CNN:
A woman says Sen. Al Franken inappropriately touched her in 2010, telling CNN that he grabbed her buttocks while taking a photo at the Minnesota State Fair.
It is the first allegation of improper touching by Franken, who is a Democrat, while he was in office. It comes just days after Leeann Tweeden, a local radio news anchor in California, said that Franken forcibly kissed and groped her in 2006, when Franken was a comedian.Sen. Franken's response Sunday was, to our ears, damning:
"I take thousands of photos at the state fair surrounded by hundreds of people, and I certainly don't remember taking this picture," Franken said. "I feel badly that Ms. Menz came away from our interaction feeling disrespected.""... came away from our interaction feeling disrespected." Wow. That's not a denial, folks.
Meanwhile, Republicans are already using Franken's actions to distract from the Roy Moore scandal. Christmas came early in Alabama.
6 comments:
This is a game changer and we ain't seen nothing yet. Soon and chances are high others will be crawling outta the woodwork.
Like the shoes of a millipede, One Fly.
Definitely not good. It sounds as if he doesn't remember whether or not he ever grabbed anyone's behind at the state fair -- which implies he thinks behind-grabbing is no big deal, not something noteworthy enough to remember.
It's still nothing compared with the behavior that Trump and Mo[lest]ore have been accused of, and I agree with Tweeden that it's not resignation material, but this is becoming a problem.
The recent eruption of accusations like this, and the history of earlier problems (Vitter, Craig, Packwood, etc.) suggests that we'd be wise to encourage more women candidates. For whatever reason, such behavior is a lot rarer among women, so women candidates are that much less likely to have this kind of ticking time bomb in their baggage.
Infidel - Sounds like it could have been more rule than exception for him. Extremely disappointed, though (so far) not of the same scope or magnitude as Moore/ Trump, as you say.
Should Franken have to vacate his seat, Minnesota has Lt. Gov. Tina Smith and Attorney General Lori Swanson waiting in the wings, two replacements that could be expected to hold the seat in the future (and give Minnesota two US Senators). Wouldn't be a terrible outcome at all.
I still don't want him to resign until all the info is out there. It certainly saddens me since Sen Franken has fought so valiantly for us.
These men have no idea how hurtful these actions are to women. And they don't care. Just when you think someone has valued you for your intelligence, your ideas and your work he makes a move that shouts that none of that matters and any "meaningful" conversation you thought you had was just something he put up with to get to some ridiculous smarmy move. It is so humiliating - and I must say - so demeaning to both parties. Will unwelcome advances stop? I doubt it. I think human nature for those without any "human" nature will just go on. But at least now more women (and men) may feel more confidence in speaking up and may be assured of some relief at least, if not compensation, and maybe some sense of justice. P.E.C.
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