If you're angry about Franken as I am, the solution is to replace the party's leadership

[Yavin4]

with a new generation of real fighters. Abandoning the party is just cutting off your nose to spite your face. Time for new leaders in the Democratic party.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

1. Some of us here have been suggesting that for a while.

Alas, the official policy on DU is that the current leadership couldn't possibly be better, and speaking ill of them is not allowed.

[saidsimplesimon]

4. Alas,

Defend the party leader line sounds a bit like Kim and IT.

[Hortensis]

19. 32 Democratic senators are calling for Franken to resign.

19 of his male colleagues and 13 of his female colleagues.
As for pretend not-badmouthing, way, way too late. Some of you have been bizarrely imagining, "calling for," replacing the whole party, actually. So why limit this current little purge urge surge to the leadership instead of the whole caucus?
Or hold your breath instead, of course. You're far more than just slightly outnumbered, you know, even you had any say at all in who our Democratic caucuses choose to lead them. Which you don't, of course.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

20. I have not been calling for replacing the whole party.

I have expressed dissatisfaction with certain of the "leadership".

[Hortensis]

22. Good for you. In case it might make the slightest difference,

you guys might want to note that in this case the leadership was kind of behind the curve. It was the female caucus who organized against Sen. Franken while the leadership was still trying to see if they could or should bring him safely through this.

[58Sunliner]

55. Well I see by your post that the leadership doesn't include women. How telling.

For you.

[Hortensis]

60. ? Here: 32 Democratic senators are calling for Franken to resign.

Reading for information is good. Thinking with an informed mind can be enlightening.

And can be amusing: "the solution is to replace the party's leadership." Just...THINK about that being posted by someone who's supposedly politically aware.

I know, but might as well laugh. It's good for our health and actually makes us braver and more focused.

[Hortensis]

66. Add that you'll start posting these messages with

"Democrat" changed to "Republican" and "Pelosi" (or whatever Democrat currently being smeared) changed to "Ryan," and you may actually do some good.

Btw, next week net neutrality is history.

[rockfordfile]

27. It would be a good start.

[LanternWaste]

23. That's an absurd (and unsupported) little pretense you carry around.

" is that the current leadership couldn't possibly be better, and speaking ill of them is not allowed...."

That's an absurd (and unsupported) little pretense you carry around. Melodrama works better if there's an ominous sound-track playing... just in case you weren't aware.

But I get it... if melodrama is the only mechanism we have to fell clever about ourselves, we're certainly going to use it, eh?

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

41. I am not the only one here who has been jumped on

if I suggest that there might just possibly be one or two flaws in the Party leadership. Or that maybe it's time for new and younger candidates to be elected to office.

So Al Franken gets unceremoniously dumped based on mostly anonymous and not entirely credible allegations. Meanwhile, a man who openly and proudly admits to groping women and walking into women's dressing rooms and says he'd date his daughter, that man is still President. With no one in his party suggesting he resign. That's the same party that will probably elect a man who credibly dated and molested teenage girls because at least that molester isn't a Democrat.

[WoonTars]

40. This

We've been told to sit down, shut up, and do what we're told, because even though that plan hasn't worked up till now, anyday now it certainly will...

[elehhhhna]

67. Eat your peas and keep your powder dry

Eat your peas and keep your powder dry, remember all that? I didn't leave the party, at the party left me

[Renew Deal]

51. Suggesting changing the leadership instantly brands you as sexist

By those with no arguments, but lots of insults.

[Chasstev365]

54. Yes: Nancy"Impeachment is off the table" Pelosi is worshipped like a God around here.

And if one doesn't agree they are obviously a sexist pig! I am tried of that type of treatment. If you think the Democratic Party you is effective; you are delusional!

[brooklynite]

2. I remember when Keith Ellison was part of the new leadership...

Link to tweet

[saidsimplesimon]

6. What does he know that

is not public knowledge about "the right thing"? Unless I've missed an accusation, it is BS, imo. Do not resign Senator Franken.

[OnDoutside]

24. They'd have used it if they had it. They panicked and condemned a good person without due process.

This is where we are at now.

[rockfordfile]

28. That shows that Ellison is a opportunist.

[Kimchijeon]

53. Hmm well so much for him

Franken is gone, Bernie fell in line with the Lynch mob, Ellison too. No one left for me anymore, they are dead to me. This was the last straw.

[geardaddy]

29. We get it.

You don't like people that don't suck up to your wing of the party.

I'm glad Keith is in the DNC and I'm glad he's my rep. I will continue to vote for him, just as I would for Al if he hadn't resigned.

[Wwcd]

47. Suck up?? Umm he just agreed with every other member on the "other party" didn't he?

That would make him ____ . yup!

