Gillibrand on 'being brave and standing up to Al Franken'

[left-of-center2012]

Excerpt from today's PBS News Hour May 23, 2019 6:30 PM EDT
10 minute video at link:
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/kirsten-gillibrand-on-being-brave-and-standing-up-to-al-franken

Judy Woodruff:

And I think there's a consensus that the MeToo movement has been beneficial.
But there is — the fact that you were the first senator to call for Senator Al Franken to resign after he was accused of groping has left some Democrats saying you went too far, considering he wasn't guilty of something like what Harvey Weinstein did.
Do you believe, looking back on this, that it would have been better to have it go to the Ethics Committee, to let the voters of Minnesota decide his fate?

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand:

Well, that was Senator Franken's decision. If he wanted to go to the Ethics Committee, that is his right. If he wanted to wait for the next election, that's his right as well.
But my decision to not stay silent is also my responsibility as a U.S. senator, given that he had eight credible allegations that were corroborated in real time for groping and forcible kissing, two since he was a senator, and the eighth one that came to light was a congressional staffer.
And I have led on these issues of ending sexual assault, sexual harassment, changing employment agreements to give women more rights. And so I just couldn't remain silent anymore.

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand:

If a few high-profile Democratic donors are unwilling to support my campaign for president, that's on them. I stood with eight women who feel they were groped and forcibly kissed by Senator Franken inappropriately, and spoke out. I stood with them ... I stand up for what I believe in.

[hlthe2b]

1. Denial is not just a River in Egypt...

[USALiberal]

2. She has no chance!! nt

[SCVDem]

3. ESAD!

100 of your ilk doesn't equal one Al Franken!

Can YOU draw a map of our country freehand?

Al does!

[demtenjeep]

27. I showed that to my students today on the last day of school

I wish I could have him come in person.

95% of my 8th graders thought it was cool

[SCVDem]

28. I was over 50

I was amazed.

The other 5% would vote for dump.

[Cha]

4. Oh dear.. omg..

sigh.

[Nuggets]

13. Yup

The argument he chose to resign and wasn’t railroaded is ludicrous and not worth debating with anyone who is that obtuse.

[Trumpocalypse]

36. No one put a gun to his head

He could have stayed and fought but in the end he chose to resign.

[Nuggets]

71. A ludicrous

and un realistic argument. Doesn’t fly. Love handles and felt uncomfortable because love handles blah blah.

Won’t waste my time arguing about the obvious hit job led by this former Republican woman.

She certainly helped make a mockery out of the metoo movement hurting true victims.

She can go ahead and stand proud while her campaign takes a nose dive

[Trumpocalypse]

72. Former Republican woman?

Who is that?

[Nuggets]

73. The woman who

has changed her “convictions” 180 degrees because she “didn’t understand he issues.

Pathetic and telling.

In the House, Gillibrand once opposed amnesty for illegal immigrants, calling amnesty legislation "fatally flawed,"

In the House, Gillibrand received an "A" rating from the NRA, but when she joined the U.S. Senate she flip-flopped on gun control issues and her NRA rating was downgraded to an "F" rating.

Gillibrand, a lawyer educated at UCLA Law, justified her flip-flops on immigration and gun control by saying she didn't fully understand the issues; despite the fact she was a member of Congress at the time.

"After her appointment in January, Ms. Gillibrand attempted to ease doubts about her among liberals, reversing herself on several positions she held in the House, only to draw criticism that she was doing so for blatantly political purposes. Mr. Schumer was so troubled by those moves that he phoned Ms. Gillibrand and told her to 'slow down,' according to a person who was told of the conversation and spoke on condition of anonymity because the conversation was meant to be private." (Raymond Hernandez, "N.Y.'s Junior Senator Gains A Defender: The Senior Senator," The New York Times , 5/7/09)

[Trumpocalypse]

76. She was a Democrat in the House

The only current presidential candidate who use to be a republican in Elizabeth Warren.

[Nuggets]

82. A wolf in sheep's clothing is still a wolf. nt

[calimary]

88. Was that the "he touched my waist" lady?

[BigmanPigman]

15. That's what I thought.

Thank you for reminding me about what really happened.

