Al Franken was railroaded by one person.

[writerJT]

That person is Al Franken.

Instead of fighting to clear his name, instead of letting this go to the Ethics Committee, he instead chose a different path.

He embarked upon a strategy of incessant apologizing and repeatedly telling everyone how “ashamed” he was. “Sorry.” “Ashamed.” Over and over and over, nearly to the point of groveling.

He went this route quickly and it was over for him just as quickly, only a matter of time until he was gone.

For whatever reason, he decided to put himself in the weakest possible position when the allegations came forward. He gave himself absolutely no chance to stay and fight and clear his name. None.

We will get another Democrat in his seat, and from all I’ve read about her, she should be a great Senator.

It’s a shame that Franken, who was always a tough and effective fighter when it came to policy and nominations, didn’t give himself that same fighting effort. He simply surrendered out of the gate.

[kstewart33]

1. Agreed.

Al could have done a much better job of handling the situation.

[Heartstrings]

2. He's still going to be a voice for the resistance....

Yes, he was the sacrificial lamb laid at the hypocritical alter for the gop. Maybe he didn't react in a way in which we all agree, but I'm certain he's not going away. At least, I'm hopeful.....miss him!

Welcome to du, writerJT!

[rzemanfl]

54. You are welcoming someone who joined ten years ago. n/t

[Hekate]

61. I wonder, then, if we have met Sleeping Beauty before.

[Heartstrings]

88. Oh geez.....

Didn't realize I needed to check each op writers history......thanks for calling it to my attention.

[rzemanfl]

91. You don't. RU from Wisconsin? I lived there a long time, most of our family is still there.

I, on the other hand, went swimming today in an outdoor pool.

It is very unusual for someone here that long to have such a low post count. Not likely to happen often.

[Heartstrings]

93. Yes, from Wisconsin!

Right now it's a frozen tundra.

[ecstatic]

3. I voted not to hide this because your point is harsh, but fair

Although I understand completely where Franken was coming from: He was trying to set a tone for how women should be respected and heard. I understand and respect that as well.

[renate]

43. exactly!

He was being a mensch. Typical of him. I'm so sad for him and for all of us who needed his voice in the Senate.

[flamingdem]

59. The truth is he played by the rules and at that moment he had to say what he said

then he got kneecapped for it.

I'm sure he'd say that's the truth if he could

[NCTraveler]

4. He set the tone from the start. No question about it. nt.

[applegrove]

5. I think he was right to apologize. He did some wrong. To live with himself he

did not attack anyone. Democrats are not the party of harassment now that he and Conyers have resigned. But watch for trolls to try to divide us on the al Franken issue because it is tender for democrats. I say the paid GOP trolls are guests on the DU. And I offer them a gin gimlet and some cocktail sausages. Gin gimlet anyone?

[bathroommonkey76]

10. I would bet

the majority of these people who have talked about Al Franken being railroaded by democrats in the senate are not GOP TROLLS! Are Democratic voters not allowed to offer their opinions now? Should we all walk in lock-step singing some weird cult song? Geezus.

Tell us the usernames of people you believe are trolls on DU. I think we deserve to know if these people are truly trying to divide the DEMOCRATIC UNDERGROUND! LOL

[applegrove]

23. So i can't talk of the bigger trend of trolls dividing the DU and democrats on 1)

Women 2) race 3) bernie sandres 4) al franken's resignation? We are not allowed to talk about the big picture? Thanks for that.

[bathroommonkey76]

25. I didn't say that at all.

I asked you to name usernames and show some of these posts of people dividing the party and this site.

Throwing out the word "troll" at people you disagree with is an easy out - Dontcha' think?

[applegrove]

27. Nope. I was talking about the big picture. Someone yesterday identified

the 'how al Franken had to resign' dust up as GOP dividing Democrats. The Press just identified Russia as dividing Bernie supporters during the election. I identified women and race being trolled when Obama was still in power.

[bathroommonkey76]

32. You're being vague

Who said this? Where is the post?

Everyone knows Russia divided and conquered the Internet during the campaign and election last year.

[applegrove]

37. Here it is:

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100210008998

[Crunchy Frog]

45. I think that tweet was suggesting

That the Dem senators who piled on to Al Franken were themselves being manipulated by Russians.

Possibly not the point that you were aiming for.

