They are Painting a target on the chest of every Democratic official

[LawDem]

If Cuomo is proven to have committed sexual harassment, he should be shown the door. But if Democrats continue to demand Democratic office holders resign based solely upon on accusation, rather than proof, they are painting a target on every Democratic politician’s chest. Did they learn nothing from the Al Frankin debacle? Do they really think a Republican Party that’s willing to deny people’s fundamental right to vote, let alone look the other way when a group of fanatics attacks the Capital building, would hesitate to dummy up false claims against a politician they can’t beat at the polls?

[Joinfortmill]

1. Exactly

[dalton99a]

2. When it comes to Democrats, accusations are proof

And refusal to resign is prima facie evidence of guilt

[Skittles]

9. yes

it is very disturbing indeed

[smirkymonkey]

49. +1000

They do it because they know it works.

[Cha]

3. I agree.. Due Process.. have they

learned NOTHING !

[roamer65]

4. This is what bugs me right now.

Why isn’t Dump being tried for genocide in the deaths of nearly 600,000 people? Why are there not indictments of him??????

Meanwhile all news is focused on Governor Cuomo.



The double standard is infuriating.

[DBoon]

5. At one point, South Dakota had the highest Covid rate in the world

Why isn't Kristi Noemi being attacked for this?

[LisaL]

48. TX governor removed mask mandate, and opened everything up.

TX still has plenty of cases.
That's apparently totally fine.

[TexasBushwhacker]

80. And the big urban (blue) counties aren't getting nearly enough vaccines

[DFW]

44. Follow who makes the news.

I think that will answer a lot of questions about the focus of the news cycle.

[mzmolly]

6. When did it become criminal to flirt?

I'm not dismissing sexual harassment as irrelevant, but where do we draw the line before demanding resignations?

[elevator]

23. I haven't seen it called criminal. If he used his position top coerce someone

with less power, then we're approaching it.

[treestar]

64. Are there even accusations

he tried any coercion? The definition of harassment is starting to be anything at all. I recall back in younger days being asked out or even bugged by men I had no interest in. Is that now to be harassment? I'm a victim of it?

[mzmolly]

72. I don't believe so.

I fully agree. I can't count the number of times I was hit on and flirted with when I was younger. I brushed it off and moved on.

Perhaps I don't have the whole story, but what I've heard thus far merits a lesson learned and an apology - which was given.

[Politicub]

94. It depends on the context, relationship differential, and actions.

One person’s idea of a flirting gesture may be deeply uncomfortable and compromising in the workplace or elsewhere.

[mzmolly]

95. I agree.

And one person's idea of flirting, may be another person's idea of being friendly.

[Politicub]

96. When there is conflict between friendly or threatening, who gets to

decide? How should we go about weighing appropriate flirting forwardness against how it makes the object of the flirt feel?

This case is eye opening about what people consider appropriate professional and workplace behavior. It is surprising and, if I’m being transparent, uncomfortable to read.

The crucial political implications are not lost on me. This stuff is complicated.

[mzmolly]

97. Indeed it's complicated.

I don't think that Cuomo's reported behavior is appropriate or professional. I do think he may have felt his actions were benign, however.

I believe in this case, the investigation needs to play out and if nothing else the voters will decide. What strikes me as more of an issue, is Democrats willingness to toss the accused under the bus without having the facts. If some 'progressives' had their way, Biden would have stepped down over false allegations. Thank goodness he did not.

[ecstatic]

99. Which is why a person should speak up in real time

Don't smile and go along with it until it's convenient to toss someone under the bus. That's my criteria. Just my opinion, of course.

[gldstwmn]

7. I am saddened by those within

the party that are attacking him. Everything about this screams coordinated attack to me.

[Nixie]

10. It sure does look coordinated. Their motives are becoming

very transparent as their little twitters are being exposed.

[BannonsLiver]

14. Yep. Totally agree.

Plenty of sanctimony, virtue signaling and backstabbing (friendly fire) to go around.

[mzmolly]

74. It's

highly possible.

[DBoon]

75. Maybe they see career opportunities in the downfall of a powerful Democratic leader?

These are the politicians who "give opportunism a bad name"

[gldstwmn]

88. Someone wants that seat real bad.

The question is who?

[UpInArms]

8. If we don't fight to keep our leaders

They will be weaponizing us against ourselves.

Stop giving them bullets for their guns.

[mountain grammy]

11. I agree.

We must never forget Al Franken.

