Posted on 11/17/2017 6:26:44 PM PST by markomalley
The admission of Al Franken’s sexual misconduct continues to reverberate around the Internet. His admitted impropriety with a female reporter in 2006, along with shockingly inappropriate photographs, has received universal backlash. While Franken faces a potential ethics hearing on the matter, his conduct may have had another unintended consequence. It may have helped save Roy Moore’s U.S. Senate bid. We examine.
In case you missed the unmissable, Minnesota Senator Al Franken (D-Min) was accused by news anchor Leeann Tweeden of sexual misconduct. She alleges that Franken, a comedian at the time, groped and forcibly kissed her without her consent. “I couldn’t believe it. He groped me, without my consent, while I was asleep.” (Source: “Photo: Journalist Leann Tweeden Accuses Sen. Al Franken of Fondling, Kissing Her Without Consent,” Breitbart, November 16, 2017.)
There’s even disturbing visual evidence corroborating the account.
You can read Tweeden’s full account on the KABC web site. (Source: “Senator Al Franken Kissed and Groped Me Without My Consent, And There’s Nothing Funny About It,” November 16, 2017.)
Al Franken, to his minor credit, admitted culpability right away. Considering the photographs, resorting to damage control was the only thing he could do politically. He posted an apology on Twitter, which reads as follows:
I want to apologize to Leeann Tweeden, to everyone who was part of the USO tour, to all who've worked for me, to all I represent, & to all who've considered me an ally & supporter & champion of women. I am sorry. https://t.co/vrLCIcggg6
— Sen. Al Franken (@SenFranken) November 16, 2017
In case any lingering questions about culpability remained, Franken even asked Congress to conduct an investigation into his own actions: “I am asking that an ethics investigation be undertaken, and I will gladly cooperate.” Case closed.
Franken’s impropriety comes on the heels of revelations that Congress has dished out at least $17.0 million over a 20-year period to settle sexual harassment and discrimination claims on Capitol Hill. From a public relations perspective, Franken’s revelations were the last thing Congress needed. (Source: “Congress paid out $17 million in settlements since 1990s,” ABC7-Detroit, November 16, 2017.)
Taken in isolation, Franken’s transgressions may come across as another celebrity abusing his status. It’s the exact type of deviance we’ve recently witnessed by other deviants in authority, most notably Hollywood movie producer Harvey Weinstein and Amazon Studios executive Roy Price. Sadly, this conduct has become so commonplace that it’s become almost expected, to a certain degree.
However, I believe Al Franken’s sexual misconduct case could have more widespread implications when looked at in a broader context. That context includes the embattled campaign of Alabama U.S. Senate hopeful Roy Moore.
Below are three important reasons how Al Franken might have inadvertently saved Roy Moore’s U.S. Senate bid.
This is the most immediate and impactful way Al Franken has helped Roy Moore’s campaign. It shifted the focus away from Moore’s alleged indiscretions, which have been drip-fed by political foes to inflict maximum damage. Moore now gets a reprieve from the 24/7 negative news cycle that has dogged his campaign; at least for a short while.
Now that Moore’s news cycle has been interrupted, the intensity of subsequent events will be less intense. Franken’s scandal shifts the focus away from Moore’s accusers specifically, and into a broader conversation about sexual misconduct among politicians in general.
Any way to make the conversation less personal is a win for Moore.
Following the Franken debacle, Senate Majority leader Mitch McConnell issued a statement. But it wasn’t the one many conservatives were looking for. McConnell’s statement reads as follows:
As with all credible allegations of sexual harassment or assault, I believe the Ethics Committee should review the matter. I hope the Democratic Leader will join me on this. Regardless of party, harassment and assault are completely unacceptable—in the workplace or anywhere else.
Although McConnell’s condemnation is clear, many Roy Moore supporters are likely to be livid about the blatant hypocrisy. (Source: “Mitch McConnell calls for ethics review of Al Franken sexual assault accusation,” Washington Examiner, November 16, 2017.)
