The myth of the evangelical christian "Values Voter" is well and truly dead. We never again have to believe a word out of their mouths when they talk about morality. They have sacrificed all benefit of the doubt.

There's two things that help them "reason away" things like this.

1 - They LOVE a good redemption story. If a really rotten person who has done horrible things says they have seen the light and will sin no more, the evangelicals will believe them as long as they agree with everything the movement says.

2 - The end justifies the means. They will make a deal with Satan himself if it would ensure they got everything they wanted because everything they want is "good."

I grew up in the rural South around these assholes. They all use the same tactics.

Pretty sure it’s only #2

Adding on to that, #2 leads to the acceptance of the redeemed described in #1, so it really does seem to just be #2. We know that's been the case since time immemorial. The difference now with Trump or Walker or Roy Moore or any of these other people with pasts and presents diametrically opposed to what they profess as their most deeply held values and convictions is that we don't have to wonder if maybe there's a line they wouldn't cross or a bridge too far for them when it comes to political support. There is none. There is no bottom and they can't claim there is anymore. They've proven it.