Republican senators are sick and tired of Kavanaugh protesters


Republican senators can run, but they can't hide. Well, they can't hide in the bathroom for very long, at least.
Protesters are confronting senators left and right this week to question their support for Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh. Two women cornered Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) in an elevator last week, just hours before he demanded an FBI investigation into sexual assault allegations against the nominee, and other women are following suit.
Fellow Arizon Republican Sen. Jon Kyl also heard from protesters on Wednesday, and reportedly lost his patience with them when they followed him as he walked. "Would you please leave me alone!" he said. Sen. David Perdue (R-Ga.) opted for a "shelter in place" strategy, ducking into a men's restroom when women introduced themselves as survivors of sexual assault on Monday. "Don't touch me," he said when a woman tried to shake his hand. After he went in the bathroom, the women didn't back down. "How can you ignore our pleas?" said one. "You have to exit at some point."
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Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) spoke for a while with Tracey Corder, the director of racial justice at the Center for Popular Democracy when she confronted him Monday, but eventually tired of the interaction. "I know this is enjoyable to y'all," he told Corder and other women, who disagreed.
Sick of being criticized for relentlessly defending Kavanaugh and President Trump, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) lashed out at a crowd after they booed his Wednesday claim that Kavanaugh "was treated like crap." Graham had a message for those who protested his comments: "Boo yourself."
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Summer Meza has worked at The Week since 2018, serving as a staff writer, a news writer and currently the deputy editor. As a proud news generalist, she edits everything from political punditry and science news to personal finance advice and film reviews. Summer has previously written for Newsweek and the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, covering national politics, transportation and the cannabis industry.
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