[radius777]

12. 24/7 media hype instead of looking at the big picture,

why a reality star won the presidency and almost overthrew democracy. Cuomo did a fairly good job with the pandemic considering his state was ground zero where the body bags were piling up in the early days. He made many decisive/forceful moves to contain the virus and make sure people got help - whereas many other governors (especially Repub) did not do this. And NY (like CA) is a mini country. Look at the meltdown in TX and then their Gov lifted mask mandates etc - no regard for human life. Yet it's Cuomo who is cast as the monster by the media.

[Hoyt]

13. This is more than just an "accusation," and I doubt we'd say that for a GOPer.

I’d like to see a deadline for an investigation “preliminary report.” Maybe a few weeks. I don’t think months, based upon what we know, is going to help us/Democrats.

[wnylib]

35. I think I heard a date mentined

for when AG James will repo Er the results of the investigation that she is supervising, but I don't remebervit now. Might have been an estimate instead of a specific date.

But the state legislature is starting its own investigations into possible impeachment, and that could drag on.

[treestar]

65. It is nothing more than an accusation

without investigation and a trial or some fact determining hearing.

[monkeyman1]

15. proof

WHAT HAPPENED TO " INNOCENT TILL PROVEN GUILTY IN A COURT OF LAW ".or shall we say -the rule of law that republicans use . we seem to have 2 set's of standards going here.

[littlemissmartypants]

16. Since when did vigilante justice become the way of the Democrats? nt

[wnylib]

36. There are Dems in NY who want Cuomo

out because he has had 3 terms already. He is a powerful figure in NY politics and they want to disperse the power.

[Mossfern]

40. So they should work honestly and state their reasons

instead of focusing on tawdry, at most, accusations.

[wnylib]

42. I agree with you completely.

Politics can be a very dirty business.

[happy feet]

61. This!

So disgusted with every Democrat calling for Cuomo to resign on accusations before any investigation.

and the media (other than if the groping allegation is true) breathlessly describing accusations that seem mostly unwanted flirting from a single , older man---while disgusting and creepy, alone is not harassment.

[crickets]

17. Thank you. Take accusations seriously, investigate, then act.

This pile on, including where an accuser has set up a PAC, is just beyond the pale. If Cuomo is really that bad, it will come out in an investigation. Let it. If evidence warrants, THEN skewer him and run him out of office.

[seta1950]

19. Exactly

Any woman should be hear, but on the flip side any man is innocent until proven otherwise

[3Hotdogs]

20. I dunno. Kristen said he should leave.

So that settles it for me.

[wnylib]

39. Kirsten Gilibrand and Chuck Schumer

Last edited Sat Mar 13, 2021, 08:24 AM - Edit history (1)

have not said that they believe Cuomo is guilty. They based their call for him to step down on their statement that he is losing the confidence of his governing partners and of the people of NY.

So maybe their main concern is that the whole situation is harmful to the party. The R's have already turned their attacks toward Lieutenant Governor Hochul, claiming that she must be complicit in a cover up.

[BComplex]

57. That's the whole problem in a nutshell. Trying to get rid of democrats in NY

so they can pardon trump.

[wnylib]

71. You're right about that. So, how do

we handle it? If Cuomo comes through the investigations without any proof of the harrassment or nursing home accusations, will he be too tarnished by insinuations to run again and win next year? If so, then the GQP wins, regardless of whether or not Cuomo comes out of this clean ... unless we can put up a good alternative candidate to Cuomo and also sink the GQP candidate, maybe with their own tactics.

So, how do we fight this kind of thing?

[BComplex]

78. I don't know how we save this. Besides, they're already going after the Lt. Gov., from what I've

read on some of these threads, so it looks more and more like the media is following orders by their boards of directors to get rid of democrats in New York's highest offices. I may just be paranoid about that, but....That looks really really bad to me.

[wnylib]

79. I have posted on threads here about

the attacks on Hochul, the Lt. Governor. They are coming from GQP in the state legislature, one guy in particular whose name I don't remember. The media is eager to report what they say because the media love scandals. But the media are not the source of the attacks.

[Rhiannon12866]

46. She said the same thing about Al Franken

And Bill Clinton.

[slightlv]

21. Yes!

I am so glad I kept going thru these. Thank you, LawDem! I can't believe we are so willing to just throw our guys to the wolves without any real type of proof. I've had my hair on fire about this, but have held my tongue because I felt so many were in the opposite direction, and *I* am a female who's been kidnapped AND raped. I hold no party to any man who'd mistreat an animal, let alone a woman!

