Had they kept their mouths shut, it would not be possible to blame them. I think Richard Shelby had a dramatic impact on the election. He told his own voters to stay home or "write in" a different name.
That much was apparent by the fact that they nominated him in the first place, despite the Establishment opposition and even Trumps.
And he was polling 20 points higher in the polls before the accusations came out. It was the accusations that did him in, coupled with the back stab he got from his Republican "allies."
They did not keep their mouths shut but like I said I dont think the Alabama voters care what they think or say anyway. Certainly they dont give greater credence to what the GOP Establishment says than they do what the Dem establishment says. You need to get used to the idea that lots of people of different stripes are going to oppose the GOP candidate. But nominate someone who the majority of voters are going to vote for. If your candidate needs the support of the GOP Establishment to win, then he better be able to get it. Otherwise youre wasting your efforts.