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Supreme torment
"It's a smear, simple and simple," says Brett Kavanaugh.
That's his response to the new allegation of sexual misconduct against him – published by The New Yorker on Sunday night – in an article co-authored by Ronan Farrow and Jane Mayer.
"I am looking forward to testifying on Thursday about the truth and upholding my reputation – and the character and integrity reputation I have spent all my life – against these last-minute allegations," Kavanaugh said.
The White House has responded to the story by reiterating its support for Kavanaugh. But the title that everyone heard Sunday evening / will hear Monday morning is: "A second woman". "New allegations."
The accuser, Deborah Ramirez, says she knows Kavanaugh at Yale. She alleges that he's exposed to a party. If you have not read it yet, here is the story …
>> Reminder: a hearing is scheduled for Thursday at 10 am Eastern Time …
Farrow + Mayer
This time, the rumors were right. Throughout the afternoon, gossip classes in DC and New York indicated that Farrow was about to break a big story about Kavanaugh. The White House apparently knew several hours in advance. The word of the story was aired via The Drudge Report at 6pm. hour. The current story came out an hour later. But it's not just the story of Farrow: Mayer was the second signature. It was the third coproduction of the couple: they also collaborated on the investigation that stormed Eric A. Schneiderman of New York.
>> FLASHBACK: Mayer and Jill Abramson co-authored "Strange Justice: The Selling of Clarence Thomas …"
>> COMPETITION: Other news agencies also continued the story of Ramirez … For example, NBC News said that a reporter had contacted Ramirez on Saturday …
Key of the New Yorker:
"The New Yorker contacted Ramirez after learning that she may be involved in an incident involving Kavanaugh." The civil rights lawyer also conveyed this allegation to the Democratic senators, and Ramirez noted that the sudden attention was poorly chosen. At first, she was reluctant to speak in public, partly because her memories contained shortcomings because she had been drinking at the time of the alleged incident.In her first conversations with the New Yorker, she was reluctant to characterize The role of Kavanaugh The magazine tells that "after six days of careful assessment of her memories and consultation with her lawyer", she felt confident enough to tell all that …
Here is the thing …
As I said on "CNN Newsroom" Sunday night, there is still a lot to learn. But the existence of this new allegation will lead to a much more thorough examination of Kavanaugh's high school and college years. There have already been cases of excessive consumption of alcohol and consequent behaviors. One of CNN.com's titles on Sunday night, before the release of this new claim, said "100 drums, a stripper, Kavanaugh's classmate reveals wild parties …"
"Boys will be boys?"
During the aforementioned CNN segment, I found myself saying this about Kavanaugh: "He was allowed to be a frat boy, I am sure other judges were fraternal.
Subsequently, I wanted to decompress these words. Yes, a member of the fraternity is allowed to become a Supreme Court Judge – many have it. Long nights of celebration should not be counted against anyone. But acts of sexual assault should be. Boys will only be "boys" if society allows and excuses certain behaviors …
The sight of Gergen
On CNN, David Gergen insisted on caution and patience: lawmakers and the public need time to "absorb that and start making judgments". He said, "I can not tell you how much I think it's important for the future of the press in this country, it's going to be" shot down "- we do not do not know, but it must be "shot down" – that the press is not considered complicit in this effort ".
Increased calls to the hotline of sexual assault
President Trump's tweets questioning Christine Blasey Ford's account helped the #WhyIDidntReport hashtag become viral. The conversations may have prompted some people to ask for help.
