Leading Senate Democrats Call For Ethics Investigation Into Al Franken

Washington Post ^ | November 16 at 1:06 PM | Amber Phillips

[drewh]

Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) faced swift and bipartisan condemnation Thursday and a call for an ethics investigation after a Los Angeles model and broadcaster accused him of “forcibly kissing” and groping her in 2006.

After originally issuing a brief apology and saying he didn’t recall the incident the way Leeann Tweeden did, Franken issued a longer apology — “There’s no excuse” — and welcomed the ethics investigation, saying he will “gladly cooperate.”

The top Democrat, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (N.Y.), said he hopes there will soon be one by the Senate Ethics Committee, which has the authority to recommend expelling a senator. “Sexual harassment is never acceptable and must not be tolerated,” Schumer said in a statement.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), who is dealing with the political fallout from allegations of sexual misconduct by an Alabama GOP Senate candidate, immediately called on the ethics committee to investigate Franken. McConnell has also not ruled out investigations into Roy Moore if he wins his special election next month despite Republican leaders’ calls for him to drop out of the race.

[bkopto]

...and welcomed the ethics investigation, saying he will “gladly cooperate.”

Of course he will, because the swampy outcome is pre-determined by Schumer and McConnell.

[ColdOne]

Can you all repeat after me?

Kabuki!

[Ken H]

In before FReepers step in to defend Al Franken.

[LostPassword]

> welcomed the ethics investigation

Of course he does. The purpose of the ethics committees is to clear members of any wrong-doing. Possibly writing a weakly worded letter of disappointment if the offense was sever enough and the press has details. And, if the press asks difficult questions, he can claim that he’s not allowed to say anything while the investigating is going on. The findings will be released soon after the press loses interest in the accusations and is willing to cover the fact that he was cleared.

They do it for members of either party since they know members of their party will need to be cleared of actual wrong-doing in the not too distant future and will want to claim they were cleared if their opponent bring it up in the next election.

[DoodleDawg]

Just setting the stage so that when Moore is sworn in they can go straight to the ethics investigation, saying “See? We did the same to Franken.” The difference will be what the committee does to Franken and what they will do to Moore.

[mewzilla]

It’s also a national security nightmare.

[daler]

He’ll be cleared of all wrongdoing by Tuesday.

[Old Teufel Hunden]

Yes, the picture is devastating. While 10 or 20 years ago it was acceptable to make a joke out of sexual harassment (not by me but mostly by liberal comedians like him and this Louis CK) it’s not acceptable now, thank God.

You want to be a funny comedian, go back to the days when you had to be skilled and not just throw it all out there. Bob Hope had a lot of sexual innuendo in his routine, but he didn’t have to disrespect women to do so. Thank God we still had him around performing USO shows during the first Gulf War.

[drewh]

the difference is the whole world can see the evidence of what Franken did on a USO Tour right here right now!

[tflabo]

Well, well, well-— ok you hypocrites in the Senate what are you gonna do about this? Roy Moore has done no such egregious acts even as a joke. God works in mysterious ways. Can you say Senator Roy Moore? Get used to it elite scums.

[Old Teufel Hunden]

"The difference will be what the committee does to Franken and what they will do to Moore."

I don't think the Franken situation will get to an ethics investigation. A second accuser has now come forth, expect more. His fellow Minnesota Senator, Chucky and other Democrats have spoken out against him. He's in the death throws. They will gladly throw Al Franken over. He's in a safe Dem seat and they probably don't like him anyway because everyone agrees he's an ass.

[lodi90]

Is that an air assault badge on her chest?

[DoodleDawg]

I don't think the Franken situation will get to an ethics investigation. A second accuser has now come forth, expect more. His fellow Minnesota Senator, Chucky and other Democrats have spoken out against him. He's in the death throws. They will gladly throw Al Franken over.

I think they'll go through the motions. They have to, otherwise how can they haul Moore up before the committee?

[drewh]

this is definitely karmic payback for sure!

[ifinnegan]

GOPe are saying even if Roy Moore wins he will never be seated. He will be out in the first week.

Therefore, Franken needs to be out before Thanksgiving.

[Oldeconomybuyer]

Tip of the Iceberg:

Speier: U.S. House Paid $15 Million to Its Secret Sexual Harassment Victims

https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3604888/posts

[drewh]

GOPe's are saying even if Roy Moore wins he will never be seated. He will be out in the first week.

In that case, couldn't Luther Strange step down and then appoint another place holder until the next election?

[TexasFreeper2009]

lol

draining of the swamp continues :P

[Old Teufel Hunden]

"I think they'll go through the motions."

For sure they will if he's still in the Senate. I just expect that he may have resigned by this time next week thus sparing an ethics investigation. I can only imagine what sort of sordid past Franken has that he most likely does not want to come out.

[mass55th]

"You want to be a funny comedian, go back to the days when you had to be skilled and not just throw it all out there."

I grew up with Ed Wynn, Red Skeleton, Bob Hope, Abbott and Costello, and so many others. Now they were the real deal.