New York Democratic Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand: “Senate Republicans aren't even pretending to consider Dr. Ford's testimony. Rushing a vote sends a clear signal: They don't value survivors.”
Hawaii Democratic Sen. Mazie Hirono: “We certainly have not created an environment where their voices are going to be welcomed, definitely not by the Republicans.”
Minnesota Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar: "Even in the Anita Hill hearing, we had dozens of witnesses that came forward and were allowed to testify. This time all of that is being shut out.”
Alaska Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski, a pivotal swing vote in Kavanaugh’s confirmation, also wants her colleagues to take Ford seriously. “We are now in a place where it’s not about whether or not Judge Kavanaugh is qualified,” Murkowski told the New York Times. “It is about whether or not a woman who has been a victim at some point in her life is to be believed.”
Richard Fox, political science professor at Loyola Marymount University: "I would say that general conventional wisdom is probably still true. Women are still less likely to sort of think of running, you know, simply and easily, 'Oh that's something I might like to do someday' — have it in their consciousness."
Deborah Walsh, director of Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers University: "We don't know if this is a one-off or if this may be the beginning of a new norm. But it's fascinating to watch women who are not necessarily waiting to be asked, not waiting to be asked to the dance.”