Trump Comes To Roy Moore's Defense - What a Surprise

Following President Trump's condemnation of Senator Al Franken's inappropriate sexual conduct with LeeAnn Tweeden without comment on the more severe allegations against Alabama GOP Senate candidate Roy Moore of inappropriate sexual relations with minors, I wrote the following:

If Trump was going to condemn Moore he would have done so by now. The only reason I can see Trump condemning Moore is if he loses the special election on December 12th.

At this point, Trump will do one of two things. He will a) maintain his radio silence or b) Trump will come to Moore's defense and call his accusers liars. Both options speak volumes. By condemning Franken but not condemning Moore, Trump is telling us that sexual misconduct is acceptable behavior if you want to Make America Great Again. It is also an indication that Trump is unwilling to risk the possibility of his supporters turning on him.

Today, Trump went with option b albeit somewhat tempered by his standards. Trump defended Moore by saying "he totally denies it." Well, longtime Detroit area Congressman John Conyers totally denies it too. I don't see Trump giving him the benefit of the doubt. 

While it's true that Trump didn't direct any remarks to Moore's accusers let's not be surprised if that changes between now and December 12th. But Trump made his position clear stating, "We don’t need a liberal person in there, a Democrat, Jones. I’ve looked at his record. It’s terrible on crime. It’s terrible on the border. It’s terrible on the military.” Yes, how terrible of Jones to prosecute Klan members who bombed a church killing four African-American girls. 

Or put another way, Trump is essentially saying that Moore may be a SOB, but he's our SOB. Of course, Democrats are doing much the same with Franken and Conyers. It's the kind of thing which makes people disgusted at politicians of all stripes. Or at least I would like to think it would. Because if it did we wouldn't have elected Trump to the White House.