This was essentially how Mark Stein analyzed it too. Moore was not “sufficiently nimble” and had not thought out how to answer the question.
He did like girls who were high school age and girls of that age are not always old enough to date. It is also difficult to discern their age unless you ask them directly, something Moore should have known. It is still possible that the main accusation is a fabrication or a confusion of things that are too distant in memory to be certain of having the details right. The retelling of the tale as though it were a brief short story from Penthouse made it very clear to the reader, but thinking of my own early dating is not as clear as all that today. (Yes I am Moore’s age).
Moore’s best strategy would have been to take this head on, explain his own early activities honestly, explain how he took steps to determine the eligibility of the youthful dating partners he was seeking, and produce all the evidence he could to cast doubt on the accusers’ story.
He did not do this effectively and this resulted in most conservatives at Fox turning against him. (Maybe with management help) and they continued their non-support up to the election,. This election may be thought of as a Fox News joining the main media in a gang tackle that cost Moore the Alabama seat. I believe the Alabama voters were treated to a overwhelming onslaught of anti-Moore details that persuaded each of them with their own views and overcame the normally sensible red state voters to stay home.
Please also read post #170.