[applegrove]

48. I think the fact that democrats are at war over franken is a win for trolls.

It started with a pile one. Trolls played both sides in the anti women war amongst democrats, played both sides in the racism war amongst democrats, and played both sides in the bernie war during the election. You think they are suddenly not playing both sides on al franken?

[demtenjeep]

73. I think the person goading you is a troll

always have

[elehhhhna]

56. That's against the tos. Stop.

[bathroommonkey76]

57. It's against the TOS

Last edited Thu Dec 21, 2017, 09:39 PM - Edit history (1)

to point out users who are trolls? Makes sense, I guess. lol

[Crunchy Frog]

33. You're insinuating that any poster who doesn't march in lockstep

is a troll trying to sow division.

You certainly have the right to make that sort of post, but others have the right to point out that that sort of posting is itself divisive, and the sort of thing that might be expected of a GOP/Russian troll.

[applegrove]

35. I'm warning people not to fall for it. I can do that can't I? Warn people

what is going on?

[Hortensis]

63. I'm saying people who called for primarying over 30

Democratic senators are already self-divided and take joy in trying to get others to join them.

Do you realize the ones we're talking about called for destroying the careers of OVER 2/3 OF ALL DEMOCRATIC SENATORS?

We should all be taking a real close look at the motives and true goals of those people. Some were undoubtedly foolish victims, or perhaps just bad tempered, easily swept into a passionate mob, but others are not.

[Hekate]

74. The GOP declared war on Democrats decades ago, and it now reaches the point of mindless destruction

... Destruction of the 2-party system, of indviduals, of the country and its institutions. Best of all (for them) is when they get us Democrats to eat our own. Why do we do it? So we can bask in the glow of some imagined purity while children starve in this nation and while everything we stand for is,destroyed?

Anyway, what you said, Hortensis.

[Hortensis]

84. Hi, Hekate! Agree. But the "anti-Democrat left" is REAL.

As real as Republicans, just much smaller, a hostile fringe.

Their constant, long-term pattern of hostile attacks on Democrats is not evidence of OUR failure to hold together. We've never been so united as now. But this rule-or-ruin type are not us, and extremely righteously so. No matter what labels they use to pretend a relevance that doesn't exist.

We really need to evaluate people claiming to be Democrats by their behaviors and, when those conflict with their words, believe what their actions tell us.

[Hekate]

86. This, too

[Hortensis]

87. Have you moved back home yet?

Been wondering.

[Hekate]

94. A week ago today. We are so incredibly lucky.

Thank you. I've just been kind of emotionally exhausted.

[Hortensis]

98. Very glad to hear, and been there myself. Good.

[Nevernose]

6. I understand his reasoning.

“Bitches are always telling lies” is a very stereotypical GOP position, as are the variations, such as “That’s not true” and “This is a smear campaign” and “That’s not me in the picture, that’s my publicist, John Barron.”

Al was trying to walk a very fine line, but he didn’t realize how the mob mentality would work, I don’t think. Even the so-called “liberal media” personalities just repeat the headlines of the accusations and don’t bother getting to, looking at, or investigating facts.

[whathehell]

28. Who is the source that supposed GOP quote about "bitches"?

Much as I detest the GOP, that doesn't sound like their kind of talk.

[Nevernose]

62. I was mocking them

Not their “clean talking” politicians, just many conservative men’s attitude towards women.

Rappers use the word and mean all kinds of things with it (meaning it may or may not be misogynistic). Conservative men don’t use the word in casual polite conversation, but too many conservatives I know I’m sure are thinking it every time a woman says anything or has any authority whatsoever.

[whathehell]

69. You see, I don't think most here would know that..

just because it is so unlike them, at least publicly.
I know rappers use it, and it's one of the reasons I detest rap.
As a heads up, you should know that it is NOT used on DU..Most women here find it quite misogynistic and very offensive.

[lame54]

7. What is the proper strategy...

When you are not allowed to challenge the accusers

[brooklynite]

44. Long before the Senate Democratic Women asked him to step down (after more accusations rose up)

Franken had the opportunity to "challenge the accusers". The first step would have been to deny the charges. He didn't do that. "I don't remember things the same way" isn't generally seen as a claim as innocence. Neither is apologizing for anyone he hurt.

