Cornyn Withdraws Moore Endorsement But Says Voters Get ‘Final Judgment’

Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn of Texas, pauses as he speaks to reporters outside his office on Capitol Hill in Washington, Monday, June 26, 2017. Senate Republicans unveil a revised health care bill in hopes of se... Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn of Texas, pauses as he speaks to reporters outside his office on Capitol Hill in Washington, Monday, June 26, 2017. Senate Republicans unveil a revised health care bill in hopes of securing support from wavering GOP lawmakers, including one who calls the drive to whip his party's bill through the Senate this week "a little offensive." (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) MORE LESS
Start your day with TPM.
Sign up for the Morning Memo newsletter

Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX), one of a handful of U.S. senators to explicitly endorse Roy Moore in his bid for the U.S. Senate, withdrew that endorsement Monday. 

But the senior senator from Texas stopped short of calling for Moore to withdraw from the race, as many senators, including Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), have done. 

“I believe the accusations against Roy Moore are disturbing and, if true, disqualifying,” Cornyn said in a statement provided to TPM. “The most appropriate course of action, in my view, is to leave the final judgment in the hands of Alabama voters — where it has always belonged — and withdraw my endorsement.”

On Monday, Beverly Young Nelson alleged that Moore sexually assaulted her when she was 16. Another woman, Leigh Corfman, told the Washington Post last week that Moore made sexual advances on her when she was 14.

Three other women told the Post that Moore pursued relationships with them when they were teenagers as well. Moore was in his 30s at the time the alleged assault and improprieties took place.

Sens. Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Rand Paul (R-KY), who endorsed Moore as well, have not withdrawn their endorsements.

Latest Livewire

Notable Replies

  1. “Maybe next time, God.”
    - John Cornyn

  2. Avatar for ghost ghost says:

    As always, you’re a profile in courage, John.

  3. Voters get the final judgment, because you folks are stuck and can’t get Moore’s name off the ballot.

    Chortle!

  4. If the accusations are true and the Alabama voters elect Moore then what Senator?
    What are YOU going to do?

Continue the discussion at forums.talkingpointsmemo.com

45 more replies

Participants

Avatar for ghost Avatar for old_curmudgeon Avatar for george_spiggott Avatar for jimtoday Avatar for spacepenguin Avatar for inversion Avatar for thebigragu Avatar for psyclone Avatar for joelopines Avatar for jkrogman Avatar for geofu54 Avatar for keninmn Avatar for bboerner Avatar for tena Avatar for gajake Avatar for dommyluc Avatar for wsayscoupgood Avatar for rickjones Avatar for jacksonhts Avatar for brian512 Avatar for maximus Avatar for jakebarnes Avatar for captaintangent Avatar for greenman66

Continue Discussion
Masthead Masthead
Founder & Editor-in-Chief:
Executive Editor:
Managing Editor:
Deputy Editor:
Editor at Large:
General Counsel:
Publisher:
Head of Product:
Director of Technology:
Associate Publisher:
Front End Developer:
Senior Designer: