Question: Who Knows Franken Better Than His Senate Democratic Colleagues?

[writes3000]

Many of them have worked with him for years. Many of them have probably become personal friends. They’ve shared values, hopes and dreams for the country. Do you think 20 or more Dem Senators are being so cavalier as to ask one of their family to step down over nothing more than allegations?

I suspect Franken has privately admitted that there is truth to some of these allegations. And if there is truth to them that means there would be a Senate ethics investigations where those things would be publicized.

As I see so much anger and vitriol aimed at those asking for Franken to step down, it’s worth considering if they have more information than we do.

If this was a purely witch hunt with no merit, I truly believe the Democratic Senate body would fight like hell for Franken.

[Cary]

1. How about real evidence?

[unblock]

8. franken really hasn't been protesting this much.

i think there's a case to be made for fairness in that republicans aren't held to the same standard.

i think there's a case to be made for proportion in the sense that these allegations aren't in the same league as, say, child molestation.


that said, if this was all a complete fabrication, franken handled it completely wrong.

in fact, he's rather behaving like someone who's guilty of things worse than what he's accused of.

[Irish_Dem]

11. Yes, I agree. Why does a totally innocent man resign? Doesn't make sense. nt

[brooklynite]

16. Why does a totally innocent man issue apologies?

[Irish_Dem]

17. Exactly. nt

[RandomAccess]

38. You should go read his apologies with more care

They were quite carefully crafted NOT to admit to much -- because, I believe, there isn't much. Which is why, I believe, he IMMEDIATELY called for a Senate Ethics investigation.

[unblock]

21. a totally innocent man might be convinced to resign; however,

he wouldn't just apologize and talk about soul-searching and so on.

innocent people accept plea deals all the time, and even an innocent politician might prefer resignation to an ugly scandal investigation playing out where people end up hating him regardless of the result and where he could end up costing the democratic party far more than just one seat even if he's eventually cleared. remember there's 1,000 stories about the scandal for every one story about the eventual exoneration, and that's the best case scenario.

however, when an innocent politician resigns, they talk about being railroaded and they act defiant and they call for reforms and so on.


franken is talking and acting like he's being allowed to keep a worse scandal a secret.

[Irish_Dem]

25. I agree totally on all your points. nt

[Sen. Walter Sobchak]

28. Oh yeah, that would have gone over really well

He is behaving like somebody trapped in a game where the rules are arbitrary and he has both arms tied behind his back.

Al Franken attacking his accusers as liars and shills would have just perpetuated the attacks from the Eumenides.

[writes3000]

12. They may have real evidence.

Just because no one has told us about their conversations with Franken, doesn’t mean they haven’t happened.

I do admit I could be wrong as well. But something has shifted to cause the majority of Dem Senators to take this position. And I don’t believe they’re doing it without some verification for cause.

[Demit]

23. You suspect...you believe...they may have...

And that's how a good man goes down. People believing where there's smoke there must be fire.

As somebody once said, with regard to the right's relentless campaign against Hillary Clinton, where there's smoke sometimes there's just a big smoke machine.

[unblock]

33. Personally Im going a lot on Frankens reaction

Hillary has always acted consistently like someone being smeared, and her accusers have well documented histories of lying and smearing.

Franken is not acting at all like someone being railroaded.

[BannonsLiver]

2. Something to ponder.

You don't think some who are calling for him to step down don't have something to gain by him not being a 2020 player? Just because they're all (supposedly) on the same team doesn't mean there aren't some who are going to look after their own advancement first.

[writes3000]

6. Perhaps some. But are 20 or more doing this because they see him as a threat to their ambition?

I don’t think so. Someone in the Senate has talked to Franken, I believe. And I believe he’s admitted enough that it is causing this reaction.

If Franken was a victim of a witch hunt based on lies, they would be screaming bloody murder and more importantly, so would he. Just my take on it.

[BannonsLiver]

13. Well if you want to lay down like a lamb that's your business, I suppose.

This was a targeted hit job from day 1. Nobody will ever convince me otherwise.

[Demit]

24. That's what I think. Jockeying for position.

Whoever thinks they have a shot at the nomination.

[L. Coyote]

3. Indeed. Something has happened in the background. We will know soon enough.

Meanwhile, I await the truth and say focus on what is really going down:

[ismnotwasm]

10. Good point but

It annoys me no end that when a few women found their voice and their strength to use it we have to deal with the most corrupt republican congress in my lifetime

[Irish_Dem]

20. I agree about behind the scenes. However sexual harassment is a real and current issue.

Just as important as the tax issue.

[bdamomma]

29. Well those cartoon illustrations

are doing very well in promoting the truth.

[bagelsforbreakfast]

4. I don't believe they'd fight for anything but their perks and pensions.

[ismnotwasm]

7. Are you talking about Democrats?

[Tommy_Carcetti]

5. Barack Obama was an honorable man. He also allowed his Ag Department to fire Shirley Sherrod....

....as a reflexive action after a right wing smear job.

[lunamagica]

9. Suspicions? Sorry, I need more than that. Politicians can be self-serving

[uponit7771]

15. +1, I'm not going to set any person on a pedestal and call them perfect

[ananda]

14. No! Stop!

Do not assume anything here.

So not assume that anyone knows any more than we do.

Make them prove it! Publicly!

Make all anonymous accusers come forward.

Make the ethics cmte do its job!

[lunamagica]

18. + a million!

[marybourg]

30. Franken doesn't appear to think that's in his best interest. nt

[flamingdem]

19. Then tell us. Or we're be forever cynical

That's what an ethic committee is for - they don't get to decide by themselves

[Bettie]

22. I don't believe they'd fight for him

they want it done and the only way that happens is if Franken is gone.

Then, in a week or two, there will be anonymous accusations against someone else and they will be quicker to demand a resignation, then a little quicker the next time, until any anonymous tweet about a Dem in office will require him or her to resign immediately.

[HopeAgain]

31. I can't believe 28 Senators haven't thought of that possibility.

If they are that inept, maybe it would be time to blow up the party anyway.

[Bettie]

32. A few started it

and now it is the snowball rolling down the hill, no one wants to be left behind.

Mob mentality. Even Senators have pitchforks and torches.

[Johonny]

26. You mean the colleagues that threw ACORN under the bus based on false accusations

Not really a winning argument.

[Bettie]

36. Yeppers that was another one

but our party is really, really good at the circular firing squad.

[HopeAgain]

27. 28 Democratic Senators at this point

As I said in an earlier thread, they all have advisers, consultants, pollsters and the experience I don't have. So I am making the choice to trust them because I'd hate to lose a bunch more over just one.

This whole situation sucks, but there are Senators who are calling for resignation who I have always respected as much as Franken, so I think they must feel they are doing the right thing.

More will be revealed, I supect.

[Baitball Blogger]

34. An investigation in this case is a first step. And Franken is the one who called for it.

Because, let's face it. This is not going way for future candidates. Set up a gauntlet that is fair to everyone.

[dembotoz]

37. i am reminded of charlie rose both cohosts on cbs morning news claim they had no idea

and i believe them

the cbs news room saw a different charlie than the folks at his private company saw.

i remember an uncle....at his funeral his co workers talked about how he liked to tell jokes

his daughter said...wish he would have told some of those jokes to me....he never told jokes at home.
i knew him my entire life...never a joke.....while not a classic grump...not a funny man

one guy two completely different people
go figure

[angstlessk]

39. SCREW that shit...he needs his day in court!