It would be better for Alabama senatorial candidate Roy Moore to remain in the election, and if he wins, to resign his new seat and allow the state's governor to appoint a new senator, Rep. Francis Rooney said Monday.
"I personally think this is a tragic dilemma and have real trouble with two things," the Florida Republican told CNN.
"I have real trouble with a guy like this serving in any public capacity or maybe serving in anything at all. But second, I have real trouble with telling the Alabama people what to do. The Constitution requires that they exercise their judgment."
Rooney continued that if he could "orchestrate the scenario," Moore wouldn't head to Washington if he wins that race, but instead would resign immediately.
"The Republican governor [could then] appoint a decent Republican to take his place," said Rooney. "But I don't know that you can guarantee that."
Rooney disagreed that he'd rather see Moore win and be replaced than for his Democratic opponent Doug Jones to take the race.
"I'm not saying I would rather have Roy Moore in the Senate, but I would rather have a Republican in the Senate," said Rooney. "Part of the whole problem we have right now is, what is a moderate Democrat? You know, we used to have a lot of them and moderate Republicans. And now everything is so unfortunately polarized, it's ripping the country apart."