, still vote to put Kavanaugh on the Supreme Court, as he has repeatedly said he wants to do, no matter what happens in the hearing.
But at least Ford is "pleasing" to Hatch's eye. It's the only nice thing he has to say about her.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.
