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SHRED

(28,136 posts)
Wed Dec 13, 2017, 02:09 PM Dec 2017

Al Franken statement

He will be missed.


https://www.franken.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=3808

"Tina Smith will make an excellent United States Senator,” said Sen. Franken. “She is a dedicated public servant who’s worked tirelessly on behalf of Minnesotans, and Governor Dayton couldn't have made a better choice for this job. Her record of accomplishment as Lieutenant Governor demonstrates that she’ll be an effective senator who knows how to work across party lines to get things done for Minnesota. I look forward to working with her on ensuring a speedy and seamless transition.”

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Al Franken statement (Original Post) SHRED Dec 2017 OP
Fuck. dalton99a Dec 2017 #1
+1 n/t. rzemanfl Dec 2017 #54
Be happy its not a Repugnant replacing him. cstanleytech Dec 2017 #69
. femmocrat Dec 2017 #2
I will never get over this one... Pachamama Dec 2017 #3
Me neither. ananda Dec 2017 #50
Those responsible will pay for their treachery. Ligyron Dec 2017 #61
I won't either. Honeycombe8 Dec 2017 #82
This message was self-deleted by its author JimBeard Dec 2017 #84
I agree with all of you. How do we escape thess excessive alerts? JimBeard Dec 2017 #86
heart-breaking. I just hope he finds a new focus of his intelligence, skills, and activism. hlthe2b Dec 2017 #4
I agree. Let's ask Al to head the Democratic Party! Dyedinthewoolliberal Dec 2017 #15
Not now, but by 2020 he should be made the head of the democratic party. lark Dec 2017 #46
+1 n/t ariadne0614 Dec 2017 #60
If I were Al, I wouldn't do a damn thing. JimBeard Dec 2017 #85
I am so sad. This outrage should have never happened. MoonRiver Dec 2017 #5
Me either. cwydro Dec 2017 #24
Yes. Alice11111 Dec 2017 #49
DITTO! I hold a grudge too. BigmanPigman Dec 2017 #70
I am very good at holding grudges. Lots of people on the New York comments section JimBeard Dec 2017 #87
Thanks for that info. Was wondering how New York feels about this. MoonRiver Dec 2017 #104
I hate this. HATE. eissa Dec 2017 #6
This can also be called dirty pool. JimBeard Dec 2017 #89
It is an injustice that he has to go without a proper investigation. Dawson Leery Dec 2017 #7
Ugly. Ugly. Ugly. flamingdem Dec 2017 #8
My rage has re-emerged. This is so f*cking wrong. OnDoutside Dec 2017 #9
This tax bill might not have happened IF our most Alice11111 Dec 2017 #111
Excellent statement by Franken. Blue_true Dec 2017 #10
They could appoint God and it would not help, might even get beat in another election. JimBeard Dec 2017 #90
Didn't she say that she would NOT run again in 2018? NewJeffCT Dec 2017 #11
I think she changed her mind and said she will run. Isn't the seat up in 2020? FSogol Dec 2017 #18
I believe MN requires special election next year. BootinUp Dec 2017 #19
Thanks. n/t FSogol Dec 2017 #20
Yes, which is why this is such a shit show. BannonsLiver Dec 2017 #21
No big deal. It is Minnesota, take a page from Franken's book, and hit the ground running. FSogol Dec 2017 #22
Youre right of course BannonsLiver Dec 2017 #23
I think post-HRC, Democrats are no longer taking things for granted. FSogol Dec 2017 #25
Agreed. N/t BannonsLiver Dec 2017 #26
It's a very big deal. Mister Ed Dec 2017 #35
Now that moore has lost, Terminally_Chill Dec 2017 #12
Yeah, cause that wont have any unintended consequences. Calista241 Dec 2017 #37
Bullshit. Drahthaardogs Dec 2017 #13
Bravo, Al. kstewart33 Dec 2017 #14
Seconded BeyondGeography Dec 2017 #27
Bravo, indeed! peggysue2 Dec 2017 #31
That's it, exactly. kstewart33 Dec 2017 #45
Hope he runs for Minnesota governor one day. InAbLuEsTaTe Dec 2017 #56
