Here's what happened when I called Senator Kirsten Gillibrand's office re: Al Franken

[calimary]

Just a few minutes ago.

It rang a few times, a recording came on suggesting leaving a message, and then somebody picked up!

I tried to be civil. Voiced my complaints. Expressed my outrage that she railroaded Al Franken out of his job, led the lynch mob, and denied him due process - a HORRID move and she should know better, since she IS a lawyer, okay? That she also denied the people of Minnesota a brilliant, courageous, and eloquent voice, and denied women everywhere a Senator who championed so many issues important to women. I haven't heard, seen, or read any other sentiments among my own peers. Nobody I know is glad or feels in ANY way vindicated by what Gillibrand has done. Nobody in my little Indivisible group that went to a meeting at Dianne Feinstein's office differed on that, either. We were ALL feeling various levels of upset and outrage (and we demanded, as one of our "asks" that since DiFi went zero-tolerance on Franken, then she damn well better go zero-tolerance on a possible Senator Roy Moore - AND on trump, too).

I tried to be civil with this kid in Gillibrand's New York City office, who took my call. I've learned these staffers are basically noncombatants just trying to do their jobs, and THEY'RE blameless here. I could hear the gratitude in his voice. He thanked me for being polite - which he said was NOT what he was hearing from other callers. He said there'd been 70 calls so far this morning, and they were enraged, really angry, yelling, scolding, and very definitely not holding back. I found that most informative. (GOOD to know there's a lot of strong and negative reaction like mine.)

I asked him to urge her NOT to try to run for president in 2020 because she's made a LOAD of people angry enough to refuse to support her, and she might want to consider saving face, because we're not gonna forget this. He said he'd pass that along.

BTW - I was NOT asked for an address or a zip code. So I did not need to identify myself as not a constituent. I was actually prepared for that, though, having the address of a good friend of mine who does live and work there and with whom I've stayed in touch. When I go to NYC, she's definitely one I go to see.

I noticed from Gillibrand's Facebook page that people calling her office in Washington to complain are having trouble getting through.

SO: Try her regional offices (which I did, and I got right through! Into her NYC office no less!)! All of their contact info can be found here:
https://www.gillibrand.senate.gov/contact/office-locations

[LisaM]

1. I am impressed that the person who answered the phone gave you some stats on the phone calls.

I don't think I'm on board with pretending to be a constituent if you're not. I've called both Dem and GOP senators, and if I'm not a constituent, I immediately identify that fact and say, "but I'm calling because....."

In this case, I think it's legitimate to call from anywhere, because this has national implications.

[Alice11111]

4. Maybe he was a thinking person or he had been persuaded

by the outrage of no due process.

[Hortensis]

48. "Members of #TheResistance, This is our Watershed Moment."

If you wished there was something – anything – you could do to help, now is your chance.


If you watched as your paychecks dwindled away while the cost of living increased, then this is for you.


If you lost your health care coverage, or if you are worried about losing your Medicare and Social Security, then listen up.

If you attended protests, signed petitions, wrote Congress, or knitted pink hats, we need to talk.

If you are fed up with institutionalized sexual harassment, the good ole boy network, dark money, and GOP pandering to special interests, then now is the time to rise up.
Members of #TheResistance, this is our watershed moment.

This war will only be won if we face each battle as fierce warriors, never tiring, never surrendering our ground.

I need your help.

No matter what state you live in, this is a pivotal moment as Arizona stands poised to realistically flip blue and lead the charge in Washington, following on the heels of Democratic victories in Virginia and New Jersey.

On Friday, a disgraced Rep. Trent Franks (R-Az.) announced he would be resigning his seat in Arizona’s Congressional District 8. Both Senate seats are also up for grabs as they are being vacated by John McCain and Jeff Flake.

Franks seat will be decided by a special election, one I plan on winning. It is expected there will be a primary in early March, and a general election at the end of April. Time is very short, but I am ready to meet this challenge.

Message aimed at the wrong people, Westbrook. They're too busy trying to take Democrats down to be interested in ejecting Republicans. A priorities thing.

[yurbud]

71. It's ironic: centrist Dems are a hell of a lot braver about targeting fellow Democrats

and berating progressive voters than they are at taking down Republicans.

[Hortensis]

72. These are NOT centrist Dems. Isn't the raging witch hunt

of that female senator, not coincidentally distracting from Bernie Sanders who did the same thing as she, kind of a big clue?

Or the fact that they've made a long list of most Democratic senators, with Sanders strikingly missing, that they want "primaried," have targeted for political assassination if they can pull it off?

But most simply, centrists don't do mobs. Neither do the liberals, moderate to strong, who make up the large core of the Democratic Party. They come home from work and turn on the evening news while they chat and make dinner.

When people show you what they REALLY are, believe them.


"I'm not a witch." No, Hillary didn't say that publicly, but witch burners don't care.

[ollie10]

160. So you are saying....with a straight face.....that Gillibrand is the victim of a raging witch hunt?

Hey, she is the one who LED the lynch mob against Franken!

And....hello!!!!!......a lot of people.....good Democrats.....are rightfully pissed off about it.

Calling Gillibrand a witch and those who oppose her lynch mob hunters is one of the funniest things I have read in months!!!

[Hortensis]

161. Yes, and that Bernie Sanders conspicuously is not.

A zealous group on this Democratic forum are saying that 31 of the 32 Democratic Senators who asked Franken to resign should be primaried.

The one who is not mentioned is Bernie Sanders, a huge clue to the ideology behind this hostile zealotry, which is in direct conflict with the rest of our party, including Senator Franken.

(By the way, we only have 45 Democrats in the senate, and some of the others also expressed belief that Franken should resign for the good of the party.)

[ollie10]

164. Due process is due process

It doesn't matter if it is one Senator or 100 Senators who do not act in such a way as to support due process.... Due process is still due process.

Furthermore, I have repeatedly pointed out my disappointment in all the Democratic Senators who dropped the ball, including Bernie Sanders who I supported in the primaries.

[Hortensis]

165. Due process refers to LEGAL proceedings. But, RIP, Bernie.

Frankly, I figured it was time for his followers to want someone more energetic and exciting anyway, just expected that charismatic strong man to show up BEFORE they dumped Sanders.

How ignominious and ironic: To inculcate and develop a passionate belief that his Democratic colleagues are all corrupt and need to be purged, only to be turned on as one of them.

Of course, not at all inappropriately.

