Republican infighting over embattled Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore has been fueled by the national climate of strict intolerance for sexual misconduct that has arisen in the aftermath of explosive allegations against Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein.

With a valuable Senate seat on the line, and wary of stoking a grassroots backlash, top Republicans might have avoided confronting Moore over allegations of sexual misconduct prior to Weinstein. Revelations about the moviemaker have spurred male and female victims to break their silence about alleged incidents of assault and harassment perpetrated by prominent figures in a number of spheres, including politics.