Steve Bannon 'looks like some dishevelled drunk who wandered on to the political stage', says conservative Republican congressman
Republicans are blaming the former Trump strategist for the stunning defeat
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A leading conservative Republican has attacked Steve Bannon over the stunning defeat of his candidate in Alabama, saying he “looks like some dishevelled drunk who wandered on to the political stage”.
As Republicans reeled from Democrat Doug Jones’ victory over former judge Roy Moore, the party was quick to blame Mr Bannon, Donald Trump’s former strategist, who had forced a primary to make Mr Moore the candidate.
Mr Bannon believed Mr Moore, 70, would win and provide the momentum for him to launch other so-called insurgent candidates in the 2018 midterm elections.
After Mr Jones pulled off his win, New York Congressman Peter King was quick to attack Mr Bannon and blame him for the defeat in the solidly conservative state, which has reduced the Republican majority in the senate to just 51-49.
“This guy does not belong on the national stage. He looks like some dishevelled drunk who wandered on to the political stage,” he said on CNN.
“I consider myself a conservative Republican. I consider myself an Irish Catholic. And he sort of parades himself out there with his weird alt-right views that he has and to me it's demeaning the whole governmental, political process.”
Mr King said he had called on Mr Trump go get rid of Mr Bannon in the summer and that the result in Alabama was “really just a revulsion by people over Bannon’s style and divisive views”.
Asked if Mr King was calling Mr Bannon a dishevelled drunk, he replied: “No, it was very precise. I said he looks like one.”
He said he was also not concerned if his comments resulted in a response from Mr Bannon.
“I have no problem. Listen, you have to fight for what’s right,” he said.
“He attacked the President's daughter the other night when he took a shot at Ivanka Trump, mocking her expression ‘special place in hell’. This person to me, Bannon, does not belong on the American political scene.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments