Female lieutenant governor expected to replace Franken if he resigns

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Politico

By MAGGIE SEVERNS
 12/06/2017 06:49 PM EST

Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton is expected to appoint his lieutenant governor and close ally, Tina Smith, to Al Franken’s seat if the Democratic senator resigns on Thursday, three people familiar with the Democratic governor’s thinking said.

But that appointment would be just the start of a huge upheaval in Minnesota. Part of the reason Smith could be heading to the Senate, the sources said, is because she has indicated no interest in running for Congress in the past and would not run for the remainder of Franken’s term, which expires in 2020, in a 2018 special election. That would clear the way for a wide-open Democratic primary next year if Franken steps down.

Franken’s sudden fall under a deluge of sexual harassment allegations has prompted Democrats to suddenly consider a fast-approaching special election for a once-safe seat — and given Republicans an unexpected opportunity in a state President Donald Trump lost by just 1 point in 2016. But installing Smith or another placeholder in the seat would separate the appointment from potentially fractious Democratic primary politics, giving other Democrats the opportunity to fight on a level playing field in a special primary. Additionally, appointing a woman to fill Franken’s role would serve as a symbolic rebuke to Franken in the wake of the allegations against him, Minnesota Democrats pointed out.

“[Smith] really gets Minnesota, she gets the players, she has great built-up relationships,” said a Democratic operative with long experience in Minnesota. “She makes practical sense and she would be a good bridge-builder.”

Read more: https://www.politico.com/story/2017/12/06/al-franken-senate-smith-211125

[spotthebird]

1. Reports of Franken's death may be premature

But I do hope she'll carry water

[Judi Lynn]

8. Absolutely. n/t

[still_one]

13. I certainly hope he doesn't resign, especially because of this insane strategy of appointing

someone who DOES NOT WANT TO FINISH OUT AL FRAKEN'S term

I am just wanting with baiting breath for the DNC to call and ask me for a donation, they are going to get an earfull

[mn9driver]

2. In other words, a good placeholder until January 2019

When the newly elected Republican Senator from Minnesota takes office.

[Dopers_Greed]

3. The Repugs are literally stealing a Senate seat

And we're letting them get away with it!

If Franken resigns, I'm sure the right will demand that Dayton appoint a Republican.

[RhodeIslandOne]

5. What leg would they have to stand on? n/m

[OliverQ]

6. They got away with stealing the Presidency and the Supreme Court.

Might as well go for the Senate now too.

There is no stopping this evil it seems.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

4. It assumes Franken would not offer himself for the voters to re-approve.

I think most Democratic voters are willing to accept the seriousness of a resignation and his apologies and recognize that he is a tremendous voice for good in the Senate and for Minnesota.

He won his last election with a very convincing 53 to 42 %.

[BlueIdaho]

14. I would love to see that...

First, I think he should not resign from office. I think he has an obligation to his voters and an obligation to insist on his due process rights - if for no other reason than to support everyone else’s rights.

But should this all be too much for him - I’d love to see him run again and let the people in his state re-elect him.

[PatrickforO]

7. I'm a member of the Democratic party base, in good standing.

I do not support this railroad job and will not forget it when it comes time to donate, to knock on doors, to make phone calls and to otherwise support the party. You want my support? Then demand Trump resign and the entire Republican party repudiate Roy Moore FIRST, BEFORE you start telling Franken to step down.

My belief in this thing is that money has changed hands, and women are being paid to 'come forward.' This bullshit has Karl Rove written all over it.

I'm sorry, but in good conscience I cannot support the resignation of Senator Franken until all the facts have come out.

[Marthe48]

10. I just sent Senator Franken an email asking him not to resign

I thinkhe is the target of a heavy-handed, obvious hatchet job. Some of the women who accused him have been discredited.
I volunteer for a group. When we meet one of the men touches me on my arm to greet me. He touches each person, slaps the guys on their backs. I'm not crazy about the guy, but I understand that that is how he greets people. I have had to fight men off in my life, and there is a difference between what they did and what the other volunteer does.

trump, moore, lauer, others cut their victims off from the crowd and assaulted them behind closed doors, or other sheltered spots. So far, it seems that all of Sen. Franken's accusers say he groped them in public. So, let us hear from people in the crowd. We heard from the people with Sen. Franken during the USO and they saw an entirely different episode than the woman described.

I am not following these stories in detail, so if I have omitted details, or missed something, I'm sorry.

[bucolic_frolic]

9. No spousal privilege

but would they really tell the truth about one another?

[hedda_foil]

11. my question is does Dayton want to run for his old Senate seat post governorship?

Does his Lieutenant Governor want to run for governor then?

[still_one]

12. Why doesn't he just appoint Michelle Bachman, I have no doubt she would be quite happy to serve out

Al's term.

Are we f**king insane or do we just to make sure that the SC is filled with Gorsuch appointments

Why would he appoint someone who doesn't want to serve Al Franken's term out?

Why is she even in politics?

[Maraya1969]

15. Fuck this shit! He won't resign. I'm tired of people assuming that he will

[oberliner]

16. He is making a statement tomorrow

What do you think he will say?

[harun]

18. He just resigned

[alarimer]

17. No, no, no.

We don't need a bridge-builder. We need a barn-burner. Someone to take it to Republicans the way Franken has. Like Ellison, maybe.

In any case, we should not give the Repigs any chance what was a safe seat. Way to shoot yourself in the foot, Gov. Dayton.