Statement of Committee for Justice president Curt Levey on the New York Times's allegation against Justice Brett Kavanaugh:
Washington, D.C. -- The New York Times had egg on its face Sunday night when its sensational new sexual assault allegation against Justice Kavanaugh collapsed after the paper admitted that it forgot to mention that the victim "declined to be interviewed and friends say that she does not recall the incident." Equally covered in egg but unlikely to apologize are most of the leading Democratic contenders for president—Warren, Sanders, Harris, Castro, O'Rourke and Booker—who, based on the flimsy Times story, declared it clear that Kavanaugh lied to the Senate and called for his impeachment.
Their embarrassing overreach could have been avoided had they bothered to read the Times piece, which openly relied on hearsay provided by anonymous sources concerning a supposed witness who just happened to be an adversary of Kavanaugh during the Ken Starr investigation. Likewise if the would-be presidents had, like others, requested an advance copy of the book on which the story is based. The book reveals that the alleged victim has no memory of the incident.
However, in a primary race already notable for seemingly unbounded pandering to the base—think free health care for illegal immigrants—it should surprise no one that the Democratic contenders reflexively jumped at an opportunity to bash President Trump's Supreme Court appointee, rather than demonstrating the thoughtful reflection and analysis one would want in a president.
While quick to attack Justice Kavanaugh, the Democratic contenders were silent regarding a related verbal attack on women that actually occurred. In a tweet about its Kavanaugh allegation, the Times said the alleged assault “may seem like harmless fun.” After getting an understandably negative reaction, the Times admitted its tweet was "offensive" and finally apologized after first trying to get away with "poorly phrased." But there was nary a comment from the impeachment-happy contenders, all of whom claim to be champions of the #MeToo movement.
###