Here we have a sitting U.S. senator, admitting culpability for lewd sexual misconduct (along with shocking photo evidence), and yet McConnell is only asking for an Ethics Committee hearing.
In Roy Moore’s case, the evidence is much less clear. The four accounts of misconduct involve hearsay accusations, which are almost 40 years old. The allegations have all been made a month before a critical U.S. Senate race.
None have any physical evidence besides an alleged yearbook signature, which is quite possibly forged or doctored. In fact, liberal attorney Gloria Allred has admitted she hasn’t asked her client whether the signature is authentic. Roy Moore has strenuously denied all the accusations and denied even knowing some of the women. (Source: “Gloria Allred: ‘I Haven’t Asked’ Beverly Young Nelson If She Saw Roy Moore Sign Her Yearbook,” Breitbart, November 16, 2017.)
Yet, Mitch McConnell has demanded Roy Moore drop out of his U.S. Senate bid. McConnell, speaking at an event in Louisville on Monday, said he “believe[d] the women” and that Moore “should step aside.” He even floated the possibility of supporting a write-in candidate in lieu of Moore, which would be a guaranteed loser. (Source: “New sex assault allegation hits Moore; he calls it false,” Associated Press, November 14, 2017.)
So the big question on many Alabaman voters’ minds will be: Why is McConnell demanding Moore drop out but only requesting an Ethics hearing on Franken? This seems like the ultimate hypocrisy, considering Franken’s is a slam-dunk case while Moore’s is very possibly politically motivated (and unproven). Where’s the outrage?
This is an effort by Mitch McConnell and his cronies to steal this election from the people of Alabama and they will not stand for it! #ALSEN
— Judge Roy Moore (@MooreSenate) November 16, 2017
Alabaman voters will not lose sight of this fact.
Roy Moore’s U.S. Senate bid may be able to survive the GOP establishment throwing him under the bus, but not the president. With funding, field support, and public relations help pulled, Moore is already facing an uphill battle in a close race.
Until yesterday, Donald Trump had yet to officially weigh in. But no doubt he held Roy Moore’s U.S. Senate bid in the palm of his hand. If he followed the party line and disavowed Moore, that likely would have swung enough Trump Republicans against Moore to torpedo his bid.
Yes, it’s true that Luther Strange was crushed in the Alabama Senate primary by Roy Moore, despite being endorsed by President Trump. However, that was pre-scandal. Polls that had Moore way ahead of Democratic challenger Doug Jones have completely shifted as the accusations against Moore have taken their toll.
For example, the National Republican Senatorial Committee’s own internal polling shows Doug Jones ahead by 12 points. A new Fox News poll indicates Moore is eight points behind. (Source: “Poll: Moore trails Jones in Alabama Senate race,” Politico, November 16, 2017.)
Even if we take a skeptical approach and assume these polls are biased or unrepresentative of reality, the best-case scenario for Moore is that this race is tight. Trump disavowing him could have been the death-knell for a campaign once considered a sure thing.
Only that’s not what happened.
In a much anticipated White House release yesterday, Press Secretary Sara Huckabee Sanders said that although President Donald Trump thought the sexual misconduct accusations leveled against Roy Moore were “troubling,” he believed the voters of Alabama “should make the decision on who their next senator should be.” (Source: “WH Press Sec Sanders: Trump Thinks ‘People of Alabama Should Make the Decision on Who Their Next Senator Should Be’,” Breitbart, November 16, 2017.)
Huckabee Sanders’ statement came a couple hours after the Franken scandal become public knowledge. Coincidence? Maybe, maybe not. But the White House had avoided the topic upon Trump’s arrival back to the U.S. from his 12-day Asia tour on Tuesday. It provided the perfect opportunity for Trump to sidestep the issue (which he was probably inclined to do, anyway) and leave it to the voters of Alabama to decide. This was a huge win for Moore.
In the end, Al Franken’s misdeeds could get him ousted from Congress. But more than that, he might have inadvertently aided Roy Moore’s U.S. Senate bid, much to the chagrin of political foes. Call it a potential Alabama Hail Mary in the making.
