Tentative as it may be, Alabama Democrats' chances of ending their 26-year exile in the Senate took a step forward this week. Allegations of sexual misconduct against Republican candidate Roy Moore lift - though hardly guarantee - Democrat Doug Jones' hopes of winning the state's special election on Dec. 12. The sexually charged nature of the allegations, resounding condemnation by national Republicans and defiance by Moore and his supporters gave a once good bet for Republicans an eerie resemblance to recent races the party has blown in other GOP-heavy states.