Alabama Senate Race Could Pit Jeff Sessions Against Roy Moore

Roy Moore

Former Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore is back and running for U.S. Senate - again.

And the Republican Party is not happy. Even Donald Trump, who like Moore has his own issues with allegations of sexual misconduct, is against another Moore candidacy.

Republicans cannot allow themselves to again lose the Senate seat in the Great State of Alabama. This time it will be for Six Years, not just Two. I have NOTHING against Roy Moore, and unlike many other Republican leaders, wanted him to win. But he didn’t, and probably won’t.....

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 29, 2019

...If Alabama does not elect a Republican to the Senate in 2020, many of the incredible gains that we have made during my Presidency may be lost, including our Pro-Life victories. Roy Moore cannot win, and the consequences will be devastating....Judges and Supreme Court Justices!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 29, 2019

This is pure fake news. I can assure everyone that by running, Roy Moore is going against my father and he’s doing a disservice to all conservatives across the country in the process. https://t.co/pjfDKfoIO0

— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) June 20, 2019

But Moore told NBC News on Friday, "I think the president's being influenced by other people up there — the establishment."

Multiple other Republican candidates have announced their own bids for the state’s Republican nomination to take on Jones in 2020. Moore told NBC News: "If people want them, they'll elect them. But I have a strong base here. And they'll elect me."

He said the potential addition of Jeff Sessions, who served as senator from Alabama prior to being tapped as Trump's first attorney general, would not lead him to exit the race.

"I don’t step aside for anybody when I’m running," Moore said, adding: "I love Jeff Sessions. He’s a friend. I respect him. If he wants to get in the race, let him get in the race. I don’t have any problem with it."

Republicans are promising to do everything they can to obliterate Roy Moore in the Alabama Senate primaryhttps://t.co/DQWznA0vpi

— POLITICO (@politico) June 20, 2019

Retweeting this as Roy Moore announces he’s running for the Senate. Twice removed as Alabama’s Chief Justice for failing to follow the law & with a history of sexual misconduct toward minors, he will be the GOP’s front runner (at least until we hear if Sessions will get in.) https://t.co/zSsjS6KY3y

— Joyce Alene (@JoyceWhiteVance) June 20, 2019

Tweet Of The Day

Priceless.

Former Alabama Supreme Court Justice Roy Moore has announced he will run for the U.S. Senate again in 2020 and his spokesperson, Ted Crockett, chatted with CNN's Jake Tapper about some of Moore's controversial positions.

Among those - Moore's belief that Muslims can't serve in Congress (they can) because they can't swear on a bible when being sworn in.

The law is that you can put your hand on anything when being sworn into office - a Christian bible, a Jewish bible, or a Quran (Muslim bible).

Check Crockett's reaction when he gets schooled by Jake Tapper.

TAPPER: Roy Moore said he doesn't think Muslims should be allowed to serve in Congress. Why?

ROY MOORE SPOX TED CROCKETT: Because you have to swear on the Bible

TAPPER: You don't actually have to swear on a Christian Bible

TED CROCKETT: ... ... 😲 pic.twitter.com/TC8i3LbOUE

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) June 20, 2019

News Round-Up: June 20, 2019

(via Instagram)

Some news items you might have missed:

• InstaHunks Rick and the Griffopotamus (above) trying to a-peel to folks' animal nature. #ItsWorking

• Despite 7 Tony nominations, the LGBTQ-themed Broadway musical The Prom will close August 11, but will live on in a small screen version for Netflix produced by Ryan Murphy.

• New York state lawmakers have banned defendants from citing a victim’s sexual orientation or gender identity (known as 'gay panic' or 'trans panic' defenses) to justify their crime. New York becomes the 7th state in the country to prohibit the legal defense.

• Two students have been indefinitely suspended from the Kearns High School football team for a social media post showing a Pride flag being burned and threatening LGBTQ people saying, “All gays die.”

• Alabama's former state Supreme Court Justice, the virulently anti-LGBTQ Roy Moore, has announced he will make another run for U.S. Senate in 2020. (and Republicans are NOT happy about it).

• RuPaul's Drag Race champs, Bob the Drag Queen and Trixie Mattel, are featured in JetBlue’s new Pride month ad serving up sassy fun as they deliver pre-flight instructions.

It's worth noting that not only did JetBlue engage the drag stars for the video, but the airline scored a 100 on the Human Rights Campaign's Corporate Equality Index.

Roy Moore's Jewish Attorney Is Longtime Friend/Supporter Of Opponent Doug Jones

Republican Roy Moore (L) and Democrat Doug Jones (R)

Well, this is just delicious!

