There is no end to the disgrace seeping into this country's politics out of the putrid swamp that is the Alabama Senate race. Roy Moore was completely unfit for office even before four different women accused him of pursuing them sexually when they were 18 years old or younger and he was in his early 30s. One accuser was 14 at the time. Since, we have seen a parade of some of the most disgusting rhetoric in modern political history from various Moore defenders, but Brandon Moseley's might take the cake.

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Moore supporter compares sexual abuse to stealing a lawn mower. Where does CNN find these people?? pic.twitter.com/j0FiiPzzYl — Julie Alderman (@juliealderman_) November 13, 2017

Here's the exact wording:

Moseley, who seems to have the same barber as Trey Gowdy, looks like exactly the kind of man no sane parent would leave their child with unattended. That seems justified, since he apparently considers a young girl to be the moral equivalent of a landscaping appliance. These people are a disease on the body politic, and have together left a perhaps indelible stain on the fundamental moral character of this nation. CNN deserves a share of the blame for organizing this freak show on its airwaves, but the fact these people exist at all to be invited on TV is still a distinct shock.

It's probably a waste of time to point out to Moseley—who looks like he's auditioning to play John Wayne Gacy in a local theater troupe's adaptation of Mindhunter—that the woman accusing Moore of this is a human being inherently deserving of dignity and respect. She and the other accusers were deserving then, and they are deserving now. Of course, Mosely isn't the only one. It's worth ticking through some of the other defenses we've seen:

Alabama State Auditor Jim Ziegler cited the Biblical story of Joseph and Mary to defend Moore, a defense predicated on the idea Moore did what he's accused of. This did not affect Ziegler's support, and neither did the fact that the whole point of the Virgin Mary story is that she was a virgin who did not have sexual contact with Joseph. These people.

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"It was 40 years ago," Alabama Marion County GOP chair David Hall told reporter Daniel Dale. "I really don't see the relevance of it. He was 32. She was supposedly 14. She's not saying that anything happened other than they kissed."

He elaborated: "Well, she said he may have TRIED to. But we're talking something that somebody SAID happened, 40 years ago. It wouldn't affect whether or not I'd vote for him."

Alabama Bibb County Republican chairman Jerry Pow told Dale he'd vote for Moore even if Moore did commit a sex crime against a girl. "I would vote for Judge Moore because I wouldn't want to vote for Doug," he says. "I'm not saying I support what he did."

"She was supposedly 14. She's not saying that anything happened other than they kissed."

Covington County GOP Chair William Blocker told Dale he would consider voting for Moore even if the candidate was found guilty of sexually abusing a minor. "There is NO option to support to support Doug Jones, the Democratic nominee. When you do that, you are supporting the entire Democrat party."

Alabama Geneva County GOP chairman Riley Seibenhener explained it wasn't forcible rape: "Other than being with an underage person—he didn't really force himself. I know that's bad enough, but I don't know. If he withdraws, it's five weeks to the election...that would concede it to the Democrat."

Moore himself initially screamed "fake news," despite the fact The Washington Post report featured 30 sources and four accusers who spoke on the record. Since, he went on Sean Hannity's radio show and seemed to admit he pursued a relationship with a 16-year-old when he was in his 30s.

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New polling on the race shows that even after the allegations surfaced, Moore is up on or even with Doug Jones, the former prosecutor who made his name prosecuting the Ku Klux Klan members who bombed a Birmingham church in 1963, killing four little girls attending Sunday school. Nearly 40 percent of Alabama Evangelicals said they were more likely to vote for Moore after the allegations. I think we can safely dismiss the idea of a right-wing Christian "moral majority" now, thanks. We can also ignore all future talk about "The Party of Family Values."

In a small measure of redemption, the Senate Republicans Moore still hopes to call his colleagues have begun to turn on him. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made way for his colleagues by providing some initial political cover:

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Q: Do you believe these allegations to be true?



MCCONNELL: “I believe the women, yes.” https://t.co/TNVwpeJ0zW — Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) November 13, 2017

Susan Collins joined in soon after:

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I have now read Mr. Moore’s statement and listened to his radio interview in which he denies the charges. I did not find his denials to be convincing and believe that he should withdraw from the Senate race in Alabama. — Sen. Susan Collins (@SenatorCollins) November 13, 2017

As did Orrin Hatch:

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I stand with the Majority Leader on this. These are serious and disturbing accusations, and while the decision is now in the hands of the people of Alabama, I believe Luther Strange is an excellent alternative. https://t.co/L7IallXhBc — Orrin G. Hatch Foundation (@OrrinHatch) November 13, 2017

Every single one of their colleauges ought to do the same. This disgusting atmosphere cannot be allowed to fester. Others are calling on the Senate to expel Moore if he is elected:

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Whoa. @NRSC chair Gardner says if Moore wins election, Senate should vote to expel him pic.twitter.com/1xfci9y3GK — Alex Roarty (@Alex_Roarty) November 13, 2017

Meanwhile, another accuser has come forward. She was 16 when she alleges the incident happened:

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Beverly Young Nelson alleges Roy Moore “began squeezing my neck attempting to force my head into his crotch.” She was 16. pic.twitter.com/dForLnaVnp — Alex Silverman (@AlexSilverman) November 13, 2017

This should be dealt with immediately. Moore should be removed from the ballot. Any other outcome is unacceptable. If five accusers isn't enough for the Alabama Republican Party, how many is? If 14 years old isn't too young for them, what age is?

Jack Holmes Politics Editor Jack Holmes is the Politics Editor at Esquire, where he writes daily and edits the Politics Blog with Charles P Pierce.

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