[geardaddy]

48. Yes, I know.

What is your blank? And what to you mean by "other party?" I'm sick of the Ellison bashing. But, I'm not happy he asked Franken to retire.

[JI7]

3. Like kristen gillibrand ?

[ollie10]

5. Kristen Gillbrand....

Said Bill Clinton should have resigned.

Was one of the first to tell Franken to resign.

She has to go.

[jrthin]

9. She is my Senator and I hope she gets primaried.

[ollie10]

16. Yes....

As well as the others who joined the lynch mob.

This cabal is all about Hillebrand's presidential wannabeeism.....and as for others who joined her.....Harris, Brown, Warren, even Sanders....this pretty much puts a bad taste in my mouth for them too. And I voted for Bernie.

This is all politics. They know the accusations about Franken were lame. Unfortunately, they damaged the Party with their cowardly pile on.

[Ligyron]

34. Yup, she's the one who started the lynching.

I used to think well of her and those like her.

No longer.

[Owl]

56. She has to go.

[rainin]

7. Great platitude, but the message is loud and clear.

Democrats are weak. Democrats won't stand with their own. Democrats aren't allowed due process. Democrats have to keep their heads down and stay silent. If you stand up to a republican, you will be a target of dirty tricks. Look at your life. If you've ever taken a silly picture, or acted "inappropriatly" EVER, you better run as a Republican. The Democratic Party doesn't want you. F**k all those dems who weren't willing to wait for a hearing.

[lostnfound]

8. Democratic Party doesnt want a lot of us, evidently shows no loyalty for honest hardworking liberal

[rainin]

11. And they complain about low turnouts for elections.

Seriously? Maybe we hate spinelessness. Franken took risks, showed strength. Now, he's gone. Pelosi knows how to keep her seat. She keeps it neutral, doesn't say anything risky or controversial. We say we hate weakness but she stays and Franken goes.

I'm NOT happy right now with our party!

[Kirk Lover]

14. You darn right Dem's dont stand w/ their own..this thread is a good example.

[rainin]

17. You don't need to agree with me

and I don't need to agree with you. Neither of us are elected Senators. Our leaders didn't give one of our strongest elected Senators a fair hearing. Argue away. It makes no difference.

[Drahthaardogs]

15. Yep. And might I point out the Independent everyone is

Looking to for leading us into battle - folded like a cheap shirt too.

We need new blood. These old timers are not hungry anymore. Too complacent

[Wwcd]

35. Yup. But he did publicly say Trump should resign too..

..right after he said Franken should resign.
Kinda like both sides of the fence there.

[kcr]

10. Fighters with BACKBONE

Enough of this shit.

[Poiuyt]

62. What's a backbone?

?w=293

[kcr]

65. Love it

[dalton99a]

69. Our enemy is lobbing grenades at us, and we are doing white glove inspections

[WhiteTara]

12. I have never like Chuck Schumer

and he is what I thought he is...spineless and self serving.

[delisen]

63. Schumer followed Gillebrand's lead today; a year ago he followed Sander's lead

Last year the theme was: we win by appealing to blue collar Trump voters and trashing political correctness

This year the new theme : we win by appealing to women (note we just kicked those supposed blue collar Trumpers in the teeth with political correctness

Hillary Clinton's philosophy is redeemed (albeit somewhat distorted).

Last year: Clinton supposedly lost by focusing on Trump's character

This year: we are going to win by focusing on Trump's character.

Senate still scared to focus on Russia-too many powerful interests?

Well, we now know that Flynn was texting at the inauguration about how big money was going to be made as soon as trump lifted the sanctions.

Old proverb stil relevant: follow the money.

[Vinca]

13. Agreed. I'm sick of the snowflake mentality. I want fighters.

[Willie Pep]

21. Did anyone have Franken's back?

It seemed like everyone abandoned ship once the accusations began to stick. They should have stuck with the ethics investigation position. That was the right thing to do as it didn't dismiss the accusations nor assume they were entirely valid. Trial by media is not a good thing and it is even worse now that Republicans know they are largely immune from it.

[Egnever]

32. I did

My party not so much.

[Bibluca]

25. It's hard to say, but...

Only Franken is to blame. Not for his past actions, but for resigning. He could have stayed regardless of what the other senators or the Party said--no one could force him out. But he chose to resign. So maybe he's not really the fighter that we need.

[rockfordfile]

26. I agree

[treestar]

30. With even Bernie suggesting the resignation

who would that be? We would have to run ourselves.

[Wwcd]

31. No its not the solution. Geezus!

Rather, replace the Corrupt GOP Leadership.
They're the problem.
New & real fighters would have no more success with the GOP at this point as the current ones.
We have some damned good leaders, we just need to get rid of the Repub corruption.