[bench scientist]

167. Incorrect. due process is not limited to legal proceedings.

Franken is a member of Senate, a legislative body that can hold and administer its own rules.
The process for a Senator accused of misconduct is to hold an Ethics Committee hearing. The Senators May be exonerated, censured or expelled depending on the findings of the hearing.
That is the institutional due process Franken was denied by his colleagues with Gillibrand leading the charge.
Why could that have not taken place?
FYI the Ethics Committee is composed of 3 Republicans and 3 Democrats to avoid impartiality.

[Hortensis]

168. And the senate LEADERSHIP did, which means nothing apparently.

But as the lesson some really don't like clearly teaches, there is nothing in the rules to keep disapproving colleagues from just asking a senator to leave and nothing in the rules to keep him from saying he will, eventually.

As for why the ethics investigation couldn't have taken place, ask the mob that sprang up here. Their passion and avowed goal was having another 32 Democrat senators join Franken in leaving. Franken was merely the excuse to turn on over 2/3 of the Democratic senate caucus.

Not that they could destroy the Democratic senate caucus, of course, but for a while they were sure invested in that exciting, highly questionable idea.

On, it may be only 31 senators were to join Franken. They're doing their best to pretend Bernie Sanders isn't among those 32. Which he is.

NPR:

Sens. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Angus King of Maine — both independents who caucus with Senate Democrats — have called on Franken to step down.

"Sen. Franken has said that he will be making an announcement about his political future tomorrow. The right thing is for him to resign." Bernie Sanders

[ollie10]

170. Bullshit

You are saying.....omg....I will try to hold back the laughter.....it's hard, though.....you are saying that the reason an Ethics investigation could not have occured was because Franken supporters wanted the rest of the Democratic Senators to resign?

Whatever. Thanks for the laugh. It made my day!

Now, could you please tell us why you think the spirit of due process should have been ignored in order to railroad Franken without investigating the facts first?

[Hortensis]

171. This isn't really a post-fact world, Ollie.

Btw, your response is called the "straw man," or "ad hominem" argument, commonly used by people who, unable to answer what was said, pretend something else entirely was.

Let's just consider you finished.

[yurbud]

176. I don't agree with Bernie or anyone else 100% of the time

He is just right on the core economic and who government policies should benefit a hell of a lot more often than most in congress.

[PatrickforO]

38. yeah, I just say I've been a donor, which is true.

[Doitnow]

75. Why shouldn't a nonconstituent be able to voice their opinion to any elected official? After

all, how they vote especially on the national level directly affects EVERY citizen in the country.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

88. I agree with this

Especially when you're talking about politicians in leadership positions.

[Alice11111]

103. If I have donated or raised money. I do. Most email me

Once a month or more to help them, so I will let them know when they mess up. I don't expect perfection, just correction when it is a big deal, like no due process.

[JimBeard]

124. Doitnow

Normally the Office you call will forward your request to your congressional office

[Doitnow]

177. I don't need to have my congressional representatives to be encouraged to do the right thing. I live

in a blue state with blue representatives. It's the reThug votes that irritate me.

[LisaM]

149. They should!

I personally think it's fine. I don't think people should pretend to be constituents...I don't think that's necessary.

[tavalon]

130. Once they are in the Senate or House, for that matter

They represent We The People of the United States of America. It's something most of them have forgotten.

[Nwgirl503]

152. She's not currently serving on any Committee but

anyone who currently is, when I call and have been asked my zip or city or any identifying info, I say I may not live in whoever's district, but since they're on whichever committee, they're serving all of the citizens of the US which by proxy makes me their constituent.

I've gotten hung up on a few times, but more often than not they say they'll pass my comments along.

[msongs]

5. engaging in your rights as a citizen is a good thing...to most people nt

[barbtries]

17. i've been on some of these juries

where it seems the point may be that as democrats we should just blindly support democratic lawmakers. when i am faced with these alerts and believe that the post is a valid point for discussion i say that the post clearly does not break the rule and the alerter intended to disrupt. it's one thing to prevent abuse and i'm for that but we have real issues in this party and they deserve discussion.

i can't recall if i ever alerted on a post. i've blocked people and trashed threads though.

[Alice11111]

22. Exactly the same for me.

[BadgerMom]

26. Same

[PatrickforO]

42. I've only alerted on a couple, both of which got taken down.

As to my time on juries here, I've only tagged a couple with the alerter intended to disrupt. Most have been clear violations, or misunderstandings by the alerter.

I don't think this post is worthy of taking down. We are still discussing this matter. The party heavies on here don't have any business quashing such discussion, as long as it remains civil.

[Alice11111]

63. Most, I just say they are within the rules...discussion,

even if I don't agree with their position.

Why would anyone want to make himself or herself the self appointed police to go through and alert on people. Some clearly do though. I wonder if they are just Repub trolls who are maliciously causing dissent.

[spooky3]

76. Strange. I was wondering why I hadn't gotten asked to serve lately

despite being on the site more than usual because of the Franken mess. I went to my profile and it showed that I was UNwilling to serve on juries. I had NOT changed this setting. Something strange must be going on with my browser, because it has wiped out some other cookies on other sites and maybe that is what happened here. I changed my setting back to Willing.

[Alice11111]

86. After reading what you said, I checked my profile, I have

been at 100pc for almost ever. After all of the trolls alerted on me for supporting Franken, now I am at 60 pc.
I guess there is one Democrat that we can't defend!
One of mine was essentially just agreeing with what the person before me said in a reply. Another, I spoke strongly, but it was sarcasm. I feel targeted.

Oh well, I spend too much time here anyway.

[spooky3]

96. sorry to hear this.

[Drahthaardogs]

101. Add a few names to your jury blacklist

There are some that like to post clickbait and alert. Who knows who is legitimate and who is a plant?

[Alice11111]

102. Yep. That is where they got me.

[Demsrule86]

37. If it is not justified appeal. I always do...if I am guilty than so be it.

[LakeArenal]

52. Yes.

[tavalon]

132. I'm glad to see someone voicing my concerns about this site

I've been here since 2003 and I am shocked at the games being allowed now. I wanted to have a reasonable discussion around the malfeasance of the DNC and my post was removed.

[LiberalLovinLug]

150. Thanks

Why should we be censored on here from discussing the DNC if any truth brought up in any way makes them look bad? I thought we were supposed to be more tolerant and capable of handling the truth than Republicans on their own party's faults. How can we improve if we can't discuss any problems?

Anyways, I'd better stop now

[zentrum]

91. How strange. I'm

…finding just the opposite. DUer's are hugely angry at Gillibrand and the railroading and are saying so and for the first time since before the primary, there's more unity than I'm used to.

I've seen no one here who defends what has happened.

