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PJMcK

(22,034 posts)
Wed Aug 31, 2016, 07:41 AM Aug 2016

Susan Estrich

What is the story with Susan Estrich? She was the campaign manager for Michael Dukakis's presidential run in 1988 but now she's defending Roger Ailes against the sexual harassment charges he's facing. Here's a link to an article in The Daily Beast about that case:

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2016/08/30/roger-ailes-s-lawyers-escalate-his-vicious-war-against-journalist-gabe-sherman.html

Here's a quote from Ms. Estrich: “Gabe Sherman has made clear that nothing will stand in the way of his vendetta against Roger Ailes, and he will use any woman he can find—no matter how clearly and deeply troubled she is—to try to concoct allegations against Mr. Ailes.”

Notice the victim-blaming in the quote! I'm very used to hearing comments like this from Republicans and right-wing pundits but coming from such a prominent Democrat baffles me. Well, she is a lawyer so I guess she'll vigorously defend her client even though he represents everything she should be against.

Strange bedfellows, indeed.

11 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Susan Estrich (Original Post) PJMcK Aug 2016 OP
She's a lawyer leftynyc Aug 2016 #1
Yes, of course PJMcK Aug 2016 #4
She is Fox News Democrat Proud liberal 80 Aug 2016 #2
Sorta like Tulsi Gabbard. brush Aug 2016 #3
Stupid assumption. Kaela Sep 2016 #7
Stupid response. I've heard her on FOX more than once bashing other Democrats . . . brush Sep 2016 #9
Tulsi was previously anti-LGBT rights CreekDog Sep 2016 #11
Pat Caddell is the perfect example. & bitter UTUSN Sep 2016 #10
So we no longer believe that people accused of crimes deserve legal representation? FSogol Aug 2016 #5
That misrepresents my question PJMcK Aug 2016 #6
FWIW I agree. trof Sep 2016 #8
 

leftynyc

(26,060 posts)
1. She's a lawyer
Wed Aug 31, 2016, 07:50 AM
Aug 2016

defending her client (who I'm sure is paying her VERY well). The extra added attraction of her working at fox and she'll claim she wasn't harassed and never saw harassment by ailes. Who she defends has nothing to do with her political leanings. She's doing her job.

PJMcK

(22,034 posts)
4. Yes, of course
Wed Aug 31, 2016, 08:23 AM
Aug 2016

I made the point, as you did, leftynyc, that she's a lawyer. But because of her Democratic activism, I found her victim-blaming comments remarkably offensive, particularly coming from a woman.

A lawyer can choose to not represent a client for any number of reasons. I would think that personal and professional ethics might influence such a decision. In any event, I agree with you that Mr. Ailes is paying her firm a lot of money.

Proud liberal 80

(4,167 posts)
2. She is Fox News Democrat
Wed Aug 31, 2016, 08:07 AM
Aug 2016

The ones that go on that channel and constantly bash democrats and praise republicans

Kaela

(13 posts)
7. Stupid assumption.
Thu Sep 1, 2016, 07:03 PM
Sep 2016

You say this just because Tulsi spoke the truth about the illegal Syrian war and the difference between Islam the religion and radical political Islam or Islamism that ISIS etc follows on different news agencies, including fox. Facts are facts, regardless of where they're spoken.

brush

(53,771 posts)
9. Stupid response. I've heard her on FOX more than once bashing other Democrats . . .
Thu Sep 1, 2016, 11:23 PM
Sep 2016

instead of repugs.

She's an opportunistic DINO.

CreekDog

(46,192 posts)
11. Tulsi was previously anti-LGBT rights
Fri Sep 2, 2016, 01:05 AM
Sep 2016

her support for Assad on the idea that Assad can damage ISIS more is not borne out by reality since he has used most of his power against his own people and not ISIS.

it's also the position of the Russians, who have not been all that helpful either.

PJMcK

(22,034 posts)
6. That misrepresents my question
Wed Aug 31, 2016, 08:31 AM
Aug 2016

First, I never suggested that Roger Ailes is not entitled to a lawyer.

Second, I don't believe he has been criminally charged by law enforcement. The cases pending are civil lawsuits. Of course, he's still entitled to a lawyer.

More to the point, why would Ms. Estrich take Mr. Ailes as a client? She is under no obligation to represent him. I guess the money's that good.

Ultimately, Ms. Estrich ran a terrible campaign for Michael Dukakis. And I find her victim-blaming comments offensive and not representative of Democratic values. She's certainly taken a different professional path.

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