I disagree. The ultimate goal is to stop the behaviour, and the first step is to make it clear that a) your behaviour has a good chance of being exposed, and b) you'll suffer consequences for it.

If the offenders think they can keep secrets, or that no one will care, there is no disincentive to continuing the behaviour. Aside from the whole morality problem of being an awful person, which seems not to be a big factor for some people.

It's possible that the Moore situation, however it breaks, will only apply to political figures, or only in Alabama. But the idea is chilling.

I understand what the concern is, I just don't think it applies more generally at all.

For instance, whatever else happens, I don't think Moore will win another primary in Alabama.

Senators serve for six years. It will be a loong time before that theory is tested, and the lessons derived from the election results will have weight until at least that time. Moore could also reasonably retire or die of old age before running in another primary.

I agree that this election in Alabama is difficult to generalize from though, there are many factors at play. Still, I'd prefer less ambiguity here.

The special election fills the seat until the 2020 election, so It'd be ~2 years until the primary.

Good point. Two years of tactical validation is still too many, but I suspect we agree on this much.