Is Our Revolution going to be happy with Kirsten Gillibrand as our standard bearer?

[dansolo]

Make no mistake, this Al Franken situation, along with jumping on Bernie's Medicare-for-all stunt, is all about jockying for the 2020 Presidential nomination. But I don't think progressives will be very happy once they start looking at her record.

[democratisphere]

1. Gillibrand is no longer a consideration IMO.

The quest for Democratic Leaders continues on.

[Renew Deal]

28. Thank you for your brave stance comrade

[bagelsforbreakfast]

53. And you for your witty retort ,comrade!😰

[Jarqui]

31. +1

I said when I heard her position and still feel that her judgement is more than questionable - as is the other 30+ that threw Franken under the political bus.

If anything, after seeing more evidence that the accusers are suspect, I'm more entrenched in feeling something very wrong happened with Franken.

Leadership is needed that can see beyond that. These 30+ senators don't have that ability or vision.

[Renew Deal]

27. I cannot support Bernie either after this.

[democratisphere]

34. We need new Dem Leadership with a spine and guts.

[workinclasszero]

93. I totally agree with that!

Keep lookin dems!

[greeny2323]

2. Hell no n/t

[jrthin]

3. No!!! nt

[TheCowsCameHome]

4. She's done, if she ever had a chance anyway.

The bridges she burned will still be smouldering in 2020.

[dembotoz]

5. Dead to me

[chimpymustgo]

8. .

[bagelsforbreakfast]

56. +1

[Chasstev365]

6. She rushed to judgement without knowing that facts!

FUBAR!

[monmouth4]

7. I never even considered her..n/t

[Old Vet]

73. Me neither, I hadnt seriously considered her for anything. What she did to Al was just wrong........

[NBachers]

10. She has extinguished her political career, as far as I'm concerned. I have a long memory.

[dewsgirl]

11. Absolutely not!

[Vinca]

12. My opinion of her has totally reversed.

She didn't condemn anyone when she was relying on them for her political future.

[brooklynite]

13. So, Kamala Harris, Sherrod Brown, Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren are out as well?

[Drahthaardogs]

17. Yes.

Don't you get it? We are tired of Dems who roll over. Its obvious where you stand, but most DON'T see things like you do. I can tell you from work yesterday, a lot of people were pretty disgusted or amused at the irony perpetuated yesterday.

We are perceived as weak and as losers. No one wants to vote for a loser who won't stand up for themselves.

[Wwcd]

22. Who stood up for Franken?

Just asking who is not now eliminated.
I'm just asking since I heard no one.

[Drahthaardogs]

23. No on stood up, but at least half of our Senators didn't

Stab him personally

[Wwcd]

25. Their silence doesn't mean squat. Half spoke up & half sat on their hands.

Pathetic.

[sarge43]

35. That's right; they did nothing.

We know what evil does when good does nothing.

In the name of sweet Mary on a rocket sled, when are the Democrats going to learn that any chance the Repugs have to rat fuck them, they will. Make no mistake this was a rodent coitus.

I hope none of those Democrats that either joined the lynch mob or kept silent have done nothing questionable at any time. Guaranteed the Repugs are doing their home work and when they find something, they'll have a bunch of anonymous sources tell tales that would make Caliguia cringe.

I doubt they will behave with the same dignity and forbearance with which Senator Franken did.

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

62. Bizarrely enough, Joe Manchin

http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/joe-manchin-al-franken-shouldnt-have-resigned/article/2642902

[Wwcd]

65. Who would have thought, Joe Manchin.

Word is that WaPo & CNN are about to dump the list Sen Tim Kaine requested.

Sen. Tim Kaine demands transparency about sexual harassment claims in the Senate

"Virginia Democrat Tim Kaine wants the Senate Office of Compliance to release its records. That’s the office that handles claims, and settlements, of sexual harassment against senators and staff. And since this office is funded by the taxpayers, it seems only right that the taxpayers should have that information.
Kaine sent a letter to the office detailing the information he wants and why."


Michael Trujillo
Michael Trujillo
@mikehtrujillo
SOURCES: @CNN and @washingtonpost working on exposing 20-30 congressional members 4 sexual harassment. #DC
https://mobile.twitter.com/mikehtrujillo/status/938815136571129856

This is all that's being said about the matter fo npw other than those wanting to guess who's on the naughty list.
Kudos to Sen Kaine for demanding transparancy in light of Sen Franken's railroaded smear campaign beginning with Stone, Tweedon & FOX.

