I’ll have to admit I’ve had some schadenfreude over obnoxious left-wing celebrities seeing their careers implode overnight following sexual misconduct allegations. A number of them have spoken out against sexual harassment, but didn’t follow through in their actions.
https://twitter.com/immigrant_legal/status/929406662993235969
Of course, it’s not just Hollywood lefties making headlines. Former Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore saw his campaign for Senate rocked last week when The Washington Post published accusations that Moore engaged in sexual misconduct with a minor. In one of the reports, four women claim that Moore initiated sexual relationships with them in the late 1970s and early 1980s. One of the women, Leigh Corfman, alleges that she was just 14-years-old when Moore “touched her over her bra and underpants” and “guided her hand to touch him over his underwear.”
A fifth accuser has since come forward. While one of Moore’s accusers worked as an interpreter for Hillary Clinton’s campaign (leading many to claim she’s lying for political reasons), the fifth accuser supported Trump for president:
Moore accuser Beverly Young-Nelson: "My husband and I supported Donald Trump for president. This has nothing whatsoever to do with the Republicans or the Democrats. It has everything to do with Mr. Moore's sexual assault when I was a teenager." (via CBS) pic.twitter.com/jyICrAQ6Tx
— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) November 13, 2017
Moore has strongly denied the allegations.
Already on shaky grounds with many Republicans, there’s a consensus that Moore ought to drop out if the allegations are true.
Innocent until proven guilty is for criminal convictions, not elections. I believe Leigh Corfman. Her account is too serious to ignore. Moore is unfit for office and should step aside.
— Mitt Romney (@MittRomney) November 10, 2017
In light of the most recent allegations and the cumulative effect of others, I believe #RoyMoore would be doing himself, the state, the GOP, and the country a service by stepping aside.
If he continues this will not end well for Mr. Moore.
— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) November 13, 2017
BREAKING: Speaker Paul Ryan: Alabama GOP Senate candidate Roy Moore `should step aside,' allegations against him `credible'
— The Associated Press (@AP) November 14, 2017
One of the voices demanding that Moore resign is Senator John McCain:
The allegations against Roy Moore are deeply disturbing and disqualifying. He should immediately step aside and allow the people of Alabama to elect a candidate they can be proud of.
— John McCain (@SenJohnMcCain) November 9, 2017
I’m inclined to agree, though McCain’s comments are particularly ironic, given that he personally has been on the receiving end of sexual misconduct allegations in his not-too-distant past. According to Western Journalism, “In February 2008, The Post and The New York Times published stories alleging McCain had had an improper relationship with lobbyist Vicki Iseman. The stories both related that the senator had developed a close relationship with the lobbyist who had business before the Commerce Committee, which he chaired.”
More from the report: “Iseman was in her early 30s when the relationship began in the late 1990s, and McCain was in his early 60s. Both McCain and Iseman denied any affair. Clearly these allegations would be ‘disqualifying’ not just for any seeking the highest office in the land, but for serving in the senate — if true.”
The “if true” part is key, and if we went by Mitt Romney’s criteria of “guilty until proven innocent – but only in politics,” McCain would’ve been out of a job long ago. Heck, if that was the kind of environment we lived in, Romney would be too if someone came forward with the same allegations against him.
While I can’t agree with Romney’s “logic,” and McCain is a hypocrite here, Alabama’s Republican voters are truly in a tough spot. It’ll be a disaster for the Party if the allegations against Moore were proven after becoming a Senator. A majority of voters in Alabama believe that Moore should drop out – and that isn’t good for his prospects of victory if he remains in. If he does drop out, another Republican would be able to take his place – and Republicans don’t have much trouble winning elections in Alabama.
What do you think? Should McCain be careful with what he demands of Moore given his past? Tell us your thoughts below, and share this story over Facebook now!
