Larry Craig (he of the 'wide stance" and restroom arrest) said he'd resign from the Senate, then just changed his mind. That's the sensible response, when you get right down to it. Oops, I just never managed to mail that resignation letter....

I wish Al would have done that. Oops. Just forgot to resign there.

Dems need to learn -- stick it out. Suffer the embarrassment. Apologize but then shut up.

Do the Clinton thing-- stick it out, do your job well, wait for it to pass.

He resigned of his own free will. It's on his head.

of the Democratic caucus demanded he resign. If that fits your definition of free will the term is meaningless.

He chose to succumb to peer pressure. Okay, but he quite literally didn't have to do that. He could have stuck it out. What would the half-caucus have done? They might have snubbed him, but what else?

He had free will. He used it to resign. He didn't have to. I wish he hadn't. I hope he gives his voters a chance to tell him they want him to do the job he quit.

He was never accused of committing a crime.

Franken's decision. I've always liked Al and hope he decides to get back into politics.

I thought she was unfair to Franken (since he'd always been one of my favorite senators) until I learned he had groped hineys since becoming senator, including those of senate staffers.

He could have stayed and fought the charges, but he didn't.

Gillibrand is a consistent and effective fighter for women's causes. For her to say or do anything differently about Franken than she did would've been blatant hypocrisy.

Now let that Pro-Franken Gillibrand-hating responses continue...

Senator Franken's female staff defending him.

http://time.com/5030073/al-franken-female-staffers-defend/

Saturday Night Live' women defend Franken after groping allegations

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/saturday-night-live-women-defend-franken-after-groping-allegations-n822806

there was never any allegation of him groping senate staffers. None of the incidence were alleged to have happened after he was a Senator. The closest thing to what you describe is Tina Dupuy, a congressional aide, whom he is alleged to have grabbed her waist while they were having a photo taken together. This happened at an Obama Inauguration party before the election had been decided in Franken's favor. Another congressional aide, Ms. Anonymous, said he tried to kiss her when he had the show on Air America.

And NOTHING happened.

The woman who accused him of inappropriate touching at the Minnesota State Fair, I was standing a few feet from her and Al did not grope her as she alleged he did. There were many people around waiting to speak with Al Franken.

At the Crown Plaza in St. Paul for the Victory celebration in July of 2009, there were several hundred of who's who of Minnesota Politics, supportors, friends, and Al had his arms around so many people, including me......Nothing happened.

Franken's problem. I hope Al gets back into politics. He is needed very much.

and over 30 other Democratic Senators made certain Al Franken will never be in elected office again. Funny thing being he was accused of being not quite as touchy-feely as we have seen from VP Biden.

I don't see the point of holding grudges within the party. No one's perfect. Franken should have stood his ground instead of panicking and quitting. He should run again.

She's weak tea. She's not getting the nomination.

Of course I will support her should she get the nomination; fortunately, I don't think that is likely

And, you are also breaking TOS.

should have resigned

"But hey, thanks for getting me your wife's Senate seat!"

Response about Al Franken running for the Senate again - and then turned back to Joe Madison.


She's too glossy for me. She doesn't have the down to earth communication style of Kamala, Pete, Biden, Julian, Andy . . . It's false folksy.

Asking for a friend who is paranoid about 2020 voting.

If he dies I will let you know after a suitable mourning period. Very scientific.

They are last and Joe is first but there are several who are close to him in my mind that I would gladly vote for in the primaries if he doesn't run or pushes means testing social security. Of course, I expect neither of these to happen, but it's politics in today's' crazy world so who knows what could happen.

over 30 other Senators were all just blind followers?

https://www.chicagotribune.com/lifestyles/stevens/ct-life-stevens-wednesday-kirsten-gillibrand-al-franken-0116-story.html

Does it?

Gillibrand is not even at the bottom of my primary list since there's no chance someone with her conservative leanings will become our nominee. As to how long she'll last...? Conservatives and other hostiles out to spoiler-vote our primary will probably be splitting between her, Sanders and Gabbard. Sanders won't be pulling them all this time, and she certainly won't.

Most progressive senators:

https://progressivepunch.org/scores.htm?house=senate

1 Harris, Kamala
2 Warren, Elizabeth
3 Markey, Ed
4 Booker, Cory
5 Merkley, Jeff
6 Hirono, Mazie
7 Gillibrand, Kirsten
8 Brown, Sherrod
9 Sanders, Bernie
10 Durbin, Dick

in the senate, and even there with a much larger, bluer constituency to please she has had some problems sticking basic liberal principles. Many women are at least fairly liberal on a lot of social issues while being more conservative on others, and I can respect that but expect them to be honest about it.

I notice belatedly that you use the word progressive, rather than liberal, whoops. And it's true that many progressives are conservative.

But if I want someone like her, I'll vote for a candidate who runs on who she is and what she believes, not someone who's built a deceptive new record to run on because Massachusetts is overall very blue, unlike her previous little congressional district. As is the Democratic Party nationally.

cant imagine she is getting much traction elsewhere.