If Al Franken ran for President in 2020 would you vote for him?

[Cattledog]

If yes, who should his running mate be?

I say Franken/Yates. A woman who stood up to Trump and from the South.

[Pachamama]

1. Yes I would - but honestly, I would like a Yates/Franken ticket even more

I really like her..

[apcalc]

4. If he is completely cleared , yes. Yates for sure.

[Irish_Dem]

34. Agreed, he has to be cleared first. nt

[LisaL]

46. How do you expect him to be cleared?

He asked for investigation, but his fellow democrats demanded he resign without one. There won't be an investigation.

[Irish_Dem]

47. Someone mishandled this situation and I need to know more about

what happened and why. Either on Al's side or Dem leadership.
I am not making any assumptions at this point.
I just don't have enough information either way.

[DownriverDem]

63. I thought

Franken said he would wait for the Senate investigation.

[LisaL]

64. No. He asked for an investigation but other democrats pushed him to resign.

Once he resigns there is no investigation.

[disndat]

91. I thought he hasn't resign yet

Franken said, I think, he would resign in a few weeks. Maybe he is waiting to hear possible support for him stay. or wait for
an Ethical committee hearing.

[onetexan]

54. brilliant idea

THANKS!

[bagelsforbreakfast]

2. Why not? 😀

[RainCaster]

61. Because I will vote for Joe Biden

[japple]

68. Joe Biden has also been "compromised" because of his

actions during the Clarence Thomas hearings. Blessed Virgen de Guadalupe can't even make the cut these days.

[LakeArenal]

71. I agree. I was shocked at the time.

With all the Biden praise I never Brought it up. I like Joe. As another DUer has said. Better a tarnished friend than a shiny enemy.

[LisaL]

72. Also apparently there are lots of photos of Biden

with various constituents. I am sure they all asked for these photos but that doesn't seem to matter.

[japple]

75. I know. It breaks my heart. Think I read a post recently that said Joe won't run.

I def. think we need new youngbloods in this party, but I know many youngbloods who aren't ready to stick with the current message. They want someone who will speak truth to power, like Bernie. They don't want a compromiser-in-chief.

[DavidDvorkin]

2. I'll vote for the Democratic candidate

Whoever that is. There is no chance it will be Franken.

[TDale313]

57. Yep. This.

[oasis]

5. He got "'branded", he hasn't a chance.

[tenderfoot]

6. He is not interested in being President

and has said so many times.

[Cattledog]

11. Come on, every politician says that.

[tenderfoot]

15. Especially the ones that truly don't

eom

[NCjack]

106. Each morning, every US Senator looks in the mirror over the bathroom sink

and sees the next President of the USA.

[Hayduke Bomgarte]

7. Yes

Without a second thought.

[MrsCoffee]

8. As long as it's as a Democrat.

[Heartstrings]

9. Honestly, can we get through midterms first?

Otherwise....any combination of anyone will be a moot point.

[pintobean]

10. What party?

I've seen posts on DU encouraging him to flip to the Republicans, or become an independent.

So, what party does your scenario put him in, and are we talking primary or general?

[LisaL]

13. Obviously he won't flip to the Republican party.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

30. Flip to the Repubics? Who's encouraging Franken to do such a ridiculous thing?!

[caraher]

76. Nobody, but...

if he were a Republican, we'd all be hearing the allegations are just a nothingburger and nobody in his party would call for his head.

[TheCowsCameHome]

12. Most likely.

Franken - Yates would be a great ticket.

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

14. Maybe

Depends who else is running. I'm certainly not opposed to him running.

[MustLoveBeagles]

16. Yes

I'm not sure about the running mate.

[Snotcicles]

17. I would rather see him as head of the FCC. Obama/Yates. Lets have two women leading the ticket nt

[Hortensis]

20. Oh, the FCC would be possible and appropriate.

He has a very serious interest in that, of course.

I'd like to see a lot more of Sally Yates, but something befitting her experience and talents.

(Michelle for president? So fortunately for her, our wishes aren't a draft.)

[eissa]

18. In a heartbeat n/t

[stonecutter357]

19. yes

[davekriss]

21. Yes

But, if he did, we’d lose. The right wing Wurlitzer would love it (main stream media). We’d hear nothing except “sexual harassment” this and that and nothing else. No word about sane policies and positions would be heard. The low-information voters (who dominate) will vote Republican.

[tazkcmo]

32. Oh please.

No matter who the Dems run you'll hear crap from the GOPee. It didn't stop HRC nor should it stop any other qualified nominee. He'd be running against the Groper-in-Chief so they'd be on even footing.

The Democratic Party must stop worrying about what the GOPee would do.

[davekriss]

43. I beg to differ, it did stop HRC

Do you think Trump would be anywhere near the Oval Office except for the non-stop spin of the Wurlitzer? My point is, because Al chose to resign rather than fight, he’s left enormous ammunition on the table which would be used to shoot him down.

[NNadir]

22. I would vote for him. He's highly intelligent, clear, and reflective. I regret what happened...

...but he has honestly addressed it.

