The Case of Al Franken by Jane Mayer

[Dennis Donovan]

https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2019/07/29/the-case-of-al-franken



Last month, in Minneapolis, I climbed the stairs of a row house to find Al Franken, Minnesota’s disgraced former senator, wandering around in jeans and stocking feet. It was a sunny day, but the shades were mostly drawn. Takeout containers of hummus and carrot sticks were set out on the kitchen table. His wife, Franni Bryson, was stuck in their apartment in Washington, D.C., with a cold, and he had evidently done the best he could to be hospitable. But the place felt like the kind of man cave where someone hides out from the world, which is more or less what Franken has been doing since he resigned, in December, 2017, amid accusations of sexual impropriety.

<snip>

At his house, Franken said he understood that, in such an atmosphere, the public might not be eager to hear his grievances. Holding his head in his hands, he said, “I don’t think people who have been sexually assaulted, and those kinds of things, want to hear from people who have been #MeToo’d that they’re victims.” Yet, he added, being on the losing side of the #MeToo movement, which he fervently supports, has led him to spend time thinking about such matters as due process, proportionality of punishment, and the consequences of Internet-fuelled outrage. He told me that his therapist had likened his experience to “what happens when primates are shunned and humiliated by the rest of the other primates.” Their reaction, Franken said, with a mirthless laugh, “is ‘I’m going to die alone in the jungle.’ ”

<snip>

When I asked him if he truly regretted his decision to resign, he said, “Oh, yeah. Absolutely.” He wishes that he had appeared before a Senate Ethics Committee hearing, as he had requested, allowing him to marshal facts that countered the narrative aired in the press. It is extremely rare for a senator to resign under pressure. No senator has been expelled since the Civil War, and in modern times only three have resigned under the threat of expulsion: Harrison Williams, in 1982, Bob Packwood, in 1995, and John Ensign, in 2011. Williams resigned after he was convicted of bribery and conspiracy; Packwood faced numerous sexual-assault accusations; Ensign was accused of making illegal payoffs to hide an affair.

<snip>

Franken wasn’t the only one. Two actresses who had performed the same role as Tweeden on earlier U.S.O. tours with him, Karri Turner and Traylor Portman, immediately recognized that Tweeden was wrong to say that Franken had written the part in order to kiss her. Both women told me that they fully supported the #MeToo movement and could speak only to their own experiences. But Turner confirmed that she had acted in the same skit in 2003. Video footage of her performing it, which can be seen online, shows that the script was altered for Tweeden only by cutting references to “JAG,” a TV show in which Turner starred. In a statement, Turner said that “no woman should have to deal with any type of harassment, ever!” But on her two U.S.O. tours with Franken, she said, “there was nothing inappropriate toward me,” adding, “I only experienced a person that was eager to make soldiers laugh.”

Traylor Portman, who used her maiden name, Traylor Howard, while appearing on the TV show “Monk,” said that she also played the role in Franken’s skit, in 2005. “It’s not accurate for her to say it was written for her,” Portman told me. She had rehearsed the kissing scene with Franken, and hadn’t objected, because “you’re going to practice—that’s what professionals do.” She said that the scene involved “what looked like kissing but wasn’t,” adding, “It’s just for comic relief. I guess you could turn your head, but whatever—it’s nothing. I was in sitcoms. You just play it for laughs.”

Portman went on, “I get the whole #MeToo thing, and a whole lot of horrible stuff has happened, and it needed to change. But that’s not what was happening here.” She added, “Franken is a good man. I remember him talking so sweetly and lovingly about his wife.” Portman recalled, “There were Dallas Cowboy cheerleaders there, and he didn’t pay any special attention to them. He had a good rapport with everyone. He was hilarious. He was just trying to get them to laugh. It was about entertaining people who were risking their lives.” Asked about the allegation that Franken drew “devil horns” on Tweeden’s head shot, Portman said, “It doesn’t sound out of line for him—but please. To get offended by that sounds ridiculous, like fourth grade.”

</snip>

MUCH more at link.

[democratisphere]

1. And now you know the rest of the story.

What goes around usually comes around. Justice served.

[Dennis Donovan]

7. Justice denied, in Senator Franken's case;

The Dems that called for his resignation were punked by a half-baked conservative radio outlet:

A big part of Franken’s political problem was the way the story broke. KABC-AM released Tweeden’s material on its Web site, giving it the look of a proper news story. In reality, the station, which is owned by Cumulus Media, was a struggling conservative talk-radio station whose survival plan was to become the most pro-Trump station in Los Angeles. Three top staffers there had been meeting secretly for weeks, after hours, with Tweeden to prepare her statement, but it hadn’t been vetted with even the most cursory fact-checking. Nobody contacted Franken until after the story had been posted online. The station gave Franken less advance warning than it gave the Drudge Report, which it tipped off the previous day. After posting the story, Tweeden embarked on a media tour, starting with a live press conference and proceeding to interviews with CNN’s Jake Tapper (who had been alerted the previous day), Sean Hannity, and the cast of “The View.”

Lomonaco, Franken’s former chief of staff, said, “Typically, reporters will reach out to you for comment, so you have a heads-up, and some opportunity to put your best foot forward. But KABC posted it first and only then reached out to us. It was such an important framing moment. It had the veneer of a legitimate news story without having to abide by any of the conventions of journalism.”

[democratisphere]

49. There is no excuse for Al's fellow Senators that steam rolled him.

NONE!

[MBS]

51. I agree a million percent.

[tblue37]

96. + a brazillion. nt

[smirkymonkey]

122. +1000

[DeminPennswoods]

58. Pretty much confirms this was a political "hit job"

imho.

[mountain grammy]

72. and we've been getting punked since the 80's

Al Franken wrote his first book exposing the right wing in 1996 and never quit.. He upset Republicans and Democrats when he spoke truth to power.. I think the same about Molly Ivins, who died of natural causes before the Democratic party leaders could humiliate her, which I'm sure would have happened eventually..

Whatever we do, we don't want to upset the "moderate" apple cart. I heard Nancy Pelosi quoting Reagan again the other day. She does that regularly which I find a bit disturbing considering Reagan's impact on so many of Nancy's constituents who lost friends and relatives like we all did during that time.

Why do we do this to ourselves?

[certainot]

85. we don't do it to ourselves. we let limbaugh and sons do it to good people all day long

and then blame others. it's like a few hundred coordinated liars on 1500 radio stations don't exist and then media and politicians like gillibrand and the pundits think it's legit organic public opinion instead of basically coming out of team limbaugh's collective ass and piggybacked by russian trolls

this was just another standard example of the incredible stupidity of dems and the left to ignore 1500 coordinated radio stations that swiftboat good people all the time, and make assholes like trump 'acceptable'

we let limbaugh call christine 'ballsey' ford a liar and dem operative for 3 straight weeks like we let him do to anita hill - with the same results

mountains become molehills and visa versa all the time and there will be no truth or proportionality in politics until democrats and liberals end the biggest political mistake in history and stop ignoring republican talk radio

[Ligyron]

123. Absolutely right once again.

But ignored by Dems everywhere, even most around here it seems. Maybe start writing our Dem reps and leaders in an attempt to coordinate some kind of organized response, maybe to bring back the Fairness Doc.for instance. Problem with that is "Freedum of Speech" i.e.,my ignorance is equal to your facts. We'll probably have to win back at least 2 branches of government to successfully implement that policy again.

Meantime, like you've said, contact advertisers and those Universities who carry their sports programming on limbaugh spouting stations. Fear of losing an income stream has successfully gotten things done.

[certainot]

139. thanks. any dem that asks mueller if he saw evidence russians were using talk radio or

any question that brings up talk radio wrt russia will start something useful

the evidence is there

generally i think dem reps are afraid of being accused by city dwelling music-listening social media obsessed donors of wasting time going after ancient technology, and the chant from the left, inspired by decades of RW talking points, that talk radio is just harmless necessary market demand free speech catering to a dying audience.

[Texin]

136. The entire thing was a Roger Stone ratfuck hit job. I hope Stone gets convicted and rots in prison.

[qazplm135]

257. the rest of the story is

1. The unnamed congressional aide stands by her version that he came up to her and tried to kiss her
2. He had a history of kissing folks. His intent may have been pure, but when you do something like that which invades people's space and touches them like that without permission, you risk your intent not mattering.

I would have been fine with an investigation. He should have stuck around for one. Ultimately, he didn't. I get that his argument is Schumer was going to basically have the entire caucus vote him off the island, and he didn't want to stick around, and I understand it. but ultimately, he continued a practice as a sitting Senator he should have discontinued.

Now, does this make the initial cause of all of this skeptical? You betcha. I never trusted the Tweeden accusation and still don't. But if it had just been that, he'd still be a Senator.

[hlthe2b]

2. This article is truly wrenching. Those who defended the rail-roading of Franken REALLY

need to read and rethink. There was NOTHING honorable nor helpful to "ME-TOO" that came from this episode and debacle. NOTHING.

I could say more, but my post would be deleted so I will leave it there. Just know my thoughts are more pointed and directed.

I will instead include this segment from the article from DEM Senators who make clear their REGRET over their actions toward Franken:

A remarkable number of Franken’s Senate colleagues have regrets about their own roles in his fall. Seven current and former U.S. senators who demanded Franken’s resignation in 2017 told me that they’d been wrong to do so. Such admissions are unusual in an institution whose members rarely concede mistakes. Patrick Leahy, the veteran Democrat from Vermont, said that his decision to seek Franken’s resignation without first getting all the facts was “one of the biggest mistakes I’ve made” in forty-five years in the Senate. Heidi Heitkamp, the former senator from North Dakota, told me, “If there’s one decision I’ve made that I would take back, it’s the decision to call for his resignation. It was made in the heat of the moment, without concern for exactly what this was.” Tammy Duckworth, the junior Democratic senator from Illinois, told me that the Senate Ethics Committee “should have been allowed to move forward.” She said it was important to acknowledge the trauma that Franken’s accusers had gone through, but added, “We needed more facts. That due process didn’t happen is not good for our democracy.” Angus King, the Independent senator from Maine, said that he’d “regretted it ever since” he joined the call for Franken’s resignation. “There’s no excuse for sexual assault,” he said. “But Al deserved more of a process. I don’t denigrate the allegations, but this was the political equivalent of capital punishment.” Senator Jeff Merkley, of Oregon, told me, “This was a rush to judgment that didn’t allow any of us to fully explore what this was about. I took the judgment of my peers rather than independently examining the circumstances. In my heart, I’ve not felt right about it.” Bill Nelson, the former Florida senator, said, “I realized almost right away I’d made a mistake. I felt terrible. I should have stood up for due process to render what it’s supposed to—the truth.” Tom Udall, the senior Democratic senator from New Mexico, said, “I made a mistake. I started having second thoughts shortly after he stepped down. He had the right to be heard by an independent investigative body. I’ve heard from people around my state, and around the country, saying that they think he got railroaded. It doesn’t seem fair. I’m a lawyer. I really believe in due process.”