[Alice11111]

93. Lucky you.There are more who support Al here, thankfully.

We are being solenced though. Many of the he ones who don't, apparently because he had more than 1 accuser, are obsessive alerters. Minority self appointed police enforcement.

He is entitled to due process, no matter how many RW hit jobs there are. BTW, I represent victims for a profession. Maybe that's why I smell a rat.

[JimBeard]

125. zentrum, it doesn't take very many to drag you up to a jury

I know the ones that are doing it to me so I watch what I say rather how I say it.

[zentrum]

126. Sorry to hear that.

I serve on juries a lot lately—2 a day often. And there's never been anything about the Franken/Gillibrand situation.

[Alice11111]

138. One lady just went down my posts dinging me. Then, she writes me implying I support rape & sex abuse

No!!! Never have, never will.

[mythology]

15. Even though I disagree on the need for Franken to resign

I also voted to leave this as clearly not breaking any rules. On both sides we're allowed to disagree with individual actions of elected representatives.

[Alice11111]

31. Truly, whether you support Franken or Gillibrand, you are still

Supporting a Dem against another. It would truly limit discussion regarding our own party.

[mythology]

64. Exactly. This is a major issue, both within the party and in general

We shouldn't hide from opinions that we disagree with that are within the party.

[tavalon]

133. That's already happening

There is a stinking pile of garbage at the DNC that we need to talk about but my posts keep getting deleted.

[Alice11111]

136. Just be a cheerleader

sarcasm

[tavalon]

137. This place didn't use to be like this

[Alice11111]

146. I joined after the election, in my meltdown. A friend encouraged

me, to help process it. So, I don't know how it used to be, but I see a lot of people say that. I can say, even in the year I have been here, there seems to be a rise of intolerance, especially toward anyone who defends Al Franken. Defending him, a lifelong DEMOCRAT, against the people who threw him over, is in-party discussion.

[tavalon]

147. They've actually allowed this discussion to an extent

But, back in the day, we could talk about intraparty issues without being silenced. The huge problems at the DNC for example. No discussion allowed.

[Alice11111]

151. Very strange, and not good for the Dem Party.

[Hortensis]

166. Declaring over 2/3 of the Democratic caucus unworthy

of support and needing replacement is not just "talking" about intraparty issues. A pack of Republicans flooding in here could not have come up with anything more hostile, unless of course they also planned to "primary" the other dozen or so senators. Some declared they were leaving the party because of the enormous unworthiness and corruption Gillibrand, Sanders, and 30 other senators displayed.

But speaking of talking, I actually came back to ask if anyone had any idea who will replace Bernie Sanders?

And WHO will choose that person? We live in interesting times, after all, and many groups from many places are sticking their fingers into these things.

[irisblue]

18. Alerted on this? geez people.

[IronLionZion]

28. Communicating with our elected officials is important for democracy

and is supporting Democrats by encouraging them to better represent the voters

[Demsrule86]

34. that is going around today.

[TheCowsCameHome]

3. I applaud your civility, and

it is good to know she is being bombarded with negative responses.

Hopefully she will be gone in 2018. She torched Al Franken.

[kstewart33]

35. I don't know what's worse.

Torching Franken for his admitted pattern of behavior, or torching Gillibrand for calling him out for his admitted behavior.

No way would I support getting rid of Gillibrand. She's a fine senator as was Franken.

So torching Gillibrand, we lose two Dem Senators instead of one. How does that help us?

If Franken had not groped women in the first place, would there even be this problem?

[mac56]

39. Aw, now, y'see, you fell right into their trap.

"Groped"?

That's far from conclusive.

[kstewart33]

41. Breaking News: Gillibrand calls for Trump to resign.

Yep, she's one awful Senator.

[mac56]

44. That is indeed good news.

But I'm still unaware of conclusive proof that Sen. Franken was "groping."

[TheCowsCameHome]

45. It's called "belated damage control"

Too little, and way too late.

[Kirk Lover]

67. Maybe that's what they were trying to do with Al. n/t

[Alice11111]

90. Yep.

[dhol82]

54. When was this?

Got a link?
I’ve been listening to the news all day and haven’t heard this earth shattering information.

[TheCowsCameHome]

40. Gillibrand will be replaced by another Dem

Hopefully one that does not eagerly torch a good one, like Al Franken.

I hope Hillary, or someone like her, primaries her in 2018, and whups her ass.

[Alice11111]

92. Yep

Maybe even Al.
I have to watch it, every time I stand up for our best DEMOCRATIC Senator, who IMO, did not get due process to bring forth the truth...well, I get alerted on.

[disndat]

97. The Line is Forming to the Left

Gillibrand is very vulnerable. New York Dems love Al Franken and the Clinton supporters are very angry. Gillibrand has lost
the support of the Clintons followers for sure.

[Kirk Lover]

105. Please just speak for yourself and not all New Yorkers. n/t

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

122. I don't live in New York

Though my father's side of the family is from there.

If they want Gillibrand as their Senator that their business.

On the other hand because of her stance on Franken and a few other issues I would not support her nomination as the Democratic presidential candidate.

[tavalon]

135. We need Justice Democrats

Not these craven women. I'm a woman and I am ashamed of these women, for not allowing due process. Too bad these women don't have the sense to feel ashamed themselves. And yeah, Gillibrand destroyed her Presidential aspirations.

[kstewart33]

112. So you're as sure now as most were that Hillary would defeat Trump.

With politics in these times, absolutely nothing is a certainty.

[Demsrule86]

47. I don't want her gone...I just wouldn't vote for her in a presidential primary.

We have had Senators from New York who were Republicans...let's not primary any sitting Democrats and open up any seats. She made a mistake...but doesn't deserve such a harsh penalty.

[PatrickforO]

51. Gillibrand's done some good stuff, though.

This is a difficult and painful thing. Al Franken did not get due process and I'm inflamed-mad about that. However, if it allows us to get the Trump accusers in there more effectively without the GOP being able to use the 'what about?' argument, then it might have been worth it.

The problems I have are these:

- Zero tolerance means zero common sense, and this particular action offended my sense of common decency. Al should have gotten due process. Basically, zero tolerance opens the door for all kinds of injustices to happen, innocent people crucified on a cross of innuendo. If the party 'machine' isn't careful, this could end up a new McCarthyism that in the end backfires horribly.

- Sacrificing Franken in order to take the moral high ground is a Machiavellian move - in effect, those who are doing it are saying the ends justify the means. God help us as a people if we ever become so indecent and morally lacking as to really believe that.