I hope he's back soon.

[Egnever]

23. Absolutely

One of the few I would actually have no qualms voting for.

[C_U_L8R]

24. Harris / Franken

a smart ticket.

[Lotusflower70]

25. Hell yeah

I campaigned for him as a Senator. I would be all in on getting him to the White House. Franken/Yates would be a fantastic ticket.

[tazkcmo]

26. Twice. n/t

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

27. It's not going to happen. But I'll vote for the Democrat, whoever it is.

[dchill]

28. Yes.

[KewlKat]

29. you betcha

[rateyes]

31. If it was a primary between Franken and Gillibrand

I would vote Franken every time.

[rzemanfl]

33. Yes, Yates indeed. K&R n/t.

[Mr.Bill]

35. Yes, but I want Yates to be AG. n/t

[kiranon]

84. Yes and with Adam Schiff for VP. nt

[Break time]

36. For sure

In a heartbeat... Yates, Warren, Brown and I am sure there are many more that would make good VPs and/or Pres.

[Dalton Mac]

37. Franken-Gillibrand

She's revealed herself to be craven enough to accept.

[Jakes Progress]

39. Then I would have a dilemma

But I voted twice for Obama, even with the clarence thomas enabler on the ticket.

[onecaliberal]

38. Yes.

[rainy]

40. Absolutely! Thats

a perfect ticket of very intelligent people

[Jakes Progress]

41. Yes. A Franken/Frank ticket please.

[ProudLib72]

42. He'll never be cleared, and that is what bothers me most

After he resigns, that will be the end of that. No more questioning Tweeden, Hannity, and Stone.

That's why I would vote for Franken for pres in a heartbeat.

[brooklynite]

44. I wont think about the Presidential race until after 2018.

[krispos42]

45. Yes.

An instance or two of pushing boundaries while performing (for the troops, no less) and allegations of ass-groping during photo ops at the Minnesota State Fair that can't be proven or refuted don't make him ineligible.

[Butterflylady]

48. Absolutely

[Demsrule86]

49. Yes.

[byronius]

50. Surely.

[roamer65]

51. I think Franken should run for Governor of Minnesota.

Good stepping stone to the presidency.

[LakeArenal]

73. That would be super!!!

[DAMANgoldberg]

111. I like that idea.

This has a great chance to keep MN DFL and keep Jason Lewis or Norm Coleman away from it.

[mountain grammy]

52. Yes

[Rustynaerduwell]

53. Yes!

To both.

[LiberalLovinLug]

55. And a question that no one here would dare answer

For fear of answering the question "wrong"

What if..the Democrats carry on this sham and kick him out, and so, leaving him no choice, he runs as an Independent candidate?
Same person, same positions on the issues, still fighting Trump, and would most likely caucus and vote with Dems, just with a different letter in front of his name.

[Egnever]

65. I'll answer

I would vote for him no matter what letter was behind his name.

I know his track record and I approve regardless of party.

[caraher]

77. For Senate, you mean?

I don't think he has any interest in the presidency. And moreover, regardless of office, I think he's too smart (like Sanders was) to divide the vote and give Republicans a shot at a Senate seat, governorship or the presidency with a third party run.

[LiberalLovinLug]

93. For Senate yes. At least at first.

He maybe could have been ready to run for President in 2020 as a D if this whole debacle never happened. But now, just keeping his Senate seat would be a bonus, under any banner. I would hope that the Democrats would not run a candidate against him. As they basically do with Bernie Sanders. They'd be cutting off their nose to spite Al Franken if they did. And they'd also probably get very embarrassed as I think he'd do much better than a DNC sanctioned one. If they were stupid enough to do that then yes you may be right and those D votes might be just enough to split the vote.

But I also think that America is ready for an independent candidate for President. Trump basically ran as one with his spurious attacks on past Republican Presidents, and even established Republicans still serving in Washington. The same reason Sanders had a higher approval rating than Clinton was his perceived independence from 'the swamp'.

[Mr.Bill]

94. The Democratic leadership has no power to

"kick him out".

[LiberalLovinLug]

104. For all intents and purposes

A large part of the Democratic leadership demanding his resignation (without due process) is "kicking him out".

[Mr.Bill]

105. No it is not. He only answers to the people of Minnesota.

And he has not resigned yet.

[LiberalLovinLug]

107. He only answers to the people of Minnesota

I agree with you there.

But do you think that the DNC will be actively supporting him if he stays a Democrat and tries to run under their banner? After they humiliated him like that, I don't know why he would even. But if he did, the DNC and Democrats that have been pushing for his resignation, saying he is unfit for office, would never want to be labeled as hypocrites, especially when it comes to the delicate issue of sexual misconduct. He'd be basically on his own anyways. Might as well go full on I.

[Mr.Bill]

116. I still think there's some kind of end game to the games they are playing.

We'll see what happens if Roy Moore wins and what the reaction is to that.

