This article is from the source 'nytimes' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/29/us/politics/roy-moore-donald-trump.html

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Trump Warns Roy Moore Against Alabama Senate Run Trump Warns Roy Moore Against Alabama Senate Run
(about 1 hour later)
President Trump on Wednesday issued a highly public warning to the former Alabama judge Roy Moore not to make a second run for Senate, or else risk losing a seat in a solidly Republican state again.President Trump on Wednesday issued a highly public warning to the former Alabama judge Roy Moore not to make a second run for Senate, or else risk losing a seat in a solidly Republican state again.
Mr. Moore, who was defeated in a 2017 special election after being accused of pursuing relationships with teenage girls while in his 30s, has hinted in recent weeks that he would make another try at the Senate seat. He lost narrowly in deeply conservative Alabama to Doug Jones, a Democrat considered his party’s most vulnerable Senate incumbent up for re-election in 2020.Mr. Moore, who was defeated in a 2017 special election after being accused of pursuing relationships with teenage girls while in his 30s, has hinted in recent weeks that he would make another try at the Senate seat. He lost narrowly in deeply conservative Alabama to Doug Jones, a Democrat considered his party’s most vulnerable Senate incumbent up for re-election in 2020.
If the race were a rematch, Mr. Moore would provide Democrats a national target to accuse Republicans of being too far to the right, in a state that recently banned abortion in nearly all cases, without exceptions for rape and incest.If the race were a rematch, Mr. Moore would provide Democrats a national target to accuse Republicans of being too far to the right, in a state that recently banned abortion in nearly all cases, without exceptions for rape and incest.
Mr. Trump, who endorsed Mr. Moore late in the 2017 race, and who has often used Twitter to weigh in on Republican primary fights, said Wednesday on Twitter: “I have nothing against Roy Moore, and unlike many other Republican leaders, wanted him to win. But he didn’t, and probably won’t.”Mr. Trump, who endorsed Mr. Moore late in the 2017 race, and who has often used Twitter to weigh in on Republican primary fights, said Wednesday on Twitter: “I have nothing against Roy Moore, and unlike many other Republican leaders, wanted him to win. But he didn’t, and probably won’t.”
Mr. Moore said in an interview Wednesday that the president was getting “bad advice” about him from “the establishment in Washington,” which fears his views on social issues such as his opposition to gay marriage.
“I think politics are at work and people behind the scenes are trying to force him to distance himself from me,’’ Mr. Moore said, referring to Mr. Trump. “It’s wrong. The truth is they know I’ll win if I run.’’
He said he would make a decision about entering the race this month. “There’s polls showing I do have a chance,’’ he said. “Everything seems to be very favorable.’’
On Tuesday, the president’s son Donald Jr., a key campaign surrogate for his father, went after Mr. Moore more personally, saying on Twitter, “You’re literally the only candidate who could lose a GOP seat in pro-Trump, pro-USA ALABAMA.” He added: “It’s time to ride off into the sunset, Judge.”On Tuesday, the president’s son Donald Jr., a key campaign surrogate for his father, went after Mr. Moore more personally, saying on Twitter, “You’re literally the only candidate who could lose a GOP seat in pro-Trump, pro-USA ALABAMA.” He added: “It’s time to ride off into the sunset, Judge.”
Mr. Moore, who was twice removed from office while serving as the state’s chief justice, said this month he was “strongly considering” a second Senate run. At least two other Republicans — Representative Bradley Byrne and Tommy Tuberville, a former Auburn University football coach — have announced candidacies for the nomination.Mr. Moore, who was twice removed from office while serving as the state’s chief justice, said this month he was “strongly considering” a second Senate run. At least two other Republicans — Representative Bradley Byrne and Tommy Tuberville, a former Auburn University football coach — have announced candidacies for the nomination.