Phil Bredesen statement on Kavanaugh nomination

NASHVILLE, Tennessee (WDEF) – Senate candidate Phil Bredesen has waded into the debate over the Judge Kavanaugh nomination.

He supports allowing an FBI investigation into the sexual abuse allegations by Dr. Hunt.

Here is the Bredesen statement:

“This confirmation process has been abused by both parties, but some voices of sanity have finally appeared and this FBI investigation is an opportunity for the Senate to regain some of its self-respect.

I cannot understand why any Senator, or Judge Kavanaugh himself, would not want the FBI to research these allegations. If they are unfounded, as the Judge claims, the FBI can erase a permanent stain on his appointment and on him personally. If the allegations have substance, any Senator of either party should want to take them into consideration before deciding on a lifetime appointment to the Supreme Court. I would feel exactly the same if it were a Democratic appointment under consideration.”

His opponent, Marsha Blackburn has been pressuring Bredesen to commit on the Kavanaugh nomination.

She issued this statement last night.

“Dr. Christine Blasey Ford and Judge Brett Kavanaugh testified extensively before the Senate Judiciary Committee and the American people on Thursday.  I appreciate their willingness to share their stories. Each of us saw more of what we have seen throughout this process: Senate Democrats behaving despicably and putting personal political ambitions above their constitutional duty to advise and consent. Phil Bredesen, under Chuck Schumer’s direction, has stayed neutral as long as he can, but now,  the hearing is over and he has no other reason to stall. I have been clear from the start: I will always vote to confirm judges who uphold the Constitution. Obviously, Phil Bredesen will not make that commitment to Tennesseans because he’ll only vote when and how Chuck Schumer tells him. That’s not what Tennesseans deserve from their next Senator.”