Kirsten Gillibrand is about to have a bad week

[flotsam]

Newsweek reveals the Al Franken hit squad was another electronic lynching...

"White nationalist provocateurs, a pair of fake news sites, an army of Twitter bots and other cyber tricks helped derail Democratic Senator Al Franken last year, new research shows."

http://www.newsweek.com/alt-right-trump-franken-mueller-twitter-810355

[rzemanfl]

1. K&R.

Now I am waiting for someone to post that Newsweek is full of ads.

[janterry]

2. That's okay by me

n/t

[shraby]

4. What do you mean? It's okay they found hanky panky in Franken's case or

they bulldozed Franken.

[janterry]

37. that she's about to have a bad week

[Hortensis]

47. :) Me too. But to be fair, it was a successful

Republican operation before she pushed herself onto the stage to try to capitalize on it.

By that point, though, Franken and his senate colleagues were all realizing that keeping sexual depravity a Republican-owned issue required cutting line. And as you'll recall all women senators, and then most of the men, joined in to use the situation to make as powerful a statement against sexual harassment as they could.

Such a shame putting the message across this way was necessary. But how often every day on this very forum do people complain, complain, complain that Democrats "aren't doing anything?" They want to see Democrats play acting at doing something in front of cameras dramatically enough that networks will put it on a TV screen for them. And, of course, that's the only way millions of others will have any idea anything's happening at all.

[wasupaloopa]

65. It was not necessary to sentence someone before

a hearing and investigation

[Progressive dog]

256. He was nut "sentenced"

without hearing or investigation. He chose to resign rather than have that hearing or investigation. He ran from his accusers.

[CentralMass]

3. She won't care.

[shraby]

7. She damn well better care.

[LakeArenal]

98. She and her supporters will try to find some positive spin..

Maybe she should offer to resign.

[IthinkThereforeIAM]

118. +1

... eom.

[Cuthbert Allgood]

140. She's a sitting Democratic senator.

Are we here at Democratic Underground supposed to support her?

[LakeArenal]

142. Oh, pull out that....

We at DU supported AL Franken. He was the most popular sitting Democratic Senator.. If you don't believe that, keep reading.

[Cuthbert Allgood]

156. So one CAN criticize a Dem that we disagree with?

Just making sure I understand that. Because it seems like anyone that says Clinton didn't run the perfect campaign gets piled on by some of the same people piling on Gillibrand here with decrees that we need to support Dems.

You know...consistency. That's all I'm wondering about. Or at least the list of Dems we can criticize.

[bettyellen]

158. You know the rule about treating RW talking points? Thats the one.

People here smelled the RW all over the attacks- particularly from the primary accuser w RW media ties:

[Motownman78]

220. Yes, we are allowed to disagree

with Democratic Reps as long as the criticism is true and valid. That is my understanding anyway.

[Squinch]

227. Poor you. It's so difficult.

[Squinch]

226. You know what? I liked Franken, and I'll be voting for Gillibrand when re-election comes.

You know why?

Because she's a Democrat. And we need to vote for every Democrat we can.

[Maraya1969]

253. I think she should step down after her term. If she leaves now that is 1 less Dem

and we can't afford to loose any Dems.

[regnaD kciN]

182. You're right.

She'll just say it was the right thing to do, and that's all there is to it.

[tavernier]

213. Except it wasnt.

And talking doesn’t make it so.

[flying_wahini]

252. Exactly!

She lost her mojo when she stood against Franken in my book. Doesn't mean I wouldn't vote for her but she lost any credibility when she piled on Franken.

[hurple]

5. Maybe...

She should resign...

[shraby]

8. Maybe you should go to a more friendly site for your thoughts.

[TheDebbieDee]

68. I think hurple speaks for a lot of us here at DU!

Maybe it would be good for Sen Gillibrand to get a taste of the medicine she doled out to Sen Franken? I haven't forgotten how Sen Gillibrand took the gun that the republicans were using to shoot themselves in the foot over the Roy Moore issue and used that gun to shoot the Democratic party in the head!

[earthshine]

79. +1 from me. Resignation might be a bit much, but it's how I feel. nt

[Squinch]

229. So that we can lose 2 sitting Democrats? That's brilliant.

[TheDebbieDee]

231. I don't think Sen Gillibrand should resign but I think she should feel a lot of heat

for falling for BS and organizing to push another Dem from office. Sen Gillibrand got played and made Dem supporters look weak...

[Squinch]

232. Yes she did. But I'm her constituent and I'll still vote for her.

Because of that D.

[Squinch]

228. Maybe - not.

[jrthin]

6. Couldn't happen to a more sanctimonious person. nt

[shraby]

10. I'm sure when the smoke clears, she will try to right the wrong.

[ollie10]

49. but she didn't try to right the wrong....she wronged the right

[zentrum]

89. How?

By bringing back his Senator-ship?

And having the due process investigation he asked for?

It's too late.

She ruined him and harmed the party terribly. He was one of our best. Can never forgive her.

[tblue37]

138. +1. nt

[leftstreet]

9. Will she resign over this?

[Demsrule86]

39. Of course not. That would be insane.

[LakeArenal]

102. Insane to railroad Franken....

[Demsrule86]

110. You are darn right...we could lose that seat. But there is no remedy that helps the Democratic Party

[LakeArenal]

114. Oh I don't know....

How about a sincere, Ooops my bad.

Personally, I think it would help the Democrats for them to say they were wrong. We learn from our mistakes and we move forward.

[Demsrule86]

122. It just gives the GOP amuntion...what should every Senator admit they were wrong? The GOP would

love that and again...what is the point?

[LakeArenal]

126. Wow, who sounds like a Republican now?

Yes truth and honor are weakness.

If you don't think the Goops have plenty of ammunition now, they just make up more anyway.

[Heartstrings]

187. I think we Dems take the high road far too easily

And this is most certainly a case of going high when we should have at least stood our ground instead of offering up Franken as the sacrificial lamb at the GOP alter. And yes, we just gave them more food for fodder as to how easily we give up one of our best and brightest comrades.

An apology, of sorts, such as "I jumped the gun on this and regret it. Let's give Al the due process he deserves" might be a good start for gillabrand to restore some faith in her.

[zentrum]

201. No. She wants to run...

…for President.

Hope the Democratic establishment understands that this would be terribly risky. Let's not again snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.

[chuckstevens]

11. God this pissed me off!

If weren't for Al revealing that Sessions lied 3 times under oath, we never would have got Robert Mueller.