Former Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, who watched the drama unfold from retirement, told me, “It’s terrible what happened to him. It was unfair. It took the legs out from under him. He was a very fine senator.” Many voters have also protested Franken’s decision. A Change.org petition urging Franken to retract his resignation received more than seventy-five thousand signatures. It declared, “There’s a difference between abuse and a mistake.”

[Dennis Donovan]

3. ...or this paragraph from his comedy colleagues:

Many people who worked in comedy with Franken defended his behavior more strongly than he did himself. Jane Curtin, who regards him as one of the few non-sexist men she worked with at “S.N.L.,” said, “They were doing a U.S.O. tour. They’re notoriously burlesque. The photo was funny because she’s wearing a flak jacket, and he’s looking straight at the camera and pretending he’s trying to fondle her breasts. But the humor is he can’t get to them—if a bullet can’t get them, Al can’t get them.” James Downey said, “Much of what Al does when goofing around involves adopting the persona of a douche bag. When I saw the photo, I knew exactly what he was doing. The joke was about him. He was doing ‘an asshole.’ ” Christine Zander, who wrote for “S.N.L.” between 1987 and 1993, said, “It was a mockery of someone acting in bad taste,” adding, “It’s so absurd she turned something that was written—these were trunk pieces, old sketches—into something improvised just for her.” Zander went on, “It’s tragic. All the women who know him from ‘S.N.L.’ and in New York and L.A.”—thirty-six in all—“signed a petition, but it wasn’t enough.” She added, “It makes you feel terrible and depressed, especially when there are people running the country who need to be charged.”

[ProfessorPlum]

61. gee it's too bad these senators couldn't figure that out

https://www.democraticunderground.com/10029951355

I'm just a dummy on the internet, but I made this point a year and a half ago

Here's another thing that bothers me about Franken's assassination: the photo
Everyone (especially the right wing) pretends it is evidence of him groping Tweeden. Even though it clearly doesn't show that.

Ok, people say. Well, Al posed for the photograph and was acting like a jerk and it wasn't funny.

Here's the thing - Al wasn't being a jerk in the photograph. He was pretending to act like an asshole to get laughs. Like "aren't people who would be creepy like this ridiculous"?

I know this is too many layers deep for people in the MSM.

It's not a picture of him groping someone

It's not even a picture of him sincerely pretending to grope someone

It is him pretending to be an asshole who would grope someone ... for a laugh.

Kind of like Stephen Colbert pretending to be a right wing asshole. For laughs.

Kind of like Kelsey Grammar pretending to be a pretentious asshole. For laughs.

Whatever. The guy's being crucified on the altar of GOP hypocrisy.

[True Blue American]

180. You are not alone.

This is the only time I ever disagreed with Sherrod Brown. We had at least 3 back and forth emails about my anger. At least he answers.

[ladym55]

245. I'm glad you contacted Sen. Brown

I never did, but I was so upset with him for throwing Al Franken under the bus. Sadly he doesn't show up in the list of senators who regret their actions at the time.

[True Blue American]

266. Sherrod is one of the best Senators

Ohio ever had except John Glenn and Howard Metzenbaum, all 3 Democrats and honorable men .
One stakebut hundreds of right decisions.

He was the first one here when the15 tornadoes hit. Portman did show up and DeWine, but he always shows up for the cameras.

[hatrack]

5. Well Bill, Tammy, Heidi, Angus, Jeff, Tom, Harry and Patrick, that's nice . . ..

Here's a dollar - combined with your regrets it should be enough for a cup of coffee at the nearest Quik-Trip.

[DFW]

23. Harry Reid had already retired

As for the rest of them--if they haven't found the guts to publicly apologize, a comment for a New Yorker article does not compensate.

[hatrack]

27. Yes, and Heitkamp lost her election

.

[DFW]

37. So did Claire

But Al's event had nothing to do with that. They were both pretty much doomed already.

[yardwork]

55. It didn't help them, either. We lost Franken for nothing.

[DFW]

70. With an emphasis on "We."

And the Republicans got rid of their most eloquent voice of opposition for free.

[mountain grammy]

74. Exactly!

[Baltimike]

287. YAS!!!! nt

[DFW]

26. I'm not sure about that

Many of those those who defended (and continue to defend, either actively or through silence) the railroading of Al Franken appear--to my eyes at least--to have done so with full conscious íntent and an agenda, though depending on the personality involved, that agenda will vary. An anonymous poster on DU will have a different reason from a sitting US Senator, let alone a presidential candidate.

[hlthe2b]

28. Re: those who "continue to defend"...

on DU seems to be the same three, consistently, constantly and with the same repetitive (and disproven) talking points. Their' motivations? Who knows...? I'm sure they are true believers somehow.

[DFW]

36. Exactly

Not exactly inconspicuously, either. Sort of like the lurking Monsanto defenders who are absent from DU except when someone has something uncomplimentary to say about toxic pesticides.

*on edit--true believers? Who knows? I'm sure that outside of the scriptwriters, there are people at Fox Noise who believe they are doing a good thing, or people who believe in Scientology, too.

I stand by my sig line: Croyez ceux qui cherchent la vérité, doutez de ceux qui la trouvent. (Believe those who seek the truth. Doubt those who find it)

[yardwork]

31. Chuck Schumer led the Democratic coalition in the Senate.

[hlthe2b]

33. Kirsten Gillibrand led the Democratic coalition in the Senate.

[yardwork]

39. Laughably incorrect. Gillibrand is a junior senator. Schumer was the minority leader.

Schumer was responsible for managing the Democratic caucus in the Senate. This could not have happened without his support.

[hlthe2b]

40. Don't be condescending. We all know who is Senate minority leader, yet Gillibrand LED the effort.

and she has this albatross to bear throughout her future career. That's the cost of blatant opportunism.

[yardwork]

54. I didn't mean to be condescending. It's just that Schumer needs to be held accountable.

Gillibrand is way behind and has no chance of winning the nomination. This has hurt her career. It's hurt the careers of lots of Democrats and took out our strongest voice in the Senate. Schumer needs to learn from this. This is on him. Poor leadership.

[hlthe2b]

56. I agree that Schumer showed poor judgement and leadership.

[Trumpocalypse]

84. BS

Gillibrand doesn't have that kind of power. All we know for sure is that she was the first to call on him to resign by a few minutes.

This also assumes that other Senators such as Harris, Warren, Booker and Sanders were just blind followers. Also laughable.

As far as the 'blatant opportunism', that is not only laughable but has no evidence to support it.

[hlthe2b]

112. Gee, you are late to the thread! Slept in this morning, I guess.

[Trumpocalypse]

147. No working

So you going to answer my question?

[mountain grammy]

192. Defending the indefensible yet again, right Tina?

[Trumpocalypse]

199. No just trying to recognize reality

and not demonize someone unfairly.

[mountain grammy]

203. Like Al was?

[Trumpocalypse]

204. Yup

[LakeArenal]

108. It's just not condescending.

All but one post I’ve had removed has been about pointing out anyone but Gilli.

Every time I bring up the political ambition and terrible decision making by any other than Gillibrand I’m removed for “attacking” Democrats.

Every senator that signed that writ of assassination on Al is just as horrible as the Pukes that staged it.

Media should bring it up in the debates or interviews but they never do. Everyone ignores that elephant in the news but many apparently will not forget.

But Harris, Warren, Booker, Gilli and the rest have doubled and tripled down. I will not vote for them in a primary and will be holding my nose and mouth to vote for them in the GE.

That’s the truth. If I’m removed again regarding Al, I’ll take it as an honor standing up for Al.

[mountain grammy]

182. +1000

[Bengus81]

272. Yep!! And,Republicans STILL laughing their azzzz off on how EASY this was to pull off

Dems figured back then.......... "If we play nicey so will Republicans and toss a Senator or House member under the bus". BULLSHIT,they don't go the milke toast route or Trump would have been run out of office.

[LakeArenal]

273. Nah. I feel more like;

Political rivals saw their chance to eliminate the competition.

They were first duped by Stone and once having taken the bait, truth, Justice, and due process was out the window.

Then when the backlash against them started, they began the “0h, I felt bad right away bs.”

[True Blue American]

181. She also said Clinton should have resigned.

Friends before that.

[ProfessorPlum]

64. wow, what a portrait of courage that is

Way to be out-witted by Roger Stone, you fucking morons. Hundreds of us on DU saw through this transparent smear job immediately.

[tblue37]

101. This is what happened with the Iraq war vote, too. The Dems let themselves be

stampede into voting for the War resolution because they were afraid that if they didn't they would be put at a disadvantage in the upcoming election.

Similarly, the Dems shoved Franken out beds we they were afraid of not having the moral advantage in #MeToo during the upcoming election.

[Demit]

106. I agree. "Stampeded" is the perfect word to describe what was taking place: herd mentality.

The perceived safety in numbers.

[Mme. Defarge]

137. Oui!

C’est ça.

For those with aspirations for higher office it was a hit job to take out a serious rival, but for others it was about maintaining an image of moral superiority at the expense of due process. I was so disgusted I changed my voter registration from Democrat to Independent. I’ll switch back before the primary election in my state.

All of that said, Senator Franken should have stayed in the Senate and allowed due process to vindicate him. He owed it to his voters and the country to clear his good name and continue to serve.

[mountain grammy]

183. Yes, yes, yes!!

[ProfessorPlum]

186. As Agent K says in Men in Black

A person is smart. People are dumb, panicky dangerous animals and you know it.

[demmiblue]

189. And ACORN. n/t

[questionseverything]

222. exactly franken was acorned...the dems fall for it over and over

I feel like franken was targeted because of how he took that senate seat from coleman….8 months of open and transparent vote counting to win that seat

[question everything]

290. Yes, I was going to post it, too

[pazzyanne]

4. Once more I cried for Minnesota, who lost a great Senator, and

for what? I am still angry about what happened and will never forget KG's part in leading the charge! We could have used Al in the fight against the orange monster destroying our country!

[onetexan]

8. opportunist KG lost me too when she used this opp to paint herself as a champion for women.

I couldn't stand to see her try to hog the limelight at the debates a few weeks ago.

[pazzyanne]

10. I couldn't either.

[RVN VET71]

41. I remain shocked by the reaction.

KG's action was and remains despicable, but so many other Democrats followed her lead. People I really would have expected more from, followed her lead. The weakness, the moral cowardice, they showed in that moment of crisis made me ill.

Sadly, they represent the only hope we have of ever regaining our democracy and our status as a world leader. Ironic, isn't it, that the same spinelessness we condemn in the GOP's craven defense of Trump was displayed, shamelessly by the Dems who condemned Franken at the behest of KG?

I am happy to see Gillibrand fade into the shadows during the debates, but I am greatly saddened by the more prominent candidates who, for the shabbiest of reasons, jumped immediately on her bandwagon. I'm talking' to you, Elizabeth, and you, Kamala. Sans the nervous, ill founded, foolish "vote" against an honest man, I would have voted for either of you gladly and proudly. Now I will do so with not a little trepidation.

