Panel on MSNBC: He was railroaded.

[madaboutharry]

Tom Brokaw, Andrea Mitchell, Ruth Marcus: They are talking about how this looks like excess and an injustice to Sen. Franken.

Sen. Franken did not resign today. He said he would resign in the coming weeks. Say what you want, but the fact is that he can change his mind.

[ProfessorPlum]

1. let's fucking hope so

any journalists in the world who might want to, you know, investigate these claims?

[Perseus]

84. I was going to say Amen but

I think I agree with your sentiment better...Let us hope he has some plan and brings the accusers into the limelight.

[Mister Ed]

132. I have to beg you to consider rephrasing.

I understand your anger, and I share at least some of your suspicions. But, please...no.

[whathehell]

148. Thank you..Yes, please rephrase that

We criticize women on the basis of their actions -- We don't slur them for their gender.

[janterry]

2. This most certainly was excess

I stand with Al

[defacto7]

3. He knows he can still make a difference.

Railroaded is definitely the word for the day.

[bagelsforbreakfast]

4. Who was the engineer? Stone, Gillibrand or Harris? Nm

[FarCenter]

9. I'd bet Schumer & Feinstein - they got their junior partners from NY and CA to spearhead his ouster

[Alice11111]

30. Gillibrand finally made a BIG name for herself. I have raised

a lot of money for her. I hope she has a good opponent.

[Jane Austin]

76. Yes. She showed very bad judgement.

And lack of a fair temperament.

[Alice11111]

93. A friend sent me an email saying, she was always a

back biter, and she did this to Bill and Hillary too.
I'm not sure what he is referring to, anyone?

I know for sure what she did to Franken and possibly SCOTUS (at the least, she was reckless).

[drray23]

108. Recently Gillibrand said that Bill Clinton should have resigned as president

when the lewinsky affair came out.

[Alice11111]

113. Oh yeah. She needs to switch parties. She probably

thinks Linda Tripp was a good friend too.

[Alice11111]

114. Me thinks maybe she is a secret agent for the Repubs.

[spiderpig]

95. I didn't pay much attention to her before

But she sure strikes me now as an opportunist.

Do. Not. Like.

[Wwcd]

59. Sessions & someone above him

Swiftboating is part of the Republican bible & they perfected it years ago.
i.e. KKKarl Rove.

[Butterflylady]

67. Go further to 1988, HW Bush ran

against Dukakis and Lee Atwater ran his campaign manager. Atwater was Karl Roves teacher and Stones partner. King of dirty tricks.

[calimary]

86. And they're such filthy dirty tricks that even Roger Stone himself calls it "rat-fucking."

And the real filth about this is how often it's effective in strategy and tactics. And to every last soul who confronts him on it, I would bet that his response is a very pleasant smile and the quip "yeah, but it worked" or "yeah, but we won." Not just immoral, but amoral. Without morals. Uncaring, unfeeling, and undaunted. If you win, then it's good. Because winning is good. Winning is right (and confers rightness upon those who win). Winning is truth and validation and power. And winning is all there is.

[Alice11111]

96. ...& the Dems fell for it w Gillibrand leading the charge!

It's party time tonight for Sessions.
Merry Christmas

Sen Franken

[Renew Deal]

90. Bernie Sanders

http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/story/news/2017/12/06/vermont-senators-join-calls-frankens-resignation/928469001/

[Wwcd]

99. Aaaagh! The voice of how women are treated! His is a damned hypocracy

Excuse me but I cannot look at nor listen to him without seeing "Rape Fantasy."

Step the fuk down, yourself.
That book was a disgrace to women & girls & it was his words, his thoughts at age 30.

Why is this silenced?
You cannot un-read nor un-write those words.
This is why so many women have issues with him.
It's treated as though it never happened.
Stop the stump speech crap. We are sick of it.

Judging by the backlash at the women's convention, I am not alone.

[questionseverything]

139. i am very disappointed bernie fell for the rights bs but

that was fiction

[Wwcd]

149. His words, His thoughts. "Fiction" doesn't diminish its trigger-warning

He owns that .
Those thoughts are disgusting.
Truth is, his lack of respect for women reflects a repulsive mindset. We've seen him wave a woman off when he needs to be heard first.
That is why the blowback from millions across the country was swift & serious, as Our Revolution attempted to make a campaign speech out of their womens convention.