The charges were manufactured by Hannity and Stone and Gillibrand should have known better.

Yet Trump has real scandals with a porn star, a playmate, and likely more to follow and gets to keep ruining America.

[MBS]

32. + 100 n/t

[lunamagica]

54. + a million

[Raster]

67. +1000

[lunasun]

203. ++++still pissed .It was all unraveling with Stone already in the picture when Gillibrand started

[eissa]

12. How many of us were screaming about the bogus anonymous charges?

I'll repeat it ad nauseam: THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN NO MUELLER INVESTIGATION WITHOUT FRANKEN. We not only lost the strongest voice in the Senate, but we now have to defend a seat that was safe until at least 2020 in an increasingly purple state.

[brush]

20. Yep. Many of us here were amazed that Gillibrand was so gullible as to fall for that repug hit job..

and to be so arrogant and adamant about it too.

Thank you "Newsweek".

[CentralMass]

36. That was political opportunism.

[brush]

53. Yes it was but she was so anxious to throw a possible competitor for 2020 under the bus...

her gullibility in falling for the repug hit job got the better of her.

Now thanks to "Newsweek" we don't have to worry about her trying to get the 2020 nomination.

Ambition yes, but that combined with gullibility is not a good combination for a presidential candidate.

[Control-Z]

169. I've seen Newsweek referenced more than once

in conjunction with Gillibrand and Franken but have no idea what it's about. Can you tell me what it's about or offer a link to the story?

[brush]

172. Here you go. "Newsweek" just outlined the extent of the repug hit job on Franken that Gillibrand..

fell foot, line and sinker for.

Hell, many posters right here on DU sniffed out first accuser Tweenden's account of her "photo" of Franken abusing her was fabricated, especially when Roger Stone's and Hannity's names were connected to the story's origination.

http://www.newsweek.com/alt-right-trump-franken-mueller-twitter-810355

[Control-Z]

177. Got it!

Thank you. I wonder if she plans to make any kind of statement, or apology.

[MBS]

42. Her arrogance and sanctimoniousness really lost me.

For a lot of the other senators who called for his resignation, the main consideration was political distraction. Granted that none of them deserve any "Profile in Courage" awards, to say the least.

But Gillibrand had to get on a moral high horse about it and lump his supposed transgressions (which amounted in my mind to tasteless comedy, at least in the case of Tweeden) with those of true perverts and predators. Her holier-than-thou and guilty-until-proven-innocent (without giving Franken a chance to do so), combined with what to me was obvious political opportunism on her part, lost me.

It really is a tragedy.

[brush]

60. The tragedy to me is we lost the voice who neutered Sessions and got us Mueller's probe.

We also now have to defend Franken's old seat in 2018 instead of 2020.

A silver lining to this cloud though is that this "Newsweek" expose should shelve Gillibrand's presidential chances.

[MBS]

145. Yes.

I really miss Franken in the senate. Even if we manage to keep a Democrat in his seat (by no means a given, of course), he was a forceful and intelligent presence, and not easily replaced. OK, irreplaceable.

[MBS]

34. " " " n/t

[pazzyanne]

66. Amen to that a hundred fold!

[harun]

249. Most of us, most of us.

[LexVegas]

13. Bernie Sanders' is about to have another bad week...

[chuckstevens]

19. What does this have to do with the topic?

[LexVegas]

33. He went after Franken too.

[chuckstevens]

35. No one was talking about Sanders, but you turned it back to him.

[LexVegas]

57. He will pay a price for going after Franken, right?

[chuckstevens]

78. I just find it interesting that of the 30 + Dems

who voted for Al to resign, you immediately tried to make this about Sanders.

[Raster]

81. because this poster ALWAYS DOES

[LexVegas]

85. ...

[MrsCoffee]

123. As interesting as immediately making it about Gillibrand.

[chuckstevens]

127. Wrong!

Gillibrand didn't care about the facts and rashly threw one of our better Democratic Senators under the bus! I let others decide on her motivation, but the fact remains she mishandled this badly.

[MrsCoffee]

130. If she mishandled it badly, so did the rest of those who asked him to step down.

We are getting kind of sick of everything always being the woman's fault.

[chuckstevens]

134. So, because I am mad Gilibrand was played by Republicans, I am anti-women?

[LexVegas]

136. I am mad that Bernie was played by Republicans.

[WhiteTara]

175. I'm mad that all the BoBs and Indies who wouldn't vote

were played by Russians/Republicons

[Blue_true]

92. Sanders, like Gillibrand said that Franken should step aside.

Why do you conclude that Gillibrand is more culpable, assuming there was culpability? Your position wreaks of selective judging and is unworthy of what should be posted on this site, IMO.

[SunSeeker]

101. +1

[chuckstevens]

132. Why can't you admit Gillibrand, this one time, was wrong?

[Blue_true]

146. I pointed out that her longtime campaign against sexual abuse of women by superiors

or equals that are not brought to justice may have colored her response to Franken's issues.

Why can't you admit that Gillibrand was just ONE of over 30 democratic and Independent Senators that said Franken should step aside? Gillibrand didn't force those people to take that position, if you do make that claim, you are also saying that not one of those Senators could think for themselves on that particular issue.

[chuckstevens]

148. Because she led the charge against Franken even thought it was an obvious rightwing hit job!

Would it not have been better to say IF THESE CHARGES are true, he should resign?

LeAnn Tweeden was coached by Sean Hannity and Roger Stone. Admit it: She was wrong to lead the charge against Franken!

[Blue_true]

159. There were more than Tweeden.

One of the accusers was a staffer for a democratic legislator. Two others were activist democrats. I know that your next move will be to use the "but they chose to be annonymous" charge. I honestly don't realize why people that say they are for women's rights, against sexual abuse or violence against women, can' understand why some women who are victimized don't want their name to get out. Yes, maybe Tweeden was coached, I didn't witness the events and she is an activist rightwinger, but if you claim that the women who chose to remain annonymous are possibly lying or are part of a plot because they chose to remain annonymous, then the other side of that claim is that Tweeden and the religious nut from Minnesota that also made a claim against Franken are telling the truth because they gave their names and put a face to their claims.

[Motownman78]

222. But the second he resigned

there were no more. If he was such a Serial-harasser, wouldn't it make sense for more "victims" to be out there?

[Blue_true]

263. Why should they come forward.

If what they hoped to see happen by coming forward had happened, why should they be required to come forward?

