Democratic Primaries

left-of-center2012

(34,195 posts) Tue Mar 19, 2019, 12:38 PM Mar 2019

Kirsten Gillibrand Stands By Her Call For Al Franken's Resignation [View all]

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) defended her call for former Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) to resign in 2017 after sexual misconduct accusations, telling critics “who are angry because I stood up for women who came forward with allegations of sexual harassment, that’s on them.”

Asked during an MSNBC town hall on Monday about persistent criticism she receives from progressives for pressuring Franken to quit, the 2020 presidential candidate acknowledged that “it was a very hard issue for so many Democrats because the truth is, we miss him and people loved him.”

Gillibrand argued she had to take a stand against Franken and the “eight credible allegations against him of sexual harassment for groping.”
“I had a choice to make, whether to stay silent or not, whether to say it’s not OK with me, and I decided to say that,” she said.

Gillibrand faced fury from progressives, who blamed her for taking down Franken’s career. Some even pledged not to donate to her campaign should she run for president, attacking her as an “opportunist.”

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/kirsten-gillibrand-al-franken-sexual-misconduct_n_5c90cedfe4b071a25a86a32a

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden

171 replies

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Kirsten Gillibrand Stands By Her Call For Al Franken's Resignation [View all] left-of-center2012 Mar 2019 OP

Well, best of luck because she's seriously going to need it. bearsfootball516 Mar 2019 #1

You got that right montanacowboy Mar 2019 #3

Why isn't Senator Harris's call for Senator Franken's resignation equally disqualifying? SFnomad Mar 2019 #17

It is to some of us. Corey Booker, Warren, Sanders LakeArenal Mar 2019 #80

Some people have integrity in their convictions. SFnomad Mar 2019 #82

As you see, it's not me. LakeArenal Mar 2019 #84

+1 n/t SFnomad Mar 2019 #85

Harris will make a much better president than wasupaloopa Mar 2019 #87

Senator Harris called for Senator Franken's resignation just like Senator Gillibrand SFnomad Mar 2019 #88

Did you read I said all Senators. wasupaloopa Mar 2019 #97

I agree JonLP24 Mar 2019 #143

I didn't like her call for resignation either, but that's a straw man argument in this thread. bearsfootball516 Mar 2019 #94

That's the best you can come up with? SFnomad Mar 2019 #99

They were not spear heading the effort...she was. nt Baltimike Mar 2019 #100

Steaming pile of a justification n/t SFnomad Mar 2019 #101

Driving the band wagon of Roger Stone's sucker bet. nt Baltimike Mar 2019 #102

Roger Stone? Really? SFnomad Mar 2019 #103

Yes. The first accuser was a Roger Stone associate. I'm not making this up. nt Baltimike Mar 2019 #116

And you realize that Senator Franken apologized to her too ... right? SFnomad Mar 2019 #117

So? Baltimike Mar 2019 #118

Wow, just wow SFnomad Mar 2019 #119

Absolutely. Wow indeed. Baltimike Mar 2019 #120

This is true. He helped engineer it with a conservative gal calimary Mar 2019 #121

Mind you - this in NO way means I feel the same way about the #metoo movement. calimary Mar 2019 #125

This. 5000%. nt Baltimike Mar 2019 #139

It's over before it starts for her. nt Honeycombe8 Mar 2019 #47

She is near the bottom of my list Gothmog Mar 2019 #89

I agree totally duforsure Mar 2019 #90

...and I stand by my complete dismissal of her candidacy. (eom) Loge23 Mar 2019 #2

After Gym Jordan's stunt and still in the Senate/House, and rump, fair is fair, and IMHO, ... SWBTATTReg Mar 2019 #4

What I don't understand is why Trumpocalypse Mar 2019 #5

She started it, she owns it! Nt USALiberal Mar 2019 #7

Started it? Trumpocalypse Mar 2019 #8

Agreed. madville Mar 2019 #13

There's always somebody who calls the play. Demit Mar 2019 #29

Yes customerserviceguy Mar 2019 #79

Senator Gillibrand... tonedevil Mar 2019 #10

Won the contest? Trumpocalypse Mar 2019 #11

You point out... tonedevil Mar 2019 #15

Glad she is doubling down, will just hurt her more! Nt USALiberal Mar 2019 #6

She was so eager to do it Bettie Mar 2019 #53

"Eight credible" my ass. BlueStater Mar 2019 #9

Really? Trumpocalypse Mar 2019 #12

About half of them were anonymous. One said he "groped" her waist. BlueStater Mar 2019 #14

OK but Trumpocalypse Mar 2019 #16

Do you have any evidence they're telling the truth? BlueStater Mar 2019 #18

I have no reason to assume Trumpocalypse Mar 2019 #19

I already gave you my answer. BlueStater Mar 2019 #20

So you discredit Trumpocalypse Mar 2019 #22

Nice strawman. BlueStater Mar 2019 #23

Not a strawman Trumpocalypse Mar 2019 #24

And the accused deserve to be believed too. BlueStater Mar 2019 #25

So I guess we owe Trumpocalypse Mar 2019 #27

We have every right to form opinions on the credibility of both the accused and the accusers based BlueStater Mar 2019 #31

