He also had harsh words for Trump, particularly the president’s mocking of Ford during a Tuesday night political rally and his previous statements questioning why Ford did not report the incident at the time.

“We all know that the president cannot lead us through this time,” Sasse said. “We know he is dispositionally unable to restrain his impulse to divide us.”

Sasse said his comments were not about the specific vote on Kavanaugh, expected this weekend, and did not indicate that he’s backing off his support of the nomination.

Rather, Sasse repeatedly criticized the ongoing debate as presenting false choices, false choices he said Nebraskans see through.

Sasse said that most Americans saw two hurting families in last week’s hearing, including his wife who called him sobbing after listening to the opening statements.

Sasse said that he has wept with the victims of sexual assault and that he believes data about the prevalence of sexual assault.

“I’ve had two dear, dear friends who’ve been raped, and it is an act from the pit of hell,” Sasse said.

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