Many on Capitol Hill believe Brett Kavanaugh’s confirmation to the Supreme Court is imminent, as three key Republican senators seem to be tilting his way.
While trying to find a way to justify to constituents their approval of Kavanaugh, the three Republican centrists, Susan Collins (R-ME), Jeff Flake (R-AZ) and Susan Murkowski (R-AK), all said today they were unsettled by President Trump’s mockery of Christine Blasey Ford at a rally in Mississippi last night.
The senate is expected to vote on his nomination this week following an FBI investigation stemming from Ford’s accusation that he sexually assaulted her at a party in the early 1980s when they were both in high school.
Asked if Trump’s comments would impact her vote, Murkowski told reporters today: “I am taking everything into account. I think the president’s comments yesterday mocking Dr. Ford were wholly inappropriate and in my view unacceptable.”
Collins denounced Trump’s remarks but ignored questions from reporters who swarmed around her, asking if the president’s comments would affect her vote.
“I thought those comments were wrong,” she said. “I think the president shouldn’t have made those comments, and that is all I have to say.”
Flake sharply criticized Trump’s comments, calling them “appalling.”
“There’s no time and no place for remarks like that,” Flake said. “To discuss something this sensitive at a political rally is just not right, it’s just not right,” Flake said. “I wish he hadn’t done it. It’s kind of appalling.”
Still, Flake said last week he wants to vote for Kavanaugh.
Two of the three moderates would give Republicans 50 votes, with Vice President Mike Pence breaking a tie in Kavanaugh’s favor.
A report from the FBI to the White House is expected shortly.