Kavanaugh denies the allegations, whatever they are.
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WASHINGTON — Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh has denied an allegation of sexual misconduct from when he was in high school, seeking to defuse a potential threat to his confirmation as a handful of key senators remained silent on whether they would vote for him.
In a statement released by the White House Friday, Kavanaugh said: "I categorically and unequivocally deny this allegation. I did not do this back in high school or at any time."
Senate Republicans insist Kavanaugh's confirmation remains on track. But the allegation has inflamed an already intense political battle over President Donald Trump's nominee. It also pushes the #MeToo movement into the court fight, less than two months before congressional elections that have seen a surge of female Democratic candidates.
The New Yorker magazine reported that the alleged incident took place at a party when Kavanaugh, now 53, was attending Georgetown Preparatory School. The woman making the allegation attended a nearby school.
Rallying to Kavanaugh's defense, 65 women who knew him in high school issued a letter saying Kavanaugh has "always treated women with decency and respect." The letter was circulated by Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee.
"We are women who have known Brett Kavanaugh for more than 35 years and knew him while he attended high school between 1979 and 1983," wrote the women, who said most of them had attended all-girl high schools in the area. "For the entire time we have known Brett Kavanaugh, he has behaved honorably and treated women with respect."
The show of support for Kavanaugh was organized by his former law clerks. Three women reached by the AP said they were first asked to sign the letter on Thursday.
Sen. Orrin Hatch of Utah, a Republican member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said he won't let Kavanaugh's confirmation be stalled by the allegation, which he called "wholly unverifiable."
"Every accuser deserves to be heard. But a process of verification is also necessary," Hatch said.
Collins held an hourlong phone call with Kavanaugh on Friday, her spokeswoman confirmed. It had been a previously scheduled follow-up to an initial visit that Kavanaugh made to her office in August. It was not immediately clear if they discussed the new information.
If Collins or Murkowski should vote for Kavanaugh, he is likely to be confirmed. Every other Republican in the Senate is expected to vote yes — and some Democrats from Trump-won states may join them — though it remains to be seen if the misconduct allegation will cost him any support.
This last quote I totallly disagree with
The allegation against Kavanaugh prompted a public statement from Anita Hill, who famously accused Justice Clarence Thomas of sexual harassment during his confirmation hearings in 1991. He denied those allegations and was confirmed.
Hill, who is now a professor at Brandeis University, urged the Senate to put in place a process for people to come forward.
"Even in the #MeToo era, it remains incredibly difficult to report harassment, abuse or assault by people in power," she said.
Difficult? What's difficult about it nowadays? You even have people like Gloria Allred to help with the process.