Now please tell me again why Senator Al Franken HAD to resign?????

[a kennedy]

Seriously???

[Chipper Chat]

1. Ditto

[Blue Owl]

2. No fucking shit!

[Polly Hennessey]

3. Yes, senators, tell me why.

[AZ8theist]

23. Because Dems bring wet noodles to knife fights....

While I don't want our side to LIE CONSTANTLY like Repukes...

FOR FUCK SAKES GROW A FUCKING SPINE.
We need street fighters, not Chamberlins...

[cinematicdiversions]

28. No the Dems brought a knife

Which they skillfully stuck in Al's back.

Poor guy should of resigned on March 15th

[dweller]

4. simple

D by his name ...


✌🏻

[FoxNewsSucks]

22. That's the answer right there.

The sick thing is that it was rushed by his fellow Democrats, including Gillibrand.

"Can't wait for a real investigation, just get out!!!!"

[wellst0nev0ter]

50. Or rather the governor has the D by his name

Bob Menendez was actually indicted, but Democrats didn't want Chris Christie to replace him with a goop.

Just makes the betrayal against Franken all the more disgusting.

[sop]

5. Cuomo must be sending Gaetz a thank you note right about now.

[Budi]

9. Why? Cuomo's 'accusations' don't even come close to the vile grossness of Gaetz

Doubt Cuomo sees anything to thank the minor-predator-trafficker Puke Gaetz for.

Gaetz is Epstein level.

[sop]

13. No one's even mentioning Cuomo's indiscretions now that a real predator's on the loose.

[Budi]

21. Well, yes that's a good point!

Honestly this Gaetz thing is so ugly.
It'll be interesting to watch if Gaetz takes anyone else down with him since it seems to be how that whole sleazy bunch plays the game.
They all have dirt on each other.

I kind of wonder who turned on Gaetz to bust this open. Or, who Gaetz pissed off!

[hlthe2b]

6. I've asked that every damned day since January 2, 2018... My anger has not quelled.

[DFW]

29. That goes for so many people

Al himself is still bitter, but has recovered from his depression. Franni, on the other hand is still livid with fury. She is is totally unforgiving, and I don’t blame her one bit.

[Funtatlaguy]

7. Terrible timing and Gillibrands crusade

[uponit7771]

8. K&R, ... and why Cuomo shouldn't until investigation is over

[Budi]

10. Yup. Cuomo is no where in the the Gaetz/Epstein child predator level criminality.

I've yet to read anything even mildly convincing about Cuomo
After the Franken & the Tara Reade bs, I will let the investigation decide that one.

Gaetz is pure criminal child porn.
McCarthy should remove that sick s.o.b. immediately.

[Frasier Balzov]

11. Because Al Franken is an honorable person.

Perhaps to his own detriment, but nevertheless.

[burrowowl]

19. You nailed it!

[zipplewrath]

12. Art

There were photos. That always speeds up the political process.

[wellst0nev0ter]

51. The photo was fake

Fuck anyone who believed a lying, two-faced birther trumpanzee over Franken.

McIntyre, Tweeden’s former co-host at the station, told me that he had “bluntly” lobbied to give Franken more time to respond but was overruled by Drew Hayes, the station’s operations director, and by Nathan Baker, the news director, both of whom feared that the story would leak. McIntyre and Baker confirmed to me that nobody fact-checked Tweeden’s account. They evidently didn’t ask for the names of the people on the U.S.O. tour whom Tweeden said she had confided in at the time; in fact, they made no effort to reach anyone who’d been on the trip. They didn’t check the date of the photograph, or look at online videos showing other actresses performing the same role on earlier tours. They didn’t realize that although Tweeden claimed she never let Franken get near her face after the first rehearsal, there were numerous images of her performing the kiss scene with Franken afterward. Nor did they review the script or the photographs showing Tweeden laughing onstage as Franken struck the same “breast exam” pose.

https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2019/07/29/the-case-of-al-franken

[Hekate]

14. Seriously. I mean, really.

[sarisataka]

15. Mostly because

about 97% of the Senate publicly said they had already made up their minds before an investigation was even considered.

[SharonClark]

16. Ask him because he's the one who chose to resign.

Maybe he knows more about the situation than the public does.

