Those Democrats who threw Al Franken under the bus should have put his actions into context.
I worked on the campaign of popular US Senator Russ Feingold in Wisconsin in 2010. I did phone banking, canvassing, etc. I read his position paper on every subject. One day I was standing near the front desk of his campaign office (which was full of volunteers) and in walks Senator Feingold. He probably recognized my face, but didn't know my name. He put his arm around my waist and gave me a kind of sideways hug that lasted a couple of seconds. I was delighted. It was a show of appreciation for all my hard work and it made everything worth it. To my knowledge no volunteer or employee has ever accused him of any kind of sexual harassment or impropriety. I can't even imagine it.
I was similarly delighted when John Kerry came to Madison in 2004 and I got to touch his hand, though mine was in a sea of other hands.
And if Joe Biden gave me a hug or touched my hand, I'd be thrilled.
Democrats look at their candidates as rock stars. At least I do.
I have zero doubt that Senator Franken's gesture was intended in a friendly way. Most of his female supporters would be delighted to get an arm around the waist from him. Al Franken has never been known as someone who treated women disrespectfully, and the accusations against him should have been interpreted in the light of his long history of respect for women and the fact that he is/was a comedian.
The loss of Al Franken from the Senate is tragic, but what's worse is that it shows that even Democrats cannot make judgments in the light of someone's history and probable intentions. Trump's comments should be interpreted in light of his total history of disrespect for women as shown by his behavior.
Context tells you the meaning of actions. Its the meaning that matters.
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