‘If True’: GOP Lawmakers Are Finding a Way to Defend Roy Moore From Allegations of Child Sexual Abuse

‘If True’

Almost every Republican Senator who has spoken out – except one – is in some way, shape, or form finding a way to defend “Judge” Roy Moore from allegations of child sexual abuse. Thursday the Washington Post published an extensive report detailing on-the-record allegations by four women against the Alabama Republican senatorial nominee, and backed up by interviews with more than 30 people who knew Moore during the time period in which the alleged misconduct took place.

In short, one woman says when she was 14 Moore, 32 years old at the time, took her to his home, stripped to his underwear, touched her bra and underwear, and placed her hand on his underwear over his groin.

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Three other women allege when they were 16 or 18 Moore, again, in his 30’s, attempted behaviors including kissing. None allege sexual intercourse.

No Republican U.S. Senator or Representative, except for Sen. John McCain, has wholly denounced Moore and said he must step down.

Former McCain campaign senior strategist Steve Schmidt also denounced Moore:

Every other Republican lawmaker who has responded has found a way to defend Moore.

Most, merely by questioning the allegations – and therefore, the women themselves.

Every Republican Senator who has responded to the allegations against Roy Moore has found a way to use the “if true” method to defend him.

The Washington Post story has four women, all of whom are Republicans, some even voted for Trump, who has endorsed Moore. It also has 30 sources. There is no need for “if true” at this point.

It’s not a court of law. No one’s being asked to send him to jail (yet), just to believe four women who accused him of what most others would call inappropriate behavior, and one, child sexual abuse. 

Who is going to decide if the on-the-record allegations are true, and when? Will Moore have to be tried and convicted before the allegations are “true”? It’s a convenient challenge these GOP lawmakers have created.

“The Atlantic reached out to all 52 Republican senators to ask whether they think Moore should withdraw from the Alabama Senate race, based on the allegations,” The Atlantic’s David A. Graham and Elaine Godfrey report. “Eighteen senators responded, all suggesting that if the Washington Post allegations are true, Moore should withdraw from the race.”

Take a look at these responses, all protecting Moore, all nearly word-for-word the same:

Here’s the second-ranked Republican in the Senate:

Others:

 

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