Someone on DU has a thread about Politicians not being Gods.
I agree.
Political gods:
"A sudden rise to prominence and fame, with a large following who are blinded to the faults or warning signs hiding beneath."

[questionseverything]

162. lawd now we gotta lock up the authors that don't write pollyanna crap!!!

[Wwcd]

163. Rape ?

[questionseverything]

164. fiction?

[tazkcmo]

152. The Democratic Party.

What a group of cannibals.

[octoberlib]

5. Brokaw pointed out that Als constituents

didn’t get to decide.

[Alice11111]

31. Yeah, now we may get a Repub. Great for women with more

SCOTUS appts up. They could easily overturn Roe v Wade.

[maryellen99]

40. And I bet it will be Michele Bachmann

[Thor_MN]

45. At least we can say that is never going to happen.

The only way that batshit moron gets another office is as dogcatcher in a red town in rural MN.

That or the GOP taking over the Governorship and another railroad job.

[Alice11111]

46. I would not have believed it possible a year ago, but

Bannon and forces could go in and stir up the Roy Moore mentality.

This was a big mistake. It's on the Dems too, Gillibrand. Let's go over her life with a fine tooth comb.

[Alice11111]

97. Nope.Gillibrand burned him at the stake w/o due process

What an irony???

...and under the guise of enhancing the credibility of women.

[Wwcd]

100. She will never get past the Primary.

[Alice11111]

103. Instead of raising $$ for her, it will be for her opponent,

next time around.

[Alice11111]

105. Dem opponent, that is.

[Kittycow]

127. Me too, from Oregon!

This cut me to the core.

[Alice11111]

133. I know. My heart is breaking, for Franken&, even more, the USA

[itsrobert]

128. Hope it is Al Franken

nt.

[Alice11111]

134. Yes! Also, since the Gov of MN is appointing someone to

only fill Franken's position temporarily, who will not run for that position, I'm wondering if they are thinking that Franken might run again himself.
Maybe, I just can't handle losing our best voice to take the Repubs on.

[mchill]

109. I suggest Franken move to NY

and run against Gillibrand.

[Alice11111]

115. Great idea! NY invited Hillary. NY could invite him.

Love the idea.

[BlueIdaho]

125. I want him to stay in his home state

And for his constituents to write him in... let the people decide!

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

6. This could backfire badly on the senate Dems.

And that wouldn't be good either, though they deserve it, karmically speaking if not politically.

[xxqqqzme]

50. I think this will severely damage

the Democrats in 2018.

[WyLoochka]

92. I do too

It was such a disgusting, destruction by an hysterical mob, that it will depress turn out.

[Alice11111]

94. I hope Gillibrand goes down hard.

[BlueIdaho]

126. Im having trouble

Whipping up my now dampened enthusiasm to send the DSCC any money. If I do, I doubt I will give the amount I had in mind prior to this witch hunt.

[earthside]

60. The 'Franken standard'

If accused, you must be removed.

Yesterday looked like mob rule amongst Senate Democrats, not a reassuring scene.

You know, Trumpian Republicans have 'god' to give them their "get out of jail free" card -- Democrats have reason, civility, the rule of law, fairness, equality, due process to protect them from the rough-and-tumble of political tumult and to guide them to do the right thing. They have given a lot of that up over this Franken scandal.

Senate Democrats do not look morally courageous -- they look like politicians afraid of their own shadow.
Oh, yes ... this will backfire on the Democratic establishment.

[dflprincess]

72. The problem is we're the ones who will pay for it.

Appears the spirits of Salem and Joe McCarthy are still alive and well in the U.S.

[misanthrope]

85. If what I've seen the last 40 years holds true, it will

You can rest assured of that. I fear for the fate of this nation. Every month brings us a step closer to one-party rule and autocracy.

[Freethinker65]

7. Yes he was...and the media ran with it

[FarCenter]

8. The Democratic Senators must have some other reason to railroad him.

Otherwise, it is completely irrational.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

10. It is completely irrational. They got caught up in a mob mentality

because nobody wanted to be the last person to hop on the Bandwagon of Liberal Virtue.