[DavidDvorkin]

6. Please proceed, Senator.

[Mme. Defarge]

19. Brilliant response!

[NRaleighLiberal]

7. Toast.

[Nuggets]

8. What??

”given that he had eight credible allegations that were corroborated in real time for groping and forcible kissing”

None of these women were credible, especially not gropey, LeeAnn Tweeden and the woman who was sensitive about her love handles .

I simply don’t trust Gillibrand. She’s did a complete 180 on her Republicans views on both guns to immigration, so I call bs. No one changes all of their convictions overnight.

Her judgment here was horrible. Others should not have followed suit,but this woman loudly led the pack with the help of untrustworthy “I represented Wall Street” Senator Schumer.

[SergeStorms]

20. +1

I was going to post much the same. Credible? Only in Ms. Gillibrand's mind.

[Trumpocalypse]

37. You're right Tweeden wasn't credible.

She was a Roger Stone stooge.

But I have seen no evidence that disputes the credibility of the other 7 women.

[tonedevil]

9. I don't find the word credible...

describes much of what I heard regarding the accusations against Senator Franken, but maybe I'm just too biased to see it. It is also quite absurd to say that Franken made his decision as if the collegial nature of the Senate gave him room to stay when more than 30 members of the Democratic caucus demanded he resign. What could he have done without other Senators to work with? He would have been short changing his constituents and I think he chose on that basis, but I don't have any inside information to prove that.
This is what I would put forth as exhibit number 1 in the question of why is this incident following Senator Gillibrand and not the others who made the same demand. If you notice she does not correct the interviewers notion that she was the first to call for Franken's resignation. She is fiercely proud and is ready to defend her decision to the end. You can tell me from now until forever that she shouldn't be the only one to be singled out, but at this point she is singling her self out.

[SCVDem]

18. People forget

Al Franken was a civilian comedian on tour. Comedy and pranks are lost on repubs.

As for "groping" around the waist, could it just be a gentle way of saying Thank you, NEXT, without being rude?

A simple tap on the waist is now an assault?

Vote her OUT!

[tonedevil]

21. Leeann Tweeden...

basically accused Franken of doing the skit they were in together. I don't think anything went on except rehearsing and I suspect she was awake during the picture. The one that claimed he said you must give me a kiss it is my right as an entertainer should have been the point where everyone said hold on this has crossed the line into absurd.

[LiberalFighter]

80. He didn't even touch her in that photo.

[left-of-center2012]

10. Did she stand with the ...

"Biden sniffed my hair" women?

I don't recall her speaking out?

[StevieM]

16. Did she stand with the women who spoke out against George HW Bush?

Nope. The media ignored them and Gillibrand helped them cover it up.

And when going back in history to discuss Clinton, she completely ignored allegations against Ronald Reagan.

Gillibrand is a total hypocrite and no leader of the Me Too movement.

[watoos]

30. She had someone working on her own staff

who was accused of harassment. She didn't investigate him properly the first time, it took a second occurrence before he got canned.

Someone help me remember this better.

[MustLoveBeagles]

32. Your right on this

It was posted in this forum a couple of weeks back. I'm too lazy right now to look for the link.

[Trumpocalypse]

43. Gillibrand wasn't a Senator

when Reagan or Bush were President. And what allegations were there against them? Please provide links to credible sources.

[Hav]

50. The accusations against HW Bush started to come out around 2017

Almost 10 women in total came out, I think.

[True Blue American]

52. Oh, for Heavens sake

HW had a reputation for pawing women.! Even when he was old.

As for Reagan, Nancy controlled him.

As for Al, Gillibrand wanted to make a name for herself. She turned on Clinton at the same time, after sucking up to them for years. Claiming Clinton should have resigned!

[Trumpocalypse]

57. Make a name for herself?

Please provide links to credible sources that prove your accusation otherwise it is a smear.

[pazzyanne]

84. May I make a suggestion.

Apparently Gillibrand is your choice of candidate for the presidential run based on your posts here. Why don't you declare for her as your decided choice. You are certainly in her court as far as I can see, and she could use your support.

