Ed Henry on Moore accusations: I'm not buying it

David Palmer
The Cullman Times
Sat, 11 Nov 2017 15:19 UTC

© Amanda Shavers-Davis | The Cullman Times

State Rep. Ed Henry, R-Hartselle, is seen in this Times file photo.

State Rep. Ed Henry lashed out at Roy Moore's accusers and Republicans who said the U.S. Senate candidate should back out of the special election in an interview Thursday evening with The Times.

Henry, R-Hartselle, who represents a portion of Cullman County, said he suspects the timing of the stories told by five women about Moore's alleged sexual advancements 40 years ago, as told to The Washington Post, are politically motivated as the Dec. 12 special election nears. Moore will face Democrat Doug Jones, a former U.S. attorney.

"The idea that accusations like this would stop his campaign is ludicrous. If this was a habit, like you've read with Bill Cosby and millions of dollars paid to settle cases and years of witnesses, that would be one thing," Henry said. "You cannot tell me there hasn't been an opportunity through the years to make these accusations with as many times as he's (Moore) run (for office) and been in the news.

Henry said he believes legal action should be considered against Moore's accusers, finding their story unbelievable.

"If they believe this man is predatory, they are guilty of allowing him to exist for 40 years. I think someone should prosecute and go after them. You can't be a victim 40 years later, in my opinion," Henry said.

The Alabama lawmaker said Moore is a threat to "establishment" lawmakers on the national level, including in the Republican Party.

"(Senate Majority Leader Mitch) McConnell and (Arizona Sen.) John McCain, what they said about Moore ending his campaign just really gets to me. They are two of the biggest goobers we have in Washington D.C.," Henry said. "Even (U.S. Sen. Richard) Shelby was a coward with his comments. He's not going to like Roy Moore because Shelby was a Democrat for a long time. Everyone close to the establishment is going to love this."

Henry said he believes Moore's accusers have been stoked by the Democratic Party and may be paid money eventually for their actions.

"I'm not buying it," Henry said. "It's too easy for someone to make these accusations. It's foolish to go down that road, it's like what if a frog had wings, he wouldn't bump his ass every time he jumps."

The winner of the Dec. 12 election will fill the seat vacated by U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions. The Senate seat is currently held by Sen. Luther Strange, who was appointed to the position by former Gov. Robert Bentley. Strange lost to Moore in the Republican primary runoff.

Comment: Ed Henry has a point. The accusations against Moore are looking more and more like fake news. Cui bono? See:

• Political hit-job? Alabama woman claims WaPo reporter offered her thousand$ to accuse Judge Roy Moore of sexual abuse
• Poll shows Alabama race tied after allegations against Roy Moore
• Roy Moore denies teen sex abuse allegations in interview with Hannity: 'It never happened'

Moore continues to deny the allegations:

Moore denied ever knowing the woman who said she was 14-years-old at the time.

He acknowledged that he knew the other women named in the story when they were teens. He argued, however, that his relationship with the women was never inappropriate.

The age of consent in Alabama is 16 years old, as it was in 1979.

Moore said their parents would have been aware of the relationships.

"I don't remember dating any girl without the permission of her parents," he told Hannity.

When pressed, Moore went on to say that that it would have been "inappropriate" to date teenage girls given his age at the time.