[DaDeacon]

22. THIS

SO much This !!!! "the Bandwagon of Liberal Virtue"

[Alice11111]

49. Spot on, and the Repubs will contort it to define us, as

the party whose leaders had to resign. Yield to our virtue? Yeah, by getting SCOTUS to reverse Roe v Wade.

[renate]

53. perfect clip

That seems absolutely accurate right now.

[NurseJackie]

24. Mom mentality. Yes. That's it exactly.

[Alice11111]

33. I'm sure the respectful Repub voters will yield to that.

"Jews will not replace us."

[regnaD kciN]

116. They got hoist by their own petard...

During the #MeToo surge, those on the left got caught up in the mindset that even questioning any allegations of sexual harassment or assault made by a woman against a man was tantamount to "blaming the victim," since, allegedly, no woman would ever lie about such a thing, and even suggesting the possibility of that was deeply sexist and misogynist. There was even a second hashtag for that: #BelieveAllWomen. The Democrats totally bought into that movement, little realizing how easily they could get played. Now, all it took was an allegation against a Democrat, and Party leaders were caught: they could either thrown one of their own under the bus, or, if they hesitated, they could be painted as hypocrites and, to the feminist faction of the left, enablers of "rape culture." Damned if you do, really damned if you don't. And it's going to be the gift that keeps on giving for Republicans -- because all they have to do is find someone willing to come forward with the slightest bit of boorishness in a Democrat's past, and we're right back on the carousel again.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

157. Yep. Liberal purity tests....so sick of that mindset.

I am so disappointed—-eh, that word’s too mild— in Gillibrand for starting the avalanche. I was such a supporter. Now? Oh no.

[trueblue2007]

17. the panel said the Dems "just want to clear the mud"

so in 2017 and 2020 they can bring up the sex crimes of trump and moore.

mean while that pig in the house gets off scot free

Congressman Says He Will Pay Back $84,000 Sexual Harassment Settlement

http://time.com/5048265/blake-farenthold-sexual-harassment-settlement/

A Texas Congressman said Monday he would pay back the $84,000 in taxpayer money that was used to settle a sexual harassment lawsuit that was filed by a former employee.


In 2014, Rep. Blake Farenthold’s former communications director Lauren Greene sued alleging she’d been sexually harassed by the Congressman while working in his office. On Friday, Politico reported that Farenthold’s office used taxpayer money to pay off an $84,000 settlement that was reached in that case.

[Blaukraut]

44. Bringing up Trump's sex crimes didn't work in '16

Why on earth would it work in '18 and '20?

[Dark n Stormy Knight]

68. Especially now that they can and will use this to say, "See, even the Dems admit

their people are not fit to serve."

I just do not see any way in which this works out well for Dems and therefore for women. Rs will take more power and will use it to oppress women with all their might.

[wisteria]

79. Exactly, as long as you deny them, they didnt happen.

Lesson here, don’t be a grownup and accept some accountability, it will get you stabbed in the back and railroaded.

[dflprincess]

73. Besides his being too liberal for establishment Democrats? nt

[YOHABLO]

135. And I think you're exactly right. Schumer,Feinstein

and Gillibrand didn't like him. He upstaged them too much.

[joshcryer]

153. Power. Mechanisation.

They think they can control this beast that is social media. They can't. It takes an entire state apparatus like the Russians used to do it. A few months from now we'll learn that the Russians were also shilling for taking Franken down.

[Fresh_Start]

11. I wish Democrats would be specific about sexual assault

Franken, I am guilty of being too enthusiastic and sloppy in my hugs and kisses.
Our President is guilty of grabbing of grabbing women by their pussies.
The Candidate from Alabama is guilty of undressing in front of girls and putting their hands on my cock.

These are not equivalent events....

[mythology]

36. You left out that Franken has grabbed breasts and asses

One doesn't sloppily grope an ass or a breast.

[question everything]

48. He denied it. So we are into the "he said/she said" (nt)

[avebury]

52. We really don't know that.

The first woman to cry assault is a right wing birther who is on video during the USO Tour sexually harrassing a guitar player on stage. Two women have made anonymous claims. Given the trumped up charges of the first woman I don't assume the anonymous claims are valid.