[wellst0nev0ter]

75. He asked for an ethics investigation

That was the forum where he was hoping he could formally challenge the accusations and clear his name without shaming his accusers.

But nope, our senator (live in the Bronx) had to have her scalp. Shame on her.

[dhol82]

85. He did apologize.

But, as far as you are concerned trump, et al, are innocent of all their obnoxious behavior because they denied everything.
Right?

[JimBeard]

95. Yeah, All I remember is Trump saying he didn't do it and he is

still in office. He was elected. Give Al the same chance. Trump won and to this day still denies anything and still refuses to reveal his income tax. He will be re-elected.

I hate the bastard but the way some of us are acting, he will definitely be re-elected.

[Thrill]

8. He should just stay. Fuck em. Republicans do it

[Demsrule86]

9. A big who cares ...I have a different opinion...the seat is now endangered and it

shouldn't be...if we allow the GOP to railroad or elected then it will never stop...oh and welcome to DU.

[member12]

38. A big who cares ...I have a different opinion...the seat is now endangered and it

Why not give the GOP a taste of their own medicine? Coordinated exposure of their most vulnerable senator about 6 months from now......

[JimBeard]

96. This sex deal doesn't seem to work with Republicans like it does Democrats.

True Moore lost but dammit, it took all the media, all the Democratic men and women and leading republicans.

He was beaten but it took every stick of dynamite we and some Republicans had.

They don't care. White women don't care in red states.

[Demsrule86]

101. that would be great but their voters and elected won't fall for it...we need to consider that.

[mythology]

66. The seat is almost certainly less vulnerable not trying to run a guy with a mid 30s approval rating

and not running a guy who has multiple women who have accused him of sexual harassment and groping.

[standingtall]

67. Wrong Franken was not up reelection until 2020

if he would've survived until then his approval ratings would've been back up to where they were before the allegations and he wins going away. Now Democrats will have to defend it in a 2018 special election. So it is absolutely more vulnerable now that the repukes have nothing to lose.

[wellst0nev0ter]

76. To all the people who couldn't wait for an ethics investigation

[Demsrule86]

100. We had until 20... to improve that...we had the seat until 20...should have left it alone and seen

what happened.

[Skittles]

11. um, no

[triron]

12. yeah, agree with you

[Hekate]

60. What you said, Skittles. This is an outstanding example of victim-blaming...

...the victim being, imo, Senator Franken.

[Gabi Hayes]

72. One of the most delusional posts Ive ever seen here, and thats saying a lot.

He should run now; if not now, in 2020

It’s time to find out exactly what is up with these accusers, especially the first one and the anonymous ones. Just follow the pug playbook, and stop rolling over dead instantly

He was simply denied due process; it’s that simple

WTF is up with those dems? What a bunch of chicken shit cowards

It’s like their playing into the hands of the fascists who’ve taken over the Republican Party and the corporate media

This situation is beyond ludicrous

[wellst0nev0ter]

77. Notice how the accusations mysteriously stopped after he announced his resignation

I certainly did

[Gabi Hayes]

79. I still cannot believe they would no allow an ethics hearing! Its like the dems were.....colluding

Or something

With the pugs

Inexplicable behavior

Do the commies have kompromat on them?

Or what?

[wellst0nev0ter]

81. They're just too afraid of their own shadows

and Gillibrand is a rank opportunist.

Can't believe I may have to hold my nose and vote for her.

[Gabi Hayes]

82. Thats one thing Id bet you wont have to hold your nose to do

My mind is still reeling from that entire Daliesque scenario



‘’And then that guitar player forced me against my will to grab his ASS!!!!’’

[JimBeard]

13. I'm still pissed and I'm not so sure we will keep a Democrat...

in that Minnesota seat. 2018 is going to be rough for us in the Senate, we have 3 times as many seats to defend in the Senate as the Republicans. I think we will pick up a few in the House but not in the Senate. Last year was the cycle for us to add more. Maybe in 2020.

[member12]

29. my thoughts exactly

to heck with the republicans. Just keep Franken in that seat as long as possible. It will be much easier to defend in 2018 with him in the race.