[onetexan]

63. Thank you, well summarized

When Al F resigned i got the same sickening feeling i did @ the 2016 elections when the idiot was prononounced the winner. All because KG led a sham of an indictment against him. This has sunk her though she is still defiant about it.

[RVN VET71]

150. Ironically, she could have gained even more popularity if she had called for the Ethics investigatio

instead of Franken's resignation. Seriously, what would a Senator Gillibrand look like today if she had publicly supported Franken's call for an investigation, had publicly insisted that Franken not be rail-loaded, had she publicly declared that the process must be fair and open?

I think she'd look pretty good, actually. She would not have been seen as betraying the #metoo movement but, actually, supporting it.

But politicians like her have no genuine principles, nothing they hold to the last. She chose to destroy a man before he could receive his day in court. And those who jumped on her bandwagon showed themselves to be weak and, frankly, not worthy of our trust. Schumer I wouldn't trust in any case, but Warren and Harris . . . I felt like the little boy of legend and myth who confronted his hero, Shoeless Joe Jackson after the Black Sox scandal was exposed: "Say it ain't so, Joe," he is reported to have said. My disappointment is the same as the kid's.

[Duppers]

149. +100

[onetexan]

6. i hate how the author described him as "disgraced" - he was railroaded, but not disgraced.

It was a hit job by the RW.

[Kitchari]

9. * This.* n/t

[superpatriotman]

16. I take exception with your conclusion

And reject its premise.

Senator Franken was, in the end, disgraced by his own party.

It is a shame which should hang around our necks.

[onetexan]

65. U're entitled to your opinion

[rockfordfile]

258. No. "our" had nothing to do with it.

[Cha]

19. I know, onetexan.. I winced

at that. I don't think of Al Franken as "disgraced".. I think of him as "railroaded".

[onetexan]

135. exactly Cha. A good man and a great Dem leader was done in by another politician for expediency.

Gillibrand needs to apologize to Al Franken and redeem herself by making it public. It's disgraceful what she did.

[dalton99a]

83. +1

[BlueMTexpat]

111. Excellent distinction ...

and the writer of this article led with the hit job. For shame!

[geardaddy]

126. +1

[FakeNoose]

11. Bookmarking to read later

Thanks for posting!

[Dennis Donovan]

13. As always, Mayer nails it...

I'm still reading it, and there's so much more than what I was able to post.

The tragedy here is that the damage was done, and we don't have Al in the Senate (although I urge him to run again, no one could blame him for not doing so, given what happened ).

[FakeNoose]

25. I agree, Jane Mayer is awesome

I've read a couple of her books, and I usually try to spend some time on her New Yorker articles.

I believe Al Franken isn't done yet, but he probably won't run for office again. He might work behind the scenes and help get others elected. I'll read this article later today, when I can take some time with it. Thanks!

[DFW]

297. Though a majority on DU not to mention in Minnesota want him back

He has no further desire to serve alongside so many cowards who were willing to trash him for political expedience as opposed to solid evidence.

[NurseJackie]

12. I'll never forget... nor will I ever forgive.

I'll never forget... nor will I ever forgive.

[Dennis Donovan]

14. Full list of Dem Senators who called for his resignation:

https://www.politico.com/story/2017/12/06/full-list-senators-call-for-al-franken-to-resign-282175

[NurseJackie]

154. How many ringleaders were there?

[marble falls]

59. For me its unforgivable. And I am glad I will miss the oportunity to vote ...

for at least one cheerleader holding my nose.

[NurseJackie]

157. ...

Yep.

[Guilded Lilly]

77. After writing several still-very-angry paragraphs I decided to repeat your post...

because you said it the best.
“I’ll never forget...nor will I ever forgive”

[NurseJackie]

156. ...

[watoos]

15. KG is basically campaigning on getting Franken ousted,

what about the recent 3 women who have come forward accusing Trump of assault and or rape? These 3 women stated publicly that they feel abandoned by the ME-TOO movement. I expect that KG is working on this?

[Dennis Donovan]

73. The article delved into that as well...

Minutes after Politico posted the story, Senator Gillibrand’s chief of staff called Franken’s to say that Gillibrand was going to demand his resignation. Franken was stung by Gillibrand’s failure to call him personally. They had been friends and squash partners. In a later call, Gillibrand’s chief of staff offered to have Gillibrand speak with Franken, but by that time Franken was frantically conferring with his staff and his family. Franken’s office proposed that Franken’s daughter speak with Gillibrand instead, but Gillibrand declined.

Gillibrand then went on Facebook and posted her demand that Franken resign: “Enough is enough. The women who have come forward are brave and I believe them. While it’s true that his behavior is not the same as the criminal conduct alleged against Roy Moore, or Harvey Weinstein, or President Trump, it is still unquestionably wrong, and should not be tolerated.”

Minutes later, at a previously scheduled press conference, Gillibrand added insult to injury: she reiterated her call for Franken to resign while also trumpeting her sponsorship of a new bill that banned mandatory arbitration of sexual-harassment claims. She didn’t mention that Franken had originated the legislation—and had given it to Gillibrand to sponsor, out of concern that it might be imperilled by his scandal.

[hlthe2b]

119. yeah, no opportunism there....

[LiberalLovinLug]

141. OMG

Is there a debate where they take audience questions? I dearly wish she'd get confronted with this. Not just at her but the others that went along to get along.

[drbtg1]

144. Thank you for posting that. That last paragraph should immediately end Gillibrand's campaign

It really gets to the heart of what Gillibrand really is!

[Trumpocalypse]

97. She has called for Trump to resign

https://www.thedailybeast.com/gillibrand-trump-should-resign-over-sexual-assault-allegations

https://www.cnn.com/2017/12/11/politics/trump-resign-gillibrand-sexual-assault/index.html

[The Blue Flower]

17. I won't forgive KG

Franken was a deeply committed public servant. KG is an opportunist.

[Trumpocalypse]

98. What about

Harris, Sanders, Booker and Warren. All called on Franken to resign the same day.

And what is the evidence that supports the opportunist allegation?

[Hermit-The-Prog]

155. see article and reply #73 above

[Trumpocalypse]

160. So?

Still not proof of opportunism. Plus since the author of the article made other factual errors, it is hard to take it completely seriously.

[Hermit-The-Prog]

161. have a nice day

[Trumpocalypse]

164. You too

[90-percent]

18. Didn't Roger Stone have a hand in this plot?

The right wing hit squad did their job brilliantly. They got other Democratic pols to witch hunt Al into resignation, taking out ONE OF THE MOST BRILLIANT DEMOCRATIC MINDS we had in D.C.!

It was infuriating because, as an average loyal DU reader, DU provided me with enough links to determine the entire plot was based on BULLSHIT. And I had to watch Senate Dems obediently follow the path set forth by republic dirty tricksters, who are excellent at what they do and Dems naively take the bait......repeatedly.

I hope Al goes on to write editorials, do talk shows and be a talking head on the news show circuit. Chit chat with the Morning Joe Crew and Rachel kind of stuff.

I don't like supporting good Dems that stupidly kangaroo court one of our best out of the Senate. They got totally p'owned.

-90% Jimmy

[NewJeffCT]

68. Stone was at least partly behind the first accuser

who is/was a known Republican activist.

[grantcart]

86. Activist? Stone promotes himself as the number 1 rat fucker in the GOP

and. memorialized it with a large tattoo of Nixon.

Next to his linking wikileaks to Trump campaign this.was his most successful operation.

Pennies on the dollar.

[NewJeffCT]

90. sorry, I wasn't clear

the woman in the picture with Franken is/was a known Republican activist. She had actually accepted his apology.

[grantcart]

148. Got it thanks😊

[Baltimike]

78. Yes...he did, and it's why I won't vote for the gaggle that fell for Stone's sucker bet. nt

[Kingofalldems]

20. There was a right wing troll who just pounded DU

with threads and replies with outrage at Sen. Franken. Sadly some fell for it.

Definitely a right wing hit job.

[rzemanfl]

47. There were MANY including some clearly on Putin's payroll.

I think I know who you mean. No posts in the last 90 days, but still here.

[betsuni]

21. Dammit.

Dammit dammit dammit.

[LAS14]

35. Ditto.

[DFW]

22. The story is long, but well worth reading

The Senate Democrats didn't just shoot themselves in the foot. They blew it off with a hand grenade. Schumer, it turns out, was even more of a weasel than I recalled at the time, and that is saying something. I also hadn't heard the regrets of Bill Nelson, whom I know slightly, but haven't seen for two years, or Heidi Heitkamp, whom I was supposed to have met, but fell ill half an hour before and was rushed by ambulance from Claire McCaskill's Senate office to GW Hospital with a suspected heart attack (it turned out to be the flu).

That the whole publicity campaign was organized by Republican sleaze I DID know, though more names are mentioned here than I had ever heard of. The continued repetition of the Fox personalities' version of the events by some here on DU (who seemingly show to post ONLY about this subject) is cause for pause. Just who is pushing whose agenda here?

Al made some errors in judgment in how he handled the whole thing, but there was no handbook to go by. Schumer et al handled it by the Napoleonic code (the accused is guilty until proven innocent), and Al Franken had served in a Senate supposedly dedicated to preserving a code of laws that saw it the other way around.

All in all, the article gave plenty of text space to all non-anonymous accusers that wanted to have their say. Norm Ornstein knows Al better than anyone else interviewed, and because of that I can understand why more of his comments were not included, though Norm is probably the most eloquent speaker/writer of the lot.

It confirms my decision not to contribute to, or support the presidential nomination of, ANY Democratic Senator who publicly called for Al's resignation. These are not people I want negotiating on my country's behalf with the leaders of China, Russia, the EU or Mitch McConnell. If they are THIS easily manipulated, they have no business in the Oval Office.

[Bluepinky]

166. Agree with you completely.

I was very disappointed about how this whole thing went down, Al Franken should have been given the chance to exonerate himself.
I have always liked Al as a comedian, good human being, and Senator. He exceeded my expectations of how he’d be as a Senator, and my expectations were high. In my opinion, he’s up there with Paul Wellstone, he’s that smart and incorruptible.
This was so obviously a hit job by Repub operatives, and this article confirms it. Roger Stone knew in advance about an attack on Al. It was depressing that our own Democratic Senators went along with it, and my opinion of them is less. It’s good to hear that so many of them now regret their jump to judgement.
I would love it if Al would return to the Senate, or become a US Rep, he’s needed.

[femmedem]

24. I'm disappointed in every one of the Senators who called for his resignation

not just Gillibrand, and even more disappointed in the ones who still don't acknowledge that he deserved due process and that they shouldn't have pressured him to resign. It's something I think about with every one of our senators who are presidential candidates, and I can't help but wonder if they felt it was something they had to do for the good of their future candidacies.

