Kavanaugh Cleared
Saturday night, the Senate Judiciary Committee released a 400-plus page report on the various investigations involving claims of sexual misconduct against then-Judge Brett Kavanaugh. Those investigations produced no evidence to back up the charges against him.
Senator Charles Grassley, chairman of the Judiciary Committee, said:
"This was a serious and thorough investigation that left no stone unturned in our pursuit of the facts. In the end, there was no credible evidence to support the allegations against the nominee."
The release of this report came on the heels of news Friday night that Chairman Grassley had referred another accuser, Judy Munro-Leighton, to the Justice Department for a criminal investigation after she admitted to fabricating claims against Kavanaugh.
Munro-Leighton admitted that her charge was just a "ploy" designed "to grab attention" and derail Kavanaugh's confirmation. Grassley has also referred Julie Swetnick and Michael Avenatti for a criminal investigation.
I am pleased that Chairman Grassley is serious about holding people responsible for lying to Congress and smearing a good man and his family.
It is telling that whenever one of these women came forward, reporters rushed to be the first one to break the news of the latest charge. They attempted to use the cumulative weight of all the charges to cover up the weaknesses in Christine Blasey Ford's allegations.
It also shows why Kavanaugh was correct to forcefully deny the charges, and point out the absurdity of the accusations coming from seemingly everywhere -- from Maryland to Rhode Island to Colorado.
I have been watching the news closely over the weekend. I have yet to see one left-wing senator apologize to Justice Kavanaugh, his wife and his young daughters. Not one progressive politician has had the character and courage to admit that they were wrong about these smears against an innocent man.
Poll Position
Three polls released today regarding the battle for control of Congress show just how greatly they can diverge. For example:
- CNN finds the Democrats up 13 points.
- Politico has the Democrats up 3 points.
- Rasmussen has the GOP up one point.
Obviously they all cannot be right.
Famed political analyst Nate Silver said that his modeling shows "a really wide" range of possible outcomes. Silver added that "no one should be surprised" if Democrats fall short of winning the House. On the other hand, he suggested a Blue Wave could wipe out as many as 51 GOP incumbents.
Here's the bottom line: The only poll that matters is the one taken tomorrow when YOU cast your ballot in the voting booth.
Will Trump and the GOP defy the polls again as they did in 2016? As a general rule, a president's party tends to lose seats during midterm elections.
But if there's one thing we've learned in recent years, it's that the old political rules don't always apply to President Trump. Read more in my latest opinion piece at The Washington Examiner.
Dirty Tricks
Sadly, this election has seen its share of dirty tricks. There are illegal mailings going out attempting to confuse voters into backing third party candidates. Just a percentage point or two can make all the difference in a close race.
The FBI is launching an investigation after someone tried to hack Georgia's database of registered voters.
Meanwhile, on Saturday Night Live this weekend comedian Pete Davidson mocked a former Navy SEAL and congressional candidate who lost an eye while serving in Afghanistan. Davidson said:
"You may be surprised to hear he's a congressional candidate in Texas and not a hitman in a porno movie. I'm sorry, I know he lost his eye in war, or whatever."
It is shocking where the cultural and political left has gone. I can't imagine how the family members of wounded soldiers must have felt listening to Davidson's rant.
Sanctions Kick In
Earlier this year, President Trump withdrew from Barack Obama's nuclear deal with Iran and began re-imposing sanctions against that radical regime. Today, some of the toughest sanctions against Iran's energy and financial sectors were reinstated.
As many of you know, I also serve as Washington Director of CUFI Action Fund, the legislative arm of Christians United for Israel. Reversing the disastrous Iranian nuclear deal has been a key priority for Christians United for Israel and CUFI Action Fund.
Responding to today's news, Pastor John Hagee, founder and chairman of Christians United for Israel, issued the following statement:
"The Iran deal was so deeply flawed that it would've enabled the very thing it was intended to prevent. We applauded President Trump's decision to exit the agreement and we now welcome the latest re-imposition of sanctions against Tehran.
"Until Iran abandons its illicit activities, they will not have a seat at the international table. The Mullahs of Tehran are the enemies of all freedom loving people in the world, including the people of Iran. They must be stopped."