[PubliusEnigma]

14. It takes 10 posts before you can make a thread.

[ucrdem]

47. By george

i think you've got it

[rzemanfl]

52. In this case ten posts AND ten years. n/t

[Hekate]

64. Sleeping Beauty

writerJT

[rzemanfl]

68. Post #51 below.

[Mike Nelson]

16. I think his...

...first response was fine. After more about his first "accuser" came out, I think he should have clarified a little about how she, he and everyone on the USO tour participated in inappropriate juvenile sex humor. Next, he should have said that his show business career included inappropriate jokes... even physically inappropriate behavior.

Lastly, he should have said complete strangers by the thousands come up to him for pictures and grab his hands, shoulders, waist, and other parts... Now, he is a Senator and promises to act appropriately.

But, I do believe a group of Democrats told him to resign - so he would have to fight them; they decided he should resign.

[brooklynite]

46. ...but he didn't. And therein lays the problem.

[4now]

17. I have to agree with you

I think Franken is a good man but under these circumstances it is hard to support someone that doesn't at least try to defend themselves.

[wellst0nev0ter]

78. Damned if you do, damned if you don't

If he denies the charges, the people will crucify him for blaming the victims and calling the women liars.

If he doesn't deny the charges, people will think he has something to hide.

He opened himself to an ethics investigation so that there will be a formal process of clearing himself.

He walked the fine line, but didn't count on fellow Democrats shivving him.

And now his seat is up next year instead of 2020.

Mazel tov. Too many times I swear Dems can't find their asses with both hands.

[spanone]

18. bullshit

[OnDoutside]

20. Thank you. I completely agree.

[spanone]

21. a triple load of manure

and 5 recs.....

[nolabear]

19. I'll wait and see what he does now before I declare anything so definitely.

He can do things outside the Senate he could never do while in office and I suspect his name will be restored over time.

[JimBeard]

97. Could you list those things to convince me? Honestly, I can't think of a single thing

he can't do more effectively for the party now.

[nolabear]

102. Off the top of my head:

He can give up the background of the inner workings of Congress at the moment. He can make it real to us.

He can speak openly about the deep struggle between men and women including his own and how we can learn and apply our learning to politics and human rights.

He can (and I have no doubt he can) redeem his reputation and throw his practical voice into the press. If he has no other egregious stuff in his background he can simply say “Yes, I stupidly acted in this way and I simply didn’t do what I was perceived as doing in that case but I realize more than ever how casually a man can frighten, invade and disrespect a woman and I want to work toward changing that.” And say it again and again, and go on to say important things as well.

He can refuse to die. He can survive and lead by example. He can call out what’s happening and remain hopeful when so many are losing it.

And much more.

[JimBeard]

105. This is absolutely nothing. No power of any kind these are ridiculous minimal for the power he is

losing.

[OnDoutside]

22. Is that you, Kirsten ?

[stonecutter357]

24. Cool Story, Bro .

[VOX]

26. Nice try.

Changing the narrative = no go.

[Eliot Rosewater]

30. Attitudes like this is why democrats are always in a lose lose.

Cons never held to any standards, dems held to impossible standards and then no matter how the dem (in this case, Franken) responds, they are attacked.

[member12]

31. Attitudes like this is why democrats are always in a lose lose.

Democrats should defend Franken from what is clearly a coordinated political hit. We should have defended Conyers too.

[delisen]

50. Tribal stoning ala "The Lottery" is not a democratic value.

Even the Democratic Senate caucus is not immune to mob mentality. It is a reminder of the necessity of the Rule of Law..

It takes a "village" to uphold the rule of law.

I hope the pushback the caucus has gotten will prevent further actions such as this one.

[brooklynite]

83. I dont recall The Lottery allowing you to walk away voluntarily...

...and as for stoning, show us the evidence that any Democratic Senator was prepared to take action if he chose not to step down.

[delisen]

89. How about public tar & feathering as a better analogy?

Often one could walk out of town after this treatment.

I'm flexible.

[delisen]

90. Mugged once-they allowed me to walk away voluntarily

[unblock]

34. i wrote an o.p. shortly before he resigned, saying the calls for him to resign were just theater

and that franken was in on it. let a few democratic senators burnish their images in fighting this stuff, willing to go after someone in our own party, etc.

clearly i was wrong.

i had based in on the premise that franken was as adept at managing scandal as he had proven in other aspects of being a kick-ass senator. i had assumed that the reason he went straight to an open-ended apology was because he (clearly having insider knowledge of the extent of allegations, including potential future ones) knew that this would easily blow over. take the high ground, admit mistakes, don't deny, don't insult, etc.

unfortunately, he vastly misjudged the situation. i'm not saying he could have saved himself if other senators were hell-bent on putting his head on a pike, but he certainly could have given himself more of a chance.

very sad all around, for many reasons.