[BamaRefugee]

56. Emphatic YES and love that ticket!!!

[Susan Calvin]

58. Yes. nt

[ClarendonDem]

59. If he was the Dem nominee

Of course. That's why I support DU. If he's not, I'll support the Dem nominee. I think a Booker/Gillibrand ticket would have a great chance.

[DownriverDem]

62. Totally agree

We have a two party system and the Dem nominee would get my vote.

[DownriverDem]

60. As a Dem

If Franken runs as a Dem he would get my vote. I would hope his running mate would have wide appeal.

[Sancho]

66. I'd vote for my pet schnauzer over a republican...

and Franken would be as good as any.

At this point, it's a war.

[XRubicon]

67. Yes.

[Polly Hennessey]

69. Yes.

[JI7]

70. YES

[infullview]

74. Yes

Absolutely

[Duppers]

78. Heck yes!!

Love that ticket!

[democratisphere]

79. In a New York Minute.

FRANKEN 2020!

[trueblue2007]

80. yes but I'd like YATES/Franken more.

[sandensea]

81. I think the world of Al Franken; but it depends on who else is running.

Besides: as we all know, trial by media can be just as damaging as any judicial trial - and usually more so. Today's fascists - here or abroad - have become very good at that game.

I'm just not sure Sen. Franken's reputation can survive that kind of harm enough to see him through a presidential run (think Chappaquiddick).

[Vogon_Glory]

82. If Al Franken Runs For President In 2020, I'd Vote For Him

And if Al gets that far, it'll probably be because the rat-f***ers who tried to stop him were exposed and the people who mobbed him will be too humiliated to survive the primary process.

[usaf-vet]

83. Absolutely

In a heart beat. Yates works too. Anybody on the lynch mob....never ever. They could have had the investigation first.

[doc03]

85. Sure would

[R B Garr]

86. YES, would vote for Franken! Franken/Schiff

Schiff/Franken. I'm sure I'm missing a couple obvious good choices, but those two came to mind immediately.

edit: oh, and Hillary Clinton for NY Senate -- again!

[R B Garr]

87. Just saw you had Yates there -- yes, she is awesome.

Good choice, too.

[barbtries]

88. Given all that i know today, yes.

it's a damn shame the democrats piled on him to resign so the investigation could not play out. he's one of the best. yes, i would if the election was held today. it's hard for me to imagine that he's guilty of anything worse than occasionally being an ass. and as a co-smoker said the other day, "He was a comedian."

yes. Yates seems a good choice as well. i had been thinking Kamala Harris but not pleased with her today.

[treestar]

89. Yes

If he is the democratic nominee. Not if an independent spoiler

[Louis1895]

90. No. We need some new blood

I really like Al. I think he is a better Senator than comedian. In fact, I believe he is brilliant but I think he carries too much baggage to run for President. I think he would be fantastic as a Cabinet member.

[Louis1895]

92. If he became the Democratic nominee...

...I definitely would but I would prefer someone else in the primary, assuming someone I liked more was running.

[ProfessorGAC]

95. Yes! With Tammy Duckworth

Pardon the pun, but she's bulletproof!

[CommonHumanity]

96. Would be proud to.

Would be proud to. He speaks truth to power. I am a feminist through and through but do not plan to vote based on gender. My vote goes to the candidate who is able to present a clear and compelling progressive agenda in a manner that most people can relate to. Oh yeah, and did I mention sane? The candidate needs to be demonstrably SANE and level-headed.

[BigDemVoter]

97. He he were the Democratic nominee, of course.

[smirkymonkey]

98. Yes. Franken/Schiff.

[Rocky888]

99. Yes

? On running mate....

[PJMcK]

100. Bet your ass, I would (n/t)

[janterry]

101. I like him

[Chasstev365]

102. Honestly no!

Shocking because I love what Al has done and stood for. However, the right will just repeat the lies and smears.

I want Jay Inslee and Joe Kennedy III

[Progressive dog]

103. I don't expect Franken to run for President

but if he should get the Democratic nomination, I would.

[LisaL]

109. Neither do I. I don't think there is any chance of that, actually.

Might have been if not for what happened.

[GulfCoast66]

108. Primary? No. General. Of course. I am a DU member.

Independent? Get back with me. Not too thrilled with Independents now.

[superpatriotman]

110. Yes

In a hot minute

[tavalon]

112. I'm a #metoo participant and I would vote for him in a heartbeat

They railroaded him. I suspect he won't be the last.

[VOX]

113. HELL YES. And with Yates? HELL YESSSSSS

Al is brilliant. Yates is sharp and has charisma. These two would be a “Common Sense” paring— as in, a return to common sense.

[RealityChik]

114. Sure! Why not?

Stranger things have happened...like Trump, for example.

[McCamy Taylor]

115. Of course.

[Generic Brad]

117. Absolutely

He shares the values of the late Paul Wellstone. I still support him.

[donco]

118. No

[blue cat]

119. Yes

Love Yates but does she want to be drafted?

[Gothmog]

120. I vote for Al Franken