It would be too strong a word to say he harbors a grudge, but he is flat out NOT interested in working with people who publicly urged him to resign for something he didn't do, especially when none of them had any solid reason to think he did. Some did it for their own ambitions, some did it out of cowardice, fearing they were missing the proverbial boat, but the fact remains that over 30 Senate Democrats put out public statements urging him to resign the Senate, despite that there was no strong evidence that he did anything offensive, beyond what contrived "evidence" that Roger Stone "provided." Some of those comments were condescending, some were outright sickening in their self-righteousness. All were very hurtful. Al LOVED being a Senator, but he just cannot bring himself to seek to serve alongside people he agrees with politically, but personally considers hypocrites. I sympathize. How can you ask someone to work alongside colleagues who, when they get close, might either pat your back, or stick a knife in it, and you really don't know which?
I had seen comments at the time, wondering why he didn't mount a more forceful defense. The simple (and obvious) answer is that HE knew the charges were bogus, and therefore thought there was no need to mount a defense. Surely if he knew they were phony, then the rest of the Democrats in the Senate would surely realize it, too (or at least ASK him!!). Instead, they suddenly adopted the Napoleonic code (the accused is guilty until proven innocent). He was blindsided, shocked, and thoroughly depressed over it. I fully understand. I can't say that I would have felt otherwise.
I am, as many on DU know, not exactly an impartial observer here, and they all know why. It is true that Al is toying with the idea of seeking public office again, but he hasn't decided what. Franni feels a FAR stronger resentment than Al does (or that he lets on, anyway), and he listens to her. Al was especially poorly treated by several Democratic Senators who all tried for the presidential nomination two years ago. They include Booker, Warren, Sanders, Harris and, of course, Gillibrand. I obviously wouldn't want any of them replaced by a Republican, but beyond that, I have no use for any of them.
So, much as WE (and most of Minnesota, I'd wager) would love to see (and hear!) Al back in the Senate, and he would love it, too, there is just no way he feels he can serve alongside the ones who coldly called for his resignation just over three years ago, and haven't had the guts to publicly apologize. I heard Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island come on Al's podcast, and publicly say he wishes Al were back in the Senate. I also know Jon Tester of Montana and (alas, former) Senator Bill Nelson of Florida have apologized to Al. If there are others who have done so publicly, I don't know who they are. Conspicuously, as I mentioned, none of the Senators who were presidential candidates have said a peep in that direction--that I know of, anyway. It's either that they 1. really believe the allegations (hint--no, they don't), or 2. are too ashamed to publicly admit how wrong they were, or 3. cynically feel the chances for their future in office are better with Al out of the picture (see the above-mentioned presidential candidates).
In short, the end result of all this is that Al will not be trying to regain his Minnesota Senate seat in the immediate future. Anything else, on the other hand, is on the table.
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