[Trumpocalypse]

90. Actually she is not

I doubt she will last to New Hampshire.

However, that doesn't mean I'm going to turn a blind eye to her being smeared with lies and half-truths.

[Trumpocalypse]

56. Links?

[Hav]

58. Seriously? You missed all of that?

Normally I hate responses to just google the key words but this is an instance when it would have actually given you a start to find out more.

https://www.vox.com/2018/12/1/17274466/eight-women-george-hw-bush-touching-inappropriately-metoo-legacy

https://www.businessinsider.de/george-h-w-bush-apologises-to-heather-lind-over-sexual-assault-claim-2017-10?r=US&IR=T

[Trumpocalypse]

63. Thanks

I appreciate the links.

[True Blue American]

69. Thank you!

Google can give you information in a couple of seconds, but it is a shame many have such short term memories. That is the major problem with voters today.

[Jakes Progress]

111. But asking for links

that you already know about is a way of deflecting.

You gotta admire the work ethic and tenacity of KG's defenders though. Couldn't work harder if they were paid. Uphill, hand-to-hand combat for a losing cause since people on DU know what happened. Maybe take the crew to another site where there are less informed members.

[True Blue American]

113. She was not a Senator when Clinton was in office,either

And after years of sucking up to them to get their backing for Hillary’s seat. She then turned and said ,” Clinton should have resigned ,too.” She took Hillary’s place in the Senate when Hillary became SOS. She needed their backing then

[Trumpocalypse]

114. Actually

she was appointed by Gov. Patterson and the only person who’s support was needed was Chuck Schumer. The Clinton’s had nothing to do with it.

As regards to her comments on Bill Clinton, she was asked a direct question in an interview. It was a gotcha question. It was not something she volunteered unsolicited.

[True Blue American]

115. Never close friends but

She sure accepted Clinton help.


https://www.politico.com/story/2017/11/17/kirsten-gillibrand-bill-clinton-democrats-247427

[Trumpocalypse]

116. Not what the article says

Gillibrand and Clinton were never close personal friends — 20 years separate them in age, and they never served in the same legislative body. But a range of Democratic operatives have worked for both of them, and Gillibrand has appeared repeatedly in public and private events with both Clintons, including during the 2016 campaign.

[True Blue American]

117. There is another post in this thread showing her

Happily holding hands with Clinton at a rally.

I chose not to repeat the link.

[Trumpocalypse]

120. Bid deal nt

[TheCowsCameHome]

12. Don't let the door hit ya...

you know the rest.

[MustLoveBeagles]

14. This isn't going to help her campaign

[Funtatlaguy]

17. "groped and forcibly kissed" ? Prove it, Kirsten.

Al never admitted doing those things.
The women who came forward had questionable motives at best.

[Trumpocalypse]

42. Other than Tweeden

which of the other 7 women had questionable motives. Please provide links to credible sources that support your allegations.

[Hav]

49. Besides the anonymous accusers

that basically were photo ops with an arm around somebody else, the last one, Tina Dupuy, made her being uncomfortable about her body fat a me-too moment. She only wanted to get a story published in The Atlantic and it surprises me that not everyone can see that her story was pure bs.

[Trumpocalypse]

55. Prove your accusations

with links to credible sources.

[Hav]

65. Have you checked out the other accusations or are you just saying they are credible?

I can remember that some were smiling photo ops, only upper body visible. Some even tweeted about it to say how great it was to meet Franken. Then years later, it was "me too".
As for Dupuy, you can read her article...it's in The Atlantic, as I mentioned. What I said was basically the gist of it. Franken putting the arm around her waist made her conscious about her body fat...in a photo taken by her husband, of all people, if I remember correctly.

[Trumpocalypse]

68. Stop spinning

and prove your allegations with links to credible sources.

[pangaia]

22. I have little respect for this person who is one of my senators.

And it gets less and less every time she says anything.

[PoliticAverse]

23. The way things are going currently she might not be making the Democratic debate cutoff. n/t

[Polly Hennessey]

24. Good grief.

She is becoming tiresome. Exit stage left.

[dflprincess]

25. Probably not a good idea to remind people of this

Not that many of us, especially in Minnesota, will forget what you did.

