Alabama pastor: I’d back Moore even if sexual assault allegations were true

An Alabama pastor said that he will continue to support GOP Senate candidate Roy Moore, even if it is proven true that he sexually molested teenage girls.

Pastor Earl Wise told the Boston Globe that he would continue to support Moore, adding that he thinks the women who have accused Moore have been paid.

“I don’t know how much these women are getting paid, but I can only believe they’re getting a healthy sum,” Wise said.

Wise said that if the stories were true, the women would have come forward years ago.

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“There ought to be a statute of limitations on this stuff,” he said. “How these gals came up with this, I don’t know. They must have had some sweet dreams somewhere down the line.”

“Plus, there are some 14-year-olds, who, the way they look, could pass for 20,” Wise added.

The Boston Globe interviewed nearly 10 evangelical pastors, all of whom said the allegations did not change their support for the candidate.

Moore has been accused of behavior ranging from pursuing romantic relationships with teenagers to sexual assault.

Evangelical leaders have been strong supporters of Moore throughout his bid for Attorney General Jeff Sessions’s former seat, and many came to his defense in the wake of the allegations. Moore has been praised as a champion of conservative religious values.

A group of nearly 60 progressive pastors has denounced Moore, calling him “extremist” and unfit for office.

A number of Republicans in Washington, including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), have called for Moore to step aside in the race against Democrat Doug Jones.

The special election is slated for Dec. 12.