(CNN) In July 1991, more than half of Americans -- 52% -- said they would like to see the Senate vote in favor of Clarence Thomas serving on the Supreme Court, with 17% who said they would not want them to vote in favor, according to a Gallup/CNN poll.

Months later, after Anita Hill accused the judge of sexual harassment and testified about it on Capitol Hill, the number who said the Senate should vote to confirm had grown, with 58% who said yes, according to a Gallup poll. After his confirmation, in an ABC News / Washington Post poll, 62% of Americans said Thomas should have been confirmed compared to 34% who said he should not. More Americans told Gallup they believed Thomas -- 48% -- than Hill -- 29% -- after her testimony.

On Sunday, Christine Blasey Ford accused Brett Kavanaugh of sexual assault when the two were in high school. It's not yet clear if allegations by Ford will lead to new hearings for Kavanaugh as Hill's did for Thomas nearly 27 years ago.

Those looking to how the public received Hill's accusations against Thomas in hopes that Kavanaugh will still prevail may see a good sign in that the percentage of Americans supporting his nomination did not drop after Hill's allegations and testimony. But, his "don't confirm" number did go up, which could tip those who are undecided about Kavanaugh over the edge and put his "don't confirm" up higher than his "confirm."

Last week, a CNN poll conducted by SSRS was released showing a split in those who want the Senate to confirm Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court -- with 38% who said yes vote in favor and 39% who said no, don't vote in favor.

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