The Morning Briefing: Dr. Ford's Ex-Boyfriend Makes an Appearance and Much, Much More

Good Wednesday morning.

Here is what’s on the president’s agenda today:

The president receives his intelligence briefing
President Trump has lunch with the secretary of State
The president meets with the United States ambassador to the United Nations

A nation held hostage — Kavanaugh nomination: day one zillion

“Sources” say the Kavanaugh FBI investigation could wrap up by Wednesday and THAT’S TODAY!! This story has gotten ridiculous.

Interesting news broke yesterday when Christine Blasey Ford’s ex-boyfriend (of 6 years!) came forward with some information.

BREAKING: Fox’s @johnrobertsFox obtains letter from Ford ex-boyfriend alleging: dated for 6 yrs, never told of sex assault, Ford coached friend on taking polygraph, flew frequently w/o expressing any fear of flying/tight spaces/limited exits. Doesn’t want to b/c “involved”. pic.twitter.com/jVeW0qaJD0

— Shannon Bream (@ShannonBream) October 3, 2018

“During that time, it was my understanding that [Ford’s roommate, Monica] McLean was interviewing for jobs with the FBI and US Attorney’s Office. I witnessed Dr. Ford help McLean prepare for a potential polygraph exam,”

“Dr. Ford explained in detail what to expect, how polygraphs worked and helped McLean become familiar and less nervous about the exam. Dr. Ford was able to help because of her background in psychology,” the letter continued.

“To the best of my recollection Dr. Ford never expressed a fear of closed quarters, tight spaces, or places with only one exit,” the letter read.

Wow, ok. Remember the nice sex-crime prosecutor from Arizona the GOP senators brought in to question Dr. Ford? She asked Dr. Ford two interesting questions:

MITCHELL: Had — have you ever given tips or advice to somebody who was looking to take a polygraph test?

FORD: Never.

And:

MITCHELL: Have you ever had discussions with anyone, beside your attorneys, on how to take a polygraph?

FORD: Never.

Hmmm. It looks like prosecutor Rachel Mitchell knew more than we knew at the time.

Also, no mention of Brett Kavanaugh, says the ex-boyfriend. And if you missed it yesterday, Paul Sperry has some information about the famous renovation and extra door on Dr. Ford’s house. It doesn’t really mesh with Ford’s testimony or the Washington Post article.

So Grassley wants some info from Ford’s activists/lawyers, especially the audio and video and all the information related to the polygraph and therapist’s notes that Dr. Ford’s team gave to the Washington Post but did not give to the Senate Judiciary Committee. How can we possibly be expected to believe this is non-partisan when Ford’s team won’t turn over any supporting documentation to the committee? They’re only giving it to the media.

NEW: Fox News obtains letter through sources, sent from @ChuckGrassley to Dr. Ford's lawyers requesting "material evidence relevant to allegations of sexual assault made by your client," pic.twitter.com/Vl12AE3m33

— Pat Ward (@WardDPatrick) October 3, 2018

“The full details of Dr. Ford’s polygraph are particularly important because the Senate Judiciary Committee has received a sworn statement from a longtime boyfriend of Dr. Ford’s stating that he personally witnessed Dr. Ford coaching a friend on polygraph examinations,” Grassley wrote.

Conway says she got backlash after talking about being sexually assaulted

What kind of trash journalism is this? Kavanaugh’s drinking spotlights Trump’s ‘abnormal’ abstinence

Hilarious. “Please stop emailing me” Michael Avenatti gets scorched over his demands in Kavanaugh probe

Two former Yale classmates withdraw support for Kavanaugh

Some witnesses say they called FBI in vain as end of Kavanaugh probe looms

Yeah, she already testified, what more do they need from her? REPORT: FBI Has Not Yet Contacted Ford, Her Lawyers Claim

Trump and the tax bombshell story

So we have a story from the New York Times about the Trump family taxes. This is the same crowd that couldn’t be bothered to look into Tony Rezko ten years ago, but they are all over Fred Trump’s finances these days. The Times’ investigation “alleged Donald Trump perpetrated various tax schemes and fraud during the 1990s to bolster the inheritance he received from his parents.”

Anyway, the WH responded to the NYT article and said:

“Fred Trump has been gone for nearly twenty years and it’s sad to witness this misleading attack against the Trump family by the failing New York Times,” White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said in a statement, referring to Trump’s late father — a powerful New York real estate developer and housing magnate.

“Many decades ago the IRS reviewed and signed off on these transactions,” Sanders said. “The New York Times’ and other media outlets’ credibility with the American people is at an all time low because they are consumed with attacking the president and his family 24/7 instead of reporting the news.”

Top Five Bombshells From New York Times Exposé on Trump Family Tax Dodging

New York tax department reviewing reported allegations against Trump

Historical picture of the day: