Is it Game Over for Moore?
The Washington Post dropped a bombshell Thursday in the middle of Alabama’s special election campaign for U.S. Senate. The paper reported Republican candidate Roy Moore initiated a sexual encounter with a 14-year-old girl when he was a 32-year-old assistant district attorney in Etowah County. The paper also says he dated three 16 to 18-year-old girls during that time. Moore denies the allegations. Political consultant David Mowery offers perspective on how this might affect Moore’s Senate race against Democrat Doug Jones.
Interview Highlights
On the significance of the report:
“I think it’s pretty big because it speaks to character for Judge Moore … and that’s sort of his brand, that he’s that guy. I don’t know yet if it’s a fatal blow. My advice right now is be cautious in thinking, ‘Oh wow, now the other guy’s going to win,’ just because of the pure partisan bent in the state is strongly, solidly Republican. And Moore jumping on it and saying it’s fake news and denying all the allegations and pushing back.”
On national Republicans’ harsher tone than state leaders:
“I think the people in the state are closer to it and are more worried about getting burned by any potential blowback either way. But I also think the people nationally, they’re saying if it’s proven true– that’s a big out. That’s a tell. How are we going to prove this is true or not? It’s a solidly reported account … I don’t know what else can come out to make it more true [or false].”
What to watch for in the final month of the campaign:
“I would watch for people either rescinding endorsements or not endorsing Moore. And I would watch for people, for Republicans maybe to endorse Jones either nationally or former officials in the state to endorse Jones signaling to other Republicans that, ‘hey, it’s ok to vote for this guy this one time because Moore is so flawed as a candidate or as a person.'”
Thousands evacuated in Canada as wildfires threaten air quality in parts of the U.S.
Air quality reached "unhealthy" levels in North Dakota and small swaths of Montana, Minnesota and South Dakota, according to the EPA.
Some of the U.S. could see the northern lights due to a geomagnetic storm
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Space Weather Prediction Center says a severe geomagnetic storm is possible Sunday night.
Ukraine destroys more than 40 military aircraft in a drone attack deep inside Russia
The attack was disclosed on the same day as Zelenskyy said Ukraine will send a delegation to Istanbul for a new round of direct peace talks with Russia on Monday.
The women of No Sex for Fish are survivors — but their survival is precarious
A group of women in Kenya rebelled against trading sex for a fisherman's catch to sell. They got their own boats, had success — but in past years have faced floods and now fears about HIV medications.
Two dead and hundreds arrested in France after PSG win soccer Champions League
Hundreds of people were arrested in the celebrations, which were largely peaceful but degenerated into violence in some areas.
At least seven dead after two Russian bridges collapse
Russia's Investigative Committee, the country's top criminal investigation agency, said in a statement that explosions had caused the two bridges to collapse, but did not give further details.