A spokesman for RAINN told me Sunday that "calls to the national line of assistance against sexual assault were up 42% Friday and Saturday compared to Friday and Saturday". The number is 800-656-4673 …
Flashbacks to 1991
It's a "he said, she said" case with the facts "still in dispute". Male lawmakers are criticized for mishandling the allegations. "Why rush that?" And the situation sends "an electric current of anger through women". All these quotes could apply to the news today … but they come from a NYT story by Maureen Dowd in 1991. Here is her story of the time … More his chronicle of the newspaper of this Sunday …
Abramson's view
As mentioned above, Jane Mayer and Jill Abramson co-wrote the definitive book on Hill and Thomas. Regarding that moment, Abramson told me about "Reliable," "What struck me was the anger of the women I've heard of. do not feel heard at the end of these hearings, I think that there is going to be great political consequences … "
>> Another key point: think about the "courage it takes" she says, "In this media environment, for Dr. Ford to enter this audience room, sit down and tell his story …"
>> Listen to more of Abramson, Rachel Sklar and Charles Blow in this segment …
Just try …
Try to put on Christine Blasey Ford's shoes for a minute. You live in a suitcase. You look at the death threats. You plan to testify. Everyone on TV talks about you. And many sites are dirty to help Kavanaugh. Here is my essay of the Sunday show …
FOR THE RECORD
– The new CEO of WPP "is preparing to consolidate some of the main properties of the advertising giant, while traditional agencies are struggling to keep pace with the digital change of the industry …" (WSJ)
– "With a $ 20 million donation from Craigslist founder Craig Newmark," Julia Angwin and Jeff Larson launch The Markup, "an information site dedicated to technologies and their effects on society." Sue Gardner will be Executive Director … (NYT)
– Rethinking #Resist: "Seen from the big line of history, Donald Trump is the resistance.We are not," writes Michelle Alexander in his first NYT column … (NYT)
Calendar of the week
– Monday: The United Nations General Assembly begins in New York …
– Monday evening: Beginning of the AT & T conference on relevance in Santa Barbara …
– Thursday: The Texas Tribune Festival launches in Austin …
– Friday, via Brian Lowry: Three new releases: "Smallfoot", Kevin Hart's comedy-Tiffany Haddish "Night School" and "The Old Man and the Gun", according to what he says this week –Robert The latest film from Redford .. .
Television week
Email Brian Lowry: The main networks begin the season with a series of new series starting Monday, in a period of disproportionate tumult. If only shows, in general – including 10 premieres this week, among which "Murphy Brown" from CBS and "Magnum P.I." reboot – were as interesting as all the behind-the-scenes dramas. NBC, meanwhile, has probably received Sunday a promotional promotion in preview, while Tiger Woods has won a victory on the PGA Tour, his first victory in five years and almost surely a pole of attraction.
About all this drama behind the scenes …
Consider the state of the television business. CBS chief executive Les Moonves resigned under pressure two weeks ago. NBC Entertainment President Bob Greenblatt is ready to step down. Fox is a big question mark, considering the Disney-Fox deal. At Disney, TV chief Ben Sherwood is "getting ready to go," said Cynthia Littleton of Variety on Saturday night.
Sherwood "was considering options for a new role in the last two months after it became clear that Fox's Peter Rice is about to assume his role as Disney's TV operations leader, with the exception of ESPN ", according to Littleton. All the details here …
What's next for Sherwood?
THR notes that "he had a contract with Disney until 2021." He will stay with Disney until he reaches the agreement with Fox, then he will have a non-competition for a while … And then what?
Sherwood is eager to try entrepreneurial projects, according to a source close to his thinking. He has written several bestselling books. He is interested in taking stock of options in the media and beyond, the source said.
Fox ads to be determined
Deadline understands that "we are about a week away from Disney unveiling the names of 21st Century Fox's top executives who will join the company following the acquisition of Fox's core assets." October 1st is the potential date. Rice's deal is "anything but done" and Fox TV group chairman Dana Walden "negotiates his".
Read more of Sunday's newsletter on reliable sources … And subscribe here to receive future editions in your inbox …
"FX Networks Managing Director John Landgraf and Nat Geo CEO Courteney Monroe are also expected to visit Disney-Fox," said Deadline. "The situation is fluid with Fox TV group president Gary Newman …"
CNNMoney (New York) First published on September 24, 2018: 1h03 ET
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