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But as Judge Kavanaugh's confirmation hearings continued and speculation about the letter began to spread on the Capitol, the calculation changed. Under the pressure of other Democratic Senators on the committee, many of them felt that serious allegations needed to be released. Ms. Feinstein called a meeting on September 12 to inform them of her content for the first time.
After correcting Dr. Blasey's name, she sent it to F.B.I. that night, and issued her release the next day, publicly acknowledging for the first time that she had received "information regarding an individual regarding the appointment of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court". A few hours later, outline of its contents. On Sunday, Dr. Blasey identified with the Washington Post.
Some Democrats on the committee have privately said that Ms. Feinstein should have found a way to move ahead with a potentially changing charge. But at the time the accusation went public, the Democrats closed their ranks.
"Senator Feinstein faced a choice that none of us would want, and I think she has managed it responsibly," said Senator Richard J. Durbin, a Democrat from Illinois who sits on the committee. "What would Senator Feinstein have to do at this point, ignore her request, make her public to the embarrassment of her and her family?"
Apart from the written statements, Feinstein has done little to defend her thinking. And the senator just scrambled her own business when she spoke with reporters this week – sometimes, despite reminders from staff members, that she did not want to do anything about it. There is no need to answer questions.
When, for example, a journalist asked Ms. Feinstein to enter the Senate on Monday night if she had had discussions with Mr. Blasey after receiving the letter, the senator could not remember it.
"I'll have to look back," she said. "I do not know now."
Then she went out of her reach.
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