By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
Tonight, the Moore for Senate campaign will hold a debate watch party followed by a rally with special guest, former vice presidential candidate and Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, in Montgomery.
“Well, Montgomery’s going to be buzzing tomorrow and I can’t wait!,” Moore campaign spokesperson, Hannah Ford, said on social media. “Join us down at the Train Station for a Debate Watch Party and Rally. Debate Watch Party begins at 5:30. Rally directly to follow. Watch frontrunner Judge Roy Moore face off, Lincoln-Douglas style with the recent Bentley appointee, Luther Strange — streamed by the Palin Bus.
“Judge Roy Moore (Kayla Moore), Governor Sarah Palin, Dr. Sebastian Gorka, Congressman Louie Gohmert of Texas, Alabama Supreme Court Justice Tom Parker (God Bless Justice Tom Parker), State Auditor Jim Zig Zeigler, All SEC Running Back Siran Stacy, State Representative Ed Henry, State Representative Mack Butler, and other special guests.”
Palin, endorsed Moore for the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Sen. Jeff Sessions.
“Glad he’s running and am honored to endorse Judge Roy Moore for the US Senate,” Palin said when she endorsed him. “Judge Moore has shown he has what it takes to stand up to the out-of-touch political establishment. The Judge has proven he’s not afraid of a fight for what is right, and he’s ready to take on DC’s swamp monsters and help make America great again. We need more bold leaders like Judge Moore who will fight for all of us in the US Senate.”
“I am honored to have the endorsement of Governor Sarah Palin,” Moore said in a statement. “Governor Palin has a strong record of speaking out for conservative causes and standing up to the Washington establishment. Having her support shows how conservatives across the country are uniting behind our campaign to send a message to Mitch McConnell and the Washington elites who are trying to buy this election.”
Palin is an American politician, commentator and author who served as the 11th governor of Alaska. She is the only woman nominated by the Republican Party for vice president of the United States. She ran in 2008 as Sen. John McCain’s, R-Ariz., running mate. Palin was named to TIME magazine’s 2010 “100 Most Influential People in the World” list, the Smithsonian Institutes’ “100 Most Significant Americans of All Time” and Barbara Walter’s “Ten Most Fascinating People” list two years in a row. Her book “Going Rogue” has sold over two million copies. Her and her husband, Todd Palin, have five children and five grandchildren.
Eight widely accepted polls since the primary show Moore leading U.S. Sen. Luther Strange, R-Ala.
Strange, however, has received enormous financial backing of the Washington elites led by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.,They have spent over $15 million to support Strange’s campaign and run attack ads against Moore and U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks, R-Huntsville. Of the $15 million, $14 million of that has come from Karl Rove’s Senate Leadership Fund, which is aligned with McConnell. The SLF has raised over $15 million this year. Of that only $55,000 came from Alabama donors.
The debate will be a Lincoln-Douglas style format consisting of one 5 minute opening statement and one 5 minute closing statement from each candidate. In between, each candidate will have five 5 minute statements and rebuttals alternately.
The debate will be at the RSA Activity Center on Dexter Avenue in downtown Montgomery.
A timekeeper will be supplied by Troy University. One representative from each campaign will determine stage logistics and seating logistics. Costs will be shared equally by both campaigns. Both campaigns will be bound to honor an agreement to not use any footage from the debate in subsequent paid advertising.
The Republican runoff will be on Tuesday, Sept. 26. Today, Sept. 21 is the last day to apply for an absentee ballot.
The winner will face former Clinton-era U.S. Attorney Doug Jones on Dec. 12.