But this generation is going to have to come to some sort of understanding... much like we had to in the 60's. They can hold the men of their own generation accountable. Hold the worst of earlier generations accountable in the most obvious, provable cases, but TIME and SOCIETY has changed. Men, today, hold higher opinions of women and (from what I've seen) treat women with much more respect that I've ever seen before. But I will still get hit on by men of the older generations who still feel it's their "right." I detest it, and I put them in their place. But men born in the 50's, 60's, and maybe the 70's are of a completely different mindset generation. Look at them throughout the Trump administration -- they wanted us barefoot, pregnant and back in the kitchen. They were already working on reducing our numbers in the workplace! And the older they get, the more they will NOT see reason.

Do I believe Cuomo? I don't know. I don't have all the facts yet. I DO know it smells fishy as hell. It all started just as Trumps tax returns were released and the release was publicized. With each new item to hit "trump," there's been a new "thing" to hit Cuomo. It's too neat, people... it's too obvious. Trump wants to bury Cuomo and Vance both. Vance is going to retire. Someone else will pick up Trump's mess when he's gone. Trump doesn't deem him a threat. Cuomo, OTOH, IS as he sees it. Plus, Biden is doing one hell of a job as President. Trump can't stand that; he HAS to completely kill the Democrats reputation so he doesn't lose the republicans again in the next election. Ask yourself, what would you give up to have Cuomo declared guilty before solid evidence was produced and a hearing was conducted? Are you willing to see Hawley or Cruz as President? You KNOW they're dirtier than any one member of the Dems... but you're gonna hand it over to them, just like you threw out Al Franken, a good man who never had ONE thing PROVED against him. Yet, all the "deals" came out later. Too bad, too sad-- we'd already thrown him out of Congress.

This time, we could lose ourselves the White House. Bring it in, and let the law decide. You say you believe in law and order? Then hold the guns for now...

Sorry... I feel REALLY strongly about this... and, with what I went thru in my younger days, I feel I have a RIGHT to have MY voice heard about it. But I don't normally come out this strong and wordy around here. My apologies for that.

[MustLoveBeagles]

27. Welcome to DU

I feel the calls for his resignation are premature and a thorough investigation is necessary.

[qwlauren35]

28. Interesting

I tried saying this a few weeks ago and got slaughtered by women further left than I am, and it hurt deeply, brought back my memories of my rape experience and just took me to a dark place.

I really, really, really hope that Cuomo stays put. Even if he groped someone. Even if he touched a breast, grabbed an ass. I don't care. It's not rape. That's where I draw the line. Especially when it comes to men who are older than me. Yes, if a man asks you to play strip poker, if a man whispers "I think you're sexy" or something stupid in your ear (okay, not "Let's Fuck..." ) I consider it creepy. However, I know how to slap a man, and will do it in a heartbeat if I feel its necessary. That's what I was taught to do if a man crossed the line.

Sexual harrassment and rape are very, very different. Let them file civil suits. Ask for public apologies.

But people who actually want Cuomo to step down because he harrassed some women in the past.... are trying to screw NY out of a great governor, and I think they need to learn to let things go.

[dflprincess]

29. I have to wonder why, if he's as bad as we're hearing

This didn't come out long before this. This isn't behavior that comes on suddenly. The timing seems too convenient.

[KS Toronado]

32. Yes, the timing has never felt right to me either

Cuomo has been in politics a very long, when the me too movement was going warp speed nobody pointed
a finger at him. But with Qrump wanting revenge/payback on everybody that don't kiss his Q ass, the
timing is very suspect. Have we not learned anything from the Al Franken experience? Truth be known
some rich oligarchs want Cuomo out of the picture and this is how they achieve that goal.

[notinkansas]

30. Fishy as hell for sure.

That's not to say that the complaints should not be investigated. It is saying that we can't continue to let Democrats be 'Frankened'.

And if the allegations prove false, prosecute everyone behind them.

[crimycarny]

31. Very well said!

You summarized the situation perfectly. I wanted to bring up the point about men born in the 50’s, 60’s, 70’s having a different mindset but I was afraid I’d be attacked with “that’s no excuse!”. Of course it’s not an excuse, but it’s an explanation and insight into the difference in mindset.

[Snackshack]

34. Thank you.

[Phoenix61]

45. Couldn't have said it better.

Huge difference between men born before the mid 70’s and after. How they talk about and treat women is much different. As is how they see being a father. Men of my generation would say they were babysitting when caring for their own children! Umm... no, that’s parenting. Younger people don’t remember when a married woman had to have her husband’s permission to get a credit card in her name. Heck, The Mary Tyler Moore show which started in 1970 was the first prime time tv show that had a single, female lead. If you watch it there are things her boss said to her that would get someone fired today. In one episode he told he he was paying her less than the man who had the job before her because she was a woman. We’ve come a long way and some are having a difficult time keeping up.