Last month, on the eve of the Alabama election to replace the Senate seat vacated by Jeff Sessions, Republican candidate Roy Moore watched his wife tell a crowd that rumors of the Moores being anti-Semitic were untrue because "One of our attorneys is a Jew!"

That lawyer, Richard Jaffe, was hired to defend the Moore's son against drug charges in 2016.

It turns out Jaffe is a longtime friend and supporter of the Democrat in that race, Doug Jones.

As we all know now, Jones won that election.

From The Washington Examiner:

Jaffe told the Washington Examiner he has been close personal friends with Doug Jones for more than 30 years and he both contributed to, and raised money for, his campaign.

"There could not be a more passionate supporter of Doug than me!" Jaffe said.

The Birmingham-based lawyer walked alongside Jones as he took center stage to deliver his acceptance speech and plans to be in the Senate gallery on Wednesday as Jones is sworn in.

Remember when Roy Moore's wife insisted that she and her husband couldn't be anti-semitic because one of their attorneys was a Jew? Anyway, turns out that this attorney, Richard Jaffe, actually voted for Doug Jones. Also raised money for his campaign. Which is just so…perfect. pic.twitter.com/i1jJQX4ObH

— Michael Arnovitz (@MichaelArnovitz) January 2, 2018

I just found a new definition for poetic justice. https://t.co/EeCypbwLqX

— Liz D. (@lizzard111) January 2, 2018

(h/t JoeMyGod)

Alabama: Sore Loser Roy Moore Tries To Stop Certification Of His Lost Election

Roy Moore

Failed Republican Senate candidate Roy Moore still refuses to concede he lost the U.S. Senate election in Alabama to replace Attorney General Jeff Sessions to Democrat Doug Jones.

In what looks to be a lame 'hail Mary' attempt to stop Doug Jones from being seated, Moore has filed a complaint with the Alabama State Canvassing Board intended to stop the certification of Jones' victory.

From NBC News:

The Moore campaign filed a complaint late Wednesday night in state circuit court in Montgomery, the state capital, seeking a temporary restraining order to postpone the certification, alleging "potential election fraud that improperly altered the outcome of this election."

"This is not a Republican or Democrat issue as election integrity should matter to everyone," Moore said in a statement released by the campaign.

Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill told The Associated Press on Wednesday evening that he has no intention of delaying the canvassing board meeting.

“It is not going to delay certification and Doug Jones will be certified (Thursday) at 1 p.m. and he will be sworn in by Vice President Pence on the third of January,” Merrill said.

Moore's statement gives few details of the purported irregularities, which it says were substantiated "with a reasonable degree of statistical and mathematical certainty" by three election experts.

State officials say they have seen no evidence of voter fraud in the Alabama Senate race.

One of Moore's "election experts" also says he has "mathematically proven" a vast conspiracy to assassinate President Kennedy. So, there you go...

Moore also included the results of a polygraph he claims "proves" none of the allegations of sexual misconduct are true.

#WhatEverHappenedToClass?

CNN spoke to Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill this morning who says Moore's last-minute shenanigans won't stop his office from certifying the results of the election.

Watch below.

CNN's Alisyn Camerota: "Do Roy Moore's claims of election fraud have any merit?"
Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill: "The short answer to that is no. Doug Jones will be certified today" https://t.co/ZXkfcsTrAq https://t.co/pQxRhhhYJ7

— CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) December 28, 2017

Roy Moore is suing to stop Alabama election results from being certified, citing unusually high voter turnout in Jefferson County, Alabama. The county seat is Birmingham (73% black). What could possibly motivate black people to vote against an old white man who supports slavery? https://t.co/o6Zetf0nAm

— Keith Boykin (@keithboykin) December 28, 2017

Roy Moore had said America hadn't been great since slavery, can't understand high voter turnout by Blacks who voted against him. https://t.co/33I7YYsVt7

— David Badash (@davidbadash) December 28, 2017

Alabama: Roy Moore Still Has Not Conceded Senate Race

Roy Moore

Failed Alabama Republican candidate Roy Moore still has not conceded the race for U.S. Senate despite a huge 20,000 vote deficit.

Moore is hanging his hopes on overseas military ballots and additional provisional votes cast the day of the election.

But according to Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill, only 366 military ballots were returned and 4,967 provisional ballots were counted, nowhere near the thousands of votes he needs.

The anti-LGBT former judge has begged followers for $75,000 to establish an "Election Integrity Program" to prove there were over 20,000 cases of voter fraud in the election.

