Democrat Doug Jones is officially swinging for the seats in his bid to become Alabama’s next senator. After playing a relatively safe and solid campaign to this point, Jones let loose Tuesday on his GOP opponent Roy Moore, who has been credibly accused of repeatedly sexually preying on teenaged girls when he was in his 30s.
During a speech in Birmingham, Jones—who successfully prosecuted two KKK members responsible for a 1963 church bombing that killed four black girls—directly took on Moore for his history of sexual abuse:
"I damn sure believe that I have done my part to ensure that men who hurt little girls should go to jail—and not to the United States Senate.”
He also mocked Moore’s pistol-waving bravado at a campaign event several months ago.
Jones also intimated that Alabama didn’t look away when former Gov. Robert Bentley was forced from office over sexual conduct involving consenting adults and said Alabamians shouldn’t turn their backs now when it involves children.
Bravo, Doug Jones. The polls are all over the place in Alabama right now, some showing Jones up and some showing that Republicans are falling in line behind Moore after a period of uncertainty. No one knows where this thing is headed—as always, turnout will be key.
Meanwhile Moore has been in total retreat, dodging cameras at every turn, avoiding most public campaign appearances, and turning down interviews with everyone but right-wing outlets that support him.
Jones may as well put all his cards on the table for Alabama voters to see while Moore finishes the race in an all-out defensive crouch. Winning the race will take a fighter and Jones is swinging hard now. If he misses, then at least he goes down swinging. But yes, make headlines, draw clear distinctions, show ‘em who you are so they can’t dismiss you as just another nameless Democrat.
Alabamians have a choice—make them make it with all the facts. Anyone who votes for Roy Moore should come face to face with the moral decay they are endorsing and the opportunity they have to choose differently.
Watch Jones below.