[Egnever]

66. a whole bunch of women who worked for him over the years.

“Equity in our office was just a constant,” she said. “I started with him as a press assistant and left as communications director on the campaign side and at every step of the way, he listened to my guidance and asked for my opinions. So much of what we did as an office focused on trying to create workplaces for other women that reflected our own — and that all came from Al.”

“I worked for him for 7 years, several of which were focused on women’s outreach and related policy work,” she said. “He is a staunch supporter of women’s rights, and I am proud to have worked for him on his campaign, in his Senate office, and on his leadership PAC. He has continued to demonstrate his commitment to empowering women through both his policy work and placement of women in leadership positions in all of his organizations.”

“Many of us spent years working for Senator Franken in Minnesota and Washington,” eight woman said in a statement released Friday. “In our time working for the Senator, he treated us with the utmost respect. He valued our work and our opinions and was a champion for women both in the legislation he supported and in promoting women to leadership roles in our offices.”

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/female-franken-staffers_us_5a0f060ae4b045cf4371109c

Not exactly the profile of an abuser. I don't think a single senator heard them though.

[Renew Deal]

30. This is where Gillibrand stands

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/sexual-assault-pervasive-military-gillibrand-article-1.3477383

Where do you stand?

[Drahthaardogs]

38. I was with the Army for fifteen years

Last I checked, before they destroy your career you get an INVESTIGATION to make sure you are guilty.

That's where I stand. Hai capito?

[mountain grammy]

69. Yes shes been a champion on this and won my respect

But what she did to Franken was wrong. They’re all wrong.

[questionseverything]

79. yes they are, congrats

as far as president material unless they come up with a hell of a story to defend themselves from being blindly lead

we need fighters not folders

[Wwcd]

14. She sure loved big corporate & wall street, Big Tobacco.

Hmmm..

[oasis]

16. Kirsten's not quite my "brand" of Democrat.

[Wwcd]

20. Not mine either.

[avebury]

15. None of the women Democratic Senators

have any chance of moving up to a VP or P nomination. They all shot themselves in their collective feet.

I had started to develop a really huge appreciation for Kamala Harris after watching her in the hearings. No more. She has now lost me. As a former Prosecutor she denied Al Franken the benefit of an Ethics Hearing and chance to defend himself. Same for all the other women.

[MoonRiver]

18. She's not my standard bearer.

[Cicada]

19. Klobuchar was and is better. She is real likable. She should get more consideration.

My instincts may suck, I am no expert. But my instincts say Klobuchar has an extremely high chance of beating Trump. She is smart. She is really likable. She is a winner.

[octoberlib]

46. This! I love Amy Klobuchar.

[MineralMan]

47. I like Amy Klobuchar very much. However, I believe she has reached

the highest office to which she can be elected. She sells well in Minnesota. She's a good fit, statewide. I don't think she would appeal well enough in a national electorate, though.

I know her. I've talked to her. I don't think it's something she will go for, frankly.

[Cicada]

48. Maybe. I admit my last name ends in son. But remember Casablanca

On whether she will go for it. It’s easy to see that what one little person wants doesn’t amount to a hill of beans in this crazy world. Ilsa wanted to stay with Rick but she did what was best for the world, she flew away with Victor Lazlo. I don’t care what Amy wants. She has to think about what’s best for the rest of us. But I have to concede that maybe my Swedish genes are screaming out to me from the hall of the Gods to make me biased.

[rufus dog]

21. Nope

Six months ago I would have been fine with her.

Since she has shown she will go to some extremes to increase her brand.

I will be changing my registration to Independent. Although I will never vote for a Republican, a Democrat will not automatically get my vote. In CA it likely doesn't matter, but people like DiFi didn't earn and didn't get my vote.

[leftofcool]

33. We changed ours as well.

[dem4decades]

37. I'm considering this too.

[GulfCoast66]

41. Of course you mean in the primary, correct?

Which is totally cool.

But surely you would not vote against the official Democratic Candidate in the general. I only ask because the distinction is important for we here at DU.

[ananda]

24. NO!

Hell no!