#SoreLoser

ELLEN: Alabama Peanut Farmer Who Protested Roy Moore On Behalf Of His Lesbian Daughter

Alabama peanut farmer Nathan Mathis, who criticized U.S. Senate candidate Roy Moore this week for calling gays perverts, appeared on ELLEN today.

Mathis picketed outside Moore’s Midland City rally earlier this week with a sign which read:

Judge Roy Moore called my daughter Patti Sue Mathis (who committed suicide) a pervert because she was gay. A 32-year-old Roy Moore dated teenage girls aged 14 to 17. So that makes him a pervert of the worse kind.

In honor of Patti Sue, Ellen donated $25,000 to The Trevor Project which provides crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to LGBTQ youth, courtesy of Shutterfly.

I won't spoil it for you, but Mathis is beyond touching in his honesty talking about his daughter as well as exceedingly charming in the way he expresses his world views.

Make sure you hit play below and watch. You'll be very glad you did.

Roy Moore Campaign: You Can't Serve In Congress As Muslim Because You Have To Be Sworn In With A Bible

Wait.

Seriously.

You've got to check out Roy Moore campaign spokesman Ted Crockett, who was left speechless when CNN’s Jake Tapper asked him about Alabama Republican Roy Moore’s claim that Muslims cannot serve in Congress because the oath of office requires swearing on a bible.

Jake Tapper: “You don’t actually have to swear on a Christian bible. You can swear on anything, really. The law is not that you do have to swear on a Christian bible. That is not the law. You don’t know that?”

Crockett: (pause, pause, pause....) “I know that Donald Trump did it when we made him president.”

Tapper: “Because he’s Christian and he picked it. That’s what he wanted to swear in on.”

Umm - freedom of religion? First Amendment?

Watch below.

Roy Moore campaign spokesman responds with silence when asked if he knew people can be sworn in with a text other than the Christian bible pic.twitter.com/B65qIKBjlI

— The Lead CNN (@TheLeadCNN) December 12, 2017

And then there's his response when asked if Roy Moore believes if homosexual conduct should be illegal. Watch below.

Congrats, Alabama! Here's your team. This is classic 'crash and burn' stuff.

Does Roy Moore think that homosexual conduct should be illegal?

Roy Moore campaign spokesman: “Probably.”https://t.co/syuQfsAvO5 pic.twitter.com/nPDYLfQahY

— The Lead CNN (@TheLeadCNN) December 12, 2017

Roy Moore's Wife: We Can't Be Anti-Semitic Because "One Of Our Lawyers Is A Jew"

#SMH

No explanation needed. Just watch.

Check CNN host Don Lemon's reaction.

Randy Rainbow Parodies Roy Moore: "She Was 16 Going On 17"

Randy Rainbow serves up some Roy Moore parody on the eve of the alleged child molester's election night.

And the tune choice?

Perfection - a parody of the Sound of Music classic, "You Are Sixteen Going On Seventeen."

You get the drift...

Hit the play button for the fun.

Redneck Liberal: Roy Moore Is A Poorly Written Villian From Dukes Of Hazard

"Liberal Redneck" Trae Crowder is looking ahead to tomorrow's special election in Alabama to replace now-Attorney General Jeff Sessions, and like usual, he gets right to the heart of the matter.

Just a bit from Crowder

"The people of Alabama's choices are Democrat Doug Jones, and a poorly written villain from a fucking Dukes of Hazzard episode.

"Seriously y'all, even when you take into account that the man that they’re replacing is a f**king Hobbit from an alternate universe where JRR Tolkien owns slaves, Roy Moore is an unbelievable bag of sh*t.

"He’s a judge who’s been kicked off the bench twice for refusing to do his job, he’s taken money from his own non-profit, he’s openly admitted that he thinks the last time America was great was before the Civil War, he thinks all legislation should be drafted by Jesus, and he presumably believes that the Devil invented dinosaurs and gay people.”

Watch below.

Sen. Lindsey Graham: Roy Moore Will Be "The Gift That Keeps Giving For Democrats"

Speaking to CNN today, Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham lamented Alabama Republican Roy Moore's candidacy for the U.S. Senate wishing the controversial former judge had stepped aside amid multiple allegations of sexual impropriety.

“Roy Moore will be the gift that keeps on giving for Democrats. To think you can elect Roy Moore without getting the baggage of Roy Moore is pretty naive. I wish he would have stepped aside. We’ll see what the people of Alabama decide.”

Watch below.