Did Dayton drop his nutty, Republican enabling edict that prohibits the nominee from running BannonsLiver Dec 2017 #16
Sounds like it BeyondGeography Dec 2017 #28
I believe he did. Hong Kong Cavalier Dec 2017 #29
There was no "edict." Initially he wanted someone who would agree The Velveteen Ocelot Dec 2017 #77
It was a bad idea. BannonsLiver Dec 2017 #78
This is a massive injustice! workinclasszero Dec 2017 #17
This Meowmee Dec 2017 #39
It is a grave injustice that should not be forgotten dalton99a Dec 2017 #74
This SUCKS! I wish the best for Al and I hope we continue to hear his active voice! PearliePoo2 Dec 2017 #30
she should appoint him her chief of staff. mopinko Dec 2017 #32
Don't underestimate the drumpf factor. SCVDem Dec 2017 #33
I'm still angry as hell about all of this. nt Duppers Dec 2017 #34
I am also. SHRED Dec 2017 #36
Seething at the injustice of no due process. Al was our best, Alice11111 Dec 2017 #63
Same here, Alice! Duppers Dec 2017 #95
This Marie Antoinette Tax Bill would have had a RESISTANCE Alice11111 Dec 2017 #108
Absolutely! Duppers Dec 2017 #109
!!! Alice11111 Dec 2017 #110
Al is 100% class Botany Dec 2017 #38
Maybe Senator Franken Mr.Bill Dec 2017 #40
That would be justice. InAbLuEsTaTe Dec 2017 #57
One Minute of Silence, Please disndat Dec 2017 #41
+1. nt Honeycombe8 Dec 2017 #44
Yep. nt Susan Calvin Dec 2017 #93
Franken needs to re-offer for 2018. The USA needs his intelligence & compassion. . . . nt Bernardo de La Paz Dec 2017 #42
Yes...huge loss. Unspeakable. Alice11111 Dec 2017 #64
He's a class act. A professional. Honeycombe8 Dec 2017 #43
Couldn't agree more. InAbLuEsTaTe Dec 2017 #53
Shit. Will McConnell seat her? mountain grammy Dec 2017 #47
That's why Franken hasn't left yet Jersey Devil Dec 2017 #59
Hopefully, simultaneously. Don't trust McConnell. He isn't seatingJones Alice11111 Dec 2017 #66
Correction: McConnell isn't seating Jones before the rules allow him to seat Jones onenote Dec 2017 #68
Yeah, but before that McConnell said he wouldn't be seating Alice11111 Dec 2017 #71
He can't "get away" with holding up seating Jones or Smith once his certification is received onenote Dec 2017 #72
What reason could be given for not seating her (which would take a vote of a majority of the Senate) onenote Dec 2017 #67
Oh wait. When did he ever need a reason mountain grammy Dec 2017 #73
Post removed Post removed Dec 2017 #48
I will never forgive them Kimchijeon Dec 2017 #51
Pretty much. Susan Calvin Dec 2017 #97
Sad to hear... but, classy right to the end. InAbLuEsTaTe Dec 2017 #52
I hopefully don't think this is anywhere near his end. Susan Calvin Dec 2017 #98
Hope you're right! InAbLuEsTaTe Dec 2017 #102
meet Governor Al Franken DAMANgoldberg Dec 2017 #103
and ... rtracey Dec 2017 #55
+1 Taraman Dec 2017 #62
It's hard to buck 33 of his peers disndat Dec 2017 #65
SORRY dont agree rtracey Dec 2017 #80
For the time being, Susan Calvin Dec 2017 #94
I do admire him for the way he has dealt with this injustice. n/t ariadne0614 Dec 2017 #58
any reason why bluestarone Dec 2017 #75
No party that believes in justice should have permitted this. spooky3 Dec 2017 #76
Great statement oberliner Dec 2017 #79
This makes me so sad. herding cats Dec 2017 #81
I will never forget this. Nor the people that enabled this resignation. Tatiana Dec 2017 #83
Al Franken is an honorable man. spanone Dec 2017 #88
White hot anger suegeo Dec 2017 #91
Amen. Well said. nt Susan Calvin Dec 2017 #96
Good reminders. BlueWI Dec 2017 #99
Yep Alice11111 Dec 2017 #107
Damn. :-( Susan Calvin Dec 2017 #92
:-( Alice11111 Dec 2017 #106
So much more class than Gillebrand et al. Jakes Progress Dec 2017 #100
Damn. Cant he run again in 2020 if he is cleared? secondwind Dec 2017 #101
A sad day in Democratic politics. A complete and total injustice. demmiblue Dec 2017 #105

