So, the Republicans have planned an ambush for Christine Blasey Ford and they’ve told her that if she doesn’t show up for this ambush, she doesn’t get a public hearing at all. It is a false choice from the Republicans that we can counter—easily. The trick is that Democrats need to get their act together on this NOW.
The Dems on the committee (and in the Senate more generally) should be making sure that whether Dr. Ford appears Monday or not, there WILL be a public hearing of her statements and it WILL occur before the Senate votes. And that public hearing WILL be aired by any network that cares to air it. And, I guarantee you that THAT ratings bonanza, especially after all the hijinks the Rs have been pulling here, will be plenty of incentive for every network outside of Faux News to air the event live for the country, perhaps even in the evening where everybody and their sister can watch.
So, then Republicans ambush is thwarted, the public interest in hearing this matter is vindicated, and the Republicans have more egg on their face for not giving her a fair hearing and even more if they then proceed with the Kavanaugh nomination anyway.
However, it is possible that even making such plans might force the Republicans to back up, realize that they aren’t going to be able to escape the fallout from this, and start proceeding with anything resembling a fair process. No, not likely, but we can do everything we can to extract every ounce of pain if they don’t do the right thing.