Sen. Lindsey Graham says he wishes Roy Moore would have "stepped aside," says "Moore will be the gift that keeps on giving for democrats, it will define the 2018 election" https://t.co/8s7LEE0T2E https://t.co/KpZ9g1dINA

— CNN Newsroom (@CNNnewsroom) December 11, 2017

Alabama's Sen. Shelby: "I Couldn't Vote For Roy Moore"

Well, this will be awkward.

Sen. Richard Shelby told CNN's Jake Tapper today, "I couldn't vote for Roy Moore."

“I’d rather see a Republican win, but I hope that Republican will be a write-in,” Shelby said this morning on CNN's State of the Union. “I think a lot of people could do that. Will they do that? I’m not sure.” “I couldn’t vote for Roy Moore,” he said. “The state of Alabama deserves better.”

According to Shelby, he voted for an unnamed “distinguished Republican candidate.”

Watch Shelby below.

GOP AL Sen. Richard Shelby: “I couldn’t vote for Roy Moore, I didn’t vote for Roy Moore... so many accusations, so many cuts, so many drip, drip, drip. When it got to the 14-year old story, that was enough for me. I said, ‘I can’t vote for Roy Moore’.” https://t.co/WirsPtfziV

— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) December 10, 2017

Meme Of The Day

Roy Moore Accuser Speaks Out: "Is The Party More Important Than What Happened?"

Beverly Young Nelson, one of several women who have accused Alabama Republican Senate candidate Roy Moore of sexual misconduct, told Tom Llamas of ABC News today that it "sickens" her to think that Moore will get elected to the U.S. Senate.

According to Nelson, Moore accosted her after her waitress shift when she was 16-years-old.

“It sickens me to wonder what may go on with him if he gets into office," said Nelson. "Maybe, you know, he could be doing this still. We don’t know. And then again I hope that he’s changed. I pray that he’s changed. I really do.”

And to those who say none of the allegations matter as much as keeping a Republican in the Senate seat for Alabama, Nelson asks, “Is the party more important — really — than what happened?”

ABC News points out that Moore denies even knowing any of his accusers, and his supporters call the women liars.

The report also includes news of a quote from Moore on the campaign trail when Moore was asked for his opinion on when the last time America was “great.”

Moore's response: “I think it was great at the time when families were united—even though we had slavery—they cared for one another. Our families were strong, our country had a direction.”

Watch the interview below.

EXCLUSIVE: Beverly Young Nelson, Roy Moore accuser, speaks out as Alabama Senate race vote draws near: https://t.co/Xtk69i98dd pic.twitter.com/jU9qtMQBdT

— Good Morning America (@GMA) December 8, 2017

Sen. Al Franken Slaps At Donald Trump & Roy Moore In Resignation Speech

"I, of all people, am aware that there is some irony in the fact that I am leaving while a man who has bragged on tape about his history of sexual assault sits in the Oval Office and a man who has repeatedly preyed on young girls campaigns for the Senate with the full support of his party," 

-Sen Al Franken on the floor of the U.S. Senate in his speech announcing his resignation amid allegations of sexual misconduct.

While the Democrats in Congress take the proverbial "high road" in callng for Franken's departure based on allegations, the Republicans show no such leaning as they remain silent on Donald Trump's 13 accusers of sexual misconduct and Alabama Republican Roy Moore seems headed to a Senate win even as a dozen women allege sexual impropriety on his part.

Hypocrisy much?

Alabama: Woman Shares Evidence Of Dating Roy Moore When She Was 17

Roy Moore

Amid the multiple allegations of sexual misconduct, Alabama Republican Roy Moore has told the public on more than one occasion " I do not know any of these women."

Now, one of the women who dated Moore when she was a teenager has come forward with evidence that he did indeed know her. And she's pretty mad he called her a liar.

From The Washington Post:

Debbie Wesson Gibson was in her attic hauling out boxes of Christmas decorations last week when she noticed a storage bin she said she had forgotten about. Inside was a scrapbook from her senior year of high school, and taped to a page titled “Those Who Inspire” was a graduation card.

“Happy graduation Debbie,” it read in slanted cursive handwriting. “I wanted to give you this card myself. I know that you’ll be a success in anything you do. Roy.”

Gibson said that after finding the scrapbook, she was not sure whether to make it public given the threats she received after publication of the original story. Then she heard what Moore said last week, s said, and contacted The Post.

