Despite fear of planes, Christine Blasey Ford found ‘gumption’ to fly to DC for hearing

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Christine Blasey Ford says she came before the Senate Judiciary Committee not because she wanted to, but because she believed it’s her civic duty. (Sept. 27) AP

Christine Blasey Ford does not like flying, telling friends her alleged assault by Brett Kavanaugh at a high school party more than 30 years ago has made her afraid of enclosed spaces, especially airplanes.

Yet the college professor from California managed to board an airplane and travel to Hawaii, Costa Rica and the South Pacific for surfing vacations.

Allies of Supreme Court Nominee Brett Kavanaugh have seized on that apparent inconsistency to discredit her.

Rachel Mitchell, the Arizona prosecutor asking questions on behalf of the Senate Judiciary Committee’s Republican members, asked her about it during Thursday’s hearing on Kavanaugh’s Supreme Court nomination.

Here’s (a lightly edited)_ version of that exchange captured on Twitter:

Mitchell: “May I ask, Dr. Ford, how did you get to Washington?

Ford: “In an airplane.”

Mitchell: “I ask that because its been reported by the press that you would not submit to an interview with the committee because of your fear of flying. Is that true?”

Ford: “I was hoping that they would come to me (in California) but I realized that was an unrealistic request.”

Mitchell: “it would have been a quicker trip for me.”

Ford: “That was certainly what I was hoping to avoid getting on an airplane. But I eventually was able to get up the gumption with the help of some friends and get on the plane.”

Mitchell: “You fly fairly frequently for your hobbies and you’ve had to fly for your work. Is that true?”

Ford: “Correct. Unfortunately.”

Mitchell read from Ford’s curriculum vitae, pointing to hobbies she pursues including “surf travel.” Ford then confirmed she has flown to Hawaii, Coast Rica, South Pacific Islands and French Polynesia to surf.

“It’s easier for me to travel going that direction when it’s a vacation,” Ford said.

More: An unwavering Christine Ford: I’m ‘100 percent’ sure that Brett Kavanaugh assaulted me

More: Brett Kavanaugh hearing: Christine Ford ends testimony, grilling by prosecutor

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