Short of confirmation of proof of the allegations the whole thing comes across as a hit job with the Democrats finishing the job for the Rethugs. As anyone else come forward to confirm any of the women's stories? Not that I have heard.

[True Blue American]

146. I hope Al holds out

Until the Ethics Committee puts Teedon under oath.

Just found this on McCaskill. She has a Dem challenger. I knew she was in trouble in her state.

https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/aug/13/claire-mccaskill-faces-18-challenge-from-within-de/

[Egnever]

54. Really?

I've done it several times while taking pictures.

A handful of ass meant for a back or a cup of a breast when putting an arm over a shoulder

Guess I have been a sexual predator all my life.

[TiberiusB]

69. Has been accused of grabbing breasts and asses

Last edited Thu Dec 7, 2017, 08:33 PM - Edit history (2)

Again, as is often the case, allegations become established facts and people are judged on the thinnest of evidence.

He didn't grope Tweeden. This has been said over and over. He mimed it, but didn't grab her breasts.
The other woman, one of the five anonymous accusers, said he pawed the side of her breast, as I recall. Hmmm, could it be that he wrapped his arm around her back and his hand touched the side of her breast? That's not exactly groping.

The ass grabbing seems hard to believe, given the circumstances (in public with people all around), and the "it's my right as an entertainer" line reeks of bs.

I'm not even going to discuss the stupidity of claiming a firm grab around the waist counts as sexual assault in any way.

So, to review, one dubious claim from a hard right radio personality about an unproven kiss and a grope that may have never been more than a gesture or mime with no contact.

One ass grab in full view of a husband while in public surrounded by throngs of people.

5 anonymous claims of attempted kisses, ass or "almost ass" touches, a side breast touch, and a ludicrous quote.

Think about that. Five anonymous women, all in a row (no one standing up to attack the senator using their real name). Why the sudden string of women afraid to step into the light? They don't work for Senator Franken, and there's no evidence that they were at risk of a liberal attack online, unlike what happened with Sam Seder. One or two anonymous women might seem less suspicious, but the rapid appearance of five women unwilling to lend their name to their story? Come on. Are they legitimate? Could be, but not based on what I've seen so far. This is what investigations are for.

Regardless of the merits, it is virtually guaranteed that the Right now sees sexual harassment claims as a potent weapon to silence the Left. Conyers and Franken won't be the last. This will be an on going tactic now that it is understood that circumstantial evidence is more than enough to end a career (though in Conyers' case there was a settlement and the claims were more serious and at least sound more credible).

Nicely done Democrats.

[tomp]

129. "Me too" doesn't count if you're anonymous.

The whole idea of me too is that brave women are exposing harrassment and assault and each one builds a movement on the shoulders of those who have openly identified themselves. If you want to level charges against someone you must identify yourself.

[wisteria]

80. I dont believe the women.

I think they either lied flat out, don’t remember exactly what transpired, or were paid to lie.

[Alice11111]

98. Get your facts right.

[questionseverything]

140. alledgedly ..you kind of forgot that part huh?

[Kimchijeon]

55. Exactly!!! One of these things is not like the other

As far as enthusiastic or sloppy hugs and kisses, that is not even something worth admonishing.

More like "how can we blow this out of proportion to serve our purposes"

...and it worked, that's the shameful thing.

[SummerSnow]

12. Franken is a very smart guy..

There is much more to come. Do they think Franken will go away quietly?

[Mr.Bill]

21. I agree. There's something going on here we don't know about.

And he has not resigned yet.

[mchill]

110. From my observations, "they" act like there is more to come

Just an observation of someone's posts that might know.

[RandomAccess]

13. NOW they speak up about it --

up until yesterday (and maybe today too -- didn't tune in until just before Franken spoke) -- they were positively GIDDY about all the damn Senators calling for Franken to resign.

[eleny]

14. Right! Now they turn on a dime

[deurbano]

62. Exactly.

[saidsimplesimon]

15. He was railroaded.

The rules say I can not point any fingers back at my fellow Dems. Enough said, Do Not resign Senator Franken unless there is more dirt or the voters of MN send you the request.