[mzmolly]

100. Very

well stated. Thank you and welcome to DU!

[Sogo]

22. Totally agree.

[Dream Girl]

26. "Let the process play itself out" as they say. Otherwise association conviction

[Snackshack]

33. This entire thing

Stinks and looks more and more like setup.

I hope he does not resign based on allegations only. You are right if he does then every Dem will be set up also. They need to have the investigation and go from there. Unfortunately it looks like the bs is going to keep getting piled on to push up the pressure. Now it appears there was appearance expectations in the Gov. office... Like I said I hope he does not cave.

[Rhiannon12866]

37. Well said.

If nothing else, the timing stinks.

[onetexan]

38. Yup. What im afraid of is the NY assembly may impeach him

[Rhiannon12866]

41. I'm afraid, too.

I have Mary Trump's book and one thing she said keeps coming back to mind, that Governor Cuomo was the "national leader" in confronting this pandemic - as opposed to Trump who we all remember kept calling it a "hoax" and advised Americans to drink bleach. There have been so many times in this nightmare of the past year that I have been incredibly grateful to be a New Yorker. Masks are required to enter any business and most places have six-foot markings on the floor to indicate proper distancing. And now we have the vaccine, the age qualification is now getting lowered and more local vaccine sites are opening up. That's due to Governor Cuomo.

[Phoenix61]

43. Trump has a long history of seeking revenge.

Wouldn’t surprise me at all if he and his minions are behind this.

[Rhiannon12866]

55. Yes, I remember that was one of the first things we were told about Trump

That he was known for seeking revenge.

[DBoon]

53. Newsome and Whitmer are also being attacked now

I believe for the same reasons - revenge against strong Democratic leaders who opposed Trump's mishandling of the pandemic.

[Rhiannon12866]

56. I agree!

We learned early on that this was a signature characteristic of Trump, that he was known for seeking revenge.

[luvs2sing]

47. Yes. I am so sick of what I see as..

the Rs weaponization of our morality. I don’t know the answer, but we must figure out a way to defuse that. Maybe Cuomo’s insistence on an investigation and refusal to resign is a good first step. I don’t know.

[Mike Niendorff]

50. K&R.

And every "progressive" who joins in this is doing the same.

Assassination by allegation is a bad, bad, bad idea.

Investigation, evidence, corroboration.


MDN

[GoCubsGo]

51. Yep, and they're all too willing to exploit the Dems' knee-jerk

calls for resignation after any accusation, before any investigation is done. I'm glad Cuomo is standing his ground here. If it's proven, he should step down, but until then, let Letitia James do her damn job.

[Biophilic]

52. It was so good to wake up and see this thread.

I said many of the same things about trusting due process and not supporting the might is right (whoever is loudest) process and got jumped all over just a few days ago. I had actually begun to think that I just wanted out of politics if the Democrats were going to be as bad in our way as the republicans were in their way. What do we believe in? I still have not forgiven certain politicians regarding Al Franken. That was just friggin wrong. And here we were again. It is so good to hear these voices on this thread. Thank you. It's good to know some of my fellow Democrats are willing to look at the larger picture and believe in due process and letting the system work. If we don't than we are just as Neanderthal in our own way as the republicans.

[beaglelover]

54. Agree!

[brooklynite]

58. The Al Franken "debacle" led to...another Democratic Senator

The Andrew Cuomo “debacle” will lead to another Democratic Governor.

[Demsrule86]

60. She is weaker than Franken...and given Minnesota's close statewide elections...much more of a risk

for us come election time. I am glad we have her, but she is and will remain a GOP target. She is a good Senator but then so was Feingold who is now gone. Minnesota is a purple state and Franken was like Sherrod Brown...he would have won as long as he wanted to. And the GOP is counting on smearing the Democrat that replaces Cuomo...count on it. This is akin to the attack on Northam and Fairfax in Virginia.

[PufPuf23]

90. But if Cuomo steps down or is impeached, we do not know for certain

that another Democratic Governor will replace Cuomo.

The situation is not that simple, there is the interim and then the next election.

Can see why Cuomo is a target of the GOP and trumpsters, for his flaws Cuomo is an intelligent and strong leader.

looking eerily like the situation of Franken, other Democratic pols appear to be jumping into the fray and positioning themselves for future competition within the Democratic Party, doing the dirty work for the GOP.

Frankly, I get your opinions about Cuomo and disagree. If Cuomo goes down, Newsom and Whitmer will follow, the strong Democratic governors of big states that acted with resolve in the last year.

With all the good things with Biden and Harris, why now to weaken our own party at this critical moment?

