Sen. Lindsey Graham, South Carolina Republican, warned Republicans Friday that a vote against the Supreme Court confirmation of Judge Brett Kavanaugh would be a vote for the “politics of destruction.”
Asked what he would tell Republican senators on the fence, Mr. Graham said, “If you legitimize this by voting no, then you’re setting up the destruction of all future nominees.”
“You’re denying a good man highly qualified who’s led an incredible life the chance to serve the country in a position he’s eminently qualified for,” he said on “Fox & Friends.” “You’re legitimizing the politics of destruction.”
Mr. Graham, whose impassioned speech during Thursday’s hearing Senate Judiciary Committee rallied Republicans, said the five allegations of physical or sexual misconduct “have all fallen apart.”
He said what happened to Mr. Kavanaugh was “planned, orchestrated, politics at its worst.”
“The accusations offend my sensibilities,” Mr. Graham said. “I want women to be heard, but I will not be played and I will not have my intelligence insulted.”
Mr. Graham, who noted that he voted in favor of Obama-nominated Justices Elena Kagan and Sonia Sotomayor, pointed to Mr. Kavanaugh’s two young daughters. The judge said Thursday that they prayed for his accuser, Christine Blasey Ford.
“If you legitimize this, I don’t know, what what you say to his two daughters?” Mr. Graham asked. “I could not do that.”
• Valerie Richardson can be reached at vrichardson@washingtontimes.com.
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