Can a sex scandal in Missouri cost the GOP the U.S. Senate?

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

The GOP has a Trump-shaped problem in Missouri — and it could cost the party a majority in the U.S. Senate.

Eric Greitens, the former Missouri governor, is leading his rivals for the Republican nomination for his state's open Senate seat. But he has a terribly sordid history, having resigned from office in 2018 amid allegations he'd had a coercive extramarital affair — and then blackmailed the woman with nude photos. Greitens claimed the affair was consensual, and criminal charges against him were dropped. The whole thing left a nasty impression with voters, though. A new Republican Party poll indicates he could well lose to the Democratic nominee in next fall's general election. That would be a stunning result in a solidly red state.

Party leaders have gone into panic mode. Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) endorsed one of Greitens' GOP rivals this week; Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) offered an out-of-state endorsement for another candidate. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) is reportedly watching the situation warily. Former President Trump remains on the sidelines, reportedly mulling over his options.

One problem: Trump hasn't ruled out Greitens. The former president wants to back a winner, and Greitens' popularity among Missouri Republicans makes him a tempting gamble. "Trump has seen Greitens' internal poll numbers and asked those close to him if he should just endorse him and take the victory," Politico reports today.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/sex-scandal-missouri-cost-gop-195024581.html

Trump just sees a fellow perv.

[Mad_Machine76]

1. Sex Dungeon Greitens?

I can't believe he's a viable Senate candidate. Lo how far Missouri has fallen from the days of Harry S. Truman.

[LT Barclay]

11. My only guess is that it is partly due to the closing of a lot of factories here and fewer union

jobs

[Kid Berwyn]

2. Feelings. Nothing more than feelings.

No, Eric Greitens Was Never “Exonerated” of Sexual Misconduct

The formerly disgraced governor of Missouri is attempting a post-MeToo comeback with a Senate bid.

by Madison Pauly
Mother Jones, April 12, 2021

When Eric Greitens resigned from the Missouri governorship in 2018 amid allegations that he had sexually assaulted and blackmailed his former hairdresser, the embattled Republican, maintaining his innocence, told his supporters, “For those who would be moved to vengeance, let us allow history and God to bring justice.” Nearly three years later, history has failed to acquit him. But the disgraced former governor, who announced a 2022 Senate run to represent Missouri last week, is hoping he can convince his one-time constituents otherwise.

Greitens went on Fox News to break the story of his Senate candidacy. “I have been so encouraged by the people of Missouri that I am happy to announce tonight that I am running for the United States Senate to continue serving the people of Missouri,” he told host Bret Baier, promising to carry out “Trump’s ‘America First’ policies.” When Baier questioned why he would run after resigning amid sexual misconduct allegations, Greitens said he hoped “the truth continues to come out in this race,” blaming his woes on the media and a “George Soros–funded prosecutor.” Then Greitens delivered the crucial lie: “We’ve been exonerated,” he said, “and we’re moving forward.”

Not quite.

Here’s what actually happened: Greitens’ former hairdresser, who is identified as K.S. in court documents, testified to a legislative committee that in 2015, months before he started his campaign for governor, Greitens put his hand “all the way up” between her legs during an appointment without her consent. Two weeks later, she went to Greitens’ house at his urging. During an encounter in his basement, she told the committee, Greitens took a partially nude photo of her and threatened to release it if she went public about their relationship. When she broke down crying, he allegedly coerced her into oral sex. “It felt like consent, but, no, I didn’t want to do it,” K.S. recounted to the committee. “Coerced, maybe. I felt as though that would allow me to leave. That’s what he wanted.”

Days later, when K.S. told her now-ex husband about the encounter, he made a surreptitious recording of their conversation. (She also told two friends, who later corroborated her story.) Meanwhile, Greitens won the 2016 race for Missouri governor touting his background as a Navy SEAL and his hard-right political outsider status. In one campaign ad, he fired an assault rifle into empty field; in another, he shot a machine gun into a body of water. Within a year, the National Review was calling him a “rising star” of the GOP.

Then, in January 2018, a local news station ran an explosive report based on the recording made by K.S.’s ex-husband. (K.S., who did not comment on the record for that story, had pleaded with the reporter not to run it.) That day, Greitens confirmed his relationship with K.S., characterizing it as a past affair and calling it a “deeply personal mistake.” But he denied any violence or blackmail.

Continues…

https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2021/04/no-eric-greitens-was-never-exonerated-of-sexual-misconduct/

[BlueSpot]

3. When you go to the primary poll in Missouri

They ask you which ballot you want - R or D. How many Dems will choose the R ballot just to vote for Greitens and improve our chances in the general? Seems like a good idea to me.

[drray23]

4. why would the gop voters care?

They regularly vote for rapists and such like Gaetz, Trump, etc.. If anything this may raise his profile amongst the magats.

[Random Boomer]

5. This sounds like wishful thinking

Republican voters aren't that fussy these days.

[tavernier]

6. No. They encourage them.

They see it as macho. Rump thinking.

[uponit7771]

7. +1

[Gore1FL]

8. I don't think this story will matter

Our other Senator is an insurrectionist that doesn't even meet the Constitutional requirement of residency. MO doesn't care.

[DFW]

9. What DOES constitute a sex scandal among Missouri Republicans anyway?

Two unmarried adults sleeping together? They don't seem to have any other taboos...........

[brooklynite]

10. Depends in part on which Democrat gets the nomination.

M.D. Alam (D) - Army Veteran & Frequent Candidate
Jewel Kelly (D) - Real Estate Agent & USAF Veteran
Lucas Kunce (D) - Attorney, Iraq/Afghan War Veteran & Progressive Activist
Gena Ross (D) - College Professor, Ex-Congressional Aide & '20 US Rep Candidate
Tim Shepard (D) - Business Creative Strategist
Scott Sifton (D) - Ex-State Sen., Ex-State Rep., Ex-School Board Member & Attorney
Spencer Toder (D) - Businessman & Commercial Realtor

Several are campaigning on Medicare for All and gun control, which may not play well in the General Election.

[Tommymac]

12. Doubt it, though one did potentially cost the Dems a 51-49 majority in 2020.

Remember North Carolina?

I choose not to think about it, or I'll get all riled up again.