McCain: Allegations against Moore 'deeply disturbing and disqualifying'

McCain: Allegations against Moore 'deeply disturbing and disqualifying'
© Camille Fine

Sen. John McCainJohn Sidney McCainMan arrested for threatening ICE agents on Twitter Planned Parenthood launches six-figure Supreme Court ad campaign Trump’s endorsements cement power but come with risks MORE (R-Ariz.) is calling on Alabama Republican Senate candidate Roy Moore to exit the race amid allegations of an inappropriate sexual encounter with a 14-year-old girl in 1979.

"The allegations against Roy Moore are deeply disturbing and disqualifying," McCain said in a statement. "He should immediately step aside and allow the people of Alabama to elect a candidate they can be proud of.”

In calling for Moore to step aside, McCain joined a growing number of Senate Republicans condemning the allegations against the former Alabama Supreme Court chief justice.

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But unlike other GOP lawmakers, McCain was unconditional in his call for Moore to withdraw his candidacy in the Senate race. Other lawmakers, such as Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnellAddison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellRepublican strategist: Trump is 'driven by ego' Senate GOP campaign arm asking Trump to endorse McSally in Arizona: report Poll: Three-quarters of Americans say Nancy Pelosi should be replaced, including half of Democrats MORE (R-Ky.), have said that Moore should step aside "if these allegations are true."

A bombshell report in The Washington Post on Thursday detailed allegations that Moore sought sexual relationships with four women while he was in his 30s and they were teenagers.

One of the accusers, Leigh Corfman, alleged that she had sexual contact with Moore in 1979 when she was 14. 

Moore, 70, has been considered the likely winner of the special election to fill the Senate seat vacated earlier this year by Attorney General Sessions. He beat Sen. Luther StrangeLuther Johnson StrangeThe Hill's Morning Report — Trump to GOP: I will carry you GOP strategist: Trump will be anchor around Republicans' necks in general election Trump: I ‘destroy' careers of Republicans who say bad things about me MORE (R-Ala.), who was appointed to temporarily fill the seat, in a runoff election in September.