But, on the other hand, for the sake of balance, we can say here that many of us, myself included, have often criticized this party for being weak in fighting the Republicans. A willingness, as in chess, to sacrifice a valiant knight to create an opening for eventual check-mate, does show strength.

I'm just hurting inside right now about the unfairness of what's happened to Franken, and all the 'isms' in the world aren't gonna change the way I feel.

[Alice11111]

94. Yes, it does hurt. Very unfair.

If only that same zeal had been turned on the Repub tax plan.
Then, let the system, due process, sort out the messy truth on Al and the accusers. It is never fun or easy, but it is a constitutionally protected right.

[spooky3]

100. good points n/t

[crazycatlady]

66. She got 71% of the vote in 2012 in a deep blue state

Wishful thinking.

[disndat]

83. That's because she had no opponent

We shall see next time around.

[BootinUp]

6. K&R

[Hortensis]

7. "We were ALL feeling various levels of upset and outrage

(and we demanded, as one of our "asks" that since DiFi went zero-tolerance on Franken, then she damn well better go zero-tolerance on a possible Senator Roy Moore - AND on trump, too)."

May I guess that Senator Feinstein's front staff were also extremely professional in their demeanor toward your "little Indivisiable Group"?

By the way, Thursday the Republican-controlled FCC will repeal net neutrality. As you must know, net neutrality IS freedom of speech. And repealing it is a necessary step if they are to increase authoritarian control over us, and it is obvious that that is their plan.

[Alice11111]

14. I'm calling Dems Heinreich and Udall who also joined the mob.

Udall surprises me because he can think and speak for himself. He was also AG of the state. An atty, former AG, followed the herd for no due process!!!
Heinreich is more into glossy, smilling faced campaign brochers and playing the homecrowd. He votes right about 80pc of the time (I have told his office before, tell him to just vote w Udall), but he rarely speaks or takes a leadership role. Particularly, since we are a blue state, it is going to make it very hard for small businesses to start or make it under the Rebub tax "reform," not to mention all of the other things wrong with it. We are also a poor state, and it will make us poorer. Al Franken could analize this and explain it.

Better dispose of him fast, before he gets due process.

[Hortensis]

24. Sen. Udall joins call for immigration enforcement investigation.

"U.S. Senator Tom Udall is joining in the call for an investigation of immigration enforcement violations. Senator Udall and 16 other senators sent a letter to the acting Secretary of Homeland Security and the Acting Customs Border Protection Commissioner.

They detailed the detention of a 10-year-old girl with cerebral palsy who was stopped by immigration authorities on her way to the hospital for gallbladder surgery.

The senators want to prevent immigration enforcement officers from taking enforcement actions at sensitive locations without prior approval, including hospitals, schools and churches."

Link to tweet

Link to tweet

Link to tweet

[Alice11111]

29. Sen Udall is very good!, but he blew it on the Franken

railroading, as I have told him. He is someone who may have the courage to say, backup, we need a full hearing on this, and due process. For God sakes, he is a former AG.

[Hortensis]

156. Bernie Sanders called for Franken to resign. Outrage, any?

[calimary]

128. We were all very well-behaved. And the net neutrality issue did come up.

We had two Russia-related "asks", plus three more - about the tax fraud plan, the CHIP program, and DACA. But we got a lot done on all of those and still had time to spare, so we brought up other stuff, too. The top five "asks" are all determined by a vote of the Indivisible group during every monthly meeting. The five issues that get the most votes are the winners. And they do change from month to month. The meetings with our reps tend to take an hour, and it usually is a meeting with a representative of our reps - the district manager, a deputy, or other staffer.

Since we had time left over after taking care of the required business, net neutrality, Roy Moore and Al Franken, and the problem with Democratic messaging (as in - shabby, and bad, and almost nonexistent) came up, also, plus concerns voiced about the fires burning throughout SoCal. Surprisingly enough, climate change didn't come up this time, though, either as an "ask" or as an "as long as we're here..."

[suegeo]

8. I called her and schumer

I was pissed, said I was from Minnesota. the dude I got listened for 60 secs or so then gave me the bum's rush telling me he needs to handle issues from new York constituents.

I hung up more furious, as New Yorkers can be served by senators they elect, but my senator was pushed out. where's my voice?

[Hortensis]

10. "Senator Backs $1.5 Trillion Tax Cut, Then Says There's

No Money for Children's Healthcare

Which of those dreadful senators on your list was this one, suegeo?

[Alice11111]

33. There will be many. It is the Repub Plan of "Reform."

Are you saying a Dem did it too. Who, please?

[Hortensis]

50. You read this about Republican evil and look for a DEMOCRAT?

Last edited Mon Dec 11, 2017, 04:43 PM - Edit history (1)

Here's one. Safely dead, though. I'll tell you, though, my post was meant to remind you that good, moral people fight evil. If they ignore evil to attack good people, they've gone wrong.

That's very simple. Being left doesn't somehow make it better than the same thing being done by passionately sincere trumpsters.

“When hopes and dreams are loose in the streets, it is well for the timid to lock doors, shutter windows and lie low until the wrath has passed. For there is often a monstrous incongruity between the hopes, however noble and tender, and the action which follows them. It is as if ivied maidens and garlanded youths were to herald the four horsemen of the apocalypse.”

― Eric Hoffer, The True Believer: Thoughts on the Nature of Mass Movements

[Alice11111]

65. No, I didn't.

[suegeo]

85. Damn it Alice! Are you back to ignoring evil yet again?

just kidding, you seem like a fighter to me. So strong a fighter I bet you can be brawling on multiple fronts at once. If ya know what I mean

[Alice11111]

89. Wow, thank you! A bit too much perhaps, as I keep

getting trolled and hidden.

Oh well, I will speak up, not shut up.
You too, I see.

[suegeo]

69. Were you trying to link to a news article?

I don't see a list of anybody, but it seems you want me to look at a news article?

But, may I say you're so sweet to think of the children, I'm sure you have a kind heart.

Thanks for reminding me that the GOP are a bunch of little devils, doing all kinds of horrible things and playing all sorts of dirty tricks.

Also, big thanks for reminding me that some behavior is more inherently bad than other behavior.

Like how sexual assault is worse than sexual harassment which is worse than boorish behavior, which is worse than telling a dirty joke that makes someone uncomfortable which is worse than touching someone's waist during a selfie, which is worse than the guy who accidently touched my breast while we were standing in the sandwich line at a holiday work party. He and I both felt really bad about that. Even tho I was uncomfortable, I didn't demand he be fired. In fact, I didn't even bring it up. I stayed silent.

