Republicans to World: SQUIRREL!1!!1

[MineralMan]

[dalton99a]

1. Yep.

[MFM008]

2. Thank you!!!

.........

[Initech]

3. This was a blatant attempt at a partisan power grab.

Fuck Steve Bannon!!!!!

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

4. We are spending far too much time chasing that particular squirrel.

I'll stipulate that Franken's behavior was way out of line, but unless other such incidents come to light the whole thing will soon run out of steam. Yes, there will be an ethics investigation, but it seems like Franken is pretty confident that it won't turn up much more than a bunch of dirty jokes from his days as a comedian - which he has long ago admitted to anyhow. Meanwhile, Roy Moore will remain in the spotlight. His record as skeevy, predatory mall perv and child molester may or may not sink his campaign, but it won't go away. And with another stupid tweet, Orange Foolius just painted a big fat target on his own back. He just made sure that his own past behavior as a predator and pussy-grabber will become news again.

[MineralMan]

5. I certainly agree with that.

However, directing people's attention to a nearby squirrel took their attention off the House passing a Tax Giveaway Bill and redirected it to something with no real legs. For a short time, though, we weren't looking in the direction we should have been looking and shenanigans took place.

I'm confident that Senator Franken's apology will serve to make this "scandal" a short-lived one that will not unduly affect his chances in 2020. He enjoys great popularity here in Minnesota.

The Republicans use diversion quite effectively, though, when it is useful to them.