To the Editor:
Re “Democrat Wins Pivotal Alabama Senate Seat” (front page, Dec. 13):
I would like to thank the state of Alabama for carrying our country on your backs on Tuesday and pointing us toward humanity and fairness.
I thank, with a lump in my throat, the African-American community, which was pivotal in defeating Roy Moore, turning out in tremendous numbers to vote for Doug Jones. According to exit polls, black women voted 98 percent for Mr. Jones.
I also give thanks to the righteous Republicans who helped decency win, such as Condoleezza Rice, Jeff Flake and Richard Shelby (write in!). Right on!
And thanks to the basketball star Charles Barkley. Your words were a force. Thank you for helping to galvanize the vote.
And finally to Doug Jones, and every single voter and volunteer in Alabama who helped shift the Trump trajectory, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Continue reading the main storyWENDY MISSAN, MILLBURN, N.J.
To the Editor:
It may be hard to believe, but there was actually a time when the Republican leadership thought that credible sexual misconduct allegations against their own were disqualifying. In 1995, for example, Senator Bob Packwood was forced out of office by his G.O.P. colleagues after he was accused of sexual assault.
A few years later, Senator Mitch McConnell explained the decision to remove Mr. Packwood: “So, we had a choice: Retain the Senate seat or retain our honor. We chose honor, and never looked back.”
Now, unfortunately, the Republicans have looked back. And by supporting Roy Moore’s losing campaign, they pursued a Senate seat instead of their honor, and ended up with neither.
SIMON HEDLIN, CAMBRIDGE, MASS.
To the Editor:
While we bask in a self-congratulatory haze over Roy Moore’s loss in the special Senate race in Alabama, one fact should, nonetheless, be mulled over. Had Mr. Moore not been accused of having a penchant for underage women years ago, he would likely have won this election.
Mr. Moore represents much of what the founding fathers despised. He is a religious zealot who uses his faith to flog lifestyles he opposes, as well as women’s rights. His wife says things like, “One of our attorneys is a Jew.” He was kicked off the Alabama bench twice because he put his faith above the Constitution. He freely stated that this country’s heyday resided in its antebellum history.
There is a swath of Alabamians who think this is just fine.
The rejection of Roy Moore was a step, but only that. This country has a long way to go before it realizes the ideal state it has always sought, but never achieved. Racism is still a powerful influence. Classism is as strong as it has ever been.
Neither the Democrats nor the Republicans are the real answer. The answer resides in moderation, tolerance, logic and statesmen (and women) who are in too short supply these days. If one feels like praying, these are the things for which we should pray.
JOSEPH BLADY
FRANKLIN LAKES, N.J.
To the Editor:
Not to be overlooked in this stunning victory is the role of the investigative reporting done by The Washington Post. Despite constant excoriation by President Trump and the extremist Steve Bannon, the free and fair press exposed an alleged child molester. This played no small part in Roy Moore’s defeat.
The need to vigilantly support truth and accuracy in the media gets stronger every day.
ADAM STOLER, BRONX
Continue reading the main story