McConnell Calls On Roy Moore To 'Step Aside'
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November 13, 201712:12 PM ET
Brian Naylor 2010
BRIAN NAYLOR
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Roy Moore, the Alabama Republican candidate for U.S. Senate, has been accused of previous sexual misconduct with teenagers, which he has denied.
Wes Frazer/Getty Images
Updated at 2:30 p.m. ET
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Monday, "I believe the women" and called on Republican Senate candidate Roy Moore of Alabama to "step aside."
McConnell made his remarks at a news conference in Kentucky. Moore has been accused of initiating sexual contact with a 14-year-old in 1979 when he was 32. Three other women have accused Moore of inappropriate contact when they were teens.
McConnell had initially said last week Moore should end his candidacy "if" the allegations were true. McConnell had supported the incumbent senator, Luther Strange, in the primary. He said a write-in campaign for Strange is now "an option."
'I Have Never Engaged In Sexual Misconduct,' Moore Says In Statement
THE TWO-WAY
'I Have Never Engaged In Sexual Misconduct,' Moore Says In Statement
Moore has come under increasing pressure from GOP lawmakers on Capitol Hill to step aside prior to the Dec. 12 special election in Alabama. He has refused, saying the accusations were "false and untrue" and threatening to sue The Washington Post, which first reported the story on Nov. 9.
Moore responded to McConnell via Twitter, saying McConnell "has failed conservatives and must be replaced."
Judge Roy Moore @MooreSenate
The person who should step aside is @SenateMajLdr Mitch McConnell. He has failed conservatives and must be replaced. #DrainTheSwamp
9:40 AM - Nov 13, 2017
3,770 3,770 Replies 5,851 5,851 Retweets 7,952 7,952 likes
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The National Republican Senatorial Committee has pulled out of a joint fundraising agreement with Moore, and the list of prominent Republicans opposing Moore's candidacy has steadily grown.
The most recent is Maine's Sen. Susan Collins, who in a statement on Twitter Monday said she "did not find Moore's denials to be convincing."
Sen. Susan Collins
✔@SenatorCollins
I have now read Mr. Moore’s statement and listened to his radio interview in which he denies the charges. I did not find his denials to be convincing and believe that he should withdraw from the Senate race in Alabama.
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Republican leaders in Alabama, however, have largely defended Moore. Alabama State Auditor Jim Zeigler said there is "just nothing immoral or illegal" about the allegations and compared them to biblical marriages. The comments drew criticism from some evangelical leaders.
Monday afternoon, attorney Gloria Allred will hold a news conference in New York with a new accuser, who says Moore sexually assaulted her when she was a minor.
https://www.npr.org/2017/11/13/5637...o-step-aside?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=news
November 13, 201712:12 PM ET
Brian Naylor 2010
BRIAN NAYLOR
Roy Moore, the Alabama Republican candidate for U.S. Senate, has been accused of previous sexual misconduct with teenagers, which he has denied.
Wes Frazer/Getty Images
Updated at 2:30 p.m. ET
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Monday, "I believe the women" and called on Republican Senate candidate Roy Moore of Alabama to "step aside."
McConnell made his remarks at a news conference in Kentucky. Moore has been accused of initiating sexual contact with a 14-year-old in 1979 when he was 32. Three other women have accused Moore of inappropriate contact when they were teens.
McConnell had initially said last week Moore should end his candidacy "if" the allegations were true. McConnell had supported the incumbent senator, Luther Strange, in the primary. He said a write-in campaign for Strange is now "an option."
'I Have Never Engaged In Sexual Misconduct,' Moore Says In Statement
THE TWO-WAY
'I Have Never Engaged In Sexual Misconduct,' Moore Says In Statement
Moore has come under increasing pressure from GOP lawmakers on Capitol Hill to step aside prior to the Dec. 12 special election in Alabama. He has refused, saying the accusations were "false and untrue" and threatening to sue The Washington Post, which first reported the story on Nov. 9.
Moore responded to McConnell via Twitter, saying McConnell "has failed conservatives and must be replaced."
Judge Roy Moore @MooreSenate
The person who should step aside is @SenateMajLdr Mitch McConnell. He has failed conservatives and must be replaced. #DrainTheSwamp
9:40 AM - Nov 13, 2017
3,770 3,770 Replies 5,851 5,851 Retweets 7,952 7,952 likes
Twitter Ads info and privacy
The National Republican Senatorial Committee has pulled out of a joint fundraising agreement with Moore, and the list of prominent Republicans opposing Moore's candidacy has steadily grown.
The most recent is Maine's Sen. Susan Collins, who in a statement on Twitter Monday said she "did not find Moore's denials to be convincing."
Sen. Susan Collins ✔@SenatorCollins
I have now read Mr. Moore’s statement and listened to his radio interview in which he denies the charges. I did not find his denials to be convincing and believe that he should withdraw from the Senate race in Alabama.
Republican leaders in Alabama, however, have largely defended Moore. Alabama State Auditor Jim Zeigler said there is "just nothing immoral or illegal" about the allegations and compared them to biblical marriages. The comments drew criticism from some evangelical leaders.
Meanwhile, Republican Gov. Kay Ivey has called the allegations against Moore "deeply disturbing," but on Monday she said, "I will withhold judgment until we get more of the facts," according to WSFA in Alabama.Monday afternoon, attorney Gloria Allred will hold a news conference in New York with a new accuser, who says Moore sexually assaulted her when she was a minor.
https://www.npr.org/2017/11/13/5637...o-step-aside?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=news