Pachamama

(16,887 posts)
3. I will never get over this one...
Wed Dec 13, 2017, 02:12 PM
Dec 2017

And I won't forget and I still believe this was a big mistake for the Democratic Party in the future and will be shown over time.

Honeycombe8

(37,648 posts)
82. I won't either.
Wed Dec 13, 2017, 09:08 PM
Dec 2017

I expect the anger will be lessened in time. But I won't "get over it" or forget it. That is my curse. I remember injustices forever. I can repeat most of the criticisms and insults my ex said to me decades ago. I'm not as hurt by them now...but I remember them clearly. The a-hole.

Response to Honeycombe8 (Reply #82)

hlthe2b

(102,283 posts)
4. heart-breaking. I just hope he finds a new focus of his intelligence, skills, and activism.
Wed Dec 13, 2017, 02:13 PM
Dec 2017

as much as I celebrate the success in Alabama, this is a far more significant and intense loss.

lark

(23,102 posts)
46. Not now, but by 2020 he should be made the head of the democratic party.
Wed Dec 13, 2017, 04:10 PM
Dec 2017

That's after there's a hearing on this when the Senate becomes dem again in 2018 and it's proven that Tweeden lied for political purposes and this was a planned political hit job.

 

JimBeard

(293 posts)
85. If I were Al, I wouldn't do a damn thing.
Wed Dec 13, 2017, 09:21 PM
Dec 2017

So, was Al the ONLY one to be accused in the Senate?

It is indeed a big loss.

 

JimBeard

(293 posts)
87. I am very good at holding grudges. Lots of people on the New York comments section
Wed Dec 13, 2017, 09:31 PM
Dec 2017

are pissed at what happened to Al, especially by their own senator. Gillerderbrand.

eissa

(4,238 posts)
6. I hate this. HATE.
Wed Dec 13, 2017, 02:14 PM
Dec 2017

So completely unjustified and unfair. Al didn't deserve this, nor did the voters of Minnesota, nor the party at large, which lost its strongest progressive voice because a mediocre politician wanted her "moment."

Alice11111

(5,730 posts)
111. This tax bill might not have happened IF our most
Fri Dec 15, 2017, 04:40 PM
Dec 2017

Effective voice had not been gagged and sacrificed

Blue_true

(31,261 posts)
10. Excellent statement by Franken.
Wed Dec 13, 2017, 02:18 PM
Dec 2017

Tina Smith is an excellent choice by Dayton. I looked up her bio, very impressive leader. Definitely is a progressive over many years and various efforts.

NewJeffCT

(56,828 posts)
11. Didn't she say that she would NOT run again in 2018?
Wed Dec 13, 2017, 02:18 PM
Dec 2017

so, basically making it an open seat for next year?

BannonsLiver

(16,387 posts)
21. Yes, which is why this is such a shit show.
Wed Dec 13, 2017, 02:40 PM
Dec 2017

As I understand it she’s getting one year, and will have to run again in 2018 for the remaining 2 years. then she will have to jump through yet another fucking hoop in 2020 to actually get a 6 year term. FUBAR applies here.

FSogol

(45,488 posts)
22. No big deal. It is Minnesota, take a page from Franken's book, and hit the ground running.
Wed Dec 13, 2017, 02:42 PM
Dec 2017

Be vocal and call out abuses by the GOP and she'll win in 2018 and 2020.

BannonsLiver

(16,387 posts)
23. Youre right of course
Wed Dec 13, 2017, 02:48 PM
Dec 2017

But I remember sweating out Minnesota on election night, so I’m not sure we can just default to it’s a blue state so it’ll be fine. If Tina is as talented as everyone says this won’t be a problem, so I agree in that sense. But we should expect a vigorous GOP challenge every step of the way.