[bagelsforbreakfast]

32. Hope all gets some good payback. Nm

[Alice11111]

35. !!!!!!

[kcr]

16. Ha! I bet they didn't count on this.

The media will never be on their side. But I can't help enjoying this.

[quickesst]

18. Where were these voices...

.... before he announced his resignation? Also, still not a word about the trumpian backgrounds of his known accusers. And one more thing. "It is my right as an entertainer." If anyone believes these words came out of Al Franken's mouth, then I've got a wonderful deal on a bridge in the middle of the desert for you. Contrarily, if you believe this is the type of statement trump would make, then I know you're smart enough not to fall for it. I am ashamed to be connected in any way with the cowards who worked to obtain Senator Franken's resignation.

[Honeycombe8]

19. No. That's a wish and a dream. He's been ousted. He can't function in the senate...

He can't function in the senate without the support of his fellow senators, and esp. the Democratic senate leadership. He's toast.



One of the main reasons I was proud of how the Senate was handling the Trump investigation. Gone.

[Alice11111]

38. They had the votes to expel him, and were going to do

So without a hearing. Great example of DUE PROCESS!

[Mr.Bill]

111. Bullshit, he can still vote. n/t

[Honeycombe8]

117. He'll probably cont. to vote until he leaves, yes. But it won't change his resignation. nt

[Heartstrings]

20. I stand with Al.....

[LakeArenal]

136. Me, too.

[NurseJackie]

23. Railroaded indeed. That's a FACT! And it's not just the fault of the GOP...

... and I'll just leave it at that until I gather and arrange the rest of my thoughts.

[jalan48]

25. Thanks talking heads but it's just a little fucking late for that analysis.

[octoberlib]

26. And all the people who railroaded him

had tears in their eyes after his speech. It makes me sick

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

37. I hope they feel very, very guilty about what they did.

[Alice11111]

41. Well, they don't or they wouldnt have been still pushing it.

They should feel very stupid!!!

Be careful if you put your hand around a woman's waist while her husband takes a photo. 2 of the women.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

43. I'm afraid you might be right.

But sometimes people do feel guilty after the fact. Not that it would help in this case anyhow.

[leftynyc]

27. So instead of

getting kudos for doing the right thing, who could have imagined the press STILL trashing the Democrats. Other than everyone with a fucking brain?

[still_one]

28. Yes he was railroaded. Unfortunately, I do not think he will change his mind

[Cattledog]

29. He denied the charges on the Senate floor, and said he remembers others differently.

[elmac]

34. Tom Brokaw, Andrea Mitchell mean nothing to me

in the long run they helped the fascists get elected. They are playing sides to make money, its a business, there are no progressive networks on cable. Don't know Ruth Marcus so didn't include her.

[Iliyah]

39. I'm not listening to Andrea Mitchell,

nor Tom Brokaw and who ever Ruth Marcus is. These are the same people who say Dems and GOPers are the same. I see the media through their corporate masters is trying to further divide us. It ain't gonna work. Inasmuch as I dislike what was done to Franken, it still won't stop me from getting the GOPs out, and I believe he will agree.

Damn if you do, damn if you don't. Corporate media will do everything possible to keep Dems divided so GOPers can steal, cheat and rig, and suppress votes.

[OnDoutside]

42. I think he has to resign now, BUT if there was a movement put together to try and encourage him to

stand in the Special Election Democratic Primary, then it comes down to the will of the people. What happened over the last 24 hours is a travesty and needs to be rectified.

[Bengus81]

47. Nah...he'll resign. He doesn't need this WHACK JOB treatment from Dems....

Let's see how long it takes for DIRT to surface on any of these Dems:

[FarCenter]

58. ...

[regnaD kciN]

118. Only against any of 18 of them (i.e. the male ones)...

Personally, I'm betting on something "unexpected" surfacing against Sherrod Brown. He's an effective and outspoken leader against the Trump administration, he's being touted as a potential 2020 nominee -- and he represents a state with a Republican governor who surely would appoint a Republican to succeed him.

[LisaM]

51. Where was this panel the last few weeks?

It might have been helpful to Al Franken if they'd showed up then.

