If Roy Moore Isn't Rock Bottom for Republicans, What the Hell Is?
When the news that Alabama Senate candidate and longtime conservative raconteur Roy Moore was accused of molesting a 14-year-old girl when he was 32, we braced for the inevitable pushback from those on the right who would defend him. Partisanship is a hell of a drug, one powerful enough to cause at least some supporters to turn a blind eye to carefully reported allegations of child abuse.
They did not disappoint. Led by the same cargo cult of alt-right types who argue it's no big deal that the Trump administration has more ties to Russia than the Bolshoi Ballet, conservatives tripped over themselves blaming the accusers or, unbelievably, arguing that his alleged actions amount to no big deal.
If this isn't rock bottom, pray that a comet hits Earth before we reach it.
Recalling the rabid anti-Russian attitudes held by Republicans throughout the Cold War era, it was a shock to the senses to see so many so-called conservatives excusing Trump's obvious blind spot toward Russian malfeasance. It was hard to digest. If we as Americans could agree on anything, it's that Russians are the Bad Guys. Doesn't anyone remember Rocky IV?
Failing that, we can at least agree that heavily sourced allegations of child molestation are disqualifying for a job in the United States Senate. Or so it seemed.
Political science has produced evidence since as early as the 1940s suggesting that partisanship is a powerful, stable force in an individual's political beliefs. We can overlook or excuse a lot of flaws in candidates who share our party label. Individual factors still matter, though. Certain people are unpleasant enough – in their ideas, behavior or personality – to preclude our support, even if they're on the "right" team.
http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/features/if-roy-moore-isnt-rock-bottom-for-republicans-what-is-w511620?utm_source=rsnewsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=daily&utm_campaign=111317_13
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That made my morning.
