Just when you think Republican lawmakers cannot sink any lower, South Carolina House Rep. Ralph Norman just showed us that they can. He made a joke about Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg that’s far from being funny.
Trump and the GOP’s response to Dr. Christine Blasey Ford’s accusation of sexual abuse against Supreme Court Justice nominee Brett Kavanaugh seems to be exposing the Republican Party’s true misogynistic colors all the more—and women voters are taking notice. CBS News reports:
A South Carolina Republican congressman joked at a Thursday debate with his Democratic opponent that 85-year-old Supreme Court justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was "groped" by Abraham Lincoln.
"Did you hear about this?" Rep. Ralph Norman said at the opening of the debate, according to The Post and Courier. "Ruth Bader Ginsburg came out saying she was groped by Abraham Lincoln."
The line was an apparent reference to the sexual assault allegations against Judge Brett Kavanaugh, who has been nominated by President Trump to the Supreme Court. Christine Blasey Ford, a California academic, has accused Kavanaugh of attempting to rape her at a booze-fueled house party when they were both in high school. Kavanaugh has denied the allegation.
Apparently, Norman’s remark garnered some “scattered nervous laughter.” Let them be nervous. Read the full story here.
There are really no words to add—other than those of utter disgust. The joke may sound innocuous to some, but this Republican’s attempt to josh about sexual abuse mocks every single victim of rape/sexual abuse who was brave enough to come forward and tell their story. It also insults a great woman and long-standing, respected member of the Supreme Court. And then there’s the ageism and sexism.
How do people like Norman get into Congress? Norman won his seat in 2017 via special election, and is running for reelection. This is what we’re up against. We know what to do—register, vote early and help others get to the polls.