And Kirsten, it's not just a "few high-profile Democratic donors are unwilling to support my campaign for president", it's hundreds of us, "low profie" Democratic donors who write small checks for what we can afford who are unwilling to support your campaign.

[pazzyanne]

26. As far as I am concerned, this case is closed.

Opportunism is not a good look on someone running for president.

[Trumpocalypse]

38. Opportunism?

How so? It was Harris, who the first to go on TV to call for Franken’s resignation, who got Franken’s seat on the Judiciary committee.

[pazzyanne]

48. Someone's sights were set on a position a little higher than a Judiciary seat.

Al Franken was a credible threat to that ambition.

[Trumpocalypse]

53. And what is your proof of that?

Please provide links to credible sources otherwise it is just a smear.

[pazzyanne]

83. She is campaigning for president!

[Trumpocalypse]

89. So are a lot of people.

Please provide links that back up your allegations or admit it is just a smear.

[Hav]

93. Links that back up the posters assertion about another person's inner motivation?

Clearly, the poster cannot look into Gillibrand's head. But posters here are voicing their personal opinions, their assessments about a topic. They don't need to back that up with other sources. What do you expect? Gillibrand on the record saying that she did it to get rid of another potential opponent?
Answering pretty much every post about an opinion you don't like with "Please provide links.." is simply not an argument.

[Trumpocalypse]

97. Personal opinions

that demonize people without facts to back them up are just smears. Like you said they can't look into Gillibrand's head therefore any assessment of her motives are pure BS.

[emmaverybo]

106. Good. That links stuff gets old. nt

[Bernardo de La Paz]

61. When a candidate complains about fund raising problems, it is over. . . . nt

[Chin music]

29. Unfortunate statement.

[lordsummerisle]

31. I seem to remember talk of some right-wing operatives

who helped orchestrate this?

What bothers me in this case is how allegations mean now that you're guilty.

Franken welcomed the investigation into this but never got the chance to defend himself.

All I know is that we've lost one of our most effective senators at a time when we need strong senators.

And it's all the more galling with Trump in the WH with nearly 2 dozen women alleging sexual harassment, who he is in turn counter-suing...

And I'm not even going there about the alleged abortions he may have arranged.

Sorry, it's late and I don't have the links...

[Trumpocalypse]

39. Franken asked for an ethics committee investigation

Which is a hearing not a trial and only determines if Congressional ethics rules were violated. It does not decide guilt or innocence of the allegations.

Do you really think the republicans on the ethics committee would have given Franken a fair hearing?

[lordsummerisle]

74. The senate can vote to censure or expel a member n/t

[Trumpocalypse]

77. True

But not sure about the relevance.

[lordsummerisle]

112. I'm pretty sure n/t

[tblue37]

33. Nope, KG. You're down there with Tulsi Gabbard on my I Don't Think So list. nt

[Trumpocalypse]

41. Yet you support Warren who called for Franken to resign

the same morning. Bit of a double standard there.

[Nuggets]

100. Let us know when Warren proudly announced

she had a shotgun under her bed, railed against amnesty, was instrumental in helping Phillip Morris continue to hide information about the tobacco companies while on the Philip Morris Crime Fraud Issues Committee.


One issue voters help wreak havoc on our country with their votes.

As for her role in the Franken railroading.
She proudly took the lead, there’s a price to pay for foolishly leading the way to ousting a great person to make yourself look better.

[Trumpocalypse]

105. Make yourself look better?

You can disagree with her actions but you have proof of her motives? Please supply links to credible sources that prove your allegations.

[Nuggets]

107. Schumer had to call her to tell her

to tone it down with the flip flopping.
https://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/08/nyregion/08gillibrand.html


She helped Phillp Morris hide info
https://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/27/nyregion/27gillibrand.html


NRA Sources tell NBCNewYork they've downgraded Gillibrand from an A to an F, a move scheduled to be announced later this week.

When Gillibrand was appointed to the Senate last year, she boasted about sleeping with guns under her bed and how her family hunted their own Thanksgiving turkeys.