I'm proud of one of my senators, Sen. Blumenthal, a former State AG, for not being part of the rush to judgment. When there's a mob mentality like there was against Franken, it takes courage not to join in.

Most of all, I miss Franken in the senate and am still so saddened that someone who has spent his life first making people laugh, then devoting himself to public service is now shunned. I hope this article helps him recover his reputation.

[DFW]

29. To some of us, he never lost his reputation

Only his job

[marlakay]

62. I believed him the whole time

Have been following hm since SNL and Air America when he went political.

I knew how much he loved his wife and that because he was a force who probably would have run for president himself they wanted to take him down.

So sad when the senators piled on, hope they learned from it.

[DFW]

69. I hope they learned, too, but I doubt it. It looked like a replay of "Julius Caesar."

"First, let's get rid of our main rival. We can get to killing each other off once that is done with."

[LAS14]

32. I'm sorry to hear that...

... he's now sorry he resigned. I wish he'd figured things out sooner so he didn't have to resign.

[The_Counsel]

102. It Seems It Was Out of His Hands at That Point...

Franken said that he would fully cooperate with a full investigation, but members of his own party thought it better that he resign.

I wouldn't have done it, but I can understand why one would, given that kind of pressure.

[vlyons]

38. So why doesn't Franken run again?

He should

[scarytomcat]

45. yes he should

run Al run
the House or the Senate could use him

[catrose]

242. If I were him, I wouldn't want to be back with the people who threw me under the bus.

He asked for due process; his party said no, get out. So maybe he doesn't want to try to work with them again.

[Blue_true]

270. He should start a nationally syndicated Talk Show that specifically talks about trends

in society, including in politics. He would do a lot more good there and have a lot more impact.

[UpInArms]

42. Roger Stone ....

Roger Stone appears to have known about Al Franken allegations before they went public

I get so angry ....

[Gothmog]

43. I still like Al Franken

[madaboutharry]

44. The railroading of Al Franken still makes me very angry.

The most shame is on Kristen Gilliband for her opportunism and for projecting her own personal pain onto Al Franken. Shame on the democratic caucus for allowing themselves to be manipulated into jumping on a bandwagon.

It bothers me greatly that Kamala Harris was part of that. I hold it against her. She was a prosecutor and an Attorney General. She of all people should understand that railroading a man is an injustice. Her actions in this matter are something I think she should have to answer for.

[The_Counsel]

107. This.

Most of the Dem senators who piled on are lawyers by trade and should have known better.

Our basic right of innocence until proven guilty is instilled in each of us long before we hit law school. We're talking elementary school stuff here. "Schoolhouse Rock," even.

THAT'S why the "opportunist" word is being used here. Just sayin'...

[Blue_Tires]

239. What pisses me off the most is

Trump is a rapist and Ohio has a pederast congressman and both republicans are laughing their asses off...

[Tommy_Carcetti]

46. If either Klochabar wins the presidency or another Democrat wins...

...and appoints Klochabar to the cabinet, the MN governor better do the right thing and give Franken his seat back without hesitation.

It’s the only fair thing to do.

[madaboutharry]

104. That won't happen.

They wouldn't take that kind of risk. The right thing will never outweigh politics.

But I agree that it would be the fair thing to do.

[The_Counsel]

109. Why?

What kind of risk would the MN governor be taking on by making a rightful appointment? The legislature wouldn't even have a say, as far as I know...

[madaboutharry]

124. Appointing Franken wouldn't stay a "Minnesota issue."

It would become a Washington issue that would be used against every single democrat in office.

The Republicans are vultures and play dirty. Democrats, I think, have decided Franken isn't worth it.

[Kashkakat v.2.0]

134. Who cares what repubs think or do! Dont we know by now that in the absence of

anything factual, they will just flat out make up stuff?????

SO TIRED of Dem co-dependent behavior. Just decide what the right thing to do is, and then .... DO IT.

[LakeArenal]

234. So what. The fight is always the same.

Same smear groups. When did we become so politically expedient? We are as bad as repukes?

[madaboutharry]

236. The politicians, people like Schumer, don't think like us.

They calculate everything. And yes, they can be as bad.

I would think if there was any serious talk of appointing Al Franken to a hypothetically vacant seat, great pressure would be exerted on the governor to pick someone else.

Democrats in Washington don't care about Al Franken. He is in their rear view mirror.

Some may feel guilty for jumping on the bandwagon and stabbing him in the back, but they also don't want to have to defend him.

Life has never been fair.

[LakeArenal]

241. So you are saying public opinion does not sway our Democrat leaders.

Then wtf are we doing any of this?

If you are saying Al is in Our Leader’s rear view mirrors then so am I. Now I’m even more pissed at Harris Warren Booker and the rest. I count. #me, too mother-effers

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

131. I do think the governor, Tim Walz, would do it.

Franken remains very popular here in Minnesota, and the only blowback Walz would get would be from the GOP, who would gripe about whoever he appointed, so screw them.

However, I'm not sure Franken would want it after the way he got sandbagged. Like the article said, it's kind of like in school when you think you're popular and have a whole bunch of friends, then one day they all beat you up. After that, you don't want to go back to school.

I can tell you one thing - If Gillibrand makes it to the primaries, which is doubtful, she'll get her ass handed to her in Minnesota.

[Lulu KC]

115. I like it

but sadly think it's unlikely.

[sinkingfeeling]

48. I stopped all donations to the DNC, DCCC, and DSCC for a

year. Only contributed to selected campaigns in 2018.
The fools drummed out the best Democratic senator we had.

[watoos]

53. I just got my renewal membership

for the ACLU, you can't go wrong contributing to them.

[sinkingfeeling]

71. I do them monthly.

[brooklynite]

172. And what did DCCC (or DNC) have to do with this?

Hurting the Party because you're angry makes no sense.

[sinkingfeeling]

178. If they, meaning elected Democrats, don't start taking steps to

actually impeach IQ45 and about half of his cabinet soon, I'll withhold even more financial support. You're kidding yourself if you don't believe money speaks louder than writing letters.

I will continue to vote Democratic, but I sure don't have to give the party money.

[brooklynite]

190. My point is: DCCC and DNC have no role in the Senate or Senate races.

If you were trying to "teach them a lesson" you did a lousy job.

[Trumpocalypse]

218. So you decided to help the Republicans

[rockfordfile]

263. You should cut out the smooching of the DNC etc.. at every turn

[Trumpocalypse]

217. By what measure

was Franken the best Senator? Please be specific.

[JT45242]

50. Difference between Dems and Repubs

This is, perhaps, the best and saddest example of the difference between Dems and Repubs.

We devour our own over even the appearance of impropriety. (Or an opportunity for a different Democrat to make a name by destroying someone higher in the pecking order).

Repubs on the other hand -- may say "Never Trump" but will vote for him anyway. They won't jump to a third party candidate, which is really a vote for the other power party. A friend of mine asked on how Facebook how other Christians could possibly support Trump -- when he is the antithesis of everything they stand for.

"For what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8 (But this would fit not only for Christians and Jew, but also for any who believe in God: Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, First Nation). Trump is the opposite of justice, kindness, and humility.

One of her friends wrote: I struggle with this. But he gave us judges who are pro-life so I have to support him.

This is sad...but the reality. Rank and file Republicans will never devour their own UNLESS they commit the heresy of saying they are not pro-life. (You and I know they are only pro-fetus, because they do not care one iota about the child once it is born, but I digress).

The truly powerful Republicans, those with money and power, absolutely LOVE Trump, in addition to a trillion dollar tax give away, they have been given literally hundreds of millions of dollars in relief of regulations that might protect drinking water, air, dependence on oil, switching to Carbon neutral or Carbon friendly policies. That is all mony that fat cat donors know would never come from a Democrat. So, they will wring their hands about the overt racism and support their own economic interests. They would never devour a Republican unless he committed the heresy of saying that taxes on the rich and businesses must go up to actually address budget issues (ala HW Bush).

Finally, the last group... the racist Republicans who once hid in the shadows but are now out in the light of day thanks to Trump. They will always vote Republican because Democrats gave people they need to think are below them the Civil Rights act, the voting rights act, and affirmative action. They will never turn from the Republican party unless some republican committed the heresy of saying that people of color are as worthwhile as whites (which ironically is what drove this group to the Republicans in th efirst place when LBJ signed the Civil Rights Act). There is no Republican who will be willing to do that as long as the Electoral college over-represents states that contain a lot of these people.

Whether you think that Dems destroyed Franken's career out of righteous indignation, the zeitgeist of that phase of the Metoo movement, or for political gain, it really does not matter. The thing to know is that Democrats destroyed one of the best and most prepared Senators who would have eaten alive lying, criminal scum like Kavanaugh, Barr, and the rest in hearings. The Repubs did not have to deal with his insightful dissection of their flaws. Rest assured, when another Repub high or rising official has a similar accusation, they will not devour their own --- unless they commit the only acts worthy of destruction: supporting the heresies of not being pro-life, not being help the rich with lower taxes, or saying that people of color are equal to whites. Then it is not about doing the right thing, it is about keeping the support of the three groups Repubs need to win : pro-life, wealthy and powerful, and Bubbas.

[scarletwoman]

275. Outstanding, excellent post!

Very impressive! Absolutely spot on!

[underpants]

52. 👀

Marking to read later

[Bettie]

57. This breaks my heart

he's a good man and was a great senator.

[Zoonart]

60. ONE QUESTION...Where is the Me Too movement on the RAPIST in the oval????????????

Never believed this stuff about Al Franken for one single second. He was railroaded, pure and simple.

[calimary]

91. That is the question of the day. Where's the #MeToo movement on trump?

This STILL makes me so angry. That pathetic little two-bit radio station with a lousy signal and desperate for ratings and more prominence, the cowardly pile-on by opportunists in and outside the Senate, and Roger Stone for Pete’s sake. What a sickening brew.

On edit - I remember writing about this and the one word I kept trying to get to, but didn’t (for some odd reason, I didn’t think of it) was “burlesque.” As Jane Curtin called it. That’s a perfect word to describe the ribald comedy that the “offending” skit was designed to be. How many times I covered shtick like that as an entertainment reporter.

Franken never even had a chance to defend himself. Nobody seemed interested. Guess it wasn’t “cool” or something.

And yet, where’s the #MeToo juggernaut on trump?

Al Franken was RAILROADED. I won’t forget. Not ever.

[del19713]

66. Let the people decide

I wish he would run again I think the people would reelect him. It was such a farce, the Republicans wanted him gone for so long.

[Tarc]

67. Franken had far more serious allegations against him than Tweeden the right-wing hack

But his fan club conveniently forget those things as they seek to punish women for speaking out.

Woman says Franken inappropriately touched her in 2010

[Baltimike]

75. No he didn't

and maintaining that he grabbed some woman's ass at a state fair WITH DOZENS OF PEOPLE AROUND...smacks of bullshit too...