So anyway, some of the differences of what constitutes each of the offenses I noted are spelled out in laws, some in HR policy manuals, and each nuance has a proportional punishment. Some of it doesn't even have a punishment because it's just normal human interaction that gets awkward.

I am not sure what the punishment is for falling head first into a GOP dirty trick set up by Roger Stone and a friend of Sean Hannity. But I'm sure I will feel punished by it in Minnesota, even tho I'm not the one who fell head first.

In fact, I'm not even sure it's against the law to fall for those rascaly GOP tricks. But it probably should be, seeing how Minnesota is gonna get bombarded with GOP b.s. soon. And mother russia has not stopped her meddling, or even been punished for in during COUP 2016, so who even knows how they will attack again.

[janterry]

57. Follow up with an email

I think that's the next step.

I don't think any of this will make a difference, in the end, for Franken. But I remain hopeful.................

[Alice11111]

70. Still, it's important to let them know, they are not just

blending in with the herd unnoticed. We watch. We think. We donate. We get the word out. We raise money. We vote.

If someone has enough backbone to say, hey, we were wrong, back up, we forgot about the Constitution, we need to preserve the right to due process. Then, I think more will be inclined to listen, if there is public pressure.
After all, one of them could be the next target of a RW hit job, and they might see the point of due process then. This is particularly true when we have reinforced the Repubs for this.

Regardless of what you think about Franken, he deserves due process. Then, if he is guilty, I will accept it. Otherwise, it is a hit job and a mob frenzy. Dems are better than that. We are supposed to be. It is the Repubs who hide things, cover up, and will not allow transparency or fair hearings. It makes them look guilty because they are hiding something. Let's not be like that.

[delisen]

11. It is good that her staff is being honest.

[Alice11111]

46. The ones I have called, seem like they aren't much listening.

Then, they come back to the phone and in a sing song voice say, thank you for calling. They want my zip.

As I tell them, my zip may not be within their district, but I have raised money (for the ones I am calling), outside my district. For Sen Hasson, I raised a lot and told her office. Her office said, now didn't you say that you weren't in her district, as if FU, we DON'T care that you helped her get elected. So, I said, then I will not be helping her again.

I think it is really good to call and let them know we are paying attention. Just like voting, our strength is in our numbers.

[Doodley]

12. Why don't we focus on the people who are our real enemy, the people who want to take away

healthcare from millions, who deny science and who want to take aim at minority groups.

[Jakes Progress]

20. You mean the ones taking away

strong, intelligent voices from the Senate? Or focus on crap polls and knee-jerk to breitbart tricks?

Taking Franken's cross examining away from the Senate hearings was a huge step in aiding the people who want to take away healthcare from millions, deny science, and take aim at minority groups.

This is a case of some Democrats being out of touch and aiding the real enemy. They can fix it. But only if they can manage to not act like trump who never admits a mistake.

[Demit]

25. That would have been a good question to ask Gillebrand & her fellow senators!

They were the ones who took *their* focus off our real enemy to create this intraparty drama that hurts us.

[Kirk Lover]

106. I know..... like there's not enough real enemies to go after in the world!

[marieo1]

13. calimary

I thank you for contacting her office. I have tried to no avail. When I saw Senator Franken take on the GOP, I thought to myself, he would be a good President and immediately, Gillibrand and others came out against him. Thank you again.

[calimary]

131. Welcome to DU, marieo1!

Well, there's more than one way to get it done.

Phone calls - I post often enough here that I put a bunch of TOLL FREE Capitol Hill switchboard numbers in my sig line. They're for Washington DC, though, and sometimes even they are overloaded. So then, just Google whoever it is and you'll get to his or her website and there'll be contact info. Go for the district offices. It's often a lot easier to get through there.

Faxes - yeah, those are still happening. The rep's website will have that number in the contact section, too.

Emails - same thing - just Google whoever it is, and the contact info in his or her website will have that.

Twitter - Twitter seems to be THE hotbed of activity, politically. You'll find that little icon at his or her website as well.

Facebook - locating its little icon is the same as Twitter. Do weigh in there, too. Easily look-upable.

Snail mail - yep - the website will have that info also. I'd send duplicates - to the local/regional AND to the Washington DC office.

[dalton99a]

16. Kick

[PatSeg]

21. Thank you for doing that

and sharing it with us. I am both pleased and surprised that so many Democrats are rallying for Al Franken and not accepting the right-wing hit job on his character.

[stonecutter357]

23. K&R

[NellieStarbuck]

27. Still waiting.

I am a constituent of Sen. Gillibrand's and I sent her an e-mail when she first publicly started calling for Sen. Franken's resignation. I gave her my bona fides and urged her to "chill, Senator", since, meanwhile, we've got a sex offender in the Oval Office and a child molester lined up to fill a vacant Senate seat. I got back the standard "we received your message" e-mail, but so far, no reply. I'm ready to vote for any liberal who challenges her in the primary. She's got to go.

[flamingdem]

61. She's doing the too little too late denuciation of Trump

but based on his molestations not Russiagate - that's not as strong of an attack.

She may have done that as well but I didn't see it yet

[gopiscrap]

139. welcome to DU

[calimary]

144. Welcome to DU, NellieStarbuck!

You're a constituent? Well, then, YOU are uniquely qualified to weigh in! And you should! And you did! I have found that seldom do I get any answers with a general email. The only time I do get a personal response is when I'm trying to set up an Indivisible meeting and we need to talk dates and times.

I'd say check out where there's an Indivisible chapter in your congressional district. I understand that there are at least two in every district, as the Indivisible movement has spread across the country. Used to be the boast was "there's one in every district." More now!

One of Indivisible's biggest priorities is the actual physical meetings arranged with our reps. Whether it's the Congressmember or Senator, State Senator or Assemblymember. It's always national and state. It doesn't extend as far down as into the county supervisor or city council level. But the big-time emphasis is on meeting with your reps. On a regular basis. To discuss issues voted upon at the most recent monthly Indivisible group meeting. Ideally, once a month. And as the news and the times and the events change, so do the issues and the "asks" that make the list for bringing up at the next meeting with your reps.

It also occurred to me what other very nice thing this accomplishes: Because you've got somebody in the group who's in regular touch with the folks in the office of Senator or Rep Whoever. I've been the point person for our state assemblyman, for example. And you start with an introductory email and follow up, and they do get back to you. These folks have learned to take high-profile activist groups like Indivisible very seriously. We're active, not passive, and they appreciate being able to deliver their boss's messages and accomplishments and viewpoints. So it's a two-way thing. And since you're contacting them pretty frequently, you're getting to know each other, and that always greases the wheels just a little more. Like when they have two or three calls coming in at once - and they pick you to talk to, and the others have to leave a message. 'Cause they know you. You're building relationships. It's important on SO many levels! DAYUM is it ever important! You've heard the old cliche "it's who you know"? Well, there you are. Operational in your arena, as well.

