Why Al Franken Probably Survives

[DonViejo]

November 18, 2017 at 2:39 pm ESTBy Taegan Goddard

In the hours after Sen. Al Franken (D-MN) was accused of sexual misconduct by radio news anchor Leeann Tweeden, calls for his resignation came furiously from both Democrats and Republicans.

But there at least four reasons why I think he’ll survive:

1. Franken apologized for his actions and, more importantly, Tweeden immediately accepted it: “People make mistakes and of course he knew he made a mistake. So yes I do accept that apology. There’s no reason why I shouldn’t accept his apology.”

2. It’s not in the interest of either party to launch ethics investigations into behavior that occurred before members actually took office.

3. The dramatic photo showing Franken mimicking a grope while Tweeden was sleeping was done as a joke. No one thinks it was a good joke but context does matter.

4. There have been no further accusations suggesting Franken is a serial sexual harasser, unlike the long trail of women who have accused Roy Moore, Donald Trump and Bill Clinton.

That doesn’t mean there aren’t good arguments for replacing Franken. The many Democrats who have roundly condemned Franken suggests voter tolerance for this behavior is at a new low.

But Franken will probably survive nonetheless.

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https://politicalwire.com/2017/11/18/al-franken-probably-survives/

[underpants]

1. Al just has to sit back and take the criticisms

Stay low during the holidays as much as possible.

[BannonsLiver]

2. Theres no probably about it.

[SaschaHM]

3. Franken survives because his next election isn't until 2020 and he handled it appropriately.

His apology and call for an investigation calmed the waters and moved the news cycle.

Had he tweeted that she was no convent girl because Playboy/Hooters/USO Shows, he'd be out by the end of next week. Thankfully, we elect folks that are above the level of discourse here at DU.

[ProudMNDemocrat]

4. Good points......

I remain ashamed of this affair, but the Al Franken I know is not that man as he serves in the US Senate.

I will not rush to my own conclusions as the process runs through. Ms. Tweeden accepted Al's contrite apology, does not wish him ill will, or see him resign.

[Skidmore]

12. So who is this man you know, or

are you just dangling some vague innuendo?

[ProudMNDemocrat]

13. The Al Franken I know

is the same man described by his office staff. Kind, compassionate, thinks of others before himself. Franni is the same way. Two of the greatest people you want to know.

As for your innuendos, shame on you for even suggesting other than what I stated.

[Skidmore]

18. Thank you for clarifying.

I've learned to be suspicious this year. Love Al hope that he's able to turn this around.

[nolabear]

5. There are two behaviors though. Then and now.

I hope the people who will see how undefensive and open he is being will realize that basically good men can do bad things and that requiring utmost purity from everyone is the road to nowhere.

And there are a lot of men out there right now rethinking things they have done and hoping they can be counted as good men in spite of them.

And I hate having to say it but this doesn't mean those who have raped and assaulted and harmed minors or crossed lines with adults that should be unforgivable. And it certainly doesn't include those who can't step up and admit things and try to make them right.

[flamingdem]

6. Stop it! There is ZERO reason for him to resign

It was fabricated BS! We know this right???

[Greybnk48]

9. I do! n/t

[Freelancer]

7. He never pretended to be a paragon of anything

His book title makes that apparent -- "Giant of the Senate." Is that irony, or sarcasm, or ???

In any case, he'll lose some voters, but gain some too.

[greeny2323]

8. "Probably" survives?? HA HA HA!

He's in no danger whatsoever.

[Control-Z]

10. If this is the only woman we hear from

there are no good arguments for replacing Franken. None. A comedian who took a tasteless photograph before he ever entered politics is not a Trump or a Moore.

[pandr32]

11. Videos of the show and other pictures are being circulated

Often the so-called groping picture is shown cropped in order to cut out the guy on the right--apparently to make it appear there wasn't anyone else around besides the camera person. We also know Franken's hands were near not actually touching her person (he was comically gesturing)--not groping her as Tweeden alleged. Franken admitted to the photo being in poor taste and said "I don't know what was going on in my head when I took that picture" which goes to support the fact the photo was staged.
We now know the photo was taken days earlier than her story claimed and she was not asleep on her way home.
There is a picture of the skit that shows LeeAnn with her hands behind Franken's head and her body tucked right in. I recall Franken saying he remembered the skit differently, and this appears to support his story--not hers. There is no reason to believe a practice kiss had happened prior, or that if it did it disgusted her.
Video shows her laughing and having fun. It appears the show was a lot of fun for everyone. It also shows tremendous activity "backstage" (a very small area) with many people packed in and moving around being busy.
One scene shows a soldier kissing her and throwing his leg over her and she never complained about that. Lots of kissing and hugging going on involving Tweeden.
This is a political hit job plain and simple.
I believe we need to listen to the stories of sexual-assault victims when they tell them, but not to defy reason when facts point otherwise. It is unfortunate for real victims when opportunists pretend victimhood for whatever reason. This is the worst consequence--that real victims are not believed.

[Demsrule86]

15. And it makes it tough for those who truly are victims of harrasment and assult when women

like Tweeden lie for political reasons.

[pandr32]

17. Exactly

We need to be on the lookout for more of this. Apparently wrongly slandering someone with doctored evidence is a Russian tactic.
Number one thing we need to remember is to take a deep breath and look at the "facts" objectively. In this case the story falls apart.

[Demsrule86]

19. That is true.

[Demsrule86]

14. Those calling for Franken to resign...dance to a GOP tune and cannot be considered Democrats.

[USALiberal]

16. Any talk of him resigning is an idiotic! He screwed up 10 years ago.....

Apologized, she accepted it, end of story.

He would be about 500 on the list of people who need to resign.

[a kennedy]

20. HE BETTER DAMN WELL SURVIVE, BECAUSE HE'S THE BEST SENATOR FROM MN......

and ooooops, sorry Amy, but Al IS PAUL WELLSTONE's gift to the American people now.......the US needs Al Franken.