They own the media that moves the message.
Start there.

[Egnever]

33. Sorry but I disagree.

Many of the 35 have been in power for decades and have brought us to this sorry state we are in. It is time for them to get out.

I am from the Ted lieu portion of the party. I want leadership willing to take the bull by the horns not look across the isle at the devil and proclaim his distinguished colleague.

[Wwcd]

36. Then run for office.

That's how you get what you want.

[Egnever]

38. sorry but a pretty strong message was just sent by the Dems

I am not nearly pure enough.

[Wwcd]

42. Then how would a newer bunch of fighters stand a chance.

Have them all vetted & see who's left.
The necessary fighters will all have marks on their records too.
And if there are no misdeeds to find, we can be sure the GOP will create some and they will use their media owned messaging propaganda machine to emphasize those Dems & protect their repubs.

I have no more answers nor arguments to give today.

Media & Money, start there.

[Egnever]

43. Exactly the point

We have screwed our selves with our moral superiority.

[Wwcd]

45. The quest for moral superiority began in the 2016 election.

Here we are. Choking on it as Trump guts our nation.

[brooklynite]

37. A group of people who refuse to contribute to the Party and don't hold Party offices?

How, exactly?

[brooklynite]

39. Here's a simple question...

If your standard for leadership is "someone who'll stand up for Al Franken", name someone who stood up for Al Franken.

(not saying anything is presumably not an acceptable alternative?)

[JHan]

44. Franken is a sacrificial lamb, but his resignation highlights GOP hypocrisy even more

Which should be the prevalent meme but instead the meme is hand-wringing and doom and gloom for Dems.

This is a test of resolve for Democrats. Writing off almost every Democrat will accomplish much more quickly what the GOP wants.

( also, It's good people are realising that Democrats need their own little Machiavellians who know "How to fight" )

[Wwcd]

46. Quite true. I think we'll be ok in the end. Franken is quite a beloved person & Senator

To have him sabatoged by the RW is even worse.
Sacrifical Lamb is indeed descript.

We still need to save our America.

[rzemanfl]

57. Or scapegoat? n/t

[JHan]

68. I don't like it, and my position on this is very nuanced.

I get this movement is bigger than Al, it's a massive shift but frankly it's become more about individuals than norms.

I'm hoping more sense prevails on the tail end of it. I'll share with you my meandering thoughts so far...which goes beyond this...

From the time I saw the articles focused on individuals and what they may or may not have done decades ago , and the pitchforks, the conversation became more about individuals rather than norms and values. It's also a whole load of hypocrisy: How many of us would still be standing if every single action we've ever done ( Stupid, unintended or otherwise) were subjected to scrutiny - where does it end? You now have this craziness of pedophilia equated with either consensual tawdry relationships or the accusations leveled against Franken.

Add I wish there was some more honesty about the ways we all are culpable in using power and authority to get what we want ( sex being one of the ways we do it) - and the ways we attach ourselves to authority. We should absolutely have zero tolerance for shameless extreme abusers a'la moore and Trump but Moore is not Franken and that's why this feels so rotten...

.. and why it feels like a witch hunt. Consent and respect are important but at the heart of this is sexual politics, and sexuality is about power and it's time we all claimed it - the ways we're culpable or the times "we" benefit from it. Fun to point fingers at politicians while thinking all the rest of us hold some moral high ground.

As a young woman I also feel there's a whole lot of infantilisation of women taking place, as if we never have agency in these situations. Like we're just waiting for a man to come along and inappropriately touch us and we can't say anything or do anything in the moment. Like WTF Is that? And what about women who do partake in power games - where's the discussion about that?

The women who support Roy Moore in Alabama are themselves, making a cynical move to attach themselves to power and playing that game because they support moore's values.

So I wish we talked more about power and how we cling to it or go after it or how we assert our own power in inappropriate situations or seek power through other means - and the conversation is no where near that so far. I'm hoping it finally reaches there.

I haven't succumbed to the hysteria or the hand wringing (as i said in my post) but Dems should note that while they're getting a good feeling from placing an accused Dem politician on the altar, the GOP don't give a fuck. Michelle's "When they go low, we go high" Persuaded 0.0000% of voters last year.

[Quayblue]

61. this. n/t

[NCTraveler]

49. No thanks.

Franken resigned and after next week his name will never pass your lips again. Some things are just transparent.

[JHan]

50. calm voice of reason :) ty NC :)

[democratisphere]

52. Purge of the current old and older Dem Leadership is a must.

Time has come to start over.

[Owl]

58. Agree. K&R

[redstateblues]

59. Leadership? There is none currently.