I highly recommend the Indivisible movement. It's a great way to meet some really agreeable people. Everyone's on the same page, and everyone gives a damn, and if you go to three or four of these things, you start to see the same faces and the same high level of dedication and commitment, and they're all well-informed. Some of them are involved with more than one activist organization and you suddenly realize you have a lot in common. I've made some mighty nice friendships that way - people I enjoy knowing outside of the political activism arena. And they all appreciate your participation whether you come every month or your schedule can't make room for that.

It's made me a better - and more active - citizen activist. And you sure do learn a lot about the issues. And there's so much expertise available and willingly shared.

[LoveMyCali]

154. Same here (nt)

[Duppers]

30. Calimary, you are awesome!!

Great job!

I've written to and left short voice mails for these foolish Dem senators who are enabling the GOP dirty tricksters, but have yet to get a staffer to answer. Your script should be a model for us all.

[flamingdem]

32. Well points to them for being open and civil, let's hope the 70 plus calls makes them rethink

and do something to remedy this catastrophe.

I hope they're discussing this. We need to keep calling, calling, calling until it gets through.

Was worried it would be forgotten with all the rest going on..

[Agschmid]

36. Dont pretend to be a constituent if you arent.

Glad you didn’t have to do that.

[ProfessorGAC]

43. Sorry, I Can't Agree

I know others have mentioned it too and everyone has been civil in saying so. But, this is a national issue, and she crossed constituencies in calling for another state's senator to step down.

She made this a nationwide debate and since she is the cause, which state someone is from shouldn't even be an issue.

If she wanted to only address the issues of New Yorkers, she should not have interjected herself into a call for a guy from Minnesota to resign. Right now, it appears as if she is saying that only her constituency matters to us, not to her.

[LakeArenal]

53. Yes.. She made it a national interest...

If she wants to be president......

[ProfessorGAC]

55. Her Ambition Then Was Her Motivation?

I'm not saying that's wrong, just making sure i understand your point.

[LakeArenal]

59. Don't pin me to one motivation, these actions are complex...

But yes, certainly I do think she's politically motivated. Yes, I do think she has political ambition. She's a politician. I am not saying there is anything wrong with being a professional politician. Better than the know nothings we have in power now.

Sometimes things you do for your work go wrong. People are unhappy with what you have done. They express that. You put your job on the line for whatever motivation you had, honorable or not.

It's up to Gilibrand and the rest of the "list" as to what they do now. Time will tell. I will say, I won't support any of the list at this point. But I won't say never.. As one DUer has said (I regret I don't remember which) said, "Better a tarnished friend, than a shiny enemy."

[ProfessorGAC]

108. Good For You

IMO, our enemy has already revealed the self.

[Agschmid]

56. Thats all fine and dandy but the OP suggests they were ready to lie about it.

Not cool, IMO.

[ProfessorGAC]

58. So?

I don't get the consternation. She wants to be a national figure. If it is going to matter whether one is a New Yorker or not, then a citizen who wants to connect with a person desiring national attention will have to lie if they're otherwise going to be ignored.

Do you believe that if one tells the truth ("I'm from Illinois&quot and i get short shrift, that it isn't the Senator who has the problem?

And if i believe that i'll be ignored, even though i'm from a large blue state, that if i say i'm from Scarsdale, that i'm in the wrong?

Tell me you're kidding.

[Agschmid]

60. Not kidding. Sorry not down with lying, didnt know so many were.

[ProfessorGAC]

109. OK , Don

Quoixote! This is EXACTLY what Gillibrand did.
My sympathies that you don't see you're doing the exact same thing!

[tavalon]

143. When Senators start realizing they represent the whole of the country and impact the whole

of the country and therefore should be accountable to the whole of the country, then I will be side by side with you.

[orleans]

62. i remember getting "local" zip codes

when i was calling senators years ago (i think it was regarding an upcoming vote on iraq war--but i'm not sure)
it was a national issue, not a state issue, and after being informed a couple times that they only take messages from in-state people i thought: fuck that!

somebody not good with lying? yeah, well me either and we were lied into that fucking war!

[Agschmid]

78. Yup, clearly your strategy worked really well.

[orleans]

148. yeah. what was *your* strategy

[Agschmid]

157. Walked miles around NH, knocked on doors, made calls, spoke to voters.

We got Kelly Ayotte booted and we got Hillary to win the state in the GE so there is that.

I was underage for Iraq sorry.

[ProfessorGAC]

110. This

The bad guys lie, and we complain, but lie down like lambs!
Lie to make a valid citizens' point and our conscience police tell us don't, because we're better than that!
Look where being good guys has gotten us!
This purity is STUPID!!!!!!!
Don't take a stick to a rocket fight!

[OnDoutside]

79. Ironically, those Dem senators didn't exactly tell the truth as to why they

said Franken had to go, but some are more concerned about people giving a local zip code to voice their opinions. Another one for "you couldn't make this up".

[calimary]

123. You know why I do that?

Because I have a stake in that area, too.

I have good friends, nieces, nephews, cousins, daughter and son-in-law, in other states. My son is here in SoCal but he lives in a different Congressional district than we are. I care about them. Deeply. And when I visit them, on their turf, then I, too, am THERE. Part of it. Hell, I'm in my kid's district all the time! Eating at and ordering takeout from their restaurants, shopping in their stores (and thus supporting and involving myself in the local economy, putting my actual money where my mouth is), paying local sales tax, chatting with locals everywhere I go, dealing with their roads, bridges, water systems, traffic congestion, weather issues, city ordinances, neighborhood routines, dog walking, trash-taking-out, filling the gas tank of my rental car (that I rented locally for out-of-town visits) with gas at local gas stations, sharing with their friends, enjoying their tourist attractions and scenery and social scene, etc.

I would hope that if you had an elderly parent in Florida or Arizona or some nice warm climate for the old bones, you would care about the local area that serves as home to your loved one. And I imagine you would check in with them and be interested in what affects them. I would assume you probably physically went there to visit, as well, whether it's just staying overnight or over several weeks. If you have a loved one or someone else important to you, in another district or state,

I also believe that if I donated to someone's campaign, I own a small piece of that campaign. And if they win, then I own a piece of that action, too, how-ever small. I gave money to help them get that job. So I'm owed. I'm suspect the Koch brothers or the Mercers or Shel Adelson or any of those rich CON-friendly SOBs don't confine their political donations just within the confines of their own state, do they? Well, hell's bells, then why should I?