[questionseverything]

245. no, all those that gave their names were repubs except one at the end that said he squeezed her

waist

[mythology]

244. Because she wasn't wrong

8 women. Not one. Franken apologized for his behavior. Apparently he was in on the conspiracy against him.

[LakeArenal]

144. Omg the republican deflection of "what aboutism"

[Blue_true]

149. Aboutism is saying that one of more than 30 Senators was responsible for a group decision.

IMO, such a view is both foolish and clueless. In looking at Gillibrand and any other democrat, I look at their entire body of work and when they have hot button issues, I try to understand the basis for their positions. Given Gillibrand's longtime views, sexual abuse or even allegations of sexual abuse by those in power likely makes her skin crawl and could explain why her tendency would be to react forcefully.

[LakeArenal]

161. One should avoid calling anyone's opinion Foolish or clueless..

For me you just lost the argument. Have a good day.

[Blue_true]

167. The claim was made with a basis.

Fact, there are foolish and clueless opinions, to not call them what they are would be equally foolish.

[Heartstrings]

188. Not true

To call someone out is negative....we have enough negativity to overcome.

[Lil Missy]

129. No, we're talking about Franken and bogus charges. And those who piled on.

[Cha]

189. BS went after Franken, too? I was

on a 5 month news blackout then.. I missed the whole sordid mess.

Thanks, Lex

[Raster]

71. Sanders didn't anywhere near go after Al like Gilibrand did...

...she was the ringleader that led the Franken lynching party.

[tomp]

105. Schumer was likely ringleader. Both my senators...

...don’t like either.

[TomCADem]

88. No Hes Not. White Male Privilege

Only women get any blowback.

[MrsCoffee]

131. Exactly.

[stevenleser]

14. I didn't believe Tweeden from day 1. The other accusations concerned me, but as I said at the time

let's let the investigation play out. Let's figure out what is really going on here.

Now it's too late.

[suegeo]

100. FBI investigation might find rubles

Were basic background checks done?

FBI investigation might have turned up all kinds of Russian meddling. Did some Russian set up a bank account in Cyprus, pour rubles into it, and put said account in the name of an accuser or 2?

There's other ways they could have been paid off.

And my vote in 2018 will get stolen again, due to grand old Putin party rat fu#king. And the blackmailing.

They'll do it again, of course they will. And a seat will flip to fascist in my state.

Plus there's the part about Franken being innocent.

[stonecutter357]

15. K&R

[shraby]

16. Franken has every right to run again for his seat!

[CentralMass]

30. +1

[KPN]

17. Her leading the charge against Franken

certainly appeared opportunistic on her part. In that light, this certainly isn't helpful to her aspirations.

[Trumpocalypse]

18. Over 30 senators called on Franken to resign

And in the end it was his choice to do so. No one held a gun to his head.

[flotsam]

25. Well when 32 of 49 of your total co-workers and "friends" form a lynch mob

I think it's fair to say they influenced your decision...

[Demsrule86]

43. So should we make everyone 'pay' or maybe let it go and move on to 18 and 20.

[LakeArenal]

106. If Schumer or the other men or women

wants to double down so publically on the decision to railroad Franken, you will see that it's not just Gilli.

You just want to believe it's only her.

[Demsrule86]

107. I do see that...she is being persecuted...and I was enraged at what happened to Franken...but

it is over.

[LakeArenal]

111. Just cuz you say so doesn't make it so.

It's not over. Or did you not read any of these responses?

[Demsrule86]

121. So what do you want? What should happen? Franken is gone...that is done...now what? Keep fighting

about it forever? Remember the Alamo becomes Remember Franken? Too what end? My Senator ...Sherrod Brown asked for Franken to resign also. Is he any less culpable than Gillibrand? I don't see a point to this.

[LakeArenal]

141. No, I have to repeat.... Sherrod Brown, also with political ambition...

Should issue a statement saying the group made a severe miscalculation, misinformed decision, a political error, whatever and say WE MADE A MISTAKE REMOVING AL FRANKEN....

I know it hurts you all to be wrong. But it's the right thing to do. Remember that? The right thing to do..

Political Correctness be damned.

[wellst0nev0ter]

236. They should pay

by keeping out of the presidential primaries. Make room for those who are NOT useful idiots.

[Demsrule86]

246. You don't have to vote for anyone who chooses to run, but it is not your choice. I don't

want Sen. Sanders to run...do I have the right to say he can't? No and neither do you.

[wellst0nev0ter]

258. They'll just take votes away from good candidates

the useful idiots should stay out.

[Demsrule86]

262. People you consider useful idiots might appeal to others....it is not our choice who runs. Those

who fail to garner sufficient support usually drop out early on.

[Trumpocalypse]

72. Issuing a statement is not

A lynch mob. In the end it was his choice to resign.

[earthshine]

83. During one of his final moments in the Senate, he did stand and said something about how hard it

is to be around colleagues who "can't stand to be around him."

And I think that's what pushed him to resign.

[Trumpocalypse]

195. The other kids dont like me

Sounds more like high school than a lynch mob.

[earthshine]

218. Except that it's adults all above 40. Lynch mob.

As a Bernie supporter, I was quite disappointed to see him on the list.

However, I support Bernie based on policy, not his sparkling personality.

[Trumpocalypse]

238. Not a lynch mob

No one was murdered.

[earthshine]

240. I can see from the rest of this thread that you like to get the last word.

Have at it. (yawn)

[LakeArenal]

109. You say not. Seems others disagree..

[ollie10]

50. and it was guillibrand who was one of the biggest leaders and most sanctimonious

[Trumpocalypse]

76. Depends on your definition of sanctimonious

[ollie10]

184. I will go with Webster's

[pazzyanne]

82. Just a couple of weeks ago

she was on "The View" where she was asked about the Al Franken thing. She is just as adamant as she was the first day she went after him and did not back down one iota. I don't believe she learned anything from this fiasco. I truly hope the others who went after him have! We cannot continue to throw our best and brightest under the bus when the fight ahead of us is so dire.

[Trumpocalypse]

194. Best and brightest?

Sounds more like a cult of personality around a celebrity politician.

[pazzyanne]

202. Your comment is noted,

but not sure what the question is. Minnesota elected him and we know him as a Senator. I did not watch SNL or whatever he was in during his comedic career. He did a wonderful job for Minnesota until he was "bushwacked" by his own party. Now we are facing the strong possibility of the loss of his seat to a Republican. Minnesota is a purple state, not a blue state, and many of us are sick to our stomach over what the election this year may bring. Thanks for your concern.

