Inside the Campaign Against Brett Kavanaugh: A Chronicle of Political Polarization and Personal Attacks

The confirmation hearings of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court were one of the most contentious in recent history. The hearings were marked by political polarization and personal attacks, and ultimately led to Kavanaugh's confirmation by a narrow margin.

Search and Destroy: Inside the Campaign against Brett Kavanaugh

by Ryan Lovelace

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	14321 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Print length	:	234 pages
Hardcover	:	118 pages
Item Weight	:	10.2 ounces
Dimensions	:	7 x 0.46 x 10 inches

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Political Polarization

The confirmation hearings of Brett Kavanaugh were held in September 2018, in the midst of a highly polarized political climate. The Republican Party controlled both the presidency and the Senate, while the Democratic Party controlled the House of Representatives. The hearings were seen as a key test of strength for both parties, and the outcome was widely expected to have a significant impact on the balance of power in Washington.

The hearings were also seen as a referendum on the #MeToo movement, which had gained momentum in the wake of the Harvey Weinstein scandal. Kavanaugh was accused of sexual assault by three women, and his confirmation was seen by many as a test of whether the country was willing to hold powerful men accountable for sexual misconduct.

The political polarization surrounding the hearings was evident from the start. Republicans and Democrats lined up behind Kavanaugh and his accusers, respectively, and the hearings were often more like a political battle than a search for the truth.

Personal Attacks

In addition to the political polarization, the confirmation hearings were also marked by personal attacks against Kavanaugh. His accusers were often subjected to online harassment and intimidation, and Kavanaugh himself was accused of perjury and other crimes.

The most serious allegations against Kavanaugh came from Christine Blasey Ford, who accused him of sexually assaulting her at a party in the early 1980s. Ford's testimony was met with skepticism by some Republicans, who questioned her credibility and motives.

Other women also came forward with allegations of sexual misconduct against Kavanaugh, but these allegations were not as well-substantiated as Ford's. Nevertheless, they helped to create a cloud of suspicion around Kavanaugh and further polarized the hearings.

The Outcome

Despite the allegations against him, Kavanaugh was ultimately confirmed to the Supreme Court by a vote of 50-48. The vote was largely along party lines, with all but one Republican voting in favor of confirmation and all but one Democrat voting against.

The confirmation of Kavanaugh was a major victory for President Donald Trump and the Republican Party. It also marked a significant setback for the #MeToo movement and for those who believe that women should be believed when they come forward with allegations of sexual misconduct.

The confirmation hearings of Brett Kavanaugh were a watershed moment in American politics. They laid bare the deep political polarization that exists in the country and the willingness of both parties to use personal attacks to achieve their goals. The hearings also raised important questions about the role of sexual misconduct allegations in the public sphere and the challenges that women face when they come forward with such allegations.

The legacy of the Kavanaugh hearings will likely be debated for years to come. However, one thing is clear: they were a defining moment in American politics and a reflection of the deep divisions that exist in the country.

Image Attributions

• Photo of Brett Kavanaugh by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
• Photo of Christine Blasey Ford by Mark Wilson/Pool via Reuters

Search and Destroy: Inside the Campaign against Brett Kavanaugh

by Ryan Lovelace

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	14321 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Print length	:	234 pages
Hardcover	:	118 pages
Item Weight	:	10.2 ounces
Dimensions	:	7 x 0.46 x 10 inches

FREE