Flanked by leaders of several pro-life religious organizations, Alabama GOP Senate candidate Roy Moore held a bizarre campaign event on Thursday that began with a weird story about hemorrhoids.
Moore talked about a time when he first got into politics and a seasoned judge told him about three things he needed to succeed in politics. The judge told him he first needed eyeglasses so he could appear to be intelligent and to prove to people that he reads a lot. Second, Moore was told to develop gray or thinning hair to show old age and experience.
"You have to have one other thing," Moore said the judge told him. "You have to have hemorrhoids," because "it gives you a concerned look."
Roy Moore...makes a hemorrhoids joke. pic.twitter.com/spAe5mz6fQ
— Pat Ward (@WardDPatrick) November 16, 2017
Moore eventually abruptly left Thursday's event after refusing to answer questions related to the multiple molestation accusations he is facing — but not before he also pledged that he wouldn't drop out of the race and demanded Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., step down instead.
"I'll tell you who needs to step down, that's Mitch McConnell," Moore said, according to CBS News. He added, "There's been comments about me taking a stand. I'll quit standing when they lay me on that box and put me in the ground."
Moore slammed the allegations against him as "untrue" as he has repeatedly done in recent days. Over a dozen pro-life religious organizations reaffirmed their support for Moore, presenting a letter that was signed by "pro-family leaders and pastors from across the nation."
"We stand with Judge Roy Moore, a man of integrity who has never wavered from his valiant defense of the unborn, the Ten Commandments, and the Constitution," the letter said, according to CBS. "We are confident the voters of Alabama will not be fooled by suspiciously timed accusations without evidence and will reject the politics of personal destruction led by the Washington Post," the letter stated.
Moore ended up walking out of the event after the floor was opened for questions from the press and reporters insisted the Senate candidate speak for himself.
Roy Moore’s reaction when reporters asked about molestation accusations. He left the press conference. Asked for questions on the “issues” pic.twitter.com/BIh0SQUwWi
— Alex Thompson (@AlxThomp) November 16, 2017
Before the event even started, Moore weighed in on Twitter about the allegations against him by seizing upon the recent allegations levied against Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn, and proved he doesn't know the definition of "zero evidence."
Al Franken admits guilt after photographic evidence of his abuse surfaces.
Mitch: "Let's investigate." In Alabama, ZERO evidence, allegations 100% rejected. Mitch: "Moore must quit immediately or be expelled." — Judge Roy Moore (@MooreSenate) November 16, 2017
But despite pressure from the Republican Party, the Alabama GOP has decided to firmly stand with Moore, despite the allegations that he sexually preyed on minors.
"The ALGOP Steering Committee supports Judge Roy Moore as our nominee and trusts the voters as they make the ultimate decision in this crucial race," the ALGOP said in a statement, according to Politico. The statement continued, "Judge Moore has vehemently denied the allegations made against him. He deserves to be presumed innocent of the accusations unless proven otherwise. He will continue to take his case straight to the people of Alabama."
White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders would only offer the president's continued silence on the matter. "He thinks that the people of Alabama should make the decision on who their next senator should be," Sanders said on Thursday.
Shares