[deurbano]

64. So insightful when it's too late... just like with Clinton.

[ollie10]

56. The Democratic High Ground....

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTKXAvL4yKliTLvQ1VVZai8dVyNny7B8MkAOXSZPKv3s391ESJEXQ

[Alice11111]

101. Yep, stuck and broken, but Repubs will like us more.

Like Comey really wanted to be liked by his troops and the Repubs when he reopened his investigation right before the election.
How did that work out??

They, Repubs, think we are stupid shits. They were laughing and making fun on Twitter before Al had even finished speaking. Suicidal.

I do not care what they think, but this bit of taking the high road, and the Repubs will fall in line...how many times...

Plus, it was not the high road to make an example of Franken for piss ant shit, and for the Dems to hang him, for what other people did, without a trial.

[ollie10]

102. Sad to say that none of Franken's lynch mob were Republicans.....

[Alice11111]

104. I know. Unbelievable.

[ollie10]

107. Of course, some would say none of the lynch mob were really Democrats....

[Alice11111]

112. Repubs were screaming the usual false equivalencies,

and the Dems grabbed Franken and threw him overboard.
Patted themselves on the back for a job done fast.


Frankly, I think even the Repubs were stunned.

[spanone]

57. I saw that! 👍🏼

then they had fucking hugh hewitt on saying Franken never said he was sorry....

[Alice11111]

106. Yep. They should be apologizing to him for the lynch

Mob that hanged him without an investigation.

[DarthDem]

61. Tom Brokaw and Andrea Mitchell

. . . have no interest in Franken or any Democrats. They only want to stoke divisions.

[rockfordfile]

88. But it's true Franken was railroaded.

[Lifelong Protester]

63. I hope none of the 'accuser' Dems want any money from me

I know my donations are paltry, but not giving the money to them.

[Jarqui]

65. This is the kind of thing that used to happen with lynch mobs

There has been a rush to judgement here. And it is wrong to do so.

People are supposed to be innocent until proven guilty. They're supposed to get their day in court. Franken welcomed an investigation and the chance to clear his name. But we couldn't wait for due process. We had to cut his political throat now and toss his carcass to the media wolves.

When does this stop? Where does it end? Is every little bit of mud thrown at a sitting Democratic US senator going to get them tossed without due process?

I think a bunch of Democrats got suckered today and a number of senators showed me why they're not fit to serve in the oval office - because under the media heat, they lost their cool and their judgement, appeasing to the maddening crowd, rather than standing up for the processes we have in place to address this thoroughly, fairly and properly.

[madaboutharry]

66. You should repost this as an OP.

[regnaD kciN]

119. "People are supposed to be innocent until proven guilty."

In case you haven't noticed, this doesn't apply to cases of men accused of sexual improprieties by women, or at least it doesn't according to the current leftist mindset. Any requirement that such a case be proved, not just taken on faith, constitutes "blaming the victim."

[Jarqui]

124. I told this story previously on here :

While going to school, my father lived with the warden of a penal institution that incarcerated men convicted of rape. The warden maintained 30% of those convicted of rape in his prison were innocent - wrongly convicted ... in court no less.

With Bill Cosby, I have to confess that having followed all those 60 or so women's allegations, etc, I think he's guilty. And I really liked what I knew of the man before then. I think he belongs in p rison. But I also think he should be convicted in a court of law before he spends time in jail.

With Franken, we have some grounds for suspicion that warrant a review. But until the facts are collected and scrutinized, I do not think he should have to resign - particularly when most if not all of these allegations are suspect to some extent - none are beyond reasonable doubt.

[negoldie]

155. Remember

They did Acorn the same way. The democrats should have stood up and fought, but as usual they folded. Only to find out a few weeks later it was all a scam, a ridiculous, scheming, so outlandish, scam that brought down an agency that helped poor folks like you (and millions others) and me. God damn greedy fucking shame.

[Jarqui]

156. This is the party that brought us

Watergate
Iran Contra
etc (many more on the list)
and now Russia intereference

and swiftboated John Kerry, Willie Horton and basically swiftboated Acorn
etc (many more on the list)

And now it looks like Franken is the next victim

And you're right: Dems just seem to turn the other cheek.

