thank you, mr. chairman. i think the first quality of a good judge in our constitutional system is independence. [ shouting ] independence comes directly from article 3 of the constitution. the independence of the federal judges really is guaranteed by the framers in our life tenure, in our protection from pay reduction. so because we have life tenure, we are independent and immune from political or public pressure. so i think the first thing that makes a good judge is independence. not being swayed by political or public pressure. that takes some backbone. that takes some judicial fortitude. the great moments in american judicial history. the judges had backbone and independence. you think about youngstown steel. you think about, for example, brown versus board of education
politics twice over. first, in playing politics with such an obviously qualified nominee and then again in losing the opportunity to put such a strong advocate of decency and civility on our nation s highest court. [ shouting ] mr. bennett always speaks highly of your integrity and to your fairness and open mindedness. and so, without objection, i would enter that letter in the record. now to a question. i imagine that your 12 years of judicial service on the second highest court in the land has given you plenty of opportunity to think about my first question which is, what makes a judge a good one and what influences in your life have shaped your vision of how a judge should go about doing his job?
let these people have free speech and interrupt the other 300 million people listening. this is your opportunity to speak to the american people. let them make a judge about it. if they want to affect what the ore other 300 million people hear from you, it s too bad. you proceed now. homdon is one of bin laden s associates before 9/11. he is prosecuted before a military commission. signature prosecution of the bush administration. comes to the d.c. circuit. i write the opinion, saying it s unconstitutional. violates principles. you ll never have a nominee who has ruled for a more unpopular defendant, than ruling for homdon. why did i do that in that case?
democrats attempt to put him in a tough position. i think you will see a lot of focus on, you know, some issues that are particularly important, abortion, critical, perhaps first and foremost among them because this is anthony kennedy s seat. and of course, kavanaugh has been through more than half a dozen mock hearings. he s practiced, prepared. many ways the career is building up to this moment but as you and i talked about yesterday, unexpected things can happen in a forum like this. you saw that happen with fred guttenberg, the parkland father who tried to shake his hand yesterday and that image of brett kavanaugh seeming to turn away really has dominated a lot of coverage since. any small moment in one of these high-profile hearings can make a big difference and change the narrative. we should not forget about the political reality. the republicans hold the cards. the only mistake that brett
as probably two other 15-minute breaks throughout the day. for now, let s plan our first break after five senators or so have completed their questions. i assume that this will be around 12:15 which will hopefully con side with the floor vote already scheduled. this would be a 30-minute break for vote and lunch. but, judge, if you would like to take a break any other time let us know. we re happy to accommodate that. and with that, i will start the questioning of my 30 minutes.