Hannity can take his tick-tock and shove it.
Yeah there’s gotta be a pearl clutch in there somewhere — LOL
“Should Roy Moore win, he’ll be solely responsible for that win. He fought back.”
Then there is a cadre of his supporters here on FR and across the country who are sending him donations in trying to help him overcome the deep state attacks. We are helping.
Long ago I might have thought FReepers would have despised them both. Now, I expect the type of “conservatives” that comment here will blast me and exonerate Moore.
Evil is not excused when it’s done by a member of your own tribe. Period.
Perhaps it’s Haman, not Mordecai, who will hang from those gallows.
No.
Mitch McConnell's and Chuck Schumer's reaction to it did.
-PJ
Forge Roy Moore's signature, pay women to lie
Perform coup in Alabama. Get a democrat senator elected in Alabama to take Sessions’ and Moore's seat. That will put the Supreme Court nominations in jeopardy. This election in Alabama means as many as 3 supreme court nominees. this isn't about any sexual behavior but it's about democrats turning America into socialist Venezuela. The Stakes couldn't be higher.
Forge Roy Moore's signature, pay women to lie
Perform coup in Alabama. Get a democrat senator elected in Alabama to take Sessions’ and Moore's seat. That will put the Supreme Court nominations in jeopardy. This election in Alabama means as many as 3 supreme court nominees. this isn't about any sexual behavior but it's about democrats turning America into socialist Venezuela. The Stakes couldn't be higher.
This democrat smear campaign and election of Roy Moore isn't about the alleged behavior of a single individual 40 years ago .This is about the future of America and the world.
Agreed. I doubt Moore is still messing with teens, so I’m ok with him helping the senate hold on. The war for the US of A is a higher priority. But I’m not going to pretend there isn’t enough smoke to make me think he was once a creepy mall stalker of teen girls.
Good to hear!
Helping, yes but it’s Moore’s willingness not to give in to political terrorists that provided all an opportunity to help. Like Lincoln said, “I cannot spare this man, he fights!”
Moore is innocent. Democrats are vile serpents, pure evil lying marxists.
I’ll absolutely guarantee you not on purpose. He’s just that stupid.
rwood
I know a lot of FReepers think Moore has never done anything untoward with women or girls. We are all free to think what we want.
I voted for Moore last week for fear of not being able to vote.
I see several democrat signs here in Alabaster area south of Birmingham area. What is really interesting many people in Washington are scared of what is about to happen.
I know people who know Roy Moore well and think he is the real deal. I have contributed to campaign several times.
It is really hard to predict the outcome.
All the evidence is a fake yearbook and forged signature.
Where is your evidence for Moore’s guilt? Only allegations by fame and money seekers and democrats no proof. Innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
“My prediction is that he will win by 12 points...”
If that happens, I don’t think the media will recover —>schlongholm syndrome.
“Why did Tweeden pick now to make her Franken story public?”
Attention whores are a dime a dozen
I’m not a Court.
I believe he sought out teens. Maybe for actual sex or maybe just flirtation and dates. The reason I think this is FIRST from Roy Moore’s mouth. He equivocated when asked about remembering the 17 year old girl. Said he remembered they had that friendship 40years ago. BUT HAD NO RECOLLECTION whether or not he had a romantic interest in her. That is not the truth. He remembers whether or not he in his 30s was interested in his old teen friend or not. You cannot not know, if you remember the friendship. There would have been nothing wrong with saying he had dated her, as she says. The dates were chaste and legal, some mild kissing.
It bothers me when people lie when they don’t need to. When the truth would benefit them.
The other thing that makes me think he had a compulsion for teen girls is the sheer number of women who experienced his romantic or sexual interest in their teen years.
Nothing else, not the actual content of the accusations, Gloria Allred, the signature in the stupid yearbook. Just his own lie, plus the number of people who called him out.
Wetting self, definitely that one.
Trying to find gonads and failing, that’s part of it too.
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