She was also proud of her perfect letter grade from the NRA, which said she had voted with them on gun related issues 100 percent of the time as an upstate Congresswoman

https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/NRA-Shoots-Down-Kirsten-Gillibrands-Rating--104050029.html



As I said, wolf in sheep’s clothing.

[Trumpocalypse]

110. None of which

have anything to do with Franken.

[True Blue American]

118. No, but they

Have plenty to say about Gillibrand flip flopping.

[Trumpocalypse]

121. True and that is a valid criticism

and something that many politicians are guilty of except maybe Sanders.

[oasis]

34. You can quit digging anytime now Senator Gillibrand.

Just put down that shovel and back away.

[Skittles]

35. ugh

[rzemanfl]

104. Eloquent Skittles. I agree 100%. n/t

[Trumpocalypse]

40. Why is Gillibrand the only one asked about Franken?

No one ever asks Harris, Warren, Booker or Sanders. All of whom called for Franken to resign the same morning.

[PoliticAverse]

44. Because she was the first. n/t

[Trumpocalypse]

45. By minutes only

And Harris was the first to go on TV to call for Franken’s resignation.

[Celerity]

87. +10000

within the hour

Every single Democratic Senator, whether in public or private told him to resign, except the 3 on the Senate Ethics Committee (Coons, Schatz, and Shaheen, who legally could not say anything), Bob Menendez (who at the them was under Federal corruption indictment and choose to remain silent) and then the only Dem who actually said he should not resign, Manchin. The first 4 I am sure, if they legally could have, would have done the same as all the others except for Manchin.

Gillibrand was but one of a group who had planned it for weeks. Schumer knew they were doing it as well, and gave the go ahead.

Women senators coordinated calls for Al Franken to resign

https://edition.cnn.com/2017/12/06/politics/senators-al-franken-resignation/index.html

Nearly three weeks after sexual harassment allegations first emerged against Sen. Al Franken, a wave of Democratic senators — in coordination and following a flurry of text messages and phone calls — called for his resignation in rapid succession Wednesday morning.

Starting around 11:30 a.m. ET, the senators posted statements in a coordinated effort, one after the other, on social media, saying the Minnesota Democrat should step down.

Some comments were elaborate, lengthy and loaded with a moral message. Others, like that of Sen. Claire McCaskill of Missouri, were straight to the point.

"Al Franken should resign," she simply tweeted.

Within the next 90 minutes, 16 Democrats -- 10 of them women -- and one Republican senator -- Susan Collins of Maine -- had publicly urged their colleague to vacate his seat.

snip


Gillibrand is the Junior Senator from NY. IF she truly had the power and sheer force of personality and drive to make basically the entire Democratic Caucus, save Manchin (and leadership included), bend to her singular will, then perhaps she should be the POTUS. Surely at bare minimum she should be the minority leader, as if this dodgy, recurrent, and oh so tiresome meme is to be believed, then she led even Schumer around by the nose.

[Trumpocalypse]

91. Plus She went to Franken's office

with a gun and a resignation letter and told Franken that either his brains or signature would be on the letter.

[tonedevil]

94. Why doesn't Senator Gillibrand...

ever mention the role her fellow Senators played in operation kneecap Franken? In the interview that inspired this post she had plenty of opportunity to mention that she didn't act alone that it was in fact an overwhelming majority of the Democratic Caucus making the same demand. Nearly everybody threw the pooh at Franken, but where the others seem to have washed their hands and moved on Gillibrand keeps picking it up and squishing it between her fingers. She is never going to lose the smell at this rate.

[Trumpocalypse]

98. And she did

she would be demonized for trying to blame others. And Gillibrand doesn't keep picking it up, the media is and they only ask Gillibrand about it.

[tonedevil]

99. In this interview...

she is enthusiastic to discuss it and she makes it sound like her very own one woman accomplishment. It may have been a coordinated effort and there may be other Senators who are as much or more responsible for the railroading of Franken, but she was perceived as the leader from the moment she demand he leave and now she has reinforced that to such an extent I don't believe it can be altered.

[Trumpocalypse]

103. True

Perception has surpassed reality.

[True Blue American]

119. You can bet

Your bottom dollar Sherrod Brown heard from me and responded.