FSogol

(45,488 posts)
25. I think post-HRC, Democrats are no longer taking things for granted.
Wed Dec 13, 2017, 02:52 PM
Dec 2017

African Americans, Latinos, women, and young people are voting in higher numbers even in off-season and special elections. A good first step, but leaves us a lot of work left to do.

Mister Ed

(5,938 posts)
35. It's a very big deal.
Wed Dec 13, 2017, 03:24 PM
Dec 2017

Tremendous resources must now be expended this year in the hopes of defending a Senate seat that would otherwise not have been in play until 2020. Those resources will be badly needed elsewhere in the do-or-die 2018 midterm elections.

Calista241

(5,586 posts)
37. Yeah, cause that wont have any unintended consequences.
Wed Dec 13, 2017, 03:27 PM
Dec 2017

Just making us look like giant fucking hypocrites.

kstewart33

(6,551 posts)
14. Bravo, Al.
Wed Dec 13, 2017, 02:25 PM
Dec 2017

A very difficult and classy move.

I have faith that he will continue to be a great public servant.

peggysue2

(10,829 posts)
31. Bravo, indeed!
Wed Dec 13, 2017, 03:08 PM
Dec 2017

Despite the ugliness, Al Franken has handled himself with class and grace. A person's character is revealed when they're under fire. Senator Franken has shown himself to be a man of immense patience and integrity.

This whole mess was a very sad affair. Certainly not one of our finest moments. Here's hoping Al Franken's voice and commitment find a home and way to serve the public good.

He'll be sorely missed.

kstewart33

(6,551 posts)
45. That's it, exactly.
Wed Dec 13, 2017, 04:06 PM
Dec 2017

To truly know a person's character, see what that person does while under fire and great stress.

Any mistakes aside, Al is a gem.

BannonsLiver

(16,387 posts)
16. Did Dayton drop his nutty, Republican enabling edict that prohibits the nominee from running
Wed Dec 13, 2017, 02:31 PM
Dec 2017

For the seat down the road? I sure hope so. It was beyond dumb.

Hong Kong Cavalier

(4,572 posts)
29. I believe he did.
Wed Dec 13, 2017, 02:59 PM
Dec 2017

It seems like his Lt. Gov will also be running to finish out Franken's term from 2018 to 2020.

The Velveteen Ocelot

(115,719 posts)
77. There was no "edict." Initially he wanted someone who would agree
Wed Dec 13, 2017, 05:36 PM
Dec 2017

not to run in 2018. He had no power to require any such thing, though.

Meowmee

(5,164 posts)
39. This
Wed Dec 13, 2017, 03:39 PM
Dec 2017

Last edited Thu Dec 14, 2017, 04:19 AM - Edit history (1)

McCarthyism in full bloom cheered on by the me too movement of two months. Who will be next? This is NOT ok. We will all suffer due to this grave injustice.

PearliePoo2

(7,768 posts)
30. This SUCKS! I wish the best for Al and I hope we continue to hear his active voice!
Wed Dec 13, 2017, 03:02 PM
Dec 2017

Oh, and keep an eye on Tim Pawlenty for a possible Senate run.

He says he's retiring politically but he's a ReThug and they are all liars.

Alice11111

(5,730 posts)
63. Seething at the injustice of no due process. Al was our best,
Wed Dec 13, 2017, 04:40 PM
Dec 2017

so thay had to get him out, starring w Hannity and Steel, moving on to Tweeden, and....
The tipping point, he paused for a photo, upon request, in public, and put his arm around a woman's waist.

I hope he comes back, somehow. I hope he gets the investigation he asked for before his reputation is ruined by this travesty of justice and lies.

Alice11111

(5,730 posts)
108. This Marie Antoinette Tax Bill would have had a RESISTANCE
Fri Dec 15, 2017, 02:05 PM
Dec 2017

VOICE if Al hadn't been burned at the stake.
🔥♨️🎯

onenote

(42,704 posts)
68. Correction: McConnell isn't seating Jones before the rules allow him to seat Jones
Wed Dec 13, 2017, 04:49 PM
Dec 2017

Jones can't be seated under the Senate's rules until his election is certified by the State of Alabama, a process that typically takes two to three weeks.