[DFW]

30. I did, because of course he does

I have posted before about the timeline, the weakness of Al’s initial response, and the straw that broke the camel’s back with respect to his resigning. I just can’t justify coming on here and repeating it every two days, every time there is some new thread full of new “theories.”

But it has been a month or two since the last time, so, for the 199th time:

Al knew better than anyone that Stone’s contrived scam against him was BS, and therefore never figured it would be necessary to mount a defense against it. He was completely blindsided by his fellow Democrats piling on. He knew better and naïvely thought they would, too. His decision to resign before a hearing came only when the Democratic governor of Minnesota openly and publicly named his successor before he had even come to a decision. He went into a deep depression, unable to understand how so many of his fellow Democrats could publicly demand his resignation over something for which he bore no guilt.

Maybe that will hold for another month or two.

I still get fundraising requests from many Democratic Senators who made nasty public calls for Al’s resignation. I tell every last one of them not to bother me until they have made a public apology, as has Montana’s Jon Tester. I categorically refused to consider any of them that were running for president in 2019-2020, and that meant all of them that made public statements urging Al to resign—Gillibrand, Sanders, Harris, Booker or Warren. The ones that didn’t run, but still urged Al to resign—i just return their fundraising letters with a note asking how I am supposed to believe they have MY back when they wouldn’t even have Al’s? So far, no response from any of them. Harris has, understandably, ceased asking for money, but the rest have not, and they ALL share addresses.

Aside from Joe Biden, after he had won the nomination, my Senate contribution money went to new blood. Many lost, but three won: Hickenlooper, Ossoff and Kelly. As for the incumbents who trashed Al—not a cent. I take Franni’s position on that matter: unforgiving. I find it encouraging that Al is now being asked more and more for media appearances. They seem to have finally figured it out, too. I’m sure most of his Senate tormentors have, too. Some have already apologized in private, but almost none have had the guts to do so in public. I can’t bring myself to forgive that.

[hlthe2b]

36. I don't know Al personally, though I've met him, but your account was always my assumption.

I do feel as though I know men like Al, as my Father and four Uncles--all midwestern-raised-- exuded honor before self. I have no doubt that they would have done as Al did under those circumstances, and give up the job they loved more than anything and worked hardest to gain in their life. Like Franni, I don't think anyone could have convinced them to do otherwise because they would think that to be the thing that would spare "others"-- once those that they had formerly thought so worthy of respect turned against them. And like Al, they would have been wounded to their core for the rest of their lives.

That is why I cannot forgive, either--especially when the sanctimonious continue to reappear at the mere mention of his name--as though to claim a scalp.

I'm with Franni. I will not forgive. I'm with you.

[DFW]

39. I want to, but for this, I just cannot forgive and forget

For me, in this case, to forgive IS to forget. Al said he hasn't given up on a public service position in the future (he will be 70 this year), but a return to the Senate, after what his former colleagues did to him, would be difficult. In his position, I don't know HOW I could seriously work with those people again.

Some of them, such as, for example, Sherrod Brown, do work that is otherwise excellent. But Brown said, "I have listened to them. I have listened to my female colleagues, to women I work with and women in my life. And I agree the time has come for Senator Franken to step aside." Really? Did Sen. Brown think to listen to Al Franken, too, and get his side of the story? Sen. Markey of Massachusetts said, "I join my colleagues in calling for Senator Franken to step aside and resign." Washington's Maria Cantwell even said, "Senator Franken’s actions are disturbing, egregious, and demonstrate a pattern of serious misconduct and abuse. It is time for Senator Franken to resign from office." WHAT actions? Her comment was particularly disturbing. Even Tammy Duckworth said, "I am deeply disappointed by Senator Franken’s behavior. He must step aside." And on the eve of his resignation, Bernie Sanders said, "“Sen. Franken has said that he will be making an announcement about his political future tomorrow. The right thing is for him to resign." No, Bernie, the WRONG thing was for him to resign. A Republican sleazebag said "jump," and 33 of our Senators asked "how high?"