It is the only thing I have disagreed with him on since he beat Mike DeWine. The little weasel that is taking Ohi back to the 1950’s.

Abortion bill, then this last one. Gutting clean energy to give subsidies to nuclear and coal.

Yost just convinced the Supreme Court to delay Redistricting sticting.

[BannonsLiver]

46. ...

BTW, props to Judy Woodruff for framing the question correctly with regard to KG being the first to call for him to resign, making her the ring leader. There are a few people around here who have been pretty obtuse about that.

[crazytown]

47. "Better to remain silent and be thought a fool

than to speak out and remove all doubt." Lincoln

[Hav]

59. You should consider an edit,

for your own sake because I see another hide coming.

[irisblue]

64. Calling a female Dem senator names is not a good idea. nt

[mn9driver]

54. She won't ever take responsibility.

This was a serious error on her part and she damaged the party by doing it. There are better candidates.

[Owl]

60. Toast.

[emmaverybo]

62. She'd have banned The Benny Hill Show.

[True Blue American]

70. That show was terrible.:)

But funny.

[beachbum bob]

66. she should be brave and stand up and apoligize....until then, she is a non-starter for me

she was wrong, and a TRUE leader needs to be able to admit it and apologize

[madaboutharry]

67. She doesn't seem to understand the depth of the anger

among democrats over Al Franken.

There are several Congresswomen and Senators who stood with her during her "Franken must go" speech who now say they regret it.

Although I really like Kamala Harris and was very impressed when I recently saw her at a town hall, her calling for Franken's resignation is one of the things that bother me about her.

[brooklynite]

96. What anger is that?

Bloggers? maybe. Folks here? Sure. But average Democratic voters aren't thinking of this at all. Sure, Gillibrand is doing poorly; so are Booker, Klobuchar, Castro...


And FWIW, stabbing Franken in the back isn't apparently harming Sanders, Warren or Harris.

[George II]

75. She didn't stand up TO Al Franken, she didn't confront him directly to find out what happened...

...she went to the press and called for him to resign.

[stonecutter357]

78. Al Franken 2020 !

[lark]

79. She and Gabbard are absolutely dead last on the list of 24 Dems running for president IMO.

IF Tweeden getting paid $10,000 2 weeks prior by Roger Stone and him giving out hints this would come weeks prior, and her prior employer of Sean Hanniity, and the fact the photo was photoshopped and the photographer said Franken didn't touch her and a lot of the people in the hroom backed Franken didn't move her - it just shows she was using him as a tool for her own advancement and didn't give a shit about the facts and still doesn't. She backstabbed Clinton & Franken to try to advance herself and that's just disqualifying to me. Gabbard is a true repug in Dem colors and promoted by RT. I am so glad I will not have to vote for either in the general because I will instead have the pleasure of voting for a much better representative of our values. My 3 favorites are all in the top 5 at this point, so I'm really looking forward to the debates to get to know them and the rest better.

[LiberalFighter]

81. Gillibrand is no where at the top of my list.

Would have to do some digging to find her.

[dalton99a]

85. Ok, thanks for standing up to the Clintons

- very, very bad people

[Peacetrain]

86. Gillibrand screwed up..and digging in is just making the hole bigger..

just saying

[Blue Owl]

92. Gillibrand's Island

Now sit right back and you'll hear a tale,
A tale of a fateful trip...

[cwydro]

95. Brave, my ass.

Many of us will never forget what she did.

And there was nothing “brave” about it.

[LisaM]

101. The problem I have is the Leanne Tweeden factor and the setup by Alex Jones.

I feel as if Gillibrand fell for that, and I don't find that particularly reassuring with someone who wants to run for high office.

[MontanaMama]

102. Is Sen Gillibrand still running for POTUS?

If so, she might want to find something else to expound upon.

[Skittles]

108. she thinks she is

[left-of-center2012]

109. I saw her on TV today

I saw her interviewed briefly today on one of the cable news channels,
and she was asked about her extremely low poll numbers.

She got a bit ‘testy’ and said her campaign is directed “toward the voters and not the media”,
whatever that means.