BUT I WELCOME AN INVESTIGATION...HE certainly deserved one.

[Tarc]

103. Here comes the Denial Train

Why is #MeToo only adhered to when it's accusations against people we don't like?

[Demit]

110. Why is a woman who complained that a man's arm around her waist made her uncomfortable because

she had recently put on weight even considered a legitimate #MeToo case?

That's when I knew the fix was in, when that "accusation"—supposedly the last straw—was written about & discussed with a straight face.

[deurbano]

138. Yes, as I recall she was the only non-Republican who wasn't "anonymous" who accused him,

and the accusation was that he squeezed her waist! (Something she said she wouldn't even want her husband to do in public.) I would also feel uncomfortable to have someone feel my fat roll, but would assume it to be inadvertent and not sexual assault! I couldn't believe THAT was final straw.

[The_Counsel]

118. Wait...Wanting an Investigation is "Denial?" On What Planet?

Clearly, it's not Earth.

What was the harm in an investigation? I mean BESIDES the obvious...?

[Tarc]

125. And yet you, rightly, supported the accusations, pre-investigation, against Kavanaugh, right?

Go ahead, I'll wait.

[stopdiggin]

151. I didn't

Don't know about Counsel, but I didn't "rightly" support pre-investigation accusations .. against Kavanaugh, or anyone else! That's kind of the point! The whole thread is about knee jerk rush to judgement ...

[The_Counsel]

152. ...the Hell Are You Talking About?

Don't wait...find where I posted support of bringing Kavanaugh up on charges without a proper investigation and post the link here.

I'd wait, but I know you won't find it.

So again: What was the harm in a proper investigation into Franken? Kavanaugh, even?

[Bradshaw3]

165. False equivalency

You are equating the accusers of Franken and Kavanaugh, their stories, and their backing claims such as people they told at the time, as the same. They aren't, as anyone who is able to look at the facts can see.

Surely someone who is as invested in this as you can compare the two and tell the difference, right? Go ahead, I'll wait.

[Tarc]

283. It is a correct equivalency

White men in positions of power, accused of sexual assault/abuse. There's one that all of DU gets behind in condemning, the other sees a right-wing level of ducking, dodging and denial.

[Jakes Progress]

185. Want some roger stone kool-aid

to go with that popcorn while you are waiting?

Oh. Sorry, you seemed to have already quaffed the whole thing.

[rockfordfile]

264. Why are you pushing Roger Stone type crap?

[Baltimike]

128. Conflate much?

[Tarc]

282. Yes, he did

Hypocrisy and denial really isn't workin out for ya, but keep trying.

[Baltimike]

284. Nice try there. No dice. Because...really...NO HE DIDN'T

you link to a lady who claimed he grabbed her ass while taking a pic at a PUBLIC COUNTY FAIR.

Nice try. No dice. I'm not delusional...you are conflating.

[Tarc]

285. I'm sorry that you do not believe women who were sexually assaulted

Buh-bye now.

[Baltimike]

286. and I am sorry that you don't support a person is innocent until proven guilty

and that you conflate an accusation with a proven fact.

Tah tah!

[Dennis Donovan]

76. read the article, especially the last paragraph:

The lawyer Debra Katz, who has represented Christine Blasey Ford and other sexual-harassment victims, remains troubled by Franken’s case. She contends, “The allegations levelled against Senator Franken did not warrant his forced expulsion from the Senate, particularly given the context in which most of the behavior occurred, which was in his capacity as a comedian.” She adds, “All offensive behavior should be addressed, but not all offensive behavior warrants the most severe sanction.” Katz sees Franken as a cautionary tale for the #MeToo movement. “To treat all allegations the same is not only inappropriate,” she warns. “It feeds into a backlash narrative that men are vulnerable to even frivolous allegations by women.”

[spooky3]

89. Yes, the author investigated all of the allegations

(Though she didn’t get to writing about those other than Tweeden’s until late in the article, so readers need to be patient.) Those accusations sound as shaky today as they did at the time.

[Trumpocalypse]

87. The article does tend to

gloss over the other 7 allegations.

[USALiberal]

88. Lol! Nt

[Dennis Donovan]

92. No, it really doesn't.

I'd read it first.

[Trumpocalypse]

95. I did

And it spends most of the time discussing Tweeden. Only a few paragraphs on the other 7 with no mention of Army Vet Stephanie Kemplin.

[Dennis Donovan]

113. Was she included in "the other 7"?

[Trumpocalypse]

145. She was one of the other 7

but not mentioned in the article.

[USALiberal]

140. Keep trying! Nt

[Trumpocalypse]

146. I always keep trying to state facts

Why do you have a problem with that?

[USALiberal]

162. She will drop out soon. Nt

[Trumpocalypse]

163. Probably

But that is beside the point. As Democrats/liberals/progressives we should respect facts and not ignore them when they are inconvenient.

[wellst0nev0ter]

244. There was nothing to discuss about Kemplin

She is a trump voter who claims Franken fondled her at a public event in full view of everyone, yet there are no other witnesses.

We can't afford to be this gullible.

[Trumpocalypse]

248. But we can afford to

demonize the accusers. I thought only republicans did that?

[wellst0nev0ter]

254. You said yourself Tweeden is a liar

And Kemplin is another magat with a preposterous story to sell. It's not that complicated.

[Trumpocalypse]

261. Yes

because there is credible evidence that Tweeden lied. I’ve yet to see any that all the other 7 women were lying too.

[wellst0nev0ter]

271. The two other named trump voters

claimed they were groped at public events with multiple onlookers, but provided no witnesses to the alleged assault.

One accuser claimed Franken improperly kissed her... on stage in front of an audience of 750 people after she gave him an award.

The first incident occurred on April 28, 2006, in Brattleboro, Vermont, where Franken was broadcasting a live show at the Latchis Theatre, in front of seven hundred and fifty people. When a local elected official came onstage to hand him an award, he kissed her. The woman, whose name is being withheld at her request, declined to speak to me on the record. But she told her story, anonymously, to Jezebel, saying that she felt certain Franken had been aiming to give her a “wet, open-mouthed kiss.” She told Jezebel, “I felt demeaned. I felt put in my place.” She said that, although they were in a public place, nobody noticed the encounter. But Christian Avard, a local reporter, witnessed it, and told me, “I think it was supposed to be ‘Thank you very much,’ but it looked like a bad kiss on his part.”

Two other anon accusers claim they were groped at public events, but no witnesses. Another anon claimed she was attacked in private, but said Franken said "It’s my right as an entertainer." -- a line that is so out of character it beggars belief.

Then there's Tina Dupuy, the final nail on the coffin, who claims Franken assaulted her by holding her at the waist during a photo op. At that point in time she had nothing but good things to say about Franken on social media

[Trumpocalypse]

295. None of which is proof

that they were lying. But is the kind of BS that men have said for decades to try to discredit women when do come forward.

[wellst0nev0ter]

298. So you believe Franken

assaulted a woman by holding her waist?

That says more about you and your incarcerial mindset than Franken.

Plus you don't want an investigation anyway, so this exchange is a useless exercise.

[Trumpocalypse]

299. Don't put words in my mouth

Never said Franken assaulted anyone and have nothing against an investigation. But the accusations of 7 cannot be easily disregarded because the person they are accusing is someone we like. There can’t be one standard of belief for Thomas, Trump & Kavanaugh and a different higher standard for Franken.

[Bengus81]

250. The one accuser that has HER arm around Franken for a picture--that allegation?

And most of them were....same shit,different day.

[Trumpocalypse]

251. Can you prove that?

[Bengus81]

253. The pic was on here forever,maybe I can find it........

Telling me you NEVER saw it on DU? How about one of the other "accusers" who's HUSBAND was taking the picture? Suppose Franken was feeling her up two feet away from her husband?

[Trumpocalypse]

260. I've seen it

It’s not proof she or the other six women were lying.

[Bengus81]

269. But it's proof that Franken was lying? Watch out guys..........

Any woman who wants your azzz in trouble can just show cops a picture of HER arm around you and have you charged.

[Trumpocalypse]

294. No never said Franken was lying either

And none accused Franken of committing a crime. But when you have 7 women saying similar things with no credible evidence produced that any of them are lying, you have to give them the benefit of the doubt.

[yardwork]

268. I don't think so.

[Paladin]

79. Think how valuable an active, office-holding Al Franken would be to us, right now.

With his intellect, sense of humor and media experience, he'd be trump's worst nightmare.

[Dennis Donovan]

80. I pray this extensive, well-written article shepherds his re-entry into office.

[Butterflylady]

81. Thank you for posting this.

I hope all those that commented in other posts about the "30 other senators" that jumped on the band wagon asking Franken to resign read this article. I for one am going to send this article to my senator and hope he sees the error of his ways too. They all should hang their heads in shame.

[Kashkakat v.2.0]

82. CAN HE NOT run and win again? What am I missing - I mean if Anthony effing Weiner can

be given a second chance, why not Al???????

I realize there would be constroversy and disharmony within the party. But come on - not like there isn't already!

And maybe its time to come to grips with the fact that a certain small minority are going to lie and exploit MeToo for political or personal gain - why not devise some mechanism to weed out the political hatchet jobs... some process that doesn't disrespect or demean women who are coming forward. I don't know what that looks like, but we certainly wont figure it out by not talking about it.

[hlthe2b]

132. Right. There are two Senators for every state and MN's are now filled by Dems Klobuchar and

Franken's governor-appointed replacement, Tina Smith. Do you really think Franken would/should run to displace either of them? I doubt most Dems in MN would, even while they continue to love/support Al.

It is really not as easy as saying he "should just run again." If only...

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

255. My fantasy is that Franken returns to the Senate when Klobuchar is appointed AG

by whichever Dem wins the election (I don't think she'll be nominated or be offered the running mate spot), and the governor appoints him to fill her Senate seat.

[hlthe2b]

256. Works for me...

[Trumpocalypse]

93. One interesting passage.

Senate Democrats, meanwhile, were under increasing pressure from the media and women’s groups to explain why they were castigating Roy Moore but not Al Franken.

At the time I had heard that several women's groups were upset about the Franken allegations and were complaining to party leadership. Party leaders became concerned since women's group are considered part of the party's core supporters.

[tonedevil]

168. Truth be damned. /nt

[58Sunliner]

232. Which ones where those?

"At the time I had heard that several women's groups were upset about the Franken allegations and were complaining to party leadership. Party leaders became concerned since women's group are considered part of the party's core supporters."

[Trumpocalypse]

235. NOW in particular

and some smaller groups whose names I don’t remember. I never heard anything about it again until this article.

[Farmer-Rick]

94. Is it me, or do Dems seem to be more gullible than Repukes?

I think back to the Acorn fake video scandal with O'Keefe that has prevented Acorn from actively registering poor Americans to vote, convient. Most Dems in power went along with it. Even though their withdraw of funding was illegal.

