Chuck Todd: Kavanaugh accusations feel like ‘four sticks of dynamite wrapped in radioactive material’

NBC’s Chuck Todd on Tuesday said that Christine Blasey Ford’s claims of sexual misconduct against President Trump’s Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh are like “four sticks of dynamite wrapped in radioactive material” because of the looming midterm elections and because it is in “the Donald Trump era.”

Kavanaugh and Ford are scheduled to testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday.

{mosads}When asked to compare what the atmosphere will be like on Monday to the 1991 confirmation hearing of Justice Clarence Thomas that included testimony from his accuser, Anita Hill, Todd said that the timing of this hearing makes it feel like a “tinderbox.”

“This one, because we’re so close to an election, because of the Donald Trump era, this one feels like like a tinderbox, it feels like four sticks of dynamite wrapped in radioactive material,” Todd said while making an appearance on the “Today” show.

“Because of the Donald Trump era … this one feels like … four sticks of dynamite wrapped in radioactive material.”-@ChuckTodd on the Kavanaugh accusation pic.twitter.com/GvFwRaOZAh

— TODAY (@TODAYshow) September 18, 2018

“It just seems that either side could see an eruption of a culture war that defines the rest of the midterm election in six weeks that could totally scramble what the outcomes could be,” the “Meet the Press” host added.

Ford has accused Kavanaugh of pinning her to a bed, groping her and attempting to remove her clothes at a high school party 35 years ago. Kavanaugh says he wasn’t at the party in question and has staunchly denied the claim. 

Todd added later in the interview that he wouldn’t be surprised if Kavanaugh withdrew his nomination. 

“Nothing would surprise me. … It wouldn’t surprise me if he chose to withdraw and chose to back down,” Todd said.

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) on Monday announced a hearing for next week where the public will get to hear testimony from Kavanaugh and Ford. 

In 1991 for the Thomas-Hill testimony, more than 22 million people tuned in. With more broadcast news outlets and streaming options now available, that number may well be significantly higher for Kavanaugh and Ford. 

Thomas was narrowly confirmed by a 52-48 Senate vote on Oct. 16, 1991, and still sits on the court today.