Senate ‘disruptors’ hope Moore will be joining them
WASHINGTON — The Senate may be about to get another “disruptor” in Alabama Republican Roy Moore.
Unlike the chamber’s existing Republican outliers, Sens. Ted Cruz of Texas, Rand Paul of Kentucky and Mike Lee of Utah, who challenged the policies of not only Washington but their own party, Moore made his career championing radical views on social issues.
Moore has suggested that homosexuality should be outlawed and that Muslims should not be allowed to serve in Congress.
He has vigorously embraced President Donald Trump, who ruthlessly attacked Cruz during the presidential race and has had a rocky relationship with conservatives on Capitol Hill. Trump’s race-related comments after the death of a counterprotester in connection with a white supremacist gathering in Charlottesville, Va., drew sharp criticism from many conservative leaders, who sought to separate their policy movement from the social issues that Trump has used to rally his base.
But the Senate’s disruptors, as well as most fellow Republicans, are welcoming the prospect of having Moore as a colleague. To them, it’s more important to add another constitutionalist — and another Republican.
Cruz, Paul and Lee all spoke to Moore after his Republican primary runoff win over Sen. Luther Strange, the GOP establishment favorite, Tuesday night. Moore is a strong bet to beat Democrat Doug Jones in the Dec.12 general election.
“I look forward to welcoming him to the Senate and we need more strong, principled conservatives in the Senate because we’ve got work to do,” Cruz said.
Asked about Moore’s history of inflammatory comments, such as his view that the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks were divine retribution, Cruz deflected.
“I recognize the favorite activity of the Washington press is playing games like that. I’m not interested in playing those games,” Cruz said.
It’s a far cry from the Cruz of last month, who spoke out vehemently against the white supremacists who marched in Charlottesville. Cruz said after that event that “all of us have a moral obligation to speak out against the lies, bigotry, anti-Semitism, and hatred that (white supremacists) propagate.”
Paul also is enthusiastic about Moore.
“He talks about the Constitution, limited government, balanced budgets, so I think there will definitely be some overlap,” Paul said, declining to specify what policy goals they share. “I’m looking forward to working with him.”
The outliers, each in his first or second Senate term, have tried to push their agenda in several largely unsuccessful ways. They demanded big spending cuts, and were instrumental in forcing the 2013 partial government shutdown. But they ultimately have lost most fiscal fights as the GOP leadership found enough common ground with Democrats to push through budgets.
Even if Moore joins the three senators, it’s still uncertain just how much clout they would have. Republicans control 52 of the Senate’s 100 seats, and conservatives have found it difficult, if not impossible, to keep the party together on major agenda items such as repealing and replacing the Affordable Care Act and enacting deep budget cuts.
Other Republicans simply want more Republicans.
“I’m going to work to get Republicans elected all across the country so we can continue working with President Trump and our agenda,” said Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo.
Some, perhaps wistfully, suggested that Moore may modify his views once he becomes a U.S. senator.
“When you’re in the middle of elections, there are a lot of things that after the election is over you don’t put that much weight on,” said Sen. Jim Inhofe, R-Okla., asked whether he was concerned about any of Moore’s proclamations, including that homosexuality is an “inherent evil.”
Several defended Moore’s more controversial remarks, even as they suggested news accounts of them were not always accurate.
“No offense, but I don’t believe everything I read in the paper about people,” said Sen. John Kennedy, R-La.
“He’s entitled to his opinion,” Kennedy said. “This is America. You can believe what you want. ”
One Republican admitted not liking Moore’s record: Sen. Jeff Flake of Arizona, who is among those targeted by conservatives.
“Yeah, I know his history,” Flake told Politico. “I’m obviously not enamored with his politics because that’s not the future of the Republican Party, that’s for sure.”