# Now, Al Franken **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [November 16, 2017, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-al-franken/801770 "2017-11-16T15:42:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2017, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-al-franken/801770/81 "2017-11-16T18:12:36Z")
> [@Bone](#): > > Sarcasm for sure, but this is unnecessarily personal. Dial it back. > > [/moderating] I didn’t mean it sarcastically nor personally. I was giving an example of what - presumably - this would be like for a woman to wake up and find out has been done. It was a simile for any male reader, and not directed at the poster I was responding to in any particular way. ---
**Author:** ![Fotheringay-Phipps](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/d9b06d/32.png) [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2017, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-al-franken/801770/82 "2017-11-16T18:13:14Z")
> [@RTFirefly](#): > > Not in so many words. Or in any words. You’re speculating, and on shaky ground at that. > [@](#): > > She just connects the dots from her rejection of Franken to his recurring petty insults aimed at her during the rest of the trip to the photo. > > What do you think her words, “But he didn’t stop there” meant? That was the phrase connecting the insults with the photo. No, she was connecting the tongue-kiss to the groping. > [@](#): > > Sheesh. Well now that you put it that way, I’m convinced. Should have said that originally. ---
**Author:** ![Thing\_Fish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecb155/32.png) [@Thing\_Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thing_Fish)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2017, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-al-franken/801770/83 "2017-11-16T18:13:38Z")
> [@aldiboronti](#): > > I don’t like Franken or his politics but it’s not as if he raped somebody or seriously sexually assaulted them. The kiss was wrong, the gag not funny, but if no other worse accusations come to light this should be dismissed and should have no impact at all on his political career. We need a little perspective in these things. As I said, I am doubtful of the claim about the kiss due to the alleged victim’s obvious political motivation to lie. But if it _is_ true, it’s not just “wrong”, it’s criminal sexual assault and should end his political career immediately. ---
**Author:** ![Thing\_Fish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecb155/32.png) [@Thing\_Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thing_Fish)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2017, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-al-franken/801770/84 "2017-11-16T18:14:49Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > LOL! > > Oh, wait … you’re serious? > > :smack: You snipped my quote for, um…clarity and brevity, right?:rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2017, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-al-franken/801770/85 "2017-11-16T18:15:40Z")
> [@](#): > > In a longer statement Thursday afternoon, he again apologized while maintaining that he remembered the rehearsal differently. > > “While I don’t remember the rehearsal for the skit as Leeann does, I understand why we need to listen to and believe women’s experiences,” the Democratic senator said. “Coming from the world of comedy, I’ve told and written a lot of jokes that I once thought were funny but later came to realize were just plain offensive.” > > Of the photo, Franken said: “I look at it now and I feel disgusted with myself. It isn’t funny. It’s completely inappropriate. It’s obvious how Leeann would feel violated by that picture.” > [@](#): > > The allegations could trigger an ethics review in the Senate. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell called on Democratic Minority Leader Chuck Schumer to join him in pressing for a review. > > “Regardless of party, harassment and assault are completely unacceptable— in the workplace or anywhere else,” the Kentucky Republican said. > > Franken said he welcomed the investigation. [Cite](https://apnews.com/3e6770bb461d4d24b29acf06495f1420/Radio-anchor-says-Franken-groped,-kissed-her-without-consent). ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2017, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-al-franken/801770/86 "2017-11-16T18:15:40Z")
> [@Thing\_Fish](#): > > You snipped my quote for, um…clarity and brevity, right?:rolleyes: To make it clear which part I was reacting to. ---
**Author:** ![Fotheringay-Phipps](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/d9b06d/32.png) [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2017, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-al-franken/801770/87 "2017-11-16T18:16:38Z")
> [@Sage\_Rat](#): > > I’m feeling like more accusations will come to light. This seems like a pretty crass thing to do for a guy in his 60s. One has to assume that it’s a staple of his general behavior around good looking women in general. My guess is that in the entertainment business there’s more opportunities for this, what with risqué skits and the like blurring the lines. OTOH, Franken was an entertainer for quite a while, so I wouldn’t be surprised if those lines got blurred on other occasions as well. If it happened during his political career or with non-entertainers, that would be another level. ---
