Blasey Ford Emerges as 'Everywoman'

For Christine Blasey Ford, the moment in the Senate spotlight she had dreaded is over. As Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh was following her with testimony of his own before the judiciary panel, the early assessments on Ford were rolling in:

• In praise: Peter Baker at the New York Times says Ford's testimony surely "sent shudders through the White House." Ford "came across as Everywoman—an Everywoman with a Ph.D.—at once guileless about politics yet schooled in the science of memory and psychology." She clearly didn't want to be there, which only added to her credibility.
• Yes, but... Politico reports that Trump allies were second-guessing the GOP decision to hire a female prosecutor and concerned that Rachel Mitchell didn't find any holes in Ford's story. However, two insiders in the confirmation process also point out that the testimony provided no new facts to incriminate Kavanaugh. It remains largely he-said-she-said, and that may not be enough to sway key senators such as Jeff Flake, Susan Collins, and Lisa Murkowski.

• That evidence: "It’s entirely possible that Dr. Ford’s testimony changed everything," writes David French at the National Review. "That she moved the needle decisively in her favor." But look deeper, he advises. "It's also very important" to note that Ford produced no new evidence. French had previously written that Kavanaugh should step down if Ford met the most minimal burden of truth, and he says she hasn't done so.
• The polygraph: After Ford said she didn't know who paid for a polygraph test she took, her lawyers clarified that they paid for the test and added that they're working pro bono, reports Fox News. Republicans on the committee have been trying to see if there were any political operatives behind Ford's decision to go public.
• Big moments: USA Today rounds up key moments from Ford's testimony, more than a few of which came during her emotional opening remarks. Watch the video of those remarks here. One other big takeaway from the day: Ford said she is certain that Kavanaugh attacked her.
• Lindsey Graham threat: The GOP senator angrily told reporters after Ford's testimony that he feels "ambushed" by Democrats, accusing them of sitting on the original Ford letter and releasing it at the last minute in a bid to delay the confirmation hearing until after the midterms, reports CBS News. His message to Democrats: "If this is the new norm, you better watch out for your nominees." As for Ford, he said, "I'm looking for corroboration" of her allegation and not finding any, per the Hill.
• Remarkable call: While Ford was testifying, a 76-year-old Missouri woman called C-SPAN to talk about how the testimony prompted her to phone in to discuss her own molestation in second grade, reports Time. The story then reverberated on social media. People rounds up other examples of women across the US deeply moved by Ford's testimony.

(More Christine Blasey Ford stories.)