Senator Orrin Hatch drew criticism for calling Christine Blasey Ford, who accused Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh of sexual assault “attractive” and “pleasing.” The senator made this comment when Ford testified in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday.
When asked if he found Ford credible, the Republican senator from Utah said, according to ABC News, “Well, it’s too early to say. I don’t think she’s un-credible. I think she’s an attractive, good witness, but it’s way early.”
A reporter asked, “What do you mean by attractive, sir?”
Hatch replied, “Oh. In other words, she’s pleasing.”
Ford, a research psychologist and professor at Palo Alto University, claims that Kavanaugh, 53, sexually assaulted her at a high school party in the 1980s, where he allegedly pinned her down to a bed, groped her and tried to remove her clothes. Kavanaugh has denied the allegations.
Asked if he believes Dr. Ford, Sen. Orrin Hatch says, “I don’t find her un-credible. I think she’s an attractive, good witness.”
Asked if he believes Dr. Ford, Sen. Orrin Hatch says, "I don’t find her un-credible. I think she’s an attractive, good witness.”
Sen. Hatch's spokesman clarified saying he uses "attractive" to "describe personalities, not appearances." https://t.co/zACQjdfQRd pic.twitter.com/x1XObzt0FO
— ABC News (@ABC) September 27, 2018
Matt Whitlock, Hatch’s deputy chief of staff and communications director, tweeted, “Hatch uses ‘attractive’ to describe personalities, not appearances. If you search his past quotes you’ll see he’s used it consistently for years for men and women he believed has compelling personalities.”
Hatch uses “attractive” to describe personalities, not appearances. If you search his past quotes you’ll see he’s used it consistently for years for men and women he believed has compelling personalities.
— Matt Whitlock 🇺🇸 (@mattdizwhitlock) September 27, 2018
Twitter users were quick to react to Hatch’s choice of words.
Because that is what men think of women…are they attractive or not. Period. @OrrinHatch is an idiot. https://t.co/5R6OmAoPjD
— Carole Radziwill (@CaroleRadziwill) September 27, 2018
SHE’S RELIVING HER SEXUAL ASSAULT ON NATIONAL TELEVISION AND ORRIN HATCH CALLED HER ATTRACTIVE https://t.co/VbQAqLzTJc
— The Volatile Mermaid (@OhNoSheTwitnt) September 27, 2018
BREAKING: @OrrinHatch just left the hearing room and called Christine Blasey Ford “attractive.” I’m speechless.
— Scott Dworkin (@funder) September 27, 2018
Sen. Orrin Hatch said today, “I don’t think she‘s uncredible. I think she’s an attractive, good witness…In other words, she’s pleasing.” Disgusting. Slimy words. #IBelieveHer.
— revemblue (@revemblue1) September 27, 2018
Hatch said it’s too early gauge Ford’s credibility but told me she is “a good witness. She’s articulate. She’s an attractive person.”
(Attractive, in context, did not sound like a reference to looks.)
But don’t forget, Hatch is among Kavanaugh’s biggest backers.
— Elana Schor (@eschor) September 27, 2018
Here's one reason the Republican Senators needed a woman prosecutor to ask questions. During the break Sen Orrin Hatch was quoted as saying "I haven't decided yet on her credibility but she's an attractive person."
— Lauren C Anderson (@LCAndersonIntl) September 27, 2018
Orrin Hatch on Dr. Ford: “She’s an attractive, good witness. In other words, she’s pleasing.”
OUT OF ALL OF THE WORDS HE COULD USE, he uses “attractive” & “pleasing” to describe a woman who’s talking about the most traumatic experience of her life.#KavanaughHearings
— Shauna (@shaunarrichards) September 27, 2018
So @OrrinHatch says Dr. Blasey Ford is "attractive" & "pleasing." It's a hearing sir, not a speed dating event. She's compelling, brave, & authentic. #KavanaughHearings
— Patti Vasquez (@PattiVasquezCHI) September 27, 2018
Via @MSNBC: REPORTER to Orrin Hatch: Is Dr. Ford credible?
HATCH: "It’s too early to make those kinds of determinations, but she’s a good witness. Articulate. She’s an attractive person. But I think it’s a little early to make those kinds of determinations."
Attractive? pic.twitter.com/YD99kECPZy
— Holly Figueroa O'Reilly 📢 (@AynRandPaulRyan) September 27, 2018