Alice11111

(5,730 posts)
71. Yeah, but before that McConnell said he wouldn't be seating
Wed Dec 13, 2017, 04:57 PM
Dec 2017

Him until "later," which probably means whatever he can get away with, after his Obama Court nominees stunt.

Anyway, Franken should not resign until the moment before his replacement is sworn in.
The Repubs really want to get rid of Franken's voice, so that one may not be delayed if Franken holds on until she is sworn in.

onenote

(42,704 posts)
72. He can't "get away" with holding up seating Jones or Smith once his certification is received
Wed Dec 13, 2017, 05:00 PM
Dec 2017

by the Secretary of the Senate.

And they won't even try.

There is a world of difference between this situation, which is governed by Senate rules and judicial precedents, and the blocking of the Garland nomination, which was outrageous, but within the Senate rules and not contrary to any judicial precedents.

onenote

(42,704 posts)
67. What reason could be given for not seating her (which would take a vote of a majority of the Senate)
Wed Dec 13, 2017, 04:47 PM
Dec 2017

The only basis for not seating a newly chosen senator are (1) questions about whether the person was duly appointed or elected; (2) failure of the person elected or appointed to meet the following qualifications: 30 years of age, inhabitant of US for 9 years, resident of state they are chosen to serve as Senator.

Folks that think there is some way Jones or Smith will be denied their seats should take their conspiracy theories to the creative speculation forum.

Response to SHRED (Original post)

Kimchijeon

(1,606 posts)
51. I will never forgive them
Wed Dec 13, 2017, 04:27 PM
Dec 2017

Not one. None stood up for Al, and have any apologized or recanted? No. Just us, screaming at a brick wall. Fuck them all, they have proven how worthless they are to me for the last time. I like DU for nostalgia reasons having been here ages so I will stick around here but yeah, this incident is the nail in the coffin for me. RIP lol

DAMANgoldberg

(1,278 posts)
103. meet Governor Al Franken
Thu Dec 14, 2017, 05:55 AM
Dec 2017

could be a similar type deal in MN as the CA saga with Gavin Newsom and Kamala Harris.

 

rtracey

(2,062 posts)
55. and ...
Wed Dec 13, 2017, 04:31 PM
Dec 2017

And as we are saying we wont forget this, or we are mad at this, or....etc, I did NOT hear Senator Frankin say "I am not going to resign my senate seat. I believe in due process and I am staying until I have an ethics hearing." He agreed to resign. I am a realist, and believe that he did NOT have the conduct they say he did, but he could have fought harder. this of course is my own opinion...

 

rtracey

(2,062 posts)
80. SORRY dont agree
Wed Dec 13, 2017, 05:49 PM
Dec 2017

Sorry, I am on the other side of this argument. i believe he should have fought, gotten his name cleared and then told the 33 who said different to go fuck themselves. He could easily have won a vice presidency, or beyond.

Susan Calvin

(1,646 posts)
94. For the time being,
Wed Dec 13, 2017, 11:16 PM
Dec 2017

I have decided to trust Al's good judgement. He has certainly exhibited plenty of that in the past. One can hope.

spooky3

(34,456 posts)
76. No party that believes in justice should have permitted this.
Wed Dec 13, 2017, 05:34 PM
Dec 2017

It’s kind of him to issue such a statement, but there still needs to be a reckoning.

Tatiana

(14,167 posts)
83. I will never forget this. Nor the people that enabled this resignation.
Wed Dec 13, 2017, 09:11 PM
Dec 2017

Senator Franken, you and your keen intellect will be missed.

suegeo

(2,573 posts)
91. White hot anger
Wed Dec 13, 2017, 10:02 PM
Dec 2017

Here's why, I'm angry. I actually remember the recent past. I lived this shit:

Senator Wellstone, his wife, daughter and crew die.