OK Thanks for explaining Trumpocalypse Mar 2019 #38

You're welcome. BlueStater Mar 2019 #39

What do you expect for a Trumpocalypse Mar 2019 #40

You talking about your recent additions to this thread? BlueStater Mar 2019 #41

Why not? Trumpocalypse Mar 2019 #45

I already gave you my reasons several times. I'm not answering this again. BlueStater Mar 2019 #48

Because I have no reason to think they are not Trumpocalypse Mar 2019 #60

Just throw out the presumption of innocence when it applies to men. MicaelS Mar 2019 #35

The presumption of innocence applies to criminal prosecution Trumpocalypse Mar 2019 #37

Why doesn't the picture being on her FB page call into question rainin Mar 2019 #152

Who'd FB page? Trumpocalypse Mar 2019 #155

I will support the Democratic nominee Gothmog Mar 2019 #21

i would expect no less. it would look weak otherwise Kurt V. Mar 2019 #26

This message was self-deleted by its author Huffleprecious Mar 2019 #28

This message was self-deleted by its author BlueStater Mar 2019 #30

*Alleged* sexual abuser. BlueStater Mar 2019 #32

This message was self-deleted by its author Huffleprecious Mar 2019 #56

An unfunny, tasteless joke from his days as a comedian doesn't make him a sexual abuser. BlueStater Mar 2019 #61

Oh for the love of mike, you're bringing up that old canard? MrsMatt Mar 2019 #65

If it was sexism, the other female senators who signed on to ousting him would be getting attacked Demit Mar 2019 #33

That political opportunism for you. LakeArenal Mar 2019 #81

Al Franken 2020 ! stonecutter357 Mar 2019 #34

I'll be more than happy when Polly Hennessey Mar 2019 #36

She is an opportunist Bettie Mar 2019 #42

How is that opportunistic? cynatnite Mar 2019 #44

She's got no way to back down without looking bad Bettie Mar 2019 #52

Charisma isn't on my list of qualifications for president... cynatnite Mar 2019 #55

I respect that... cynatnite Mar 2019 #43

You can stand up to sexual assault without being idiotic about it. BlueStater Mar 2019 #49

Franken chose to leave before the investigation was completed.... cynatnite Mar 2019 #50

His response doesn't change the awful precedent she tried to set. BlueStater Mar 2019 #59

And he could have fought back which he chose not to do... cynatnite Mar 2019 #62

If you work in a place... tonedevil Mar 2019 #71

Then demand due process shortly after LakeArenal Mar 2019 #83

I really hope it costs her the nomination. n/t MicaelS Mar 2019 #114

She also stands by her call to imprison for free speech that Hortensis Mar 2019 #46

Well, no that's not true... cynatnite Mar 2019 #51

Facts just get in the way of Trumpocalypse Mar 2019 #86

My question is why was there no investigation? sakabatou Mar 2019 #54

Franken could have stayed. bernie59 Mar 2019 #57

And I stand by my call to eliminate her from the primary race SOON. elfin Mar 2019 #58

Franken is why we have the Mueller investigations SHRED Mar 2019 #63

Sorry that is just not true Trumpocalypse Mar 2019 #64

Which part? SHRED Mar 2019 #66

About the Mueller investigation Trumpocalypse Mar 2019 #67

I don't think Sessions would have appointed him SHRED Mar 2019 #68

Maybe not Trumpocalypse Mar 2019 #70

I thought Franken caught Sessions in the Russian contact lie? SHRED Mar 2019 #108

Yes and no Trumpocalypse Mar 2019 #111

I think firing James Comey jump started Mueller's involvement JonLP24 Mar 2019 #144

I admire her self-confidence and moral certainty. aikoaiko Mar 2019 #69

Forget her. She has zero chance in this primary race. MineralMan Mar 2019 #72

Perhaps so...but not because of outrage over Franken. brooklynite Mar 2019 #75

Randi Rhodes worked at Air America for yrs with Al womanofthehills Mar 2019 #73

Randi Rhodes is the last person I'd use as a character reference after she called Geraldine Ferraro SFnomad Mar 2019 #141

She out of ANYONE had to do this. And she did after the 8th woman came out. HYPOCRITE if she didnt UniteFightBack Mar 2019 #74

Why let facts Trumpocalypse Mar 2019 #93

"Gillibrand Stands By Her Call" ... so I'll stand by mine Jarqui Mar 2019 #76

And I stand by my decision Mme. Defarge Mar 2019 #77

I find it interesting how she's focused on in particular on this issue. David__77 Mar 2019 #78