Van Jones resignation for calling RepubliCONS names, Shirley Sherrod for a very badly manipulated video clip. And of course Al. It just seems to me Democrats are more likely to fall for, believe and act upon fake and manipulated information. Or does the GOP fall for it too but I just don't have the info?

[Trumpocalypse]

99. I think Dems are more trusting

not gullible. They don't automatically assume that people are lying. Plus Dems have a higher standard of behavior.

[tonedevil]

169. Shirley Sherrod says hello. /nt

[questionseverything]

279. way more gullible

they are so worried about not being seen as perfect that they make huge mistakes

like defunding acorn or bootin franken

and then you have some democrats that are so wealthy and invested in the same ole same ole that they will jump on any excuse to get rid of an effective democrat

[Shrek]

100. There's some useful context about the photo

The photograph of Tweeden, he said, certainly “looked sexist out of context,” but “in context the whole thing was like being stuck on a smelly bus. Those planes are loud, there was a wrestler on board, and people were taking funny pictures. It was campy.”

This was not any pattern of misbehavior toward Tweeden.

[catrose]

105. After he resigned: "Gillibrand and other Senate colleagues flocked to hug him..."

But Franken told me, “I’m angry at my colleagues who did this. I think they were just trying to get past one bad news cycle.”

So they rushed in to give hugs to someone who didn't want them. Does that strike anyone else as...ironic?

[Lulu KC]

116. Yes indeedy

[Bluepinky]

171. Good point.

Al has more class in his little finger than some of his colleagues have in their entire bodies.

I still feel angry about this entire episode.

[PoliticAverse]

179. What happened was that Franken made some of his other colleagues look bad by doing such a good job

So, when given the opportunity, they were glad to push him out.

As to the hugs - maybe ironic is the right word, I'd still look for a stronger one.

[MFGsunny]

114. Excellent article and investigative reporting (as usual) by Jane Mayer.

As a rape survivor myself, the Tweeden story always made me cringe. It smelled from the beginning to me, particularly b/c I was soooo familiar with USO skits and schitcks!

There's a strange similarity, IMHO, between sexual assault of any kind and political opportunism. Both are degrading and offensive - regardless of political ideology. It's like a zero-sum game.

Given the reporting in this article, Franken wasn't just railroaded, he was lynched.

[Lulu KC]

117. Excellent example of groupthink

I'm sad that so many I like--even Maizie Hrono!--participated in this. We're supposed to be the party that understands nuance. It got lost. And then there was Kavanaugh and now I'm going to go climb under a rock for a while and get recharged.

[spedtr90]

120. Photos proving another Tweeden lie

In 2017 Tweeden said on The Viewshe saw Franken at a gala a few years after the 2006 incident. She recalled him seeking her out to say hello, but she ignored him and walked away. “He had a chance to apologize to me then,” Tweeden said. “He knew exactly what he did to me then and that that picture was out there.”

That gala 3 years later in 2009 was the USO Metro Awards Dinner Honoring Al Franken. The link has photos of "angry” LeAnn “ignoring” Franken. She's in a blue dress laughing with Al. There are 4 pictures of them.

https://www.gettyimages.com/photos/metro-awards-dinner-honoring-al-franken?sort=mostpopular&mediatype=photography&phrase=metro%20awards%20dinner%20honoring%20al%20franken

[Demit]

159. She said that any time she saw Franken afterward her hands "clenched into fists."

That photo where she's yukking it up with him at the awards ceremony sure gives the lie to that.

[MuseRider]

121. Prejudice.

I fall firmly in support of believing Franken and firmly in support of believing the "Me Too" movement and understanding why this happened. I could never sit a jury in this case.

Being my age I have adored Franken since I was probably mid 20's? I do not and have not ever felt he was this kind of a man but then we never really know unless we actually know people. I am part of the Me Too movement, been there in those situations too many times from the time I was very young. I have a hard time not believing accusers although what I did learn about this case seemed difficult to believe. I thought that he either resigned because there really was more coming, probably from long ago when men actually thought they had the right to do whatever they wanted, or more coming from recent interactions that were inappropriate.

Whatever, I can't decide this. I wish he was still in the Senate as much as anyone but there is still that little voice that tells me to hold that thought. I am so glad I do not have to decide this. He did the right thing I think given the timing and circumstances and I would love for there to be a cleansing of the air around this. I have not read the entire article but have downloaded the audio for later listening.

He has a podcast that I listen to and if you don't you should. It is very interesting and he is still able to put his intelligent mind and voice out there with this.

[spooky3]

237. For me, the resolution is to call for an investigation and due process. Nt

[MuseRider]

281. I would love to see that.

I listened to the pod cast and it was very informative. It certainly put him in a good position but you know how it is these days with the RW screaming. I am not certain after listening to this that he wants to go through that.

I would certainly support it. All we need is the truth. It is important to take women seriously and I believe we need to start with expecting them to be telling the truth. I am sure not all will but we HAVE to start there. I think this is one of those times, she used whatever she could and he stopped it before everyone could hear the truth.

[klook]

127. I support Al Franken 100%.

Sure wish his colleagues had.

This is one of the most infuriating and disgusting political hit jobs I’ve ever seen, and those who took the bait so easily— without corroboration! — should be ashamed of themselves. (I see that some are, too late.)

I’m sorry to hear this has been so tough on Al and his family, but of course it has — what decent person wouldn’t be devastated by something like this?

I like his podcast, and I’m a subscriber. I enjoyed his career as a comedian and admired his work with Air America as well as his books excoriating shitheads like Rush Limbaugh and Bill O’Reilly. And I was thrilled when he became such an effective U.S. Senator.

I would support his return to politics in a heartbeat, although I can see why he would want nothing more to do with it.

With all the assholes who’ve gotten away with real sexual assault, to see this good man, this great liberal warrior, ruined by innuendo and lies... it’s maddening. And I will never forget how it happened.

Thanks for Jane Mayer for this piece. I look forward to Al’s resurgence. We sure can use his voice, in whatever role he feels comfortable contributing.

Mr. Franken, if you’re so bored that you’re reading DU, I salute you.


Now, get to work. Please.

[AllaN01Bear]

129. no hearing . no confronting of witnesses , just her word against his .

what about statute of limitations . didnt they wear out? i aint no leagel person . need help here . thanks . got the shaft.

[Trumpocalypse]

173. There would have been no confronting of witnesses

An ethics committee hearing is not a trial. And the statute of limitations doesn't apply because no accused Franken of committing a crime.

[AllaN01Bear]

215. thanks for your information

[NCjack]

130. The sadist thing I have read for months is Al saying

‘I’m going to die alone in the jungle.’ That must not happen.

Wouldn't it be great if Al were a roving commentator on MSNBC, throwing verbal bean-balls at Liar-#45's head every day. Everyday. Keeping Liar-#45 busy in never ending, time wasting tweets with Al. Never knowing what time Al will be on, what he will say.

How about some help here from MSNBC shows? The greatest political comic is setting out the most important political battle in our nation's history.

[demmiblue]

142. This part, also:

The next day, Franken gave a short resignation speech. Gillibrand and other Senate colleagues flocked to hug him afterward. But Franken told me, “I’m angry at my colleagues who did this. I think they were just trying to get past one bad news cycle.” For months, he ignored phone calls and cancelled dates with friends. “It got pretty dark,” he said. “I became clinically depressed. I wasn’t a hundred per cent cognitively. I needed medication.”

On the positive side, he has started a podcast:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChK2Q2QyQlygpwSp8AE24TQ

[LiberalLovinLug]

143. I disagree with Al

On this passage:

At his house, Franken said he understood that, in such an atmosphere, the public might not be eager to hear his grievances. Holding his head in his hands, he said, “I don’t think people who have been sexually assaulted, and those kinds of things, want to hear from people who have been #MeToo’d that they’re victims.”


The problem was he is/was TOO nice. And fresh ambitious reps like Gillibrand were eager to pounce on an opportunity to bump him back and themselves forward in the pecking order. Add that to the other elements of the perfect storm. The Roy Moore ongoing saga, the height of the MeToo movement.

The thing was that Al was TOO nice, TOO concerned about not offending anyone, TOO concerned about what staying on and forcing an ethics review would do to the unity of the party, especially doing it DESPITE the wrath and already guilty verdicts by a few of his peers. The sad thing is it seems like he has given up on the idea that he can come back I think he is wrong there. But I think he is too nice of a guy....he doesn't want to disturb any apples, or be the cause of any friction with those few that feel they must double down for PC political reasons.

I'm glad to read that at least now, he does regret not pushing forward with the review anyways.

[Trumpocalypse]

175. How did

Gillibrand move herself forward in the pecking order?

[LiberalLovinLug]

187. Take out a shining star

And your glow becomes a little brighter.

Not to mention her perceived bump by using the case, and Al, to elevate her status in the MeToo movement, and thus elevate her profile in the media. Which one needs as a new rep Washington.

It was a low hanging fruit. The difference is that this low hanging fruit was hollow. No substance. But it LOOKED like the other low hanging fruit, and could be amalgamated with the other LHF for those reasons. It looked close enough to the other real LHF that she could get away with using it to destroy a career in the same manner one could use one with substance.

[Trumpocalypse]

197. And your proof of that

is? Please provide links to credible sources.

[LiberalLovinLug]

212. Proof of what?

I'm no astronomer but my understanding is that when a brighter light is removed, it makes the ones around it look brighter. I don't have the scientific equations handy, sorry.

Proof that a politician that was front and center in the news leading another MeToo victory during its most intense news cycle, with Roy Moore hanging around the Republican's necks, would give her positive publicity? No actual proof, other than the increase in news talk guest appearances. Especially on those "liberal" shows the conspiracy targeted, CNN and The View.

Proof that she is ambitious? That she wants to move up the ladder? Nothing. Other than she is one of few (compared to all the Democrats) running for POTUS.


So no smoking gun proof. But then, what proof do you have that she was acting more in the best interest of the party, and keeping our strongest voices, by promoting Don Jr., Roger Stone, and Tweeden's smear campaign against Al? I'd love to see those sources.

[Trumpocalypse]

216. Proof of your accusation

And I mean direct proof with links to credible sources. If you're going to demonize someone and their motives at least have some evidence.

[LiberalLovinLug]

224. I could say the same to in regards to Franken

You have no credible sources backing up you and Don Jr. and Stone's allegations either. And reading that article I don't think you'll find it. Because if you support Gilibrands move, then you must also have been taken in by the whole ridiculous charges.

And you have no sources proving Gillibrand had no ulterior motives. (Face it, its impossible to officially prove things either way because neither of us can see into her head) But I at least provided circumstantial evidence. You have provided nothing.

Have a nice day.

[Trumpocalypse]

229. No you provided no evidence

All you are doing is making accusations without any credible evidence. Since you’re so offended about it happening to Franken then it is hypocritical to do it too.

[wellst0nev0ter]

247. Prove that she didn't

I'll wait

[Trumpocalypse]

249. I'm not the one making the accusation

Burden of proof falls on accusers not the other way around.

