Smerconish (CNN) seriously thinks Franken didn't actually resign.

[BigmanPigman]

He says there is a "political calculation" going on. Why is he leaving in "a few weeks"? He didn't admit any wrong doing/guilt and so is he leaving the door open? He may be waiting to see if Moore wins and using that as a moral comparison to revisit his resignation.

I haven't heard that theory before however part of me had the same uneasy feeling about the "few weeks" time frame which seemed odd to me when I heard it too.

[hlthe2b]

1. "UNEASY"????

You are that anxious to see Franken go?

[BigmanPigman]

4. Maybe I used an incorrect word.

When I heard Franken say "a few weeks" I wondered, "Why is he saying that?". Is he buying time? Does he have a purpose behind this chosen time frame to leave? Of course I do not want him to leave and this could be wishful thinking on my part but when I heard someone else sharing the same reaction that I have had I was surprised.

[hlthe2b]

7. He said he was retiring at the end of the year, which is in a few weeks...

[angstlessk]

11. Back in the 'old days' they used to give you 2 weeks notice.

Takes time to reorganize one's life.

Now, on the day you are notified, they send up security to watch you pack your personal stuff and march you out the door!

[hedda_foil]

16. He's staying until they recess in order to vote on tax bill, funding the government etc.

Basically, so the Dems don't lose another vote.

[bluestarone]

18. this i like

IF TRUE this is GOOD THINKING of Al

[hedda_foil]

19. He probably worked it out with Schumer in advance.

[LisaL]

2. Maybe Franken should just resign the Democratic Party.

Then the party could still have their moral high ground.

[Egnever]

3. There is a tax bill to stand up against

Leaving immediately would rob a vote against.

[BigmanPigman]

6. They mentioned that and said that whoever the person is that the Minn. governor

will temporarily replace him with would be another Dem and wouldn't effect that vote.

[Egnever]

12. That takes time

the vote will come any day now.

[still_one]

13. Logistically that isnt practical and Franken is making sure it is covered through the end of the

year

The governor indicated he was appointing his Lt governor, and she needs time to finish up her current duties and relocate to Washington

Nothing unusual about this

Most people give at least 2 weeks notice before leaving

[Bettie]

15. It would certainly affect that vote

if McConnell decided not to seat that person until the 2018 midterms.

It is within his power to do so.

[cubbies01]

5. I think the same thing

What I saw was a man finally pushing back to the charges and stating he had done nothing that deserved him to resign but was at a point where he could not serve his role for his MN constituents. He is going to start punching back now.

I also hear the WP and CNN are both working on stories naming up to 40 congressmen involved in sexual misconduct. Could be a very bumpy ride given with what Franken was pushed out for.

[LisaL]

10. Based on a standard that Democrats now set, any accused congressman, if a Democrat, will have to

resign.
If Republican, then it's all good.

[still_one]

8. That is BS, because Franken knows there would be a gap when he left and his replacement

Fills the seat

In case no one realized it, most likely the Senate will get the tax bill back from the house, and the worst thing that could happen is if that seat was vacant when the vote came up

Franken is making sure all bases are covered

[Ohiya]

9. Here's my dream...

Two weeks from now...

"In light of recent events and upon further reflection, I have decided to not to resign after all."

- Al Franken

[left-of-center2012]

14. ...

[FarCenter]

20. I would think that it would depend on what he hears from Minnesota - national media be damned

[ecstatic]

17. The repub congressman isn't leaving until the end of January

Maybe he's just finishing out the year? Or maybe there's an important vote coming up to remove Trump. One can only hope.