Fmr GOP Gov Pawlenty: Don’t Put ‘Credibly Accused Serial Child Molester’ Roy Moore in Senate

Former Governor of Minnesota Tim Pawlenty appeared on CNN’s New Day the morning of the Alabama Senate race, and the Republican did not mince words when asked about GOP nominee Roy Moore.

New Day’s Chris Cuomo pointed out that Pawlenty is not from Alabama, but asked that if he were, would he vote for Moore — the former judge whose candidacy has been dogged by a number of allegations of sexual assault, harassment and all-around creepiness.

“I don’t even think it’s a close call,” Pawlenty said. “This is a credibly accused serial child molester, and I don’t think that’s even a close call, no.”

Cuomo noted that President Donald Trump has thrown his full endorsement behind Moore, dismissing the allegations and arguing that a Republican is needed in the Senate.

“I’d have the right, as others have done, to write in another Republican candidate,” Pawlenty replied. “And that may not be successful in terms of an election victory, but in terms of the values and perspectives that I hold, and I think a lot of other people hold, I don’t think you put into the United States Senate a credibly accused serial child molester.”

Then how do you explain the position of the president?” Cuomo asked.

“I don’t,” Pawlenty deadpanned, explaining that he understood some Republicans were willing to accept Moore to retain a senate seat.

“But I’m not willing to put my personal values to the curb for political power,” he added.

Cuomo went on to ask Pawlenty if he will be running for Sen. Al Franken’s soon-to-be vacated Minnesota Senate seat — to which the coy former governor replied that his political career remains dormant.

Watch above, via CNN.

[image via screengrab]

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