She's probably getting private polling that (aside from anything else) it's a millstone around her OnDoutside Mar 2019 #91

So the others were all just blind followers? Trumpocalypse Mar 2019 #92

Unfortunately a number of them marked her with a view to 2020, when the line was holding up to that OnDoutside Mar 2019 #95

Holding the line? Trumpocalypse Mar 2019 #96

The notion of holding the line while, y'know, Due Process, takes its course. Apologies if that's an OnDoutside Mar 2019 #98

Due process is a legal standard Trumpocalypse Mar 2019 #110

Not exclusively, no. If you are the member of a club, Congress etc, you agree to follow the rules of OnDoutside Mar 2019 #112

And do you really think the republicans Trumpocalypse Mar 2019 #113

To be fair they were willing to give him a hearing ! Which is OnDoutside Mar 2019 #122

Maybe they wanted to give him a hearing Trumpocalypse Mar 2019 #124

Unlikely, because it could be the turn of many of them at another OnDoutside Mar 2019 #126

Which is still a political body Trumpocalypse Mar 2019 #127

Well remind me who rounded on him, led by your friend ? This was headed to the Ethics Committee OnDoutside Mar 2019 #128

Until over 35 Democratic Senators called for his resignation Trumpocalypse Mar 2019 #130

Yes when your friend jumped the gun for her own reasons, other Dems didn't want to be seen to be. OnDoutside Mar 2019 #133

So over 30 Democratic Senators were all just blind followers? Trumpocalypse Mar 2019 #134

What evidence do you have that the Senate Ethics committee wouldn't have treated him OnDoutside Mar 2019 #135

So Republicans would have been more fair to Franken than Democrats? Trumpocalypse Mar 2019 #136

Evidence, no ? OnDoutside Mar 2019 #137

Would republicans have been fairer to Franken than Democrats? Trumpocalypse Mar 2019 #138

We'll never know because your friend killed his right to have a OnDoutside Mar 2019 #140

No, Franken killed by resigning Trumpocalypse Mar 2019 #142

Lolz....good one ! I presume you'd describe all this as "Fake News" too ? OnDoutside Mar 2019 #145

It is fake news Trumpocalypse Mar 2019 #146

And do you deny that Gillibrand was the one who jumped the gun to stab her Senate colleague in OnDoutside Mar 2019 #147

No That is fake news. Trumpocalypse Mar 2019 #148

I'm content that anyone reading your post will recognise your rewriting of history to create a OnDoutside Mar 2019 #149

No it is reality Trumpocalypse Mar 2019 #150

Lolz thanks for the confirmation !!! OnDoutside Mar 2019 #157

Don't forget these Trumpocalypse Mar 2019 #159

No one is forgetting those who followed, but she jumped the gun trying to OnDoutside Mar 2019 #160

Jumped the gun? Trumpocalypse Mar 2019 #161

I admire your clean up effort but so many of us here watched all this play out in real time, OnDoutside Mar 2019 #162

No just presenting the facts Trumpocalypse Mar 2019 #163

Spun facts certainly. Well you could provide that evidence as to why the you know the Senate Ethics OnDoutside Mar 2019 #164

If it was all a right wing hit job Trumpocalypse Mar 2019 #165

Try answering the question. OnDoutside Mar 2019 #166

I did Trumpocalypse Mar 2019 #167

No, you didn't. Try again. OnDoutside Mar 2019 #168

Yes I did Trumpocalypse Mar 2019 #169

So if a person gets accused of sexual harassment.. MicaelS Mar 2019 #115

That is up to the owners Trumpocalypse Mar 2019 #123

She has to live with it now... BlueJac Mar 2019 #104

Meanwhile all of Frankens accusers faded back into the wood work... Historic NY Mar 2019 #105

this disqualifies her in my eyes and almost all other democrats I personally know, a MISTAKE she beachbum bob Mar 2019 #106

Gillibrand did not call for due process -- she demanded his resignation jmellman Mar 2019 #107

Along with over 30 other Senators the very same morning Trumpocalypse Mar 2019 #131

I don't think Gillibrand has much of a chance Politicub Mar 2019 #109

Well said Trumpocalypse Mar 2019 #132

Meh Lotusflower70 Mar 2019 #129

She was not the only candidate calling for Al Franken's resignation, and for those arguing that "she still_one Mar 2019 #151

No, but she's the only one running on it, which is all on her. LongtimeAZDem Mar 2019 #154

Can't argue with that reasoning. Excellent point still_one Mar 2019 #156

She's NOT running on it. She responded to questions about it. brooklynite Mar 2019 #158

Bottom Line: Gillibrand helped out in a Roger Stone Rat Fucking Operation of Al Franken in order ... Botany Mar 2019 #153

Got fundraising call today maineac May 2019 #170

The Franken incident is mentioned in the comments in this article Gothmog Jul 2019 #171