Embattled Senate candidate Roy Moore, bolstered by the support of top Alabama Republicans, dug in Thursday against calls for him to withdraw from a December special election because of multiple allegations of sexual misconduct.
The 70-year-old retired judge attempted to shield himself from political fallout by raising fresh revelations of sexual misconduct against Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., and by labeling the charges against him a conspiracy hatched by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.
“This is an effort by Mitch McConnell and his cronies, to steal this election from the people of Alabama, and they will not stand for it,” Moore said during news conference, flanked by religious leaders from around the country supporting his campaign.
McConnell has urged Moore to exit the race to make way for another Republican to run in his place. The majority leader has said that he believes the judge's accusers and warned Moore that he faces expulsion from Congress if he wins. On Thursday, McConnell also called for a Senate ethics investigation into Franken, accused by a former model and Los Angeles talk radio host of forcibly kissing and groping her years ago. Franken issued an apology.
But it wasn't enough for top Democrats, who immediately joined McConnell's call for an ethics inquiry and announced plans to donate charity money the popular progressive donated to their campaigns over the years.
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05.18.2024