Some Republicans are blaming Steve Bannon for Roy Moore’s loss — and here’s why that makes no sense
Republican Roy Moore’s loss in the December 12th Senate election in Alabama came as a shock to many. Moore’s party is attempting to grapple with defeat, and national Republicans blame Steve Bannon for the loss.
"This is a brutal reminder that candidate quality matters regardless of where you are running," said a statement issued by the Republican PAC Senate Leadership Fund. "Not only did Steve Bannon cost us a critical Senate seat in one of the most Republican states in the country, but he also dragged the President of the United States into his fiasco.
Bannon, the former White House chief strategist known for his work at the alt-right media outlet Breitbart News, backed Moore since the primaries. Most other prominent Republicans favored Luther Strange until Moore won the nomination. Bannon poured his energy into campaigning for Moore. At a rally on December 11th, Bannon spoke directly to the audience, condemning Republicans who opposed Moore.
"There's a special place in hell for Republicans who should know better," he said.
This isn’t the first time a Bannon-backed Republican candidate has lost, either. Bannon campaigned for the Republican candidate, in the Virginia gubernatorial race, who lost to his Democratic opponent in November. Add this to the fact that many mainstream Republicans dislike Bannon for his radical views and desire to overthrow the establishment, and when they saw a way to blame Moore’s loss on him, they pounced.
Before we get the results, I'd just like to thank Steve Bannon for showing us how to lose the reddest state in the union and Governor Ivey for the opportunity to make this national embarrassment a reality
— Josh Holmes (@HolmesJosh) December 13, 2017
A lot to unpack in this Senate Leadership Fund statement tonight on #ALSen results. Their blame goes to Steve Bannon. pic.twitter.com/mTFbICGL36
— Eli Yokley (@eyokley) December 13, 2017
A top Republican in close touch to the White House says: “This should be a wakeup call" — of President Trump following Bannon's lead in Alabama. Silence now at the White House.
— Jeff Zeleny (@jeffzeleny) December 13, 2017
Steve Bannon is a cancer.
Good people in Alabama were the first dose of chemo.
— Rick Wilson (@TheRickWilson) December 13, 2017
But while Bannon’s influence was likely a factor in Moore’s loss, there were other forces at work. Moore was accused of sexual misconduct; several women alleged that he pursued them romantically when they were teenagers. And at one September rally, Moore said that America was great during the time of slavery, drawing criticism from many.
On the other hand, Moore’s opponent, Doug Jones, was a renowned civil rights attorney who had indicted Ku Klux Klan members for bombing a Baptist church. Jones pledged to fight for equality as a senator, condemning the mistreatment of Muslims, Latinos, and LGBTQ people. As a result, 96 percent of black voters, who made up 30 percent of the electorate, voted for him on December 12th.
Bannon’s support may have hurt the Republicans’ chances in Alabama, but the bottom line is that Moore was a weak candidate. Alabama voters made their choice clear. Jones’ record of fighting for civil rights triumphed over Moore’s flaws. And Bannon had little to do with that.