Brett Kavanaugh’s performance yesterday was outrageous. He was in turns aggressive, maudlin, self-pitying, angry, bitter, and shockingly rude to Democratic senators, especially the women. He bitter attack on Senator Amy Klobuchar (for which he later apologized) showed a lack of self-control, a depth of hatred that should have disqualified him on the spot. I do not believe that he will give a fair hearing to plaintiffs whose politics he does not share. He will cast his vote to roll back women’s rights, abortion rights, civil rights, voting rights, gay marriage, and any other causes he associates with liberalism, which he despises. He made clear that he is a deeply partisan Republican and cannot tolerate dissent from his views. No wonder the White House has refused to released thousands of documents that he authored and/or signed. One can imagine him as an advocate for torture and every reprehensible action that occurred during his time in the second Bush administration. He is an angry man.

Educator and author Steve Nelson writes:

What America saw on display yesterday was the barely contained rage of a functioning alcoholic.

Brett Kavanaugh’s adolescent response to every question about drinking was characteristic of a serous alcohol problem. To one Senator, “What do you like to drink?” he asked. To Amy Klobuchar , “Have you blacked out?” He proudly said, several times, “I liked beer! I like beer now!” As with many alcoholics, the defiant emphasis on “beer” was supposed to make it “fun” not serious. Boys and their brewskis. I very much doubt that Kavanaugh limits his alcohol to beer, but that is a very common technique to minimize the idea of heavy drinking. It just a few pops, folks, nothing to look at here.

This is relevant because his entire affect was typical of the stunted emotional growth of a lifelong heavy drinker. His temperament throughout the hearing was combative and occasionally sarcastic. He reminded me of an aging rugby teammate, not a thoughtful federal judge.

I am among those who find Christine Blasey Ford (and the other accusers) credible. For that reason he should be rejected. But he also lacks the temperament and wisdom to serve on the nation’s highest court.