The Oregon Constitution Party hosted its annual gathering over the weekend and the guest of honor, as I mentioned last week, was former Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore. I know he hasn’t said if he’s running for president or not, but it sure sounds like he’s open to the idea. In fact, he presents himself as a conquering hero ready to take on the nation.
Before even taking the stage, Moore arranged to have a video shown that outlines his personal story. The end of the pre-speech presentation features stirring music, huge American flags, and clips of Moore and this theocratic followers in Alabama. He is either planning a national campaign, has an enormous ego, or both.
More importantly, when Moore actually started speaking, his take on third parties sounded like a certain former consumer advocate who shall remain nameless.
As the Seattle Times, which covered Moore’s speech, reported:
The talk is an echo from the right of what consumer activist and presidential candidate Ralph Nader says from the left: People should vote their conscience and principles and not choose the lesser of two evils. The major parties are too much alike.
“I think that’s true,” Moore said. “As somebody from our state, George Wallace, once said, ‘There’s not a dime’s worth of difference between them.’ It’s all about power. I think the people need a choice.”
Tell me that doesn’t sound familiar.
Moore is still pursuing the appeals process in Alabama, trying to recapture the position he lost after being convicted of judicial ethics violations.
If that process can be completed quickly, or if Moore were to decide it’s no longer worth pursuing, it’s fairly obvious that the Constitution Party would welcome him with open arms. The Birmingham (Ala.) News reported today, for example, that Moore enjoys broad support with Constitution Party leaders and members, many of whom want Moore as their presidential candidate.
Jim Clymer, the Constitution Party’s national chairman, said that if Moore “wanted the job, there would be a lot of support for him.”
And for his part, Moore is obviously sympathetic to the Constitution Party. Moore has a standard speaking fee of $10,000 that he charges to everyone. But for Saturday’s event in Oregon, he waived the charge and spoke for free.
Just as an aside, wouldn’t it be amusing if Bush and Moore split the conservative vote in Alabama and Kerry got elected with the help of the state’s nine electoral votes?