General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: I can hardly believe the amount of power some here are willing to cede to anonymous or virtually [View all]Ms. Toad
(34,191 posts)The allegations against Franken are pretty run of the mill - and represent the kind of choices women have always had to make in politics between men with clay feet as to their personal background of sexual abuse/harassment but who can be counted on to help implement progressive policies.
I voted for Clinton after, and despite, allegations he raped Juanita Broaddrick. Although it isn't the same issue, I also voted for Barack Obama against my own interests when it was clear he has a pretty significant personal aversion to homosexuality - because he otherwise could be counted on to be more progressive than the Republican opponent (and intellectually, he was supportive of at least non-discrimination toward LGBT individuals).
There will almost never be a candidate whose values and personal characteristics align with all of mine. As to this issue, I think the #MeToo movement has awakened a lot of men to just how pervasive this kind of transgression is. Its is, unfortunately, a knowledge I have been living with personally for 5 decades - beginning with a diving instructor who fondled me during diving lessons at age 11.
So the choice for me always comes down to a balancing act. As to Franken, even assuming all the allegations are true (and I believe they are), I still come down to keeping him in Congress being a net positive.