[wellst0nev0ter]

252. Then Franken's accusers got a lot to prove

Once again, I'll wait

[Trumpocalypse]

259. As I've asked you many times before

but have never answered, can you prove that any of the 7 other accusers were lying? Please provide links to credible sources.

[LiberalLovinLug]

280. "Burden of proof falls on accusers not the other way around."

Someone said that once.
And you have yet to provide that proof either. Surely that proving comes before any proving of Gillibrands motives after the fact. I've seen one rude photo of Al pretending to be a groper in a room full of entertainers. I've heard a story about a conservative woman that felt uneasy about Frankens hand on her waist. And a bunch of others that refuse to say who they are.

Do you actually believe Tweeden over Franken? One is a die hard Trumpster that was looking to save their station with a new sensationalist scoop, the other was a long time Democrat and liberal, and Senator that has fought for women's issues for a very long time and is in a long time loving relationship with his wife.

Of course you know, that there is no way to see inside her head, or heart to prove her intentions either way definitively. What she did, undeniably, is put Franken on the spot by declaring she was publicly calling for his resignation, without giving him a chance to even talk with her about it first. You and I can only judge her on her actions. You seem fine with those actions. I do not.

[Trumpocalypse]

293. Very true

And no I’ve never believed Tweeden. There is ample evidence that she lied. However, there were seven other women and no one has ever produced any credible evidence that any of them lied. It is a total double standard to say Anita Hill and Christine Blaise Ford must be believed because they accused people we don’t like and these women can’t be believed because they accused someone we do like.

As far as the demonization of Gillibrand, you’re right that no one can see into her heart but I’m not making any accusations, I’m just asking those who are to prove their accusations. It is also unfair to single out one person when over 30 other Senators including Harris, Sanders, Warren and Booker all called for Franken to resign the very same day. Yet no one questions their intentions or actions.

[LiberalLovinLug]

300. Fair enough

Gillibrand is singled out, because, if you read the story, it was her that lead the move to publicly call for him to resign. (Now!...no ethics review....do not pass Go) She just did it without even talking to him first. It put her colleagues in a difficult position. With Roy Moore and the MeToo movement lead stories in the news at the time, it propelled her into the spotlight. I don't think Sanders, Warren, Harris, or Booker thought it through enough plus did not want to go on the record as seeming to support sexual assault, with all of them eyeing a run at the Presidency. Politicians are politically motivated.

Unfortunately, Gillibrand forced their hands to a degree. She saw an opportunity to stand above the crowd to be the hardest line MeTooer ever with no regard for due process or Al's career or his value to the party. Without her forcing the issue, things probably would have ended up in an ethics review. Al wouldn't have been shamed into resigning without it. And if then, he still felt he had to resign, fine. We'd all have been disappointed but it wouldn't have been an unfair railroading.

As far as the other accusers, there's no denying that Al had an old school attitude about what's funny or acceptable, but in a time when that kind of humour was, if not applauded, at least tolerated. No doubt he was probably more "touchy feely" than he should have been...in hindsight. Biden also falls into that category. I just get the impression that if he did purposely slip his hand down to a woman's butt, it wasn't for sexual pleasure, it was to get a reaction.

I'm 60 now, and I have known men who have, in the past, decades ago culturally, think it was "funny" to pinch a woman's butt and see her jump in surprise. (in some world cultures this is still somewhat acceptable) In hindsight you may think this is deplorable, but there was a different kind of tolerance back then which is difficult for anyone coming of age in the 21st century to understand. Its one thing to say...."well that's no excuse, Al should have had precognitive abilities to see the future, learn all the lessons and overcome all the ignorance that men and even many women had accepted as "normal" joking around, boys will be boys, behaviour". But that's easier said than retroactively done.

There should be room to ask about how bad is too bad? Bill Clinton, looking past the ridiculous impeachment voting for a consentual BJ against him, he did have at least one sexual dalliance with an 18 year old intern as a married man and President, and did it in the Oval office. Then there were the other women accusers against him beyond that as well as you know. But we forgave Bill. Will Biden's past behaviour disqualify him? I can totally see Roger Stone or some new R hitman or hitmen gathering past victims testimonies about Joe's happy hands, especially if he remains the lead choice. The great thing for Republicans is that they don't have to even do the work, Democrats will eat their own once they push the first domino. What I don't like is the black or white draconian judgments, and the refusal to accept that there is a grey area, and that there is any room for forgiveness if the person is truly sorry.


https://www.complex.com/life/2019/07/senators-regret-calling-al-franken-resignation-sexual-misconduct-allegations

7 Senators Say They Regret Calling for Al Franken’s Resignation After 2017 Sexual Misconduct Allegations

[Trumpocalypse]

302. No that is not what the article says

It does discuss Gillibrand's actions but never says that she was the leader who forced anyone else's hand. And frankly, there are so many factual errors and omissions in that article, it is hard to take seriously. Gillibrand is one of 38 senators who called on Franken to resign on the very same day, most within minutes. But like most of the media, and Franken cultist, the author only focuses on Gillibrand and ignores everyone else.

So your accusations of her motives have no factual support. I'm not a mind reader and you are not one either. I don't pretend to know anyone's motivations for their actions. So how do you know what Gillibrand's motives are? Are you a mind reader?

As liberals/progressives we shouldn't be in the business of demonizing someone, especially a Democratic elected official, without any credible evidence. That is what the right does and we should be ashamed to play that slimy game too.

[LiberalLovinLug]

303. "leader" "initiator" "first out of the gate"

Whatever. She was the first and only one to call Franken's staff, or rather her surrogates called, to inform him that she was GOING TO publicly call for his resignation, no ifs ands or buts(!).

"Gillibrand’s staff alerted Franken that she would be demanding his resignation"

Was there someone else that you know of that was the first? The "lead" person?

I'm sure she called ahead to her peers as well to get support, and promises to back her up, but it was her that got the ball rolling. Who knows if any other rep would have jumped in as the "initiator" to publicly demand his resignation with no appeal, if she hadn't.

Anyways, obviously this is just my opinion, but its based on all the facts and timelines, and circumstantial evidence I see. You come to different conclusions. I don't quite know what those are other than to blindly support Gillibrand's rush to judgment. Do you think Al Franken is a dangerous sex offender? Do you think he's a threat to interns? You obviously agree with Gillibrand that he is unfit for office. That he's unforgivable. Or is it something else? You haven't spoken much on that.

[Trumpocalypse]

304. Don't put words in my mouth

And no one knows what went on behind the scenes. The author only focuses on Gillibrand's actions that day it say nothing about the other Senators who also called on him to resign that day. In fact based on that article only Gillibrand had her office call Franken's office to inform him, none of the other Senators did so. But that is the problem with that article, there are numerous factual errors and omissions.

If you want a timeline, I suggest you look at this:
https://qz.com/1148972/al-franken-all-of-the-senators-calling-for-his-resignation/

As shown Gillibrand may have been first but only by a few minutes. And there are no other fact to support any other conclusion beyond that.

All opinions should be at least based on facts, not by bias. My point is there are not enough facts to single Gillibrand out and give a pass to every other Senator who called for his resignation. That is just unfair. Something I thought liberals/progressives didn't do.

[LiberalLovinLug]

305. No one knows.

But sorry if I don't buy that suddenly, a minute after Gillibrand demanded Al's resignation, that 30 other Senators had a mass epiphany, without knowing what Gillibrand had just done, and called for it as well. It makes much more logical sense that she informed many of them of her intentions just prior. A Senator was going to make the news and publicly DEMAND Franken resign. And whether spoken or unspoken, it became a "are you with me?"

Like I said, maybe it would have been someone else....Harris or Warren, but that is conjecture. You can't rewrite history and say she was "just one of crowd". She admits initiating it and has no regrets about it. At least she owns it, unlike some of her supporters.

I don't want to put words in your mouth. But you still haven't answered so I am left to surmise, Do you think Al Franken is unfit for office? Biden? Maybe you think Bill Clinton should have resigned when the Jennifer Flowers story broke? I have no idea of your tolerance level of sexual misbehaviour in a politician, including decades old incidents.

[Trumpocalypse]

307. So all the others were just blind followers

of Gillibrand. That makes no sense. What does make more logical sense is that it was a coordinated effort that everyone agreed to in advance and either approved or orchestrated by leadership. That is the only thing that can be surmised by an objective observation of the available facts. Unfortunately too much of this is being distorted by those blinded by their bias who are dedicated to demonizing one person for the action of over 35 Senators.

[Mr.Bill]

191. She didn't.

But it's what she was trying to do.

[Trumpocalypse]

198. How do you know that?

Are you a mind reader?

[Mr.Bill]

205. It's my opinion.

How do you know she wasn't trying to do that? Are you a mind reader?

[Trumpocalypse]

207. Opinions should be based on fact.

Not hatred. As Joe Biden has said, “It’s always appropriate to question another man’s judgment, but never appropriate to question his motives.”

[Mr.Bill]

213. Where did I mention Hatred?

Don't try and put words in my mouth. It's been tried before, never successfully. Have a good day, this conversation is over.

[Trumpocalypse]

214. You didn't have to

But when you unfairly demonize someone without any evidence, it is usually the reason why.

[rockfordfile]

265. Gillibrand should resign

[rzemanfl]

153. I've been waiting for that "Post Removed" person

to turn up. Franken/Gillibrand always brings that poster out.

[LongtimeAZDem]

158. Saw this in a HuffPo comment:

"Gillibranding": The act of using a weak but trendy accusation to attack someone for your own political purpose.

[Joinfortmill]

167. It was a travesty

I wish he would run again. His colleagues need to do some soul searching.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

170. There's nothing new here, and Meyer leaves a lot out.

Tweeden's allegations were pretty much discounted before Franken resigned. And if hers were the only one, he's still be a senator.

But Franken himself started moving in a direction that to some indicated that he was becoming self aware about some of his behavior, and may have been trying to get in front of new allegations. About the "groping" photo, he said, "I don't know what was in my head when I took that picture, and it doesn't matter. There's no excuse. I look at it now and I feel disgusted with myself. It isn't funny. It's completely inappropriate. It's obvious how Leeann would feel violated by that picture ... how millions of other women would feel violated by it—women who have had similar experiences in their own lives, women who fear having those experiences, women who look up to me, women who have counted on me."

Does Franken no longer feel that way?

I'm also frustrated at how many times his staff told him to be more self-aware, and how he seemed to not take those warnings seriously.

Nevertheless, after Franken kissed a female acquaintance on the mouth in 2007, during his first campaign, an aide from South Dakota, David Benson, took him aside and said, “Don’t do that.” “Really?” Franken said. Benson warned him that people might misinterpret it.

Franken told me that he became more careful after that. “I’m a very physical person,” he said. “I guess maybe sometimes I’m oblivious.”

(snip)

When posing with kids, he jokingly put them in a headlock. “The family would often laugh about it,” Franken said. But once, when he did this in the Capitol, another senator, Chris Murphy, warned him, “That looks like something that will bring joy and happiness to a thousand families—until it ends your career.”