**Author:** ![FlikTheBlue](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fliktheblue/32/10972_2.png) [@FlikTheBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlikTheBlue)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2017, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-al-franken/801770/88 "2017-11-16T18:19:04Z")
Assuming that he does resign (and yes I think it’s still a little early to be considering it seriously) I think the best bet is for the Democrats to go with an elder statesmen as a temporary replacement. Maybe Walter Mondale can come out of retirement? ---
**Author:** ![madsircool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madsircool/32/3432_2.png) [@madsircool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madsircool)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2017, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-al-franken/801770/89 "2017-11-16T18:21:22Z")
> [@Fotheringay-Phipps](#): > > My guess is that in the entertainment business there’s more opportunities for this, what with risqué skits and the like blurring the lines. OTOH, Franken was an entertainer for quite a while, so I wouldn’t be surprised if those lines got blurred on other occasions as well. > > If it happened during his political career or with non-entertainers, that would be another level. He felt comfortable enough to do this in front of the tour photographer. This pic was released on the official CD of the tour, where she first saw this, according to the woman. ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2017, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-al-franken/801770/90 "2017-11-16T18:22:45Z")
> [@FlikTheBlue](#): > > Assuming that he does resign (and yes I think it’s still a little early to be considering it seriously) I think the best bet is for the Democrats to go with an elder statesmen as a temporary replacement. Maybe Walter Mondale can come out of retirement? Perhaps Joe Biden is available? ---
**Author:** ![The\_Tooth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c67d28/32.png) [@The\_Tooth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Tooth)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2017, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-al-franken/801770/91 "2017-11-16T18:24:00Z")
He’s expressed his regret, admitted he’s a cad, apologized to Ms. Tweeden, and offered to take part in any ethics investigations. Most importantly, he didn’t try to justify his behaviour by invoking bronze-age fairy tale characters like the pedophilic Republicans have. ---
**Author:** ![Defensive\_Indifference](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/defensive_indifference/32/6502_2.png) [@Defensive\_Indifference](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defensive_Indifference)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2017, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-al-franken/801770/92 "2017-11-16T18:24:00Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > This is very dangerous for the Dems. I’ve always thought Al Franken was a jerk but this is nowhere near what Roy Moore did. If the Dems are not careful they could come across as excusing sexual harassment of one of their own. This is why I think he’s toast. Schumer cancelled a planned press conference after the news came out. He’s probably huddled with the other party leaders and maybe Franken, planning Franken’s demise. From their perspective, they’ll get a Democrat as a replacement and probably another in the special election, so forcing Franken out won’t cost them horribly. If they make an example of him, they get the high ground while the Republicans still have to deal with Moore. My predictions have been shit for the past couple years, but I’m thinking Franken is going to be spending more time with his family soon. ---
**Author:** ![Fotheringay-Phipps](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/d9b06d/32.png) [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2017, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-al-franken/801770/93 "2017-11-16T18:26:37Z")
> [@madsircool](#): > > He felt comfortable enough to do this in front of the tour photographer. This pic was released on the official CD of the tour, where she first saw this, according to the woman. Of course. Because at the time he was in his Bad Boy Comic mode. Franken also told the [Harvard Crimson](http://www.thecrimson.com/article/1976/4/16/live-from-new-york-its-al/?page=single) (in 1976) “I just don’t like homosexuals. If you ask me, they’re all homosexuals in the Pudding. Hey, I was glad when that Pudding homosexual got killed in Philadelphia”. That doesn’t mean it was true. He was in shock jock mode. Again, that’s not to say that wasn’t an offensive photo and act, and if I was that woman I would be offended. But a lot of what these shock jocks do is offensive. ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2017, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-al-franken/801770/94 "2017-11-16T18:27:49Z")