[jeaps]

70. Can someone explain to me

Why Blake Farenthold gets to keep his seat in the House?

[loyalsister]

71. That's what Trump and Moore supporters said

Democrats are in no position to criticize when a what-about is in our senate caucus. An ethics investigation would have limited his ability to do his job and for our '18 candidates to make their arguments. Especially one about Dems support for gender equality.
It sucks, but consistency is tied to credibility when we want Trump's and Moore's accusors to be taken seriously.

[questionseverything]

141. ridiculous

franken is ACCUSED of a kiss and a couple of squeezes

nothing criminal...just because repubs don't understand the difference doesn't mean our freaking senators shouldn't be smarter

we need people who can fight for us and the group that railroaded franken ain't it

[loyalsister]

144. Supporters came out to support their guy

Supporters went after the accusers. That's simply how it works. There is no high road when it comes to maintaining the system with one simple rule; protect powerful men at all costs. I have mixed feelings about Franken's decision and really don't feel like I have enough information to make a firm judgement on his decision from the outside. I do know the whole thing sucks.

[questionseverything]

145. there is more than enough known to make a judgement

the first one was hired to play the "pretty chic" role, she wasn't offended by humping a soldier on stage so I don't believe her about the pic

the stories about franken groping them with their husbands taking pictures is far fetched to say the least

the story about asking for a kiss? is he said,she said and guess what...that isn't a crime anyways

I also believe franken because the woman he has worked with respect him and have spoken for him

hillebrand or whatever her name is acting like any of that compares to the rape of a child sickens me

easy to believe the Alabama women since moore was banned from the mall

[loyalsister]

147. My post was about the way supporters use the same formula

I know that I may have been less bothered by the smear tactics if MN didn't have a Democratic governor. That is driven by partisanship. It's not ridiculous for either party to want to ensure they have a majority. But, it's silly to pretend that the strategy is different or superior based on who is being defended. No matter who supporters are trying to protect from fallout from sexual harassment scandals, supporters have consistently appealed to the same power structure and strategies that protect powerful men of all stripes.

There should be no shame in acknowledging that apeals to a system and strategies in place that protect a patriarchal political system have been employed universally. There certainly wouldn't be if one were to acknowledge that it has put all women at a disadvantage. Pretending to be different from others who take advantage of it prevents one from credibly talking about the legitimacy and superiority of partisan differences. Those are the arguments that need to be made as elections are approaching.

[questionseverything]

161. actually to be accurate your first line should read SOME supporters

anytime you assign the same motives,action, whatever to an entire group, you are incorrect and stereotyping that group

[yurbud]

74. Wow. when even the MSM says that...it tells you something is up.

[SunSeeker]

75. K & R

[MrModerate]

77. Dems haven't looked this gullible and hysterical for quite awhile. It's not a good look. n/t

[Ztolkins]

78. Other than him being a well-liked liberal

senator, I don't get the consternation on this site about this.

Suddenly we don't believe these women because we like Al? People like Moore and he says the women are lying, why do we believe them, just because he's a nut job?

Some accusers of Al are anonymous, but some aren't. It's pretty clear he likes playing bad touch, it's also clear he didn't even know it.

[questionseverything]

142. i don't believe the woman because their stories make no sense

the first one was hired to play the "pretty chic" role, she wasn't offended by humping a soldier on stage so I don't believe her about the pic

the stories about franken groping them with their husbands taking pictures is far fetched to say the least

the story about asking for a kiss? is he said,she said and guess what...that isn't a crime anyways

I also believe franken because the woman he has worked with respect him and have spoken for him

hillebrand or whatever her name is acting like any of that compares to the rape of a child sickens me

[bucolic_frolic]

81. My take

is that the consensus among Democrats who said he should resign is there is no upside to Senator Franken right now. The party is focusing on women, on 2018, on Alabama's Senate race, on Trump and his legal, moral, ethical predicaments, and getting him out of office. They are setting precedent where scandals mean one should resign. OK, it's a reversal of the Clinton impeachment, but it is 20 years later. This may well be the event that decides Alabama's race.

Sadly, in some sense, in my mind anyway, we as a party are trading Al Franken for the upper hand in all of that.

