Alabama GOP stands behind Roy Moore amid assault allegations
The Alabama Republican Party (ALGOP) Thursday evening said it is standing behind the party’s Senate nominee Roy Moore as they offered their continued support ahead of the Dec. 12 general election. Moore has been under fire since The Washington Post published an explosive report last Thursday afternoon with the accounts of four women who claim he sexually pursued them when he was in his 30s and they were in their teens. As of Thursday evening, a total of nine women have levied accusations against Moore. The news has caused rapid fallout from dozens within the Republican Party who have called on him to withdraw his name from next month’s special election if the allegations are true, but the ALGOP is breaking rank with the national party standing behind the former Alabama Chief Justice. “The ALGOP Steering Committee supports Judge Roy Moore as our nominee and trusts the voters as they make the ultimate decision in this crucial race,” said Chair of the Alabama Republican Party, Terry Lathan, in a statement. “Judge Moore has vehemently denied the allegations made against him. He deserves to be presumed innocent of the accusations unless proven otherwise. He will continue to take his case straight to the people of Alabama.” According to Lathan, ALGOP Steering Committee, comprised of 21 members, met Wednesday evening to discuss the situation surrounding Moore. “We are very grateful for the multitudes that have reached out to us with support and prayers. We ask God to guide us, politically and personally, with His mighty strength and wisdom. In turn, we also pray that justice and truth will prevail for all involved in this situation,” Lathan concluded. Moore’s campaign Chairman Bill Armistead responded to the ALGOP’s statement of support on behalf of the campaign. “I appreciate Chairman Terry Lathan and the Alabama Republican Party standing strong behind Judge Moore,” said Armistead. “As Chairman Lathan alluded, there are sharp policy differences between Judge Moore and the Democratic nominee. Judge Moore will work closely with President Trump to rebuild a strong military, confirm strict constitutionalists to the courts, and reform and simplify the tax code, while the Democratic nominee supports Obamacare, partial-birth abortion and far-left liberals on the Supreme Court.” “The political establishment and the national media have put a bullseye on Judge Moore because he’s a conservative outsider who will go to Washington to fight for our values, but the voters of Alabama – the people who know him best – aren’t fooled by these tricks and lies. Judge Moore will spend the next three weeks traveling the state and speaking directly to the voters about job growth, tax reform, rebuilding the military, and stopping the overreach of liberal judges. ”
Major GOP donor produces anti-Luther Strange ad in Senate race
A political committee connected to a big-time Alabama GOP donor will roll out an online and TV ad this week attacking Luther Strange in the final weeks of the primary race for the seat he now occupies. First reported by POLITICO, the Stan Pate-backed Swamp Drainers PAC produced an ad calling into question Strange’s appointment to the seat by former Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley, who resigned amid controversy in April. The 17-second spot asserts then-Alabama Attorney General Strange was appointed by Bentley in exchange for his office dropping an investigation into the scandal-plagued governor. “Vote No! To Shady Big Luther Strange,” the ad reads. The Tuscaloosa real estate developer, announced his political committee at the end of June and made clear he would use it against Strange, who is running in a special election to keep his senate seat. Pate did not say how much money the committee plans to spend on the ads, which will begin airing this week. Strange is running in a crowded special Republican Primary for the seat, with his main competition coming from former Alabama Supreme Court Justice Roy Moore and CD 5 U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks. The primary election is set for Aug. 15. A primary runoff, if necessary, will be Sept. 26 and the general election is scheduled for Dec. 12. The winner of the general election will serve out the remainder of former U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions’ term, which runs through Jan. 2021.
Alabama GOP launches conference call series with Carly Fiorina
The Alabama GOP is having a series of statewide telephone calls with the first being held Tuesday with Carly Fiorina. In the invitation, Alabama Republican Party Chairman Terry Lathan said, “In an effort to help us all get acquainted with our national Republican friends, who are interested in sharing their visions of our nation’s future, we are introducing a first for our state — a conference call series between possible presidential candidates and our Alabama Republicans.” Fiorina isn’t a household name yet but she’s hoping that in a crowded field her business credentials and straight talk stand out. Based on recent appearances to date here is what you likely can expect if you call in: She can be counted on to attack Hillary Clinton (though occasionally swiping at Bill): The New York Times reports that this is a favorite quip so you may even here it. She used it at CPAC and again at the New Hampshire First in The Nation Forum this past weekend, “Unlike Mrs. Clinton, I know that flying is an activity, not an accomplishment,” referencing Hillary bragging about how much she flew as Secretary of State. She’s all business: That’s the emphasis on her background. As the first woman to ever run a Fortune 20 company, Hewlett Packard, you can expect that to be a central part of any campaign and any conversation about her. In a National Review piece titled Fiorina Has Hillary Defenders Worried printed Sunday, John Fund described her business experience and her defense against her detractors. Fund wrote, “She believes she can connect with ordinary voters because her own experience shows how people can rise when they have economic opportunity.” He went on to quote her speech in New Hampshire where she told the audience, “For the first time in U.S. history, we are destroying more businesses than we are creating.” She went on to say, “The weight of the government is literally crushing the potential of the people of this nation.” She’s probably running for president. Quotes from Fiorina and her team have pretty much assured us of that. Saturday, on Fox and Friends she said it. Before that on an earlier Fox and Friends visit she put the odds at 90 percent. Reports Sunday night indicate that the announcement may come on May 04, putting her Alabama call just weeks before her launch.