The article then goes on to say that no one had "ever complained" about his behavior -- like, what? People are telling you that should probably reconsider some of your habits and actions because they can cause him harm, what are you not getting?

Franken's a good man and was a good senator. He reacted poorly to a situation that surprised him, when it shouldn't have. He was not the only person who could get things done in the senate or in the party. I'm a huge fan of Tina Smith who has busted her ass to excel in that seat and hold onto it.

[zentrum]

174. PLEASE RUN AGAIN AL.

We need you. Come back!

[Vinca]

176. I'm reading the article and it sounds like Franken was railroaded more than I previously

thought. And to add insult to injury all the senators who now regret their sentencing Franken without a trial. He really should run again for the Senate. He was a great senator.

[Indykatie]

177. Gillibrand Can Attribute Much of Her Primary Failure To Her Treatment of Al Franken.

I'm not saying she would have been a top tier candidate without the Franken fall out but I do believe she would not be mired in the 1% or less club for 2020 candidates. That she continues to double down on Franken without any trace of reflection hasn't helped her cause with me. I didn't like her before Franken was pushed out but I came to loathe her afterwards. Folks will point out that she was only one of many that called for him to leave and that's true but I can't help feeling that she deserves more of the blame. She was then and still remains so caustic and certain of her actions.

[Princetonian]

188. I called her office and warned them that grassroots Democratic activists will never ever forgive her

I told them that her presidential ambitions were null and void. That got me sneered at by the self-righteous pompous ass who was taking comment but look at her now at the bottom of the heap.

[leftstreet]

193. Maybe Franken wasn't the target

But tragic collateral instead

She'll never be POTUS

[Trumpocalypse]

200. So what are you feelings about

Harris, Sanders, Warren and Booker? All of whom called for Franken to resign the same morning as Gillibrand. So why does she deserve more of the blame?

[tonedevil]

208. They have been able to dodge a bullet...

probably because they aren't telling people how proud they are of that action. There really wasn't any glory to be claimed by the Senate Democratic Caucus in this mass panic.

[Trumpocalypse]

210. Of course the media never bothers to question them about it

Or at least, I've never seen anyone in the media doing so.

[tonedevil]

221. I haven't either...

and I can't even point to a time she has brought it up without being asked. When she does get asked she always delivers making sure there is no mistaking she is proud of what she did. I can't fully explain why she gets all the "credit" but it is undeniable that she is the person who is most closely associated with railroading Franken out of the Senate. Do you think that will ever change? I don't and I don't feel sorry for Senator Gillibrand.

[Trumpocalypse]

225. The media is lazy

and decided early on to focus on one person instead of reporting all the facts.

[tonedevil]

227. Whatever makes you happy. /nt

[Trumpocalypse]

230. What makes me happy is irrelevant

It’s about reality and fairness. I remember when liberals cared about such things.

[rockfordfile]

267. Gillibrand should resign. She's a bad stain on our Democratic Party.

Ajax can't even remove it. But we must demand Gillibrand to resign.

[Trumpocalypse]

292. Should Harris, Sanders, Booker and Warren

resign too?

[Princetonian]

184. Franken said: "I'm angry at my colleagues who did this." I am too.

Franken said: “I’m angry at my colleagues who did this. I think they were just trying to get past one bad news cycle.”

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/jul/22/al-franken-resignation-senators-regret

[Hekate]

194. "I'm going to die alone in the jungle" Amazing how far back in evolutionary terms mob violence goes

It's heartbreaking.

[Progressive dog]

195. Franken resigned

This story keeps being repeated and repeated and the villains are always the Democrats who dared to believe the women instead of Franken.
A man who had the means to hire teams of lawyers and PR experts chose to resign rather than answer questions about his actions.

[tonedevil]

196. If you completely ignore the effect...

of the majority of the Democratic caucus calling on him to resign then it is impossible to understand why Franken stepped down.

[Progressive dog]

202. So again, you blame Democrats

for Franken cutting and running.
Poor Al, he wasn't responsible for his own actions, the Democrats were.

[tonedevil]

206. You think that the majority...

of the Democratic caucus calling for a single member's resignation is a resistible demand?

[Progressive dog]

211. Yes, it is.

The Democratic caucus did not make Franken Senator, he does not work for them.

[tonedevil]

219. I certainly have a different...

idea as to what it is like to work in that body than what you seem to. Once the members called for him to resign if he did not their next logical step would be to vote to Censure him. If he still didn't see the light they could vote to expel. In the Senate if you don't have the confidence of the rest of your caucus you may as well not be a Senator.
I've laid out why I think staying was not possible given the circumstance. Go ahead, describe the scenario where he stays and pushes back until they all realize the horrible mistake they have made and beg him to stay. I like imaginative fantasy.

[OnDoutside]

220. Well said.

[Progressive dog]

231. Yes, the police can decide to charge you,

the grand jury can indict you, and you could be found guilty--so your best course is always taking the plea deal if you are innocent.
As far as expulsion, there was no chance of that happening. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_United_States_senators_expelled_or_censured
Note that only one Senator has ever been expelled for other than supporting the confederate rebellion and he was expelled for treason.

[tonedevil]

238. The abandonment of Franken...

by his Senate colleagues is in no way analogous with a person being charged with a crime. If the Democratic caucus wasn't prepared to wait for findings from the Senate Ethics Committee Franken wasn't going to have any platform to mount the spirited defense you imagine. The rules on censure and expulsion are in place and while they get little exercise a recalcitrant member could trigger extreme action.

[Progressive dog]

243. What part of Franken's resignation

is not someone else's fault? He needed no spirited defense because he chose not to defend himself.
Maybe Franken would have been the first non-treasonous Senator ever expelled in over 200 years, but he is the one who didn't choose to air his dirty laundry in public.
BTW The Democratic Senators don't get to censure or expel anyone from the Senate.

[tonedevil]

246. OK /nt

[DFW]

201. You don't hire teams of lawyers or PR people if the allegations are false

You expect your colleagues who know you not to fall for Republican hatchet job #5,743.

As did Al. Only a tiny of hard-core one-issue posters, who only show up here to bash Al, and never have anything to say about anything else, seem to think otherwise. None of them appear to know any of the parties involved, so they pick and choose internet stories to “back up” what they want to be true.

[Progressive dog]

209. Of course you hire lawyers

if you are falsely accused. You sure don't resign without making a real effort to refute the false accusations. But, Al Franken did, maybe because some of the people who knew him best wouldn't defend him. Posters would not be in that category.

[58Sunliner]

233. Which women were those again?

"the villains are always the Democrats who dared to believe the women instead of Franken."

[femmedem]

223. I'm glad she wrote this article, but I hate how she characterizes him in the opening.

Wandering around in jeans and stocking feet? She make him sound aimless when most likely he doesn't wear shoes in the house and was answering the door.

Shades drawn when it was sunny, like that's evidence that he's hiding out? Maybe he was trying to keep the house from overheating.

Takeout containers of hummus and carrot sticks means he had "evidently done the best he could to be hospitable"? Wow, she is using his hospitality as a way of painting a picture of him as pathetic instead of accepting it graciously. I'd be damn glad if I was interviewing someone and they offered me some hummus and carrot sticks.

I'm glad she's written about the injustice. I just wish she hadn't further stripped him of his dignity in the process.

[Collimator]

226. I would vote for Gillibrand if need be.

Because I love my country and its aspirational ideals.

I would NOT visit the White House as part of some congratulatory photo-op. (Not likely to ever happen, but you know what I mean.)

Of course, if the opportunity to tell her quietly that her treatment of Franken was misguided at best and a disservice to our country and the #Metoo in reality comes up, I would take it.

If she becomes the first (official) woman president of the United States, I won't be going to any parties.

[Skittles]

228. I am disgusted with everyone who railroaded Al

and by everyone who thought it was A-OK

I wish Al would run again

[58Sunliner]

240. I love you Al and I miss you.

[Dennis Donovan]

274. Since posting this 13 hrs ago...

...the thing that blows my mind is that it appears to be one of the most contentious discussions on DU in a spell.

Really? Mayer was METICULOUS in her reporting. Impressively so!

I cried at the conclusion of reading it.

Because Al is a comedy hero of mine.

Tom and Al were irreverent. As am I, by default.

Exhibit A:

[dalton99a]

296. +1

[suegeo]

276. Gillibrand didn't talk to any of the accusers to assess their credibility

Jesus wept. The Russians and the traitors in the GOPee attacked & continue to attack our Democracy.

I hoped at the time, someone,somewhere in power performed extensive background checks of the women making these flimsy accusations. It would be wise, Given the sweeping interference and disruption of the Russians and their colluding Republican allies.

But nope. They allowed themselves to be tricked by some shitty fascist radio station and its fascist management. Who didn't fact check anything. Further, they were active participants in the smear campaign.


Roger Stone is the king of gopee rat fucking. He knew in advance. An investigation could have turned up who knows what shit the gopee did. Perhaps with an assist from Putin?

Instead, we get the awful precedent of NOT putting people under oath to give their testimony about what happened.

And that Schumer! Days maybe weeks later, Chuck himself came under attacks for sexual assault himself. Turns out, those accusations were not true. Just as I believe the accusations against Al are false.

[IADEMO2004]

277. Just finished. Now I'm more pissed than the day he was forced out of the senate.

Where the fuck are the BARTCOP DEMOCRATS? Zero tolerance is as stupid in government as is is in schools. No proportion of right and wrong only a death sentence.

Repubicans win!!

[MustLoveBeagles]

278. What happened to Al Franken was travisty

[lordsummerisle]

288. The New Yorker has been bugging me for years to subscribe

but after this article I feel I should support them...

[Hekate]

289. I am so ashamed of the Dems. We are entering a new puritanism on our side of the aisle...

Really: no one should ever touch you for any reason? There's NO differentiation? Burn the witch because she looked sideways at you? Stone the adulterer? Make someone wear a scarlet letter the rest of their days?

Meanwhile, the Republicans laugh at us and don't give a damn as long as they win.

[lordsummerisle]

291. And depending on how certain investigations play out

I wouldn't at all be surprised if pedophilia was somehow normalized...

[elocs]

301. I've heard a lot about Franken since I live in WI just across the Mississippi from MN.

Sure, he got railroaded but he's a big boy and could have refused to leave without an investigation.
Here is the problem with demanding there be no rush to judgment:
it has to be applied to everyone and not just for Democrats or those who we on the Left like. Much to our displeasure, not rushing to judgment must apply to Republicans as well.

[Vinca]

306. Here's one report of Franken's "misconduct" as reported in the New Yorker article.

A woman said Franken looked at her as if he wanted to kiss her. That's it. That's the horrible event that supposedly tarnished the woman's life forever.

[MustLoveBeagles]

308. Oh brother

Shit like this makes a mockery out of the Me Too movement.