Washington (CNN) Over the last 48 hours, the Republican Party has come to grips with a stark reality: Roy Moore may well win the Alabama special election next Tuesday. That logical leap also puts to lie the idea forwarded by Colorado Republican Sen. Cory Gardner (R) that if Moore wins, Senate Republicans should and would move to expel him from the chamber. JUST WATCHED Analyst: Republican Party destroying itself Replay More Videos ... MUST WATCH Analyst: Republican Party destroying itself 02:03"Roy Moore in the US Senate would be a stain on the GOP and on the nation," tweeted 2012 GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney on Monday night. What Republicans are doing here with their Moore justifications is seeking short-term gain at the very real risk of long-term pain. Keeping a two-seat Senate majority may seem like the most important thing in the world to Senate Republicans today.

Source: CNN December 05, 2017 13:44 UTC