This is a truly amazing story that has been compiled by a former law clerk of Justice Scalia. Ed Whelan, Justice Scalia’s former law clerk and president of conservative think tank the Ethics and Public Policy Center (EPPC), has done some detective work, even though the story is vague and 36 years old. He took the basic facts given by Ford and pieced together a not only plausible alternative, but one that actually fits her story. That’s something her story does not have.
Ford said that the house was very close to the Columbia Country Club. The four people she named as being at the party are Kavanaugh, Mark Judge, P.J. Smyth, and a female classmate of Ford’s. But none of the four live even close to the country club. The closest one was 3.6 miles away. But there is a house that is located just 1/2 mile from the country club. Whelan lays out his case in a series of tweets. You will be as amazed as I was.
Dr. Ford may well have been the victim of a severe sexual assault by someone 36 years ago. Her allegations are so vague as to such basic matters as when and where that it is impossible for Judge Kavanaugh to *prove* his innocence.
— Ed Whelan (@EdWhelanEPPC) September 20, 2018
But there are compelling reasons to believe his categorical denial. Let’s look at one set of reasons.
— Ed Whelan (@EdWhelanEPPC) September 20, 2018
According to Ford’s letter, the assault occurred “in a suburban Maryland area home at a gathering that included me and four others.” Her WaPo account adds that the house was “not far from” the Columbia Country Club.
— Ed Whelan (@EdWhelanEPPC) September 20, 2018
Here is a map of the homes in relation to Columbia Country Club. pic.twitter.com/0pXSbSxb49
— Ed Whelan (@EdWhelanEPPC) September 20, 2018
Here is a map of the homes in relation to Columbia Country Club. pic.twitter.com/0pXSbSxb49
— Ed Whelan (@EdWhelanEPPC) September 20, 2018
Here is a house that is barely a half-mile from the Columbia Country Club. Street address: 3714 Thornapple Street, Chevy Chase. pic.twitter.com/RgRdv0gzyQ
— Ed Whelan (@EdWhelanEPPC) September 20, 2018
The floor plan corresponds closely to Ford’s description of the house where the gathering took place. Here’s the “short stair well” (part of a U-shaped staircase with landing) running up from the foyer next to the living room. pic.twitter.com/jEceJiiHNk
— Ed Whelan (@EdWhelanEPPC) September 20, 2018
Who lived in this house? Chris Garrett, a Georgetown Prep classmate, friend, and football teammate of Brett Kavanaugh’s. pic.twitter.com/lJYf7zCLQj
— Ed Whelan (@EdWhelanEPPC) September 20, 2018
Folks who knew both Kavanaugh and Garrett in high school have commented on how much they resembled each other in appearance. Here are Kavanaugh and Garrett in their senior yearbook photos. pic.twitter.com/9VmLL3zNq9
— Ed Whelan (@EdWhelanEPPC) September 20, 2018
And here are Kavanaugh and Garrett now. pic.twitter.com/Yi9iI1yRHH
— Ed Whelan (@EdWhelanEPPC) September 20, 2018
So, what do you think? Are you as amazed as I am?