Al Franken accused of sexual harassment

[RogueBeaver]

Groping and kissing by a radio journalist who in 2006 was a USO singer. Photographic evidence exists.

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

Oops

[GeorgiaModerate]

Thus endeth the "Franken in 2020" speculation.

[Sprouts Farmers Market ✘]

He should be expelled immediately.

[mvd10]

Special election soon ?

[Kamala]

Probably ought to resign.

[user12345]

Thus endeth the "Franken in 2020" speculation.

Yeah, any decent person will no longer support him. Damming evidence to top it all off.

[Jeppe]

He should resign. We don't need any more sexual predators in Congress.

[kyc0705]

I've seen debate elsewhere on whether or not he was actually groping her, or his hands were just "hovering" over her breasts, but that's neither here nor there. Obviously, his hands shouldn't be anywhere near her to begin with.

We have to keep working to end this culture in which people (most of them men) believe this kind of behavior is acceptable. It can't just be a partisan issue. You can't just give someone a pass because you like their politics.

[Rookie Yinzer]

Thus endeth the "Franken in 2020" speculation.

[mvd10]

Anyway, I'm pretty damn sure that half of the men serving in congress has once kissed/groped a woman without her consent. Franken still should resign though (as should anyone who ever has done something like this, if only for the extra elections).

[user12345]

I've seen debate elsewhere on whether or not he was actually groping her, or his hands were just "hovering" over her breasts, but that's neither here nor there. Obviously, his hands shouldn't be anywhere near her to begin with.

We have to keep working to end this culture in which people (most of them men) believe this kind of behavior is acceptable. It can't just be a partisan issue. You can't just give someone a pass because you like their politics.

This. Even if this was just a "joke" the optics of it alone are not acceptable. Sexual assault isn't a joke and we cannot allow our party to defend those who engage in it.

[The Other Castro]

Ughhhhh come on Franken you were supposed to be one of the good ones. Well, damn, good chance this ends in his resignation.

[Devout Centrist]

He did it, resign, etc.

[JerryArkansas]

Obviously, he needs to resign; and anyone who defends this out of tribalism, go screw yourself.

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

If he issues a statement, someone please post it.

[daveosupremo]

Anything short of Franken resigning today, before lunch, eliminates the Democrat moral high ground in the Roy Moore fiasco.

[Brittain33]

Does anyone else remember the poster Sam Spade saying that Franken groped his aunt on the subway and that's why he hated him?

[TheSaint250]

Horrible.

I hope more accusations are revealed, especially those about senators and representatives.

[KingSweden]

Congratulations Senator Lori Swanson

[Rookie Yinzer]

Congratulations Senator Lori Swanson

Would she be appointed or is there a special election? Would Ellison run?

[Jeppe]

Congratulations Senator Lori Swanson

Would she be appointed or is there a special election? Would Ellison run?

Appointed until November 2018, until which there would be a special election to serve out the last 2 years, I believe.

[libertpaulian]

Anything short of Franken resigning today, before lunch, eliminates the Democrat moral high ground in the Roy Moore fiasco.

This.

Democrats: Unless you want a Senator who represents the toothless hillbilly coalition for 3 years, you'd better clean up this Franken mess post-haste.

[Jeppe]

Lori Swanson is almost a sure bet to be Dayton's appointee. She's the current (and powerful) Attorney General who said she was interested in seeking a higher office in 2018. Given that the Governor's race is a clown car at this point, I think she's likely to just take the position and run for re-election in 2018.

http://www.startribune.com/minn-attorney-general-lori-swanson-takes-quiet-approach-to-job-political-ambitions/415435614/

[The Other Castro]

I see Senate Democrats trying to get him to resign. They have cover since the Governor of Minnesota is a Democrat and would appoint another Democrat. Plus, it would look very hypocritical (though the two situations aren’t comparable) to excuse Franken while calling Moore unfit to serve.