No wonder Franni's dead set against ever having to associate with them again, and she knows them a hell of a lot better than I do. I don't blame her one bit. Al is somewhat more circumspect, but only a little. If you ever meet him again, ask him to recount his first attempt as a new Senator to initiate contact with a Republican Senator. He chose Tom Coburn of Oklahoma, who was probably the one Republican more devoid of humor than a stray boulder in rock quarry. It's one of the funnier stories I have ever heard coming out of the Senate, and there have been a few over the years.

While I would love for Al's voice to be championing Joe Biden's--OUR--causes on the Senate floor, how can one ask him to work alongside people who made these comments? Al is not (or was not, last time I talked to him) interested in returning to the Senate. After what his colleagues did to him, I can't blame him for feeling that way.

[wellst0nev0ter]

52. This is why he resigned (Schumer)

This is why I keep saying we need new leadership

Franken asked to meet with Schumer, who suggested talking at his apartment in downtown D.C., in order to avoid the press. “It was like a scene out of a movie,” Franken recalled. Schumer sat on the edge of his bed while Franken and his wife, who had come to lend moral support, pleaded for more time. According to Franken, Schumer told him to quit by 5 p.m.; otherwise, he would instruct the entire Democratic caucus to demand Franken’s resignation. Schumer’s spokesperson denied that Schumer had threatened to organize the rest of the caucus against Franken. But he confirmed that Schumer told Franken that he needed to announce his resignation by five o’clock. Schumer also said that if Franken stayed he could be censured and stripped of committee assignments.

https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2019/07/29/the-case-of-al-franken

[Ferrets are Cool]

17. You beat me to the punch

My thoughts EXACTLY!!!!!!

[FlyingPiggy]

18. Totally agree. I am still a little bitter over it.

[mountain grammy]

20. I can't think about that. Bad for blood pressure.

[crimycarny]

24. +1000000!

Because the Dems fell over themselves in their zeal to show their purity and their moral superiority over the GOP. Meanwhile the GOP is laughing their butts off thinking “THIS is all it takes to remove a Democratic senator? Wow, these guys are dumb”. Cue Tara Reade. Thankfully she was so uncredible her own lawyers dropped her.

[Demsrule86]

33. There were more and they piled on Biden and the usual suspects were calling for him to drop

out...and remember, we had Lucy Flores before that. There was pile on then. We had the witch woman's (Christine O'Donnell) and others daughter piling on after Reade too but of course Biden was out of the country on both the first day she claimed her BS story and on the second day she came up with. This is why I don't give two fucks about Cuomo and wouldn't vote for any who have attacked him on our side in any primary. Let the voters decided.

[AllaN01Bear]

25. he was democrat . this guy may get off the hook and if the former guy was still

in office hed be pardoned . they did this to bill clinton and he got impeached for it.

[pnwmom]

26. Senator Franken did the honorable thing. ALSO, his resignation showed the marked contrast

between our party and the R's, which probably helped Doug Jones win election in Alabama, against a Republican who had molested a teenager.

[Demsrule86]

34. We have a target on our back thanks to doing the 'honorable' thing. No Democrat resigns.

Let the voters sort it out...that should end the attacks on our folks. And I consider Franken did nothing wrong...it was a prank video before he got elected and let's just say the women that came forward were not credible IMHO.

[pnwmom]

35. Since all the Democratic women Senators signed the letter, with the single exception

of the Senator from his state, I think it's possible they knew more, from Congressional staffers, than ever became public.

But only Al Franken knows why he decided to resign when he did.

[Demsrule86]

42. I believe it...and many of the 'accusers' were anonymous which is unacceptable...tire of this

nonsense...and the women Senators were likely piling ...showing their purity...no more.

[pnwmom]

53. But at least one was a staffer who WAS known to at least some Senators.nt

[Snackshack]

27. I still don't...

Understand why he chose to resign after calling for a full investigation. Maybe there was more to this then we know but I really doubt that more likely I think he was blindsided by how his own phucking party (like Gillibrand) kneecapped him. After that I think he was disgusted with the lot of them and decided he didn’t need the bull💩 and walked away. We could have really used him during the DT time...and now, damit.

[pnwmom]

31. It happened at the same time that Doug Jones's opponent was accused of molesting a teen,

and probably helped Doug Jones win in Alabama that year.