[Trumpocalypse]

207. How do you define wonderful

Vs the job other senators are doing?

[pazzyanne]

217. I don't have to

because he was my senator and the others are not. Some of those are not on my "good" list right now, but I don't have to vote for them. I'm now going to treat you like I treat my right wing sister. If you want to continue this "discussion", you are on your own.

[Trumpocalypse]

237. So you dont have an answer

[LakeArenal]

204. You're talking about Gillibrand's cult of personality, right?

Oh no, you meant Franken? The duly elected Senator Al Franken, who was smart, bright and a great effective Senator? Yeah, all personality, no substance at all... (sarcasm thingie, here)

[Trumpocalypse]

208. How do you define effective?

Is the measure of effectiveness is getting legislation passed: https://www.govtrack.us/congress/members/report-cards/2016/party-senate-democrat/bills-enacted-ti
So who is the most effective?

Or maybe it is who has voted to oppose Trump the most: https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/congress-trump-score/
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2017/01/25/kirsten-gillibrand-has-voted-against-almost-all-of-donald-trumps-nominees-2020-anyone/?utm_term=.d694d2ab4a03
So is the most effective?

[JI7]

63. Because she led it

[Trumpocalypse]

74. Still his choice to resign.

[Exotica]

84. Blumenthal from CT also said Franken did the right thing, and he returned any money raised by him

http://www.courant.com/politics/capitol-watch/hc-pol-al-franken-blumenthal-resign-20171207-story.html

Bill Nelson of Florida also said he should resign

http://www.tampabay.com/florida-politics/buzz/2017/12/06/bill-nelson-quiet-as-democrats-increasingly-call-on-franken-to-resign/

Tim Kaine also told him to resign

https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/kaine-statement-on-senator-frankens-resignation

Mark Warner basically the same

https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?id=0F418819-EC1A-4177-8562-16361AF1B859



Rhode island Sens. Reed, Whitehouse call on Sen. Franken to resign

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/sns-bc-ri--sexual-misconduct-franken-rhode-island-20171206-story.html


Both Maryland senators, Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin went the Blumenthal route

https://www.cardin.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/cardin-statement-on-senator-frankens-resignation


Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.), Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) and Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) were on the Ethics committee and could not comment.

Bob Menendez refused to say anything, probably was in his best interests to not comment on anything ethics-related as he was, at the time involved in a federal corruption trial (since cleared, yay!)

Catherine Cortez Masto said he should be held accountable and he did the right thing

https://www.cortezmasto.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cortez-masto-statement-on-resignation-of-senator-al-franken


Amy Klobuchar revealed she told Frnaken to resign in private

https://www.twincities.com/2017/12/07/amy-klobuchar-mark-dayton-others-react-to-al-franken-resignation-announcement/


so the ONLY Dem who actually stood up for Franken was

Joe Manchin said he should NOT have resigned

I guess so many detest Kirsten Gillibrand was the first Democratic Senator to call on him to resign, but is was almost a unanimous pile-on in the end, there is zero chance Gillibrand is THAT powerful

she also was the ONLY Democratic Senator to vote against ALL of Trump's horrid nominations

I think Franken got COMPLETELY railroaded, but certainly I do not hold Gillibrand as public enemy number one

[Trumpocalypse]

196. To be fair

I think the accusations against Franken were BS and wish he didn’t resign. But he was rapidly becoming a political liability for the party and the ongoing demonization of Gillibrand by some completely out of line.

[Exotica]

199. I also think a lot of the anti Gillibrand animus is also due to

Bill Clinton Should Have Resigned Over Lewinsky Affair, Kirsten Gillibrand Says

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/16/us/politics/gillibrand-bill-clinton-sexual-misconduct.html?_r=0

[Trumpocalypse]

209. Oddly some of the same people

who are so outraged at Gillibrand were Sanders and Stein supporters. How strange.

[Exotica]

211. this OP explains the theory of non-linear warfare and how the Russians perfected it

https://upload.democraticunderground.com/100210257721

from one of my replies to it

it is all about creating a fog of war environment without actual kinetic weapons being used

You churn up all the inherent pre-existing divisions within a society and get them to turn on each other. The indictment was just the tip of the iceberg.................

snip


That all said, in nonlinear warfare, you absolutely COUNT on the secondary, tertiary reactions as well. Look at how you now have internal Democratic infighting yet again over Bernie with many saying (via implication) that he could possibly be an unwitting or even willing Russian agent (I am in NO way a Sanders fangirl, but until I see absolute evidence I will not go to the level of assailing him as a Russia agent). Look at how much outright disruption that Putin got for a couple million dollars (versus the billions spent by actual American entities in a post-Citizens United world). It is all designed to tear the American political ecosphere apart more than it already is. I fear it will just keep on increasing, to the great detriment of social democracy in the US.


snip

finally

this 30 or 32 Dems saying Franken should resign is far too low a number

the ONLY Democratic Senator who said outright that Franken should NOT resign was Joe Manchin, 4 others ( 3 of them were on the Ethics committee and could not comment) said nothing either way

it was basically almost a unanimous pile on

https://upload.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=10256987

[SunSeeker]

96. Exactly. nt

[shadowmayor]

115. Looks like

A good ol' circular firing squad - perfected by the democrats over the decades!

[vi5]

157. She led the charge and was the loudest in her sanctimony...

..and she has a track record of political opportunism going back well before this instance that many of the others do not have against them.

[Trumpocalypse]

197. Political Opportunism??

I remember another female Senator from NY who was accused of that. How did demonizing her for years work out in the end?

[vi5]

198. Whatever...

...guilting people into liking someone they may not have liked for any number of legitimate reasons didn't exactly work out so well for us either.

We have a good bench of candidates, male and female. Gillibrand is not one of them.

[Trumpocalypse]

205. Not guilting into liking.

Guilting into not demonizing without proof.

[mikehiggins]

186. A little nitpicking---Sanders is not a Democrat, at least this week.

[Trumpocalypse]

210. Good point nt

[NCTraveler]

21. She wasn't influenced by this.

The thought she was is ignorant in itself.

Why just Gillibrand? I don't see her named mentioned once at your link. Transparent. This is an outright sexist attack on a Democrat. A damn good Democrat. It is the direction Russian bots are often taking.

What you are doing is hoping she will have a bad week. Sorry about that.