[brooklynite]

91. Unless you believe that ALL the accusations will be disproved...

Cuomo as the 2022 candidate is a huge risk.

[PufPuf23]

92. Why don't you answer my question?

Not having Cuomo as a future candidate is a bigger risk.

[Demsrule86]

59. I agree...handing the GOP the power to destroy effective leaders.

[Catch2.2]

62. Amen!!!

Agree 100%

[treestar]

63. I agree. Why do they call for resignation merely because

of accusations alone? It could be them next time.

[ClusterFreak]

66. If he's guilty as hell, let him suffer the consequences.

But right now, he's only accused as hell. Big difference. The Dem scramble to get on board the 'Cuomo Is A Lecherous Swine Express' however is really just as unseemly as are the accusations against him. Again, maybe true accusations, but can we stop straining at the leash to try and convict him in the court of public opinion? Jeezus if Prez P*ssy Grabber can fend off a couple dozen or so similar (and worse) accusations for four full years without any real public and absolutely NO Republican outcry that he immediately resign (at least not for THAT reason), then maybe Gov. Cuomo is entitled to same. At least?

[RicROC]

67. Gov Cuomo kept people alive...

during the first months of the pandemic....he was the only governor/politician on a DAILY basis who was addressing the American people with statistics and plans for combating this plague.

I'd give him a pass for 2 years, after the US is back on the right track with the Biden administration.

Furthermore, prosecute those in authority for negligent manslaughter who did nothing/ barely anything.

[NBachers]

68. What a coincidence! Andrew Cuomo of New York and Gavin Newsom of California - both in trouble.

Let's get rid of all both of 'em, and then move on to Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer and Joe Biden. It worked so well with Hillary Clinton and Al Franken.

Kneecap the Democrats!

[dalton99a]

70. +1

[geretogo]

69. Does any one think it's a coincidence that both California and New York governers , both progressive

democrats are under attack by the Koch brothers fascist network ? We don't need the dem party helping them befoe due process .

[dai13sy]

73. Coincidence - ha

This was started by the Koch Brothers and then the Democrats do the circular firing squad and take out Al Franken, Governors Newsome and Cuomo. Democrats have a knack for taking out their best and brightest. Things are going really good right now - let's not blow what we have!! Be grateful we got what we voted for. CELEBRATE!!

[DBoon]

76. Not at all - they want to kneecap our leadership

[Lettuce Be]

77. I agree -- absolutely wrong to assume the accusers are correct

Doesn't matter how many come forward. Take them seriously but you cannot assume guilt without due process.

[Captain Zero]

84. I say accusers have fattened bank accounts

and are working for the Koch Brothers and others.

Prove me wrong.

[wryter2000]

81. I have to ask

Is there anything that would convince DU that at least some of those 7 women are telling the truth?

I'm starting to wonder if I belong here. I thank God, this message board isn't in charge of the investigations.

[Tommymac]

85. I have an open mind. I'll let the facts tell the story - Due Process and all.

I will not judge and convict anyone until all sides of the story are investigated. All parties.

Once the facts come out after the legal investigations are complete, then I will judge.

I think most DU'ers feel the same and would do a great job with an investigation - hell, if you post something here non-factual or without legit links to back it up you'll get your butt handed to you by a lot of good people - all of us work hard to maintain DU's reputation as an honest reliable factual website. Been that way since I joined in 2004.

[llmart]

82. I agree with the general opinions on this thread.

Also, look closely enough and I guarantee you you'll see the work of Roger Stone.

[Javaman]

83. K & R nt

[RussBLib]

86. GOP just turns a blind eye to their own indiscretions

While the Democrats force theirs to resign.

Both sides are quite wrong

[PatrickforB]

87. Yeah, I get pretty sick of people piling on before the investigation has even

happened.

Cuomo is not perfect but we OWE him due process.

[orangecrush]

89. KICK

[BobTheSubgenius]

93. They found Joe Biden so unassailable that their stupid little "He's so tactile!" attack sputtered,

the "He's too old, becoming more incompetent by the day" didn't fly, but that didn't stop them from trying. They grudgingly decided that going after his family was the best they were going to do, so they tried to gin up a controversy around Hunter Biden.

This is just the most recent history, but their Greatest Hits collection (pun wasn't intended, but now that I see it, I like it) is being remastered and will span more than one or two volumes, at least.

The point being, they may not be too bright, but they are vicious, ruthless and relentless.

[womanofthehills]

98. We can have rapists in the Supreme Court

But you better not be a dem who flirts.

[lagomorph777]

101. It's a Roger Stone plot