[Renew Deal]

26. What revolution? The outrage about Gillibrand has nothing to do her calling for his resignation.

Like you said, it’s all about jockeying got 2020 and she is the strongest candidate.

So yes, you will be very happy with her. Maybe she was just following Bernie on calling for Franken to resign. Unlike many people, Gillibrand is a consistent fighter for women and liberal causes.

[still_one]

60. Nope, has nothing to do about her calling for his resignation, but has something to do with her

judgement

[dansolo]

67. She didn't follow Bernie

She led the charge.

[Renew Deal]

68. Like many people have said, the Democratic Party is ready for fresh leadership

[Vidal]

29. Totally Agree

I don't think Gillibrand is a progressive.

[leftofcool]

32. Would not support either one of them.

[dem4decades]

36. No thank you.

Can we have someone that will inspire the entire party please.

[brooklynite]

39. Who meets your exacting standards?

Last edited Fri Dec 8, 2017, 05:52 PM - Edit history (1)

[tonedevil]

74. Not demanding a...

colleague resign before accusations against them can be investigated doesn't seem such an exacting standard. I know you don't think there is any value to due process, but I think it is an important part of being accountable.

[brooklynite]

75. Doesn't answer the question...

You've discounted the entire Democratic Senate Caucus and the Party leadership. Who is there who you think "will inspire the entire party"?

[tonedevil]

80. You make a very good point...

and it goes to why I fear the Democratic party may never be viable again. Even if someone comes along that inspires the entire party what difference does it make if their colleagues make sure they are cut off at the knees the instant they show themselves to be effective.

[snooper2]

40. I'm pretty sure there isn't a revolution going on

[Kimchijeon]

42. No revolution possible with idiot moves like this... so nope

just more of the same, enabling the entrenched oligarchy per usual

[intheozone]

43. Nope, she showed very poor judgment in Franken's case. nt

[octoberlib]

44. Who says Gillebrand's our "standard-bearer"?

When was this decided? Was there a vote? Because until she's won a primary , she's nothing. I'll have to do some research on her record. Afriend who lives in the NY area says there's a lot of flip- flopping.

[MineralMan]

45. Not if she shows any chance of actually winning...

That's my guess.

[lame54]

49. If her record starts yesterday..

I'm out

[alarimer]

50. I predict they will not.

I also hope she isn't. I would prefer Harris myself.

[njhoneybadger]

51. How could anyone trust her

[Dawson Leery]

52. Ms. Marlborough?

:rolf:

Phillip Morris gets due process, but not Al Franken?

[bdamomma]

54. oh Gillibrand won't

last long, but throwing all Democrats under the bus???? What other Party are we left with, are we going to screw ourselves again by saying we won't vote for Democrats??? Isn't how we are here now, pitting Dems against Dems. I am sure Bannon is grinning ear to ear.

Gillibrand had her spotlight on her, move over someone else will take your place.

[Takket]

55. Sally Yates 2020!!!!!

[Deb]

57. She missed an effective "Can't touch this" bandwagon by years

I hear too much insulation can do that, keeps you out of touch.

[CrowCity_Dem]

58. Leadership is...

... doing the right thing even when it's not easy.

The easy thing for Dems to do would have been to say nothing, move on, and tell ourselves we're better than the R's are. The fact that Gillibrand (my Senator) and the other members of the Senate were willing to stand up for a principle over a person is exactly what leadership looks like. It stands in direct contrast to what McConnell is doing on the other side.

That's how we know we're better than they are. We have leaders who are actually leading.

[Egnever]

81. Well I agree with your definition of leadership

but I find your example of it lacking.

The hard thing was to let the investigation go forward with all of the coverage it would bring. The easy thing was to join the mob and throw due process out the window.

Leadership is standing up for our values and we as a country value the idea that you get your day in court. What she did was throw that out. That's not leadership it's mob rule.

[CrowCity_Dem]

82. The ethics committee just cleared Devin Nunes...

Do you think anyone would trust their conclusion on Franken? That committee has always been treated as a joke. It's not remotely prepared to handle a sensitive investigation.

[Egnever]

83. Bad judgements are made all the time

That does not mean we throw out our justice system.

[CrowCity_Dem]

86. An ethics committee isn't 'the justice system'. No one has charged Al.

[Egnever]

88. and no one has heard him either

Not sure what your point is.