[tapermaker]

83. There is no upper hand

They go this route and loose again because not enough people are offended by sex. They vote out of spite for the other ,you know , black brown , yellow poor ,homosexual, disshoveled ignorant .sex just doesn't really register.except with Dems. Women and liberal men that love them.

[misanthrope]

89. Alabama's senate race is a foregone conclusion and always has been

The national party needs to stop pouring money into that bottomless pit. The only way the allegations from these women could have stopped Moore's plans would have been for them to surface prior to his runoff with Luther Strange.

Alabama has barely changed over the centuries and resents a good deal of the change that has been forced upon it. I know because I live in Alabama, in one of the supposedly "more enlightened" areas which is rife with Old South imagery, mores and patterns, where they humbly genuflect to the Lost Cause and don't cotton to outsiders meddling in their business.

It might be a decade old but "The Order of Myths" is as pertinent now as ever.

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

82. How nice of them to wait til now to speak out

Up to this point, the media has been trying lump Al in with Weinstein and Cosby.

This is Dan Rather all over again. A disproportionate response to a minor infraction, and one that most will regret shortly.

[Puzzledtraveller]

87. They don't want the Resistance

It seems obvious to me.

[sweetroxie]

91. I'm so f'ing mad that Al has to resign

and tRump gets to carry on and destroy our country. So horribly unjust.

[Mr. Ected]

120. So were these the marching orders of the DNC?

Is this what Perez wanted?

[stuffmatters]

121. Franken "said he would resign in the coming weeks" Yes, that's the sliver of hope I interpreted too

Let some time elapse, let the anger of the public against these Democratic Politicians manifest, let their hysterical, self serving "purity" that denied Franken due process die down, just generally let more be revealed...I heard Franken's message the same way today, that he'd left himself a small space to change his mind.

[zentrum]

122. Hope what you say is right.

Hope we can help him decide to stay.

Meantime here are the Dems who railroaded him. Call them.

http://www.cnn.com/2017/12/06/politics/al-franken-democratic-senators-resign/index.html

[madaboutharry]

123. At least 2 dozen of them have Presidential ambitions.

Gillibrand
Warren
Harris
Duckworth
Widen
Merkley
Udall
Murphy
Booker
Sanders
McCaskell
Casey


Not that I'm cynical.

[questionseverything]

143. they have shown they have no judgement ,no fight in them

Bernie & warren are the biggest disappointments, I expected better from them

at first I was so pissed I was never gone vote dem again,i am still struggling with that but when my senators come up for re election, I am writing in franken til they are gone

[certainot]

131. franken is another trophy on limbaugh's wall, maybe next to anita hill

fucking idiot democrats continue to ignore talk radio

[LakeArenal]

137. Where are all our 'Franken should resign" people today...

Why is no one here, today, saying what a great thing for the Party, women and America if he resigns.

Shot that bullet yesterday? Hit your mark and now you are on to the next.

The only Democrat I will be donating to for a long time is Randy Bryce.


Your post to Al's ear and he won't resign.

[Heartstrings]

138. Randy Bryce, Randy Bryce, Randy Bryce!

Say that name 3 times a day

AND

Donate!

[secondwind]

150. This is what I've been saying ... he has NOT resigned.. he simply said he WILL resign

"in the next few weeks".......

I have not lost hope.

[tazkcmo]

151. They can rot.

They played the false equivalentcy card plenty and NOW say this. Our news media sucks.

[PatrickforO]

154. These accusations sure seem spurious. I mean, the more we're hearing, the less

they seem real.

Railroading Franken was a really shitty thing to do. You know what our 'leadership' should have done? Remained silent about it until the investigation was done, THEN made up their minds to either support Franken (if the allegations proved false, which they are looking to do) or ask him to resign, supported by facts instead of spurious and anonymous allegations.

Seriously, Franken's getting a really raw deal here and he's one of our strongest voices.

What the hell is the party thinking?

[DownriverDem]

158. No matter it's

politics plain and simple. Politics are low down mean and rotten.

[workinclasszero]

159. Kangaroo court lynch mob

Started by a republican of course.

I'm sure they will target pussy grabber 45 and Pedo Moore next.

[Gothmog]

160. Yes Franken was railroaded