[nolabels]

22. Newsweek fires editor-in-chief, deputy editor and three reporters..........

Newsweek fires editor-in-chief, deputy editor and three reporters after they publish stories about suspected fraud at the magazine's parent company
Editor Bob Roe, deputy editor Ken Li and reporters Celeste Katz and Josh Saul, as well as Josh Keefe, a reporter for IBT, were all fired on Monday
Katz, Saul and Keefe had all been writing about a probe into suspected financial fraud at the magazine's parent company, edited by Roe and Li
'This whole entire staff feels it's clearly retaliatory,' a source said
Staff at International Business Times also report that they were not paid Monday
Last month, the Manhattan district attorney raided the Newsweek offices, removing 18 computer servers, as part of the Manhattan DA probe
Investigation is into a possible 'money trail' between former Newsweek Media Group executives and Olivet University, a Christian college in California


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5355009/Newsweek-fires-staff-negative-stories-owner.html#ixzz57ZiJ1x4N

[Loki Liesmith]

143. And...?

[nolabels]

160. A Top News Editor Was Fired After Sexual Harassment Allegations

A Top News Editor Was Fired After Sexual Harassment Allegations — Only To Land As An Executive In The Same Industry
Dayan Candappa, who was accused of sexually harassing his subordinate at Reuters for months, has been placed on leave by Newsweek pending an investigation.

Originally posted on January 29, 2018, at 11:43 a.m.
https://www.buzzfeed.com/rossalyn/newsweek-media-group

Newsweek Media Group accused of advertising fraud
https://www.axios.com/report-newsweek-ibt-alleged-fraud-online-traffic-6151e400-f50f-4438-ac4f-a0dac7982082.html

[BannonsLiver]

216. What specifically has that got do with this story?

[nolabels]

225. The Rise of the Right-Wing Media Machine

MARCH 1995

The Rise of the Right-Wing Media Machine
ROBERT PARRY

In 1970, angered by critical reporting on the Vietnam War, President Nixon told his men what needed to be done. Nixon was “pushing again on [his] project of building OUR establishment in [the] press,” his chief of staff H.R. Haldeman wrote (Haldeman Diaries, 9/12/70).

It was a theme that Nixon would repeat often. The president was convinced that “the press and TV don’t change their attitude and approach unless you hurt them,” Haldeman recorded on May 29, 1971. As dozens of Haldeman diary entries make perfectly clear, Nixon was never one to miss a chance to “screw” his “enemies” in the media. “The only way we can fight the whole press problem, Nixon feels, is through the [Charles] Colson operation, the nutcutters, forcing our news and in a brutal vicious attack on the opposition,” Haldeman (4/21/72) wrote.

Yet even Nixon, the grand strategist, could never have guessed how well his plans would have worked out a quarter century later—and how much of his chip-on-the-shoulder paranoia would still resonate today in a powerful conservative press establishment.

In the 25 years since Nixon started “pushing” this project, the conservatives have constructed a truly intimidating media machine. It ranges from nationwide radio talk shows by Rush Limbaugh and scores of Limbaugh-wannabes, to dozens of attack magazines, newspapers, newsletters and right-wing opinion columns, to national cable television networks propagating hard-line conservative values and viewpoints, to documentary producers who specialize in slick character assassination, to mega-buck publishing houses that add footnotes to white-supremacist theories anti a veneer of respectability to journalistic fabrications, and even to narrowly focused organizations that exist simply to hurt the surviving mainstream journalists who still won’t toe the line.

https://fair.org/extra/the-rise-of-the-right-wing-media-machine/

I try to understand where the money is coming from to fund the story before I try to understand the story

[BannonsLiver]

234. So it has nothing to do with this particular story. Got it.

[nolabels]

243. I don't think this was ever a story of much to begin with

Most everybody who wasn't hiding under a rock and that came here once or twice a week knew it was a right-wing hit job that had been placed on Senator Al Franken. Some people just wanted to push the coals around a little to see if they could start another fire. Mostly it was never going to work and a lot of people were hip to what it was really about.

Today's interjection of blather just another blurb of trivial or inconsequential news about trolls and how they work in the internet landscape. They have been coming here for the last fifteen or sixteen years if you haven't noticed. Those trolls think of us the same way those crabs in the above post think about us. They would like us to be feeble and weak just like them, they would like nothing better than to see us grovel in the dirt even it means them getting dirty (as they see it) while mixing it up with the rest of us. They might even have a hard time figuring out why we have a purpose and they don't.

You might also notice they get like a swarm of locusts here when things start breaking bad for them.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

23. Ok

I get that there might have been bots feigning outrage over Franken and his alleged misconduct but how much did that influence Gillibrand/Senate Democrats? I agree that they overreacted and tried to let things blow over but how much did the bots influence the situation?

[KY_EnviroGuy]

108. Falls into the "we'll never know" category unfortunately.

Those bots primarily influenced their constituents, who in turn made phone calls and send emails as to their opinion on Sen. Franken's situation.

Same as with the 2016 general election. There's no way to "meter" how much those Russian ads influenced people, although common sense says they probably had quite an impact considering the massiveness of the social media campaign.

Very deceptive practices, which Russia is top dog at doing that around the globe. It's time to implement the sanctions ASAP.

...............

[Proud Liberal Dem]

139. I agree

it's ultimately more concerning the fact that it was happening rather than the amount of impact it actually had.

[Historic NY]

24. Fine.....

just remember she was also a big gun panderer also. Her sails go where the wind is blowing.

[Quixote1818]

26. Why did Franken step down? Even my right wing friends thought that was overblown. nt

[Skittles]

192. my guess

he didn't want his family to have to go through it and who would want to stay around people you thought were friends and then stabbed you in the back?

[Paladin]

27. Good. (nt)

[Hortensis]

28. That's fine with me. She's masquerading as more liberal

than she is and is way too...opportunistic for my taste. It's the masquerade I mind far more than some conservative leanings. We need more honesty and integrity in our reps, less attention-grabbing.

As for Franken, who did NOT know the attacks on him were engineered by the right? it was political assassination from beginning to end.

But public opinion is the hugest political force of all, and when it was turned against him it couldn't be ignored. i just hope those who were carried away are learning something critically important from all these manipulations: the need for a lot less reaction and a lot more critical thinking.

[mn9driver]

29. She damaged the metoo movement by organizing her circular firing squad

Franken was a powerful force for women in the Senate. He was a huge thorn in the side of Trump and the Republicans.

Gillibrand played right into their hands. And Minnesota will have a new Republican Senator next year as a result.

[pazzyanne]

87. Sad,

but I fear you are right.

[StevieM]

90. It's not clear that Minnesota will have a Republican senator.

It is clear, however, the Al Franken was unfairly attacked.