What I am hearing is that people should not get a chance to defend themselves because deliberative bodies make bad calls. maybe that is not your intent but that is what it sounds like.

The man asked for an ethics inquiry and was denied it by his colleagues apparently because they wanted the issue off the table so they could be pure. That is nonsense and I want no part of it.

[CrowCity_Dem]

89. He was denied nothing. He could have stayed and fought. Nothing stopped him but himself.

[R B Garr]

92. She has no chance. None. She took the

Clinton’s endorsement and now wants to shun them. Her hypocrisy is on full display and she is done. She has set women back by allowing the GOP to slip away with false equivalencies over sexual misconduct. Leading people off a cliff is not a leader.

[NanceGreggs]

84. Exactly what "principle" ...

... were they standing up for? Assumed guilt? A "zero tolerance" policy that means zero tolerance for anyone who has accusations made against them, whether or not they're actually guilty of anything?

[CrowCity_Dem]

87. The principle that our representatives live up to a higher standard than we do.

[NanceGreggs]

90. And if Franken actually did nothing he is accused of ...

... that shouldn't matter?

Doesn't sound very "principled" to me.

[Cattledog]

59. I just wish Jerry Brown was in his prime!

[guillaumeb]

61. Are you referring to her past work for Big Tobacco? eom

[jalan48]

63. My Gawd No. She worked as an attorney defending big tobacco (Phillip Morris)

before turning to politics. Now isn't the time for those kind of ethics. We need someone who will fight FOR the people.

[Meowmee]

64. Shes toast- I never liked her anyway

So are all the others. We need someone with integrity and someone who will fight to the death for us. No one even spoke up against what happened yesterday so maybe there’s no one, in the senate anyway.

[LexVegas]

70. Bernie must see something in her...he followed her lead. nt

[Buns_of_Fire]

71. Right now, I'm leaning towards Sophia.

[onecaliberal]

72. Two words, Big Tobacco....

Was never a fan. She is toast. She will be in a battle for her own seat IMO

[question everything]

76. add Warren and Harris to the NO

And Sanders, of course. All the ones who swore to uphold the laws of the land that say innocent until proven guilty, yes, even here, especially here. All the ones - except Sanders - who demanded Franken resignation without including Trump in the same sentence.

Who did not have the guts to admit that Franken had to be dumped to "save" the party. In the end one will have to wonder what is left worth saving.

[elfin]

77. Nope, Nopity Nope Nopity Nope

Her lack of considered judgement alone rules her out for me. Due process? Not for her.

Was there a rape? Was there a prick pic? Was there a 14 year old?

She does SEEM to be trying to acknowledge gradations -- and then she doesn't as she draws a bright line after ANY stupid fratboy-type misbehavior Probably because the governor of Minn is a Dem, so the seat for voting isn't lost for the next year.

IMO she would never had led this lynch mob if the governor were a Repug.

A purely political decision -- to benefit her own future prospects.

Gonna bite back bigly - MN may very well go red like Iowa and she will not get the support she seems to expect from women, who are more thoughtful than she.

I know my $ will never go to her, even if she snags the nomination for Presidency.

[mickeysam777]

78. Gillibrand refuses to meet with us.

This woman is our representative on the Hill and yet she refuses to have a town hall meeting with us for fear of being cornered by all of us trying to figure out what she is doing to help our sinking economy in my area. She refuses to meet with us. As far as her Presidential Aspirations, I wouldn't let her run a dog pound let alone put her in the White House.

[radical noodle]

91. She's a senator

Maybe she'll have a meeting somewhere else in New York over the holidays?

[gopiscrap]

95. welcome to DU

[DemRage]

85. For myself, time will tell

I agree that she is only interested in her own political future and took this opportunity to knock off some friendly competition. Don't like it, but I guess that is the business and she sure as hell isn't the first in the part to do so.

I don't like that, but if she were the nominee and kicked ass doing it, then I would look back and be fine with it. Kicked ass doing it means that she can do to the enemy what she did to her own side effectively, and gets us what we want in terms of legislation. If not, than she just basically trashed him to get a better pension, speaking fees, and book deals, and we got nothing for it.

[Skittles]

94. ? she just caved into enemy dirty tricks

and lost a lot of support in the process

what kind of strategy is that?

[kcr]

96. Personally, I think they'll love her n/t