Roy Moore made some national headlines yesterday with sources claiming he is close to announcing a U.S. Senate run.
It’s hard to say where the stories originated, chicken and egg wise, but one of the most widespread was from Congressman Bradley Byrne telling The Hill’s Scott Wong that he welcomes Moore to the race but doubts he can win.
That story garnered a Twitter reaction from Moore (or whomever runs Moore’s account) saying Byrne was scared of him because he can beat Sen. Doug Jones, or something.
He knows that if I run I will beat Doug Jones.
— Judge Roy Moore (@RealJudgeMoore) May 28, 2019
(The replies to that tweet could keep you occupied all morning, but stay with me)
Then, Donald Trump, Jr. got involved, tweeting at Moore:
You mean like last time? You’re literally the only candidate who could lose a GOP seat in pro-Trump, pro-USA ALABAMA. Running for office should never become a business model. If you actually care about #MAGA more than your own ego, it's time to ride off into the sunset, Judge. https://t.co/Twg9isFRkY
— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) May 28, 2019
I thought that was pretty significant. But just this morning, President Trump himself cut into Moore in two tweets:
Republicans cannot allow themselves to again lose the Senate seat in the Great State of Alabama. This time it will be for Six Years, not just Two. I have NOTHING against Roy Moore, and unlike many other Republican leaders, wanted him to win. But he didn’t, and probably won’t.....
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 29, 2019
...If Alabama does not elect a Republican to the Senate in 2020, many of the incredible gains that we have made during my Presidency may be lost, including our Pro-Life victories. Roy Moore cannot win, and the consequences will be devastating....Judges and Supreme Court Justices!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 29, 2019
For a normal candidate, this would pretty much mean it’s over. But Roy Moore is not a normal candidate. One could absolutely see the Trump family’s criticism temping him to run even more.
Anyway, you’re caught up.
Couldn’t they have all waited until after the legislative session to make all this news?