I've told this story before, too, but I think it bears repeating, especially here:
Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota. I'm a Californian. But I donated generously when she was first running for the Senate - from North Dakota. Okay? So in the first day or two after the Sandy Hook school massacre, she goes on "Good Morning America" and states flatly that "oh, NO. We're not going to do anything about assault rifles (a murder weapon used that day)." I called her office. I said I'm not a North Dakotan, but by Jove, I gave money to her campaign when she was running for this job, and she was VERY happy to get MY CALIFORNIA MONEY to help finance her campaign. So even though I'm not directly a constituent, I am an underwriter and financier of her campaign, and she wouldn't have won this job if it weren't for people like me. So I intend to weigh in here. And the staffer took my call and didn't bark at me that "what does this have to do with the state of North Dakota?"

I actually had a staffer in Susan Collins' office yell at me for that. "And what does this have to do with the state of Maine?" (Oh, maybe because I have a niece who's lived there for years, with whom I've been friends for decades, and dammit, I care about what happens to her, and how the laws affect her and other Mainers.)

Lying? Fine. Color me guilty if you must. I don't regard it as such. And I give a damn. And when something's not going right, I do NOT believe in defaulting on apathy and/or rolling over and going back to sleep.

Besides, I think it's well worth it, even VITAL, for the Kirsten Gillibrands of the world to know JUST HOW PISSED OFF PEOPLE ARE - EVERYWHERE - about what she's done. Because that anger most certainly IS everywhere. Not just in her state, either. She very much needs to know the magnitude of the reaction. Should the people of Minnesota who are outraged that she ran their Senator out of Washington and affected them INTENSELY not let her know, either? Are they supposed to just lay low and grumble to themselves?

Remember, too, if Gillibrand does intend to run for president in 2020, she's not going to be trolling for votes exclusively within the confines of New York State. She would need us all, all over everywhere. So I think she better know how we feel - including us non-New Yorkers.

[Agschmid]

134. Couple things...

Yes it’s a lie to say you live in a zip code you don’t live in, you say as much.

Sure it’s great to point out that even if you don’t live in BR state you may have donated to a campaign, that’s true for a lot of us here. And they should listen to you based on that, not based on a lie of residency.

And who says I am being apathetic! I’m not, others aren’t, we just aren’t lying about our residency.

And just to put things in perspective people really stents that pissed off... see this change.org petition which has 68,800 signatures at this time https://www.change.org/p/charles-schumer-we-support-al-franken 68,800 is significantly less than 1% of the US Voting population, in fact it’s 0.03%... so yeah some folks are angry but not most of them as it’s been portrayed on DU.

[tavalon]

140. Yeah, this state constituents only thing

is bullshit.

[bdamomma]

49. I am sure she

got the message clear from her constituents how they feel without giving someone due process.

[byronius]

68. I emailed both Kamala and Dianne Feinstein this morning.

[flamingdem]

73. Thanks, I need to remember to write my CA reps more often

and include my deets so they know I'm a voter

[suegeo]

98. She doesn't seem like the brightest bulb on the tree

So, I'm not so sure she got the message from her constituents.

She also might want to coach her staff to take all calls from Minnesota, even though we're not her constituents, since umm she stuck a shiv into our senator. But as I said, she seems kinda slow, falling for a Roger stone and Hannity gal pal trick.

Also, if she plans to go to the Iowa State Fair soon to campaign, I'd love to get her meet and greet schedule. Des Moines isn't that far a drive from the Twin Cities, and I will wear some Franken gear while working for another Challenger. Maybe it would make her stumble up while speechifying. Maybe I will even ask for a selfie with her!

[suegeo]

99. Sorry I meant to reply to post 29

With my dim bulb comment

[byronius]

115. OMG I'm so offended flame war flame war.

Which means, of course, chacertainly.

And more certainly, this has really, truly, made me realize that Dem leadership are just people. Scared, unstable, foolish humans like the rest of us. 'Cause this was not a smart move. Or brave.

I guess having to actually hang out with insane right-wingers all day rubs off, saps the intellience? I could see that.

[spooky3]

74. Thank you for doing this; thank you for being kind and civil to the innocent party who answered the

phone. Thanks for sharing the info with us.

[ClarendonDem]

80. I'm trying to understand the "due process" complaint

Franken wasn't charged with any crime, so due process doesn't come into it. And he wasn't even forcibly removed--a bunch of Dem senators (35 or so, right?) said they thought he should resign, including Schumer, and he did. But a number of folks seem to think that the junior senator from New York somehow orchestrated Franken's voluntary decision to resign without giving him due process? Not seeing it myself.

[flamingdem]

82. Due process in this case is short hand for the Ethics Committee

and their process which may or may not use the "due" term

[ClarendonDem]

84. Got it, thanks

I suppose there wouldn't have been any harm in having that process play out, but at least 32 senators called on Franken to resign before the ethics committee investigation ended (based on this 4 day old story -- http://www.cnn.com/2017/12/06/politics/al-franken-democratic-senators-resign/index.html -- and I haven't seen any threads devoted solely to attacking Kamala Harris, Tammy Duckworth or any of the others. Oh, except for Sanders--did see at least one attacking Sanders.

[Honeycombe8]

81. Right on, sista! Great job. I'll call, too.

I expect she has a staffer somewhat monitoring the internet, to gauge the anger.

[Alice11111]

87. All I get is busy.

[Progressive dog]

95. Gillibrand must be some leader,

she brought all those Senate Democrats to her point of view.

[suegeo]

104. Schumer is New Yorks' senior senator

and is the minority leader of the Senate. The junior senator from New York is his colleague. So Schumer and her, I called.

And it's that not so much she's a strong leader it's that most of the rest don't have a spine. Or any street smarts

Al Franken does tho. He deserves better than a rush to judgment by a bunch of nitwits who got played by. Roger stone and that manatee Hannity.

[Progressive dog]

114. So Franken resigned because he has street smarts

and they asked him to because they don't.

[suegeo]

120. That's almost correct, imho.

Al resigned because they fell (face first) for the dirty trick and forced him to.
Now, even Newt Gingrich, he of the Clinton witch hunt, is telling the world that democrats are bad because Al got railroaded.

And yeah, they got no street smarts. They fell for it and caused needless harm to another Democrat, put Minnesota in play in a time of voter suppression and russia interference.