[tammywammy]

40. The Free Beacon is a conservative site, of course they will attack a Democrat. n/t

[CentralMass]

41. Hypocrisy and political opportunism are terms that come to mind.

[jalan48]

38. Damn, I may need to go have a cigarette.

[Gothmog]

44. Russian trolls are very effective

[IluvPitties]

45. Not surprised by any means. Trump feared Franken, as he had the ability

to make fun of him and embarrass him like no other politician would.

Franken was the anti-Trump.

[SHRED]

46. I called the DNC, Feinstein and Harris

I implored them not to railroad Franken.
I told them I have lived through the ACORN and Planned Parenthood debacles and I am pissed.

[Bradshaw3]

164. The ACORN hitjob was truly despicable

I had forgotten about that like most Dems. A small group that wasn't even that big a threat to the oligarchs but it was for the working poor so of course it had be smashed.

[Progressive dog]

48. Kirsten Gillibrand is a Democrat

and is still an elected US Senator. She had nothing to do with Russians and trying to tie her to it, is an incredibly nasty, dishonest thing to do. The Russians are getting help from strange places, but Gillibrand isn't one of them.

[KPN]

64. She drank the kook-aid then

opportunistically pounced and led the charge. I'm not into self- promoting opportunists as leaders right now. She can fade away now.

[Progressive dog]

70. Franken "drank the kool-aid"

He apparently believed that he should resign.

[KPN]

162. Dunno bout that. But, yeah, some folks

are a bit too hard on/ hold themselves to unreasonably high standards, and take too much personal responsibility sometimes. I suspect that was the case with Al.

[Progressive dog]

255. The one thing everyone should be able to agree on

is that Al Franken made the decision to resign. Whether his feeling were hurt by Democrats opposing him or he has such high standards that he feels guilt about his actions--it was his decision and he is responsible for it.

[KPN]

261. That view minimizes the emotional

dynamics involved in my view. Being drummed out of the club almost certainly creates stresses that might cause most well balanced persons to question whether it is all worth the emotional costs. That's a real life dynamic that likely hits those with higher integrity hardest. ... I understand your viewpoint but feel it's an over-simplification. In that light, I can't personally excuse Gillibrand.

[Progressive dog]

266. Being drummed out of the club

didn't happen without a reason. Those eight women who came forward might have had "emotional dynamics" about his actions, too. Those "well balanced persons" you support, sound slightly narcissistic to me.

[KPN]

267. Can you name those eight women?

Your view re: this seems rather vigilante-like.

"Well balanced persons you (I) support"? Don't put words in my mouth. If you equate a "well balanced" person with a narcissist, well, ... that speaks for itself.

[Blue_true]

99. She has been a longtime campaigner against abuse of women by those in power.

Did she come at Franken with blinders on? Maybe, but when one looks at her history on preventing abuse of women by those in power, one can understand how she could have taken a harder line than warranted. In the end Franken chose to resign for the good of the party. Had Franken not resigned, we would surely have a Senator Roy Moore from Alabama in the Senate passing ethical judgement on Franken as Al faced an ethics investigation.

[KPN]

166. Some assumptions and opinion there.

Which is fine, but my opinion is different and unaltered by KG's history. In fact, until she did this, I thought pretty highly of her. Not so much now however.

[Blue_true]

171. My opinion of her went in the opposite direction.

I thought that she was ok. I wondered whether she would go to the mat to fight sexual abuse by those in power. It is easy for a democrat to ring up military brass for not properly handling claims of being abused coming from military women and men, it is a different story for a democrat to call out another democrat as indications of possible wrongdoing pile up. How Gillibrand is being treated by some now is a illustration of why women and politicians remain silent when they should speak out.

[KPN]

212. Call out?

That's very euphemistic of you.

[brush]

69. I don't think she's connected to Russians, she stabbed Franken in the back on her own.

[Progressive dog]

73. One of 30 Democratic Senators who stabbed Franken

in the back. They probably conspired to write his resignation after they convinced him he was guilty

[brush]

97. Yep, it was a lynch mob with Gillibrand the ring leader.

[Progressive dog]

254. That's very Democratic of you

You've called the majority of Democrats in the Senate a lynch mob. You need to look up "lynch mob".

[brush]

260. You need to research Gillibrand's gullibility in falling for the reput hit job on Franken.

Last edited Wed Feb 21, 2018, 02:03 PM - Edit history (1)

She led the charge on a fellow Democrat in demanding that he resign before the investigation he asked for could happen.

And she recently doubled down on not holding her fire before a hearing by saying on "The View" that Franken was "entitled to a hearing but not to my silence".

What kind of crap is that?

She clearly sees it as all about herself and making it her signature issue to increase her profile for 2020, not whether Tweeden or any of the other so-called victims were truthful in their accusations, or for that matter, whether Franken was being jobbed or not, which btw, the recent "Newsweek" story just verified.

She deserves all the flack she getting.

[marieo1]

51. minngal

Al Franken would make a wonderful president. I heard him on the floor of congress and he was a real fighter for our rights. Gillebrand wants to be president so what better way than to get rid of Al Franken. He was outspoken and a fighter. No real proof that Franken did anything wrong and she wouldn't even let it be investigated. I know exactly why she didn't want it investigated because then she knew there would be nothing to it!! The woman that accused Franken of wrong doing was a trump supporter!!

[lunamagica]

52. K&R.

[IronLionZion]

55. Some Democrats are crabs in a barrel

[nolabels]

77. Kind of a creepy metaphor but very cogent

In my view, it might be applicable for one or a few. The problem is even debating it theoretically can get your post deleted and possibly the poster banned.

[LovingA2andMI]

56. So whose going to have a "Bad Week"...

Calling for Former Representative John Conyers Resignation -- as Al Franken was not the ONLY DEMOCRAT forced into resignation? #FYI

[Demsrule86]

112. Dumb...and now we are down a vote in the House.

[elmac]

58. Hmmmm, I'm wondering how many russian agents are working on progressive sites? nt

[rainin]

59. And now "they" are going after Gillibrand and we are falling for it again.

I was unhappy about what she did, but if we can't see that this is how they work, we're being stupid.

Don't let them win.

[Blue_true]

103. Yes. I see Hillary 2.0 is some of the attacks.

If they take down Gillibrand, then the next democrat up will be their next target. And all of this happens with the joyous approval of some that call themselves democrats and progressives. Some learned nothing from 2016.

