No, that's not all it would take. No one believes that he had mistresses, or that his father was involved in JFK's murder.
I know PLENTY of people - avid Trump supporters who believe those allegations in full. Like Moore, there is no reasoning or discussion to be had regarding proof to allegations. They have hated Cruz from the beginning, and they believe the charges, having fully condemned him as having committed the charges and therefore will work to unseat him based on their own personal biases and promises to do so.
Repeat the big lie often enough - it ALWAYS gets accepted as the truth by a people led by memes and emotion and not logic or fact. Mob groupthink is now a major thing, and deviancy from asserted opinions are attacked mercilessly.
But if he were running, and a story came out that was as extensively well-researched, well-corroborated, and solid as the Post's story---about anything in his past---I would evaluate my support for him based on those facts.
You just made my entire point, because the Post's story was based on hearsay and bogus allegations without any shred of concrete proof. Tell a lie often enough - those who hate the person/thing/event/or groups will keep repeating the allegations as fact and assert they are the only rational position to hold, and anyone who does not hold to that position, is (insert insult or threat here).
"Facts" are now massaged and edited in order to create "news" to fit the narrative and sway public opinion. I'm watching this same thing play out over a Star Wars movie. The mob is not interested in evaluating comments made in full and in context when the snippets from various interviews fit their narrative of bashing a film and insisting everyone hate it. Their 'facts' are all that matter in the discussion - and the condemnation is made and when one does not share in it - then you must be ridiculed and attacked for having a different opinion.
You would be a major fool to assume the same exact efforts to destroy Moore will not be employed to rid the political landscape of 'trouble makers' who will not tow the Oligarchy's line.
Because this is where we have now arrived. And you applauded it.
But that won't happen. Cruz's background has been gone over with a fine-toothed comb. And I can say pretty confidently he doesn't have a thing for underage girls. After all, he met his wife on a political campaign, not skulking around a recital looking for kids.
Thank you for making my entire point. In 30 years of campaigning and in the depths of the Commandments standoff, NONE of those allegations that came forth the moment Luther Strange lost the primary were flung against Moore. McConnell was at the podium within an hour demanding Moore 'step aside' when the Post ran the first story. But hey - the seriousness of the charge is all that matters. We must believe the accusers at all costs because we personally hated the guy and what he makes steadfast issues about.
(We've already had this argument - and neither of us are going to come to an agreement about it.)
It will be fun to watch you try and defend Cruz when these precedents are brought to bear upon him in his next run for office. We can then argue about calling it the Caining, Moore-ing or Cruz-ing of a candidate to wipe them out politically, personally and professionally. Because all it takes now is an allegation supported by the Establishment to get rid of any candidate running for office that they do not want in a seat.
The GOP has demonstrated time and again, they prefer a Democrat in there than a Christian Conservative and will work to make that selection happen.
Enjoy this brave new world you have acquiesced to.
