Blackburn Says Kavanaugh Confirmation Vote Should Go Forward; Bredesen Calls For Delay

U.S. Sen. Bob Corker has joined the group of lawmakers who are calling to put off the vote on Brett Kavanaugh’s nomination to the Supreme Court,  but the two candidates running to succeed him disagreed Monday on the need for a delay

The Senate is scheduled to vote on Thursday, and in an interview with Politico, Corker said he thinks delaying the vote would be “best for all involved.” But, he added, Kavanaugh’s accuser, Christine Blasey Ford, should speak “promptly.”

Ford’s story appeared Sunday in an article in The Washington Post, where she explained how Kavanaugh allegedly sexually assaulted her at a party in Maryland over 30 years ago. 

The story emerged after the Republican running to replace Corker, Rep. Marsha Blackburn had already voiced her support for Kavanaugh, calling him “eminently qualified.” She told The Tennessean editorial board Monday that Ford should be heard, but that the vote should take place on schedule.

On the other hand, former Gov. Phil Bredesen, the Democratic nominee, has held out on whether he would support Kavanaugh. He tweeted that it’s the senators’ job to “give a careful and thorough consideration of Supreme Court nominees.”

Dr. Christine Blasey Ford should be heard. If U.S senators are not going to give a careful and thorough consideration of Supreme Court nominees, then I don’t know what they think their job is.— Phil Bredesen (@PhilBredesen) September 17, 2018

Tennessee’s other sitting senator, Lamar Alexander, was less commital. 

“The Senate Judiciary Committee should carefully consider Dr. Ford’s allegation and Judge Kavanaugh’s response,” Alexander said in an email. “It is troubling that Senate Democrats appear to have known about this allegation for weeks but waited until after the hearing to bring it up.”