GOP Sen Portman: It ‘Would Be Better for the Country’ If Roy Moore Stepped Aside

Sunday on NBC’s “Meet The Press,” Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH), said it “would be better for the country” if Alabama GOP Senate hopeful Roy Moore stepped aside.

Partial transcript as follows:

TODD: Do you agree with the president that it is better if Alabamians elect someone accused of being a child molester over a democratic simply due to ideology?

PORTMAN: Well, I stand with what I said earlier which is I think it would be best if he stepped aside. I think the president said that initially. I think that would be better for the country. The election is in a few weeks and there is a possibility for folks to do write in candidates. We will see. I think it would be best if he stepped aside.

TODD: If you were a voter in Alabama what would you do? Jeff Flake said he would vote Democrat if Roy Moore was the only other option?

PORTMAN: I would probably vote for a Republican but it wouldn’t be Roy Moore.

TODD: You would cast that vote knowing it probably throws the election, the more Republicans that split there vote. You are okay if a Democrat gets elected as long as it is not Roy Moore?

PORTMAN: As you know I endorsed Luther Strange. He is my colleague now. I never endorsed Roy Moore. When the allegations came out I did say as the women went on the record I thought there was a lot of credibility in what they were saying and I didn’t find the response very credible. And that’s how I came up with my position.

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