“He called me a liar,” said Gibson, who says she not only openly dated Moore when she was 17 but later joined him in passing out fliers during his campaign for circuit court judge in 1982 and exchanged Christmas cards with him over the years. “Roy Moore made an egregious mistake to attack that one thing — my integrity.”

What made her decision to share the documents easier, she said, was watching and re-watching a video she has on her cellphone of Moore speaking last week and deciding that supporting the women who have come forward was more important than staying silent.

“At 34 minutes and 56 seconds into the video, he says, unequivocally, I did not know any of them,” Gibson said. “In that moment, it changed my perspective. I knew he was a liar.”

Even with the evidence Ms. Gibson has brought forth, it won't make a difference.

Alabama voters have made it clear they have no problem with electing an accused child molester.

And regarding the age difference? The story has now shifted to indicate such age differences were normal for Alabama 30-40 years ago.

Real Clear Politics shows Moore leading by an average of 2.6% in the polls.

Donald Trump Endorses Accused Child Molester Roy Moore In Alabama Senate Race

The chyron says it all...

Donald Trump has wholeheartedly endorsed accused child molester Roy Moore in the Alabama Senate race to be held in 8 days.

Via The New York Post:

“Just got off the phone with President Trump who offered his full support and said he needs a fighter to help him in the US Senate. I look forward to fighting alongside the President to #MAGA!” Moore wrote on Twitter, adding that the president exhorted him to “Go get ‘em, Roy!”

The White House also released a statement confirming Trump’s endorsement of the former judge.

“The President had a positive call with Judge Roy Moore during which they discussed the state of the Alabama Senate race and the President endorsed Judge Moore’s campaign,” spokesman Raj Shah said.

Moore’s wife also crowed about the president’s call on Facebook.

“Judge Moore just got off the phone with President Trump — we have his full support! Thank you Mr. President! Let’s MAGA!” Kayla Moore posted.

Democrats refusal to give even one vote for massive Tax Cuts is why we need Republican Roy Moore to win in Alabama. We need his vote on stopping crime, illegal immigration, Border Wall, Military, Pro Life, V.A., Judges 2nd Amendment and more. No to Jones, a Pelosi/Schumer Puppet!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 4, 2017

"Go get 'em, Roy!" - President Trump

Just got off the phone with President Trump who offered his full support and said he needs a fighter to help him in the US Senate.

I look forward to fighting alongside the President to #MAGA!

— Judge Roy Moore (@MooreSenate) December 4, 2017

You have been a endorsed by a man who has 34% approval. Congrats.

— Brian Krassenstein🐬 (@krassenstein) December 4, 2017

Sen. McConnell on Nov 13: "I think [Roy Moore] should step aside."

Sen. McConnell on Dec 3: “We’re going to let the people of Alabama decide."https://t.co/zhjYM1tkz4 pic.twitter.com/cJ3GW0Htoo

— NBC News (@NBCNews) December 4, 2017

How far America has fallen, where our accused sex offender President Trump endorses accused pedophile Judge Roy Moore and it doesn't even feel like a big scandal.

Tan suits. Fancy mustard. These things used to get people up in arms.

Its insane.

— John Spartan (@SpartanResist) December 4, 2017

President Trump-we see that you, as a person who has bragged about molesting many women without their consent, are supporting the pedophile judge Roy Moore.
You have at least 21 accusers between you, and the people of America are taking notes for 2018 and 2020.#NoAbusers pic.twitter.com/RK0iMlPeKL

— Jason Bourne (@TheOriginalWTH) December 4, 2017

Poll: 71% Of Alabama Republicans Say Roy Moore Allegations Are "False"

A new CBS News/YouGov poll shows 71% of Alabama Republicans believe the allegations of sexual misconduct by GOP Senate candidate Roy Moore are false.

In the last month of the special election, several women have come forward saying Moore made inappropriate sexual advances towards them when they were teenagers. The youngest was 14.

More stats from the survey:

• Among likely voters, Moore currently leads his Democratic challenger Doug Jones 49% to 43%

• Among all registered voters, the two candidates are tied indicating the winner will be decided by turnout

• 52% of Moore's supporters say they are voting for him to ensure a conservative vote in the Senate

• Less than half of Moore's supporters - 48% - say they are voting for him because they think he's the best person for the job

• Among Moore supporters, Donald Trump has a 96% approval rating

• 56% of registered voters in Alabama believe same-sex marriage should not be legal

That said, it should not surprise you that Alabama currently ranks 47th in the U.S. in terms of education.

Twitter War Of The Day: Roy Moore Vs. Jimmy Kimmel

I'm pretty sure Jimmy Kimmel won this one LOL...