[ProfessorGAC]

147. I Don't Believe That Comparison Is Apt

The attacks on HRC were mostly fraudulent from the right, and half hearted on the left. (Except for the BoB crowd, who i find foolish.)

The criticism of Gillibrand extends to her most recent interview where she still refused to acknowledge she may have overreacted and made the reasons about her.

This would all go away if she just said, "I overreacted and i learned to take some time to really think of the long game." There was no such apologia required of HRC. She did not even do the things wrong of which she was accused.

Apples and oranges.

[Blue_true]

154. Gillibrand has been a longtime and passionate fighter against sexual abuse by those with power.

One of the unfortunate things about passion is the higher probability to react too strongly. When I judge her reaction, I look at her positions on the subject over a longtime, she has been consistent on the issue of sexual abuse by the powerful without consequences for the abusers.

[ProfessorGAC]

170. Can't Disagree

That does not mitigate my opinion that comparing KG to HRC is apples and oranges.

[Blue_true]

174. I am seeing some of the same tactics used against KG that were used against HRC.

For example, Hillary was blamed for 90s era Three Strikes. The claim, accepted by many liberals, was that HRC was a key driver behind the legislation. I lived through the 90s, Black public officials were calling for attention to their communities to combat the crack cocaine epidemic. Hillary made statements, but she did not write one words of legislation, Bernie Sanders was a congressman at the time, voted to approve legislation and got a total pass from those that were attacking Hillary.

I have seen post attacking KG for being an attorney fighting to pushback anti smoking efforts. What the people don't say is that she was in her twenties or early thirties and was at best a junior staffer - she did what she was told, her option was to quit - there were not the landing places that exist today if she had quit on principle - look at what happened to the guy who presented data on cigarette companies purposely modulating nicotine in cigarette, he was virtually destroyed, even with a national spotlight. To expect a young upstate NY State attorney to buck her law firm and big tobacco during the early nineties is wrong thinking and unfair.

[ProfessorGAC]

206. And Therein Lies The Difference

I disagree that the tactics you describe are the same, and I disagree that the complaints have equal validity
One set was BS, the other set is not!
That's OK. We don't have to agree on everything! We're not republicans

[joanbarnes]

61. Dumb move forcing Franken out. Perhaps her presidential ambitions felt threatened by Al's popularity

[Kaleva]

62. Unlike many here, I trust Franken's judgement and he thought it best to resign.

The effort to slander Franken's legacy continues. He was a fighter but it appears some are trying to portray him as a wimp who got beat up by a girl.

[hlthe2b]

75. Hardly. He was and is an honorable man. Honorable men tend to do what they perceive to be...

the honorable thing--even at their own detriment. I happen to believe Gillibrand showed poor judgement in her determination to recognize NO shades of gray, nor severity of misdeeds in sexual misbehavior, requirement of proof, nor gradation of consequences--and then decided to take a major role in starting the call for his resignation. That said, it could just as easily have been a male Senator who led the charge and I would feel quite similarly.

To equate THAT to "attempts to portray him as a wimp who got beat up by a girl" is PURE SEXIST CLAPTRAP.

[Kaleva]

125. There were many senators who called on Franken to resign

Up to and including the minority leader who has a heck of a lot more influence then others. The concentration on just one, who conveniently happens to be female, is, IMHO, PURE SEXIST CLAPTRAP.

[hlthe2b]

176. "attempts to portray him as a wimp who got beat up by a girl" is a ridiculous sexist comment.

Your sexist language is the problem. We should be able to criticize male and female Senators similarly for similar actions, but for you, it is a need to deride based on gender. You would NEVER say such a thing if a Male Senator had taken the charge to pressure Franken out. Pure sexist drivel.

I believe Gillibrand's actions were inappropriate and a rush to judgement, just as her colleagues who eventually joined her, male and female. That is a professional critique that applies to both male and females.

[demmiblue]

181. Consider who you are responding to.

A long history of questionable comments.

I was on a jury earlier and had to enter The Gungeon. Guess who was there?

[hlthe2b]

183. Yeah... I just realized that myself.

Thanks for the reminder, though, demmiblue.

[demmiblue]

200. No problem, hlthe2b!

Some people here don't deserve consideration... they are better suited for Discussionist (ironically, they would probably be skewered there for other Ayn Rand type reasons).

[USALiberal]

80. Good! She deserves a bunch of bad weeks IMO. nt

[Demsrule86]

113. I am a Democrat. I wish bad weeks on Republicans. We need to increase our numbers in the Senate.

[USALiberal]

137. She is better than any GOP idiot I agree. nt

[earthshine]

86. Fuck the Senate. Franken for President! I mean it. nt

Franken would easily be a good choice for me. He's not as far left as I would like, but unlike so many, he actually fights for his constituents and what he believes.

(But, curiously, he would not fight for himself here. I think many virtuous people can fight for others, but not so well for themselves.)

[LakeArenal]

116. If it wasn't just too early....

100%. If he'd take her, Gilli can be in his Cabinet....

Meanwhile, run again Al. Move to NY and primary Gilli....

[rzemanfl]

179. From reading Franken's books, I think he thought "Oh no, not this shit again" and left the

stage when his party turned on him.

[oberliner]

91. I thought this was gonna be about the NRA

[BamaRefugee]

93. Out of curiosity, what exactly are the towering achievements by Gillibrand the rocketed her into a

position of judge, jury, and executioner over fellow Democrats? Did she have many years more seniority than Franken or something?
I am asking honestly, no sarcasm, I really don't know the answer.

[wellst0nev0ter]

239. She shunned David Paterson

The scandalized governor who appointed her Senator, securing her independent cred.

[SunSeeker]

94. Why didn't you use Newsweek's headline instead of assigning blame to Gillibrand for the bots?

Why is Gillibrand responsible for right wing bots?

[Jakes Progress]

104. A decent and honest person

would show contrition, apologize, and try to make amends.

Anyone bet that any of that will happen? Nope. Just the band of bots defending the results of senators falling for white nationalist scam. Lets what them show up. One ... two....

[BlancheSplanchnik]

117. I cant forgive her for derailing Al, and without any investigation.

Anti-democratic. It’s almost as if the #MeToo movement provided a bandwagon to take advantage of.

[lancelyons]

119. STOP... this is more attempts to sow discord.

There are so many russian trolls out there trying to have democrats hammer Gillibrand over the Franken thing.

The Right Wing Russian Trolls pushed the narrative that many americans bought into. Putting this on Gillibrand is exactly what the russian trolls want to happen.

