Disqualified himself

The frenzied debate about whether Brett Kavanaugh did or did not assault Christine Blasey Ford misses a fundamental point. At last Thursday’s hearing Kavanaugh was not auditioning for a Trump Cabinet position. Had he been, perhaps his performance might be endured. But he is seeking appointment as a justice on the highest court in our country.

Although not strictly applicable to the Supreme Court, the Code of Conduct for United States Judges includes the ethical canons that apply to other federal judges and provides guidance on their performance of official duties, and is instructive on what we should expect of all judges. Two of the code’s canons provide that “A judge should avoid impropriety and the appearance of impropriety in all activities” and “… should perform the duties of the office fairly, impartially and diligently.”

Under any reasonable application of those standards, Kavanaugh fails. I believe his demeanor and attack-dog language demonstrate that he could not be fair and impartial in future cases involving Democrats, the “outside left-wing opposition groups,” or others he might see as among those who were “lying in wait” for him.

Kavanaugh could have defended the allegations against him without descending to the language and conduct he chose to employ. He may have pleased his sponsor and crew, but he disqualified himself as having the temperament of a decent judge worthy of a Supreme Court seat. DAVID POWELL

Little Rock