Actually, Trump had every reason to think Sessions’ seat was a safe one for the GOP. Moore was a wild card, as well as the allegations against Moore, that Trump could not have foreseen, IMHO.
* * *
My first thought was the classic military axiom: No plan survives first contact with the enemy.

In searching for a definitive answer to who said it (several famous generals are credited with it), I was presented with this site, which I recommend for several reasons, not least being the first cartoon on the page.

https://bootcampmilitaryfitnessinstitute.com/military-and-outdoor-fitness-articles/no-plan-survives-contact-with-the-enemy/

“A perfect tactical plan is like a unicorn because anyone can tell you what one looks like, but no one has actually ever seen one.” (Unknown)

The axiom can also be subsumed under the rubric “the fog of war” defined as “the state of ignorance in which commanders frequently find themselves as regards the real strength and position, not only of their foes, but also of their friends.”

[The final phrase being especially appropos to the Moore situation.]

“If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the results of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.” (Sun Tzu, 2009, p.10).

[Also seems relevant to the current political situation; I place the Democrats in sentence 2. President Trump is seen variously in sentences 1 & 3. YMMV.]

The author says: I also found this quotation by Mike Tyson (Berardino, 2012) which I think is quite amusing:

“Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.”

DNW; TheOtherRandy:

Not only do I not garish a living off this blog (and I certainly don’t garish a garish living), although I do make some money from it, it’s not nearly enough to be called a living.”

Nor, garner from the garish gathering.

Randy seems a foreigner, since he obviously has bigger grammatical problems than just a blundering vocabulary.

Yet look how impressively Sergey and Dave do.

Personally attacking and mocking others, seems to make one more prone to the kinds of excruciating errors to which Randy fell prey.

A reminder to us all. Me, included.

Not only do I not garish a living off this blog (and I certainly don’t garish a garish living), although I do make some money from it, it’s not nearly enough to be called a living.

I agree that Moore is a bad candidate, even before the accusations.

You’ve got your accusers mixed up. The 14-year-old did not work in a diner.

I agree that one vote is important, but that doesn’t seem to be what many Moore supporters are thinking of. Strange could have done that. The staunch supporters seem to want someone who will shove his finger into opponents’ eyes.

I have nothing against fighting for your principles, but I think some Moore people don’t care enough about which tactics are most likely to win the battle.

If I were in Alabama, I would probably vote for Moore for the reasons you gave, but I would try to look for stronger candidates in the future. We have had enough of I Am Not A Witch O’Donnells.

TheOtherRandy Says:
December 12th, 2017 at 11:13 am

“So, Neo, reading through the threads above at all this apologetics for child sexual assault, et al, how do you like the basket of deplorable that you’ve gathered and garish a living off of? “

“… child sexual assault, et al”? “garish a living off of?”

This is where Neo usually calls in Inigo Montoya.

I could tell you what words you probably meant to use … but I don’t think I will.

The trouble with adopting these condescending poses, Randy, is that they are prone to misfire and blow up in one’s face. As yours just did, multiple times. You affect an ironic tone. You fail. The irony redounds.