Prosecutor Rachel Mitchell grilled Christine Blasey Ford on Thursday over her stated fear of flying, which was the ostensible reason her testimony had been delayed. Mitchell noted that Dr. Ford had traveled many times on airplanes, including to Thursday’s hearing in Washington, D.C.
“May I ask, Dr. Ford, how did you get to Washington?” Mitchell asked.
“In an airplane,” Ford replied.
“Okay, I ask that because it’s been reported by the press that you would not submit to an interview with the committee because of your fear of flying,” Mitchell said. “Is that true?”
“Well, I was hoping that they would come to me, but then I realized that was an unrealistic request,” Ford said, despite the fact that the Republicans had offered to come to her.
“When you were here back in August, end of July, August, how did you get here?” Mitchell asked.
“Also by airplane,” Ford responded. “I come here once a year during the summer to visit my family.”
“I also saw on your — you talked about Hawaii, Costa Rica, South Pacific Islands, and French Polynesia,” Mitchell said. “Have you been to all of those places?”
“Correct,” Ford replied.
“By airplane?” Mitchell asked.
“Yes,” Ford responded.
“And your interests also include oceanography and Hawaiian and Tahitian culture, did you travel by air as a part of those interests?” Mitchell asked.
“Correct,” Ford replied, saying it was easier for her to fly when it was a vacation.
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