Political analyst Bill Schneider said in an interview that aired Thursday on “What America’s Thinking” that the sexual misconduct allegations against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh have led to the politicization of the “Me Too” movement.
“This Kavanaugh hearing has meant that the ‘Me Too’ movement, which didn’t start out as political or partisan, has become extremely partisan,” Schneider, a professor at George Mason University, told Hill.TV’s Joe Concha.
“The differences over ‘Me Too,’ favorability to ‘Me Too,’ there are differences between men and women, but they don’t compare to the huge differences between Democrats and Republicans,” he continued.
“Democrats support the ‘Me Too’ movement, Republicans oppose it. There’s a bigger difference between men and women,” he continued.
Cato Institute polling director Emily Ekins said that Democrats had politicized the process.
“I think Sen. [Dianne] Feinstein decided to cash in the Me Too movement. Only one time you get to do that, and weaponize it for political purposes,” Ekins said.
“I’m talking about Sen. Feinstein choosing to wait to bring forth these allegations at the eleventh hour. Dr. Ford did not want her identity shared with the public, yet that still got out,” she continued.
“A lot of Republican women will now see that this isn’t a movement that’s for all women, but it’s only for certain women, at certain times, in certain places,” she added.
The ‘Me Too’ movement gained national attention last year after movie mogul Harvey Weinstein, who was a Democratic megadonor, was accused by multiple women of sexual misconduct including assault.
Many accusations soon came against prominent men in business, media and politics.
Former Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) and former Rep. John Conyers (D-Mich.) stepped down from their congressional posts after sexual misconduct allegations were raised against them.
Allegations have also been raised against Republicans, including President Trump and former Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore.
Kavanaugh’s confirmation process was turned upside down last month after three women came forward to accuse him of sexual misconduct.
His first accuser, Christine Blasey Ford, delivered gripping testimony on her allegations before the Senate Judiciary Committee last week.
Kavanaugh has fiercely denied the allegations.
— Julia Manchester
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