that was senator jeff flake of arizona, outgoing senator who, obviously, decided not to run again. someone else is running in his stead. unclear saying he's going to keep an open mind about this. he doesn't make any predeterminations and doesn't think brett kavanaugh is a serial rapist or disbelieve christine blasey ford and made the point that notwithstanding this nomination or these allegations he doesn't think it's strange that a high school girl might not have reported a sexual assault which sounds to me a direct response to president trump who has said if this happened why wouldn't her and her loving parents have gone to the police? why wouldn't there be any evidence? >> that's not that dissimilar of the statement from senator graham. garrett haake is live on the hill. why don't you walk us through the statement we have gotten from senator graham? >> reporter: graham is one of brett kavanaugh's strongest defenders up here on capitol hill and there's no change in that today. he released a statement a few minutes ago regarding the