Well, I hate to be technical, but he was never accused of child molestation, to my knowledge. All his inappropriate advances were towards young but post pubescent girls. (These terms have specific meanings.)

Both parties circle the wagons when the feel under attack. Nothing new here, from that point of view. Lots of articles in print showed how after the first disclosure, many asked Franken not to quit, and started pointing out that Tweeden has a conservative background (which to some seems to mean that she must not be truthful).

We have an entire nation of people who have trouble with moral clarity when it is “their guy” under attack.