The difference between the D's and the R's became crystal clear.

[NurseJackie]

37. He chose to sacrifice himself and his career rather than create even MORE division within the Democr

Understand why he chose to resign after calling for a full investigation.

Because he saw that his call for a fair investigation was dividing the party. He chose to sacrifice himself and his career rather than create even MORE division within the Democratic party. Even now, the division remains.

Maybe there was more to this then we know but I really doubt that more likely I think he was blindsided by how his own phucking party (like Gillibrand) kneecapped him

No, there was not "more to this that we know" ... but a fair investigation would have put it all out there in an organized and rational way. Something that his detractors didn't want to happen, and something that the media didn't really want to happen either. Yes, he was kneecapped. The motivation for this treatment remains unclear to me.

[DFW]

40. You could ask him, if you run into him.

Barring that, check out post #30 above. That may help a little.

As for his being disgusted with his fellow Democratic Senators, I'll just say, WAS HE EVER!!! And while what Al felt may have mellowed somewhat over time, it sure did not with Franni. She is as unforgiving as can be, and she knows the cast of characters cold.

[brooklynite]

44. I'm continually amazed at how much power and influence people think a Junior Senator has...

[Snackshack]

46. "Junior Senator"...

...or not. Continuous negative comments in a press that is always happy to help stir controversy can be a very powerful & influential tool in the application of pressure.

[Hugin]

54. All I know is that they have magnitudes more power and influence than I do.

It's relative.

[smirkymonkey]

32. Uhmmm!

I can't think of one good goddamned reason.

But that's just me.

[Kaleva]

38. It's sad that these hit pieces on the legacy of Sen. Franken are allowed here.

Sen. Franken choose to resign for what he felt was best for all.

The OP and many others try to portray Sen. Franken as a gutless coward who ran away rather then stay and fight back against those who said he ought to resign.

[DFW]

41. Again, I'd humbly request reviewing post #30

He didn't want to resign, but wasn't finding many sympathetic ears, much to his shock. He only chose to resign when Dayton publicly picked his successor before Al had even reached a decision. If you've ever met Al, you will have figured out in about 15 seconds that he is very much what many Jewish people call a "Mensch." He thought he was among colleagues about whom the same could be said and was shocked to find out that it wasn't the case.

[brooklynite]

43. "Vote Democratic: We're as bad as Republicans"?

[Hortensis]

45. Details of the Franken situation aside, Democratic standards

of what we will accept are incredibly higher than Republican. They almost don't have any.

No to comparing situations in any way that would call into question our standards.

How carefully and justly they're applied is a different matter.

[BannonsLiver]

47. I see the biggest Franken hater on DU is still sticking to their bullshit point about honor/contrast

Last edited Fri Apr 2, 2021, 11:47 AM - Edit history (1)

You’d think in 4 years they would get a f’ng clue, but alas, nope.

And of course the other one, Captain Pompous, who hates Franken because he didn’t say hi to him or wasn’t sufficiently deferential at a cocktail party.

“Don’t you know who I am, Senator.”

Update: Ah, and now our high priest of insufferable sanctimony enters.

[gldstwmn]

48. So Gillibrand could run for president

for about four minutes, as someone so aptly said a few weeks ago.

[Hestia]

55. She said she dropped out because she was sick and tired of people coming up and giving her crap

about Sen Al Fraken. They said they were all working to a one to make sure she would never go higher than senator and she was luck she had that. I told my husband she deserved each and every person coming up to her. Too bad so sad Gillibrand but you brought it on yourself. Schumer gets a pass for now being majority leader. Lose that, and he can retire too. I heard he was the one really pushing for Al to quit. People really do have long memories.

[Dem4Life1102]

56. What about Harris, Sanders, Warren and Booker?

All of whom ran for President too on the same day. Plus it was Harris who got Franken’s seat on the Judiciary committee which gave her a higher profile to launch her campaign and was the first to go on tv calling for Franken to resign.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

49. So is the issue that Republicans don't hold themselves accountable, or that Democrats do?

[Tarc]

57. Because there were valid accusations against him

We clean up our messes, while the GOP embraces them.

Leave the Whataboutism to the right-wingers, plz.