MAKING UP WITH THE JONESES
Trump makes ‘ gracious’ call to congratulate Alabama Dem on close win over Roy Moore
Doug Jones believes he became the first Democrat Alabama will send to the U. S. Senate in more than 30 years because he’s a “center- of- the- road political figure” who seeks “common ground” — a goal he discussed Wednesday with President Donald Trump.
“It was a very gracious call,” Jones told reporters. “He congratulated me on the race that we had run. He congratulated me and my staff. … And we talked about finding that common ground. And he invited me up to the White House as soon as I get up there.”
Jones rocked the political landscape Tuesday with his surprise defeat of Re- publican Roy Moore, a conservative firebrand whose campaign was jolted by allegations of sexual misconduct against teenage girls decades ago.
Moore had the support of Trump, who lambasted Jones as a liberal who was soft on crime, secure borders and the economy. But despite all that, Jones said he expected to be able to work with the Republican president.
“I very much appreciated him reaching out to me,” Jones said.
The former Alabama U. S. attorney discussed his stunning upset with reporters in a news conference in Birmingham. He beat Moore, 49.9 percent to 48.4 percent. Jones’ victory margin was just 20,715 of the more than 1.3 million ballots cast.
Jones said he believes most voters were attracted to his “message of inclusiveness, a message of dignity and respect,” but he conceded “there is also that segment of the population who voted against Roy Moore.”
“But you know that is not a bad thing, to reject that kind of history, that divisive rhetoric. I think that is a good thing.”
The allegations of sexual misconduct, which Moore steadfastly denied, were only part of the problem voters had with Moore, Jones said, citing the former Alabama Supreme Court judge being twice tossed from the bench and his history of taking racially and socially divisive stands.
“We were getting traction in our campaign before those allegations,” Jones said.
“I think this election shows that people across this country want to see people work together. … I think that’s a message that a lot of people can take a lot out of.”
Jones said he did not talk to Moore, who has still not conceded defeat.
“I’m going to let him make that decision,” Jones said.