And christ, they're coming for my Social Security and healthcare and pissing off allies, and building the embassay in Jerusalem, and selling bump stocks

[Progressive dog]

121. Franken had street smarts, that's why

he resigned. There was no way to force him to. They didn't even threaten to expel him, they asked him to quit and he quit. Obviously he didn't want an investigation.

[tavalon]

141. Actually, he resigned because with thirty three Senators sticking him with a shiv,

he knew he wouldn't have any more influence in the Senate. He's the one who called for an ethics investigation on himself. Don't start making assumptions. None of us know if these allegations are true because he was railroaded without any ethics investigation. I hope an independent journalist does the work the damn Senate was supposed to.

[Progressive dog]

173. No one was "Sticking him with a shiv"

If the Senators didn't tell Franken they thought he should resign, then Franken would not have more influence with them.
Franken would have to stick around for an ethics investigation, he is choosing not to.

[LisaL]

158. He asked for an investigation right away.

[Progressive dog]

174. And then he changed his mind

and resigned.

[Kirk Lover]

107. Actually they were all texting and talking about and said if one more allegation comes out we will

band together and say he should resign. I guess they thought they were doing a good thing by sticking up for women who claim they were 'groped'....silly them !

[suegeo]

118. not silly so much as stupid stupid stupid

What crime did Al commit that rose to the level of punishment given to him: give up your seat.

I don't believe the USO lady was harassed (legal definitions for sexual harassment exist), I think that was republican rat fucking.

I don't think Al groped anybody. But WTF do I know, since I never got to hear all the stories. Or ANY testimony.

And what I got from the nitwits (some trained attorneys) was OK, sure, that photo at the state fair looks innocent enough, but really, he groped the lady while the woman's husband was taking the picture, so what further proof do we need?

And touching someone on the waist while taking a selfie with Al which made her feel uncomfortable? Touching someone on the waist is groping?

AND INSTEAD OF TRUSTING THE VOTERS OF MINNESOTA TO DIGEST THIS, and decide for ourselves, these nitwits rush to judgment and railroad Al. And I don't have my smart senator anymore, I am stuck with nitwits. And my vote and my voice was stolen by somebody who is suppose to be on "my team"?

And you are stuck with these nitwits too. It scares the shit out of me.

[tavalon]

142. Well said

[lostnfound]

111. Character means ALWAYS asking, Is this the RIGHT thing to do?

Like, is it right to fight for tobacco companies. Is it right to make a person lose their job over jokes dating back ten years?

There are times to choose pragmatic answers over the “right” answer... lesser of two evils, human limitations, limited resources, whatever. But there are some lines not to be crossed.

[DownriverDem]

162. Touching is a joke?

I don't think so. What about moore? His stuff happened over ten years ago. trump's stuff happened over ten years ago too. My point is, do we just let these men off because it was over ten years ago?

The hardest thing is, is that Franken is one of our own. More than anything I wish none of this came out about Franken, but it did. It sucks big time. But the tone of the times is far different then it was over 10 years ago.

[lostnfound]

175. Stupid false equivalence, Im feeding it. Nt

[populistdriven]

113. This.

is precisely what makes DU great!

[MustLoveBeagles]

116. Good for you

There's nothing wrong with calling these senators and telling them how we feel. We can do this and still fight the Republicans. I don't want these senators to loose their jobs. I just want them to listen to what we are saying.

[Hekate]

117. KnRnThanks

[NYgal]

119. Check out her FB page and Twitter feed - 1000 to 1 really really pissed at her

Many constituents such as myself asking her to resign and wanting her primaried.
I think Ms. Opportunist totally misread this situation and her influence here.

[calimary]

145. Welcome to DU, NYgal!

Sure sounded like it from what the young staffer told me he'd endured all morning. SEVENTY calls. And yeah, loud, angry, and worse, I suspect. He sounded weary. You could hear it in his tone of voice. I think it was early afternoon Eastern time because it was still morning here in LA. You kinda start feeling for the guy. These are, more often than not, young policy wonks, or eager people wanting to serve their community in some way, or that onetime student body president who wants to get into politics. There aren't many slackers in these jobs (or internships). It wasn't his head I wanted to chew off at that moment, anyway. I hope he felt he had the chance to vent just a wee bit. He sounded like he'd been spending a lot of energy all day, trying to keep his cool. I enjoyed talking to him! Got a lot of interesting intel that way, too.

The more I do this, calling my various reps and talking to their staffers, the more I become mindful of those workers, helpers, and interns, and what they've been told as far as the "here's how you do this job, here's how you talk to callers/angry callers/incoherent callers/threatening callers," etc. I bet they get thorough directives in how properly and professionally to represent the Senator/Congressperson/etc., the mentality you need to inhabit, don't let them get you mad, be polite (we need their votes!), don't react, know where the Senate/Rep stands on issues A, B, C, and X, Y, Z, or "here's what we're saying to the public/here's how we're responding to that question/here's the Representative's statement" and so forth.

And sometimes, gotta say, I can't help but wonder if the kid who took my call this morning wins up being that state's Senator or Governor, in a few years...

[erinlough]

127. I was on her mailing list and unsubscribed.

Later today I got a confirmation asking why I was unsubscribing. I mentioned the same things you mentioned in your post. At least my opinion will be read by someone.

[oasis]

129. She's forfeited any support for a 2020 presidential nomination. nt

[Hortensis]

163. Does that go for the other 31, including Bernie Sanders?

After all, Sanders and the rest did the exact same thing.

As a not-so-closet conservative, Gillebrand had 0 chance of becoming our nominee.

But Sanders, now... Wasn't he considered viable before he forfeited all support?

[oasis]

169. Bernie won't be remembered for leading the ill fated charge

over the political cliff.

Btw, I believe the Democratic Party can do much better than having either of those two as its standard bearer in 2020.

[DeltaLitProf]

153. You're embarrasing yourself and us

The allegations against Al that brought him down was not the questionable Tweeden one but the several by fellow Democrats. Consider how you sound when you continue to assert that he was railroaded.

[LoveMyCali]

155. Please speak for yourself

Calimary certainly doesn't embarrass me and many people I know who can differentiate degrees of offense feel that Franken was railroaded.

[mountain grammy]

159. Thank you.. I've called every Senator twice

and my own three times.. Hell, I call my Republican asshole daily. I'm always polite, never swear, ok, almost never.

I think today will be a watershed day with Alabama's election. We are better than the Repubs and Al Franken is not a groper, pervert or a sexual harrasser.

[flamingdem]

172. +1000

Franken is a patriot and a great dem!