Lets be more united. Avoid trashing Gillibrand.

Sure she might have had a lapse in judgement caused by the hugely expanding me too movement and the election of Right Wing Pedophile. But at the same time, one can say Franken had a lapse in judgement with his picture that caused him to be in the wrong place at the WRONG TIme.

Lets be united and fight back against attacking fellow democrats, progressives, etc.

[LAS14]

133. Excellent point. We can disagree with Gillibrand, but let her not be the focus of anything. nt

[LakeArenal]

135. I ain't no Russian and I ain't no Troll

The seed of discord was sewn when a group of Senators had a huger lapse of judgement.

If you are so intent on us moving on, have at least one of those Senators come forward and say for whatever reason, they jumped to judgement and removed AL FRANKEN. and everyone of those Senators sign it.

If you think like some it is a weakness, I can't help you. I know we claim to be opposite of Repukes. Stand up to a mistake and hope for forgiveness.

[LAS14]

151. Why do they have to say they were wrong for us all to move on? nt

[LakeArenal]

163. Because it's the right thing to do.

[LAS14]

165. This doesn't bode well for an environment where we respect differences of opinion, even if...

... we don't agree.

[LakeArenal]

168. Who said it was any opinion but my own.

I think admitting that there was a rush to judgement and for whatever reason, it was a mistake.

Saying it out loud would help me "get over IT".

[Jakes Progress]

265. It can't bode well

that people seeking Democratic leadership showed such horrible judgement and were either that gullible or that mendacious. I don't think it is a problem to suggest that they would show more leadership and judgement if they could summon the courage to admit they screwed up, to admit that they were duped. Then we would know that they can learn from their stupid mistakes.

[Skittles]

191. lapse in judgement?

THEY DESTROYED HIS CAREER

[Tatiana]

120. Can this come under the purvey of the Special Prosecutor?

By November 17, the trending of “Al Franken” was officially also a Russian intelligence operation, according to the Alliance for Securing Democracy, an organization tracking Russian social media accounts, based on a sample taken that day of 600 of the fake accounts.

If Russia is involved, then this should probably be investigated.

[blue-wave]

124. Well, duh!

Another example of the Democratic Party circular firing squad.

It was obvious to anyone with the most remote amount of cognitive thinking skills that something was rancid about the Franken smear campaign. And in D.C., I'm sure they had MUCH more information that was passed around through word-of-mouth than we in the general public were exposed to, so they likely knew something smelled really bad. So Gillibrand fell for the reichwing smear tactics. How wonderful!! We lost one great senator and might lose another (her) because of it. When will the Democrats learn to not fall victim to the reichwing crap attacks? Wake the f*#!k up!!!!!

[eissa]

128. She better pray we don't lose Al's seat in November

If I were her, I'd be BEGGING Tom Perez to spend every last dollar we have to ensure that seat is saved, otherwise she's going to get even more backlash.

[Sunsky]

150. And she should nt

[Cheviteau]

152. We Democrats Need To Come To This Realization.

We have a great talent for shitting in our mess kits.

[workinclasszero]

153. Gee that's a surprise.

I guess the rush to judgement got the better of her.

Common occurrence in lynch mobs, no doubt,

[Rene]

155. gillebrand should resign and go home. noone wants someone who betrayed a fellow democrat

[LAS14]

173. We need the conversational equivalent of traffic calmers.

Here and there some municipalities are installing little islands in through streets that force drivers to make a small turn. This slows things down. What's the difference between a wedge issue and a plain old enthusiastic back and forth? I think it has something to do with targeting an individual when that individual hasn't behaved very much differently than 31 other individuals and persisting in the "conversation" for months and months.

[NCTraveler]

178. Sanders seems to be having a worse week.

He was duped by Russians into calling for Franken to resign and was given the upper hand during the campaign by Russian entities.

But lets go after the woman who would wipe the floor with him in an election.

This has become extremely transparent.

[BannonsLiver]

219. She should probably get busy

She was at 1 percent in a poll posted here earlier this month. Early days but that is abysmal. Regardless of what one thinks of her handling of the Franken issue, it’s hard to argue she’s poised to “wipe the floor” with anyone at this stage.

[NCTraveler]

247. I dont think it will have an impact on Sanders.

You make my point.

[BannonsLiver]

248. Oh I dont think it will either, to clarify

Gillibrand’s potential to “wipe the floor” with anyone is essentially non existent at this stage. She’s barely registering.

[left-of-center2012]

180. Her eyes are on the prize (2020)

[beachbum bob]

185. so what that has to do with anything. Franken admitted to and apologized for improper

touching and contact. I surely don't believe he should have quit and definitelly nothing for women to be pissed and ask for hime to resign....

this almost sounds like trolling Gillibrand

[Skittles]

214. Gillibrand is NOT THE VICTIM here

[Skittles]

190. GOOD

[kentuck]

193. Fake news!

[demmiblue]

215. Why isn't this thread appearing on the homepage under "Greatest Threads"?

Strange.

[brooklynite]

221. What is the bad week that she's going to have?

Other than bloggers and political junkies, nobody is focusing on the Franken issue or what you presume to be Gillibrand's blame.

[Motownman78]

224. Good, she is such a tool

For falling for that Right-wing hit job.

[RussBLib]

230. Franken should run again for the seat

He was man enough to resign, although his "sins" we're really minor compared to many others.

[appalachiablue]

233. Don't Eat Your Horse. Rule No. 1. Remember it, or suffer the consequences.

[UpInArms]

235. I knew this was a political hit job as soon as I saw it

The roger stone connection was apparent from the start ... I am sickened by what happened to Franken

[Puzzledtraveller]

241. You all don't get it.

Or you refuse to accept it.

There is a progressive purge underway.

[Thrill]

250. I wont support any Dem in the primary that threw Al

Under the Bus. Whoever didn’t gets this vote. They always do that shit to other Dems

[Progressive dog]

257. Poor Al,

When he realized that the other Democratic Senators weren't willing to cover for him, he ran away from the job that voters elected him to do. He jumped in front of the bus rather than face investigation.

[Thrill]

259. They dont have to cover for him

They Just needed to shut the fuck up and let some real evidence come out. You would never see Republicans do that. Which is why they always win the messaging war

[Renew Deal]

251. If Gillibrand had a bad week, no one noticed.

[JHan]

264. oh really?

[NCTraveler]

268. Your wishful thinking has backfired and outed many as denominators and promoters of fake news.

Transparency. It's beautiful.

[LexVegas]

269. Is it gonna drop soon????