[ucrdem]

36. Who would he have fought? Schumer and Gillibrand?

What a ridiculous narrative. He asked for an investigation and he got handed a poison pill. Very shabby and there's no point pretending it didn't happen that way.

[delisen]

42. Agree. Let's not rewrite history- Too many others have

been engaging in that practice. Let's not drop to their level.

[ucrdem]

49. I suspect this will become the official narrative

along with the throngs of claims. In fact it's already happening.

[delisen]

39. I agree with Sen Lynch-who acknowledges his rush to judgement

was wrong.

1 admire Lynch's honesty in stating that he did not allow due process. He did not blame Franken and has taken responsibility for his own reaction.

Due process for the accused is a democratic principle. Guilt and punishment decided by accusation is not a democratic principle.

The Franken attack by his colleagues was a shameful event and should stand as a warning against further actions of its kind.

[Mr.Bill]

40. I honestly think

his wife and family have had enough of this bullshit and just wanted him to walk away from it. And if it were me their feelings would have to come first.

[The_Casual_Observer]

41. Nope he got railroaded by some right wing twit and some other anon shitballs.

[doc03]

65. Because he called Sessions a liar they found a right wing shill to

come out with a ridiculous accusation. As far as I am concerned an anonymous accuser means absolutely nothing, anyone can make an accusation. He was sacrificed for political points and to advance a few other Senators ambitions for 2020.

[rzemanfl]

51. Thanks so much for reminding me I need to wash socks! n/t

[loyalsister]

53. He was in an impossible situation

Democrats betrayed women in the 90s bigtime. Dems could have taken a position that sexual misconduct is such a bad thing and that we don't want a president who participates. We didn't. Here we are.
Women are finally speaking out, and we have a POTUS we don't happen to like, who is a sexual predator. We are in a position where we Democrats can say sexual misconduct is a problem no matter who participates, whereever the offenses lie on the spectrum- or shut up about Trump's, Weinstein's, Rose's, etc actions.
Finally taking that position and rejecting the hipocrisy was exploited. It's nothing new to get burned by taking an unpopular and correct stand. LBJ made that observation when he signed the Civil Rights Act.
Yes, it's Franken's fault that he is not narcissitic enough to reject the possibility that he might have done something unacceptable. But, he's better for it.

[riverwalker]

55. Interesting who didnt bother to show up at his last speech

Link to tweet

[ollie10]

58. He did it to himself? Blame the victim.....?

He was punked by the right wing hate machine and Stone, et al

With the help of a "democrat" who didn't even have the guts to attend his last speech

[aikoaiko]

70. I don't think Franken was rail roaded by himself or anyone else.

Its just politics.

[Trumpocalypse]

71. True nt

[Persondem]

80. What a monster pile of victim blaming. nt

[LakeArenal]

92. Franken 2020

Man, I think Al expected to get an ethics investigation, so he said very little about the accusations.

The Lynch mob twisted that into a clear assumption of guilt.

The Senators on the infamous " list" are, although it is only one of their motivations, all politically motivated. Like it or not. They made a choice that has backfired on them with a huge percentage of the base. Some of us who are pissed may remain so.

That being said, I don't hear anyone saying I am quitting the Dems. Sure some are saying I won't support anyone on that list. Not only is that our right, with so many other Dems needing all the support they can, there are plenty of candidates not on that list on which to spend our energy and dollars.

Beyond party loyalty, we don't owe those Senators a darn thing. I will vote Democrat. But until that time, I can be as vocal and pissed as I wanna be.

[GeorgeGist]

99. Wellstonian ...

N O T.

[Eliot Rosewater]

104. Al Franken was Wellstonian

[Casprings]

103. Or he might simply have touched a bunch of women without permission

The women kept pilling up and he lost support because we were not going to support, “our guy.”

But who is to say.

Al, don’t let the door hit you on the way out. Hopefully, he will be replaced by a progressive woman.