> [@Bayard](#): > > This is why I think he’s toast. Schumer cancelled a planned press conference after the news came out. He’s probably huddled with the other party leaders and maybe Franken, planning Franken’s demise. From their perspective, they’ll get a Democrat as a replacement and probably another in the special election, so forcing Franken out won’t cost them horribly. If they make an example of him, they get the high ground while the Republicans still have to deal with Moore. My predictions have been shit for the past couple years, but I’m thinking Franken is going to be spending more time with his family soon. The political danger there is that once they’ve established the precedent that the correct response to accusations against a sitting senator is to force them to resign, you’ll probably be able to count the milliseconds on one hand until a bunch of red-state Dem senators have accusations made against them. ---
**Author:** ![DigitalC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ebca7d/32.png) [@DigitalC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DigitalC)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2017, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-al-franken/801770/95 "2017-11-16T18:28:49Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > At least two of our last four Presidents have various allegations of sexual harassment against them. I don’t see how this is really an impediment. Three out of five. Elder Bush is quite handsy apparently. ---
**Author:** ![madsircool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madsircool/32/3432_2.png) [@madsircool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madsircool)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2017, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-al-franken/801770/96 "2017-11-16T18:30:12Z")
> [@The\_Tooth](#): > > He’s expressed his regret, admitted he’s a cad, apologized to Ms. Tweeden, and offered to take part in any ethics investigations. Most importantly, he didn’t try to justify his behaviour by invoking bronze-age fairy tale characters like the pedophilic Republicans have. Any evidence that any Repubs are pedophiles? He also said he didn’t remember. It doesn’t sound like he has done the right thing to me. ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2017, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-al-franken/801770/97 "2017-11-16T18:30:52Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > The political danger there is that once they’ve established the precedent that the correct response to accusations against a sitting senator is to force them to resign, you’ll probably be able to count the milliseconds on one hand until a bunch of red-state Dem senators have accusations made against them. In fact, I’d be surprised if there weren’t people already digging through old photos and contacting acquaintances of Manchin, Donnelly, Tester, Brown, etc. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2017, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-al-franken/801770/98 "2017-11-16T18:35:28Z")
Looks like a dumb joke to me. Mostly because its so clearly _posed._ The two-handed open thrust is a _pointedly_ stupid way to “cop a feel”. Its a cliche. His backward over the shoulder leer underscores this, “look at this stupid joke I am making!”. And through a Kevlar vest? Only way you might know where they are is by an assumed and general topography, they’re usually right around here, somewhere. A good man can, and will, be wrong. And adjust accordingly. Judge Teenyboink is the same man now as he was forty years past, mean-spirited, cruel and ignorant. Do I judge him for his politics? Hard to tell, chicken and egg, his politics are mean-spirited, cruel and ignorant as well. Does this cause confusion to my enemies, the Forces of Darkness, do I look upon that with a measure of glee? Hugh Betcha! ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2017, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-al-franken/801770/99 "2017-11-16T18:38:02Z")
> [@Fotheringay-Phipps](#): > > No, she was connecting the tongue-kiss to the groping. Let’s try one more test of reading comprehension: > [@](#): > > Franken repaid me with petty insults, including drawing devil horns on at least one of the headshots I was autographing for the troops. > > But he didn’t stop there. > > [Then starts talking about the pic] So “but he didn’t stop there” connects what to what? :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Thing\_Fish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecb155/32.png) [@Thing\_Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thing_Fish)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2017, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-al-franken/801770/100 "2017-11-16T18:38:57Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > To make it clear which part I was reacting to. So do you think I’m hypocritical? Do you think it’s disingenuous for me to claim to see a meaningful distinction between multiple substantiated allegations from women with no obvious motivation to lie and one unsubstantiated allegation from a woman with such an obvious motive? That doesn’t seem like an intellectually defensible position to you? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-al-franken/801770.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-al-franken/801770.md?page=6)