If True

[babylonsister]

http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/politics/2017/11/the_moral_cowardice_of_saying_allegations_against_roy_moore_are_horrible.html


Nov. 10 2017 6:56 PM
“If True”
The moral cowardice of conservatives who say they’ll wait and see whether to condemn Roy Moore.
By Jamelle Bouie

snip//


National Republicans weren’t as quick to defend their fellow partisan. Arizona Sen. John McCain called the allegations “deeply disturbing and disqualifying” and said Moore “should immediately step aside and allow the people of Alabama to elect a candidate they can be proud of.” The National Republican Senatorial Campaign severed its ties to Moore, and Republican luminaries like Mitt Romney issued swift condemnations of the Alabama candidate. “Innocent until proven guilty is for criminal convictions, not elections. I believe Leigh Corfman,” said Romney on Twitter. “Her account is too serious to ignore. Moore is unfit for office and should step aside."

These unequivocal condemnations were the minority. More common were those from figures like Mitch McConnell and Paul Ryan. “If these allegations are true, Roy Moore should step aside for all the obvious reasons. Very disturbing allegations,” said McConnell. “If these allegations are found to be true, Roy Moore must drop out of the Alabama special Senate election,” said Colorado Sen. Cory Gardner. “If there is any truth to that, he ought to step aside, of course,” said Arizona Sen. Jeff Flake. “These allegations are disqualifying if true. Anyone who would do this to a child has no place in public office, let alone the United States Senate,” Ryan said.

Conservative activists have taken a similar line. “The allegations reported by the media against Roy Moore are beyond disturbing and, if true, would disqualify him or anyone else engaged in such behavior from holding a position of public trust,” said Tony Perkins, head of the Family Research Center.

If true. On the surface, this looks like a condemnation and a call for Moore to leave the race. But it isn’t. These Republicans are shocked by the allegations, but they aren’t willing to make a judgment about their veracity or make a choice about their support for Moore. Indeed, if true defers the issue to Moore himself. Either he makes it true by acknowledging and affirming the allegations, or he doesn’t, in which case those Republicans won’t have to act. If true renders the question inert. If true is moral cowardice.

Republicans face the same choice they did last year, when Trump was accused of sexual assault. And with few exceptions, they have deferred making a choice, which is a choice in and of itself. By hedging their statements, and by not directly calling for Moore to leave the race, they are signaling their willingness to accept Moore into the Senate, if he wins. His predatory behavior, his bigotry, his contempt for the rule of law—all of those are secondary to the fact that he will give them an additional vote. This is where the Republican Party and the conservative movement stand. If partisanship demands that they support an abuser and a predator, then that’s exactly what they’ll do.

[Hugin]

1. If they accepted the election of a guy who severely beat down a Journalist in Montana...

The Gang-of-Pedophiles party isn't even remotely going to do anything about a child rapist in the Senate.

They'll wave it off.

[Cirque du So-What]

2. Did anyone utter the phrase 'if true'

in the case of Anthony Weiner or Hillary Clinton?

[forthemiddle]

6. With Anthony Weiner they did

Unfortunately for him, there is photographic evidence.

I have also seen, “If True” on George Takei threads, so let’s not pretend it doesn’t happen. It’s second nature to defend those who we side politically with, and that’s how it should be.

[NotASurfer]

3. Every time I hear that answer I want to hear a follow up question or two

Like "So who do you believe?" and then "Why?"

And watch "if true" squirm like a shoplifter who knows there's video

[Wellstone ruled]

4. Let's all look at what is really at play here.

This past Election was stolen number one. Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnell went all in with Corporate America to change the Political Landscape for fifty years. That is what is happening. It is not about the USA,it is all about Corporate America and a Quasi Fascist Permanent Single Party Rule.

The four hundred Wealthiest Families have spoken and we are seeing what they are demanding from their Polemical Coupe. Mitch McConnell let it slip on Friday,and that was,our Donors what their Tax Cuts and Regulations removed.

Trump Russia-Gate got away from them,and we are now in uncharted waters.

[uponit7771]

5. There's been multiple people who confirm Moore dated teenage girls