Things can be a hit job and true at the same time. It would be fair to say that about Roy Moore too. These things need to play out. A lot is going to depend on how Franken reacts and if more women come forward. I don’t dislike Al Franken but we’ll see.
Agreed, let's hear from the photographer and others on the trip. What sexual assaulter -- especially a very famous one -- 1) photographs his exploits, 2) looks back with a wink at the cameraman while committing his crime, and 3) gives his victim a copy of the photo incriminating him? And why was this woman who is supposedly traumatized by these events defending Moore who has been accused of worse.
Here is Franken's statement in full: “The first thing I want to do is apologize: to Leeann, to everyone else who was part of that tour, to everyone who has worked for me, to everyone I represent, and to everyone who counts on me to be an ally and supporter and champion of women. There's more I want to say, but the first and most important thing—and if it's the only thing you care to hear, that's fine—is: I'm sorry. “I respect women. I don't respect men who don't. And the fact that my own actions have given people a good reason to doubt that makes me feel ashamed. “But I want to say something else, too. Over the last few months, all of us—including and especially men who respect women—have been forced to take a good, hard look at our own actions and think (perhaps, shamefully, for the first time) about how those actions have affected women. “For instance, that picture. I don't know what was in my head when I took that picture, and it doesn't matter. There's no excuse. 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. And, what's more, I can see how millions of other women would feel violated by it—women who have had similar experiences in their own lives, women who fear having those experiences, women who look up to me, women who have counted on me. “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. But the intentions behind my actions aren't the point at all. It's the impact these jokes had on others that matters. And I'm sorry it's taken me so long to come to terms with that. “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. “I am asking that an ethics investigation be undertaken, and I will gladly cooperate. “And the truth is, what people think of me in light of this is far less important than what people think of women who continue to come forward to tell their stories. They deserve to be heard, and believed. And they deserve to know that I am their ally and supporter. I have let them down and am committed to making it up to them.” http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/...ent-calls-for-ethics-investigation-of-himself
Difference between a Republican and a Democrat Senator being accused Apologizes Doesn't blame the victim Doesn't excuse his behavior Doesn't claim to be misunderstood Recognizes the difference between intent and impact Isn't afraid of being investigated Promises to help And Alleged victim wasn't a minor
I didn’t even know who she was until today so you got the wrong guy if you think I’m going to go looking for that.
I believe that exGOPer needs to defend his assertion that she defended Moore. I see no evidence of that. Snopes would at minimum call it unproven.
The entire Al Franken story is a warning to the Democrats and their media enablers (Washington Post, NYT, CNN, MSNBC, etc.) that there will be significant collateral damage if the left continues to "Roy Moore" (which is now a term) politicians on the right. Digging up decades old dirt on candidates in a coordinated operation can easily be done to politicians on the left as well. This Franken story is a shot across the bow of the Democratic party warning them about the cost of continuing this type of behavior in the future. Shall we really explore Biden, Gore, and Bill Clinton's sexual conduct in more detail while we are at it. Especially since Biden is now the front-runner for the Democratic 2020 nomination. How about the many Democratic members of Congress with divorce records including claims of spousal and sexual abuse - let's open a few of those files. Stilted girlfriends with vile stories of conduct while the Democratic Congressman was married - that will make great mainstream smut media. Do the Democrats really want to escalate this arms race of sending investigators, reporters, and digging through court records?