I attend a gathering, more like a wake or something, at a Union hall in Minneapolis, where Mr. and Mrs. Wellstone's kids walk through the crowds, shaking hands, many of us in tears, myself included. I shook Al Franken's hand when he passed by.

The Wellstone memorial happens, where one of the Wellstone sons speaks, eloquently. I don't know how he did so soon after losing so much. The crowd was hopeful, it seemed to me as I watched from home, unity in a time when so much was going wrong with the Bush junta.

Then, the republicans put a spin on the service and somehow used it against democrats, weeks before Coleman took the seat from Wellstone/Mondale. God that was sick.

I will yada yada over the turmoil of the Bush junta with the fact that John Ashcroft sang "Let the Eagle Soar", there was a war, yada yada.

Eventally, Franken ran for the seat, in 2008? The recount on that election went on for months. I was pretty cynical at that point, after they stole Florida from Gore, and nobody fought for the votes to be counted. And nobody seemed to fight back against that pissant Bush II.

But Franken stuck it out, fought for it, and it was just like God Damn, maybe fighting back does work. I think one of his first votes was kind of key on the ACA.

And then, I caught my breath during 8 years of Obama. I still think I needed to heal from PTSD after the Bush junta crap.

Then the Russians and the republicans (they are the same thing at this point) have ANOTHER coup 2016. And McConnel jacks a supreme court seat, because he had to have known the russian/republican traitors were gonna steal it.

Now WTF am I suppose to do? I enjoyed Al's questioning of Betsy DeVos, and he got Jeff Session, and he got the Mueller probe.

A year or so goes by. Then the ratfucking with the USO tour and allegations. The media doesn't figure it out. Regular people researching it do. Hey, it's very likely he was set up.

Then, instead of taking time to do an investigation, the DEMOCRATS force him out. Without even considering, that perhaps, the Russians meddling has not just stopped, because well why would it? The republicans have been masters of dirty tricks for a long time (see Wellstone memorial service above, if you want a recent example).

And instead of letting an investigation play out, keeping Al's vote while it does, it's a quick rush to judgment, and the handing down of a SEVERE punishment that doesn't fit any crime he has not yet been convicted of. By my own party. And they're so stupid, getting rid of our best voice. Quick quick quick.

And it robs me and the people of Minnesota our ability to judge for ourselves what's going on, of our chance to defend the guy who battled through a months long recount for us so every vote would count.

Now, the real sociopaths, the Russian mobsters, the filthy republicans will be flinging their dirt here. It's fucking exhausting.

And how do we even know that the vote won't be hacked again? What's been done to prevent it? Jesus wept.

ON EDIT: And Garrison Keillor was likely falsely accused as well. That went down about the same time. He spoke out/wrote out pretty early on during the Bush junta. When I was asking: won't anybody speak any truth? It was a tiny sliver of hope. It's not a coincidence. It was a hit job.

BlueWI

(1,736 posts)
99. Good reminders.
Thu Dec 14, 2017, 01:06 AM
Dec 2017

I was at the victory party when Senator Wellstone was declared the winner over Rudy Boschwitz. An unlikely but electrifying Senate win. Al Franken helped carry the tide forward by demonstrating that Democrats can neutralize vote suppression if they focus on it and have the fire in the belly. The national Dems do not seem to value this kind of history and take for granted the hard work over generations that DFLers have done to keep Minnesota blue. I am next door in Wisconsin and I am right there with you all! I bet the new appointee will appreciate your contributions and Franken's to good governance.

Alice11111

(5,730 posts)
107. Yep
Fri Dec 15, 2017, 01:59 PM
Dec 2017

...still seething.

Glad we got our newbie in Alabama, but we did not have to sacrifice our best, and often only effective voice, for consensual comedian skits, way before he was a politician.

Susan Calvin

(1,646 posts)
92. Damn. :-(
Wed Dec 13, 2017, 11:11 PM
Dec 2017

He will return.

I will not forget those who drove him out, who have (apparently) no sense of proportion and nothing but knee-jerk reactions.

Jakes Progress

(11,122 posts)
100. So much more class than Gillebrand et al.
Thu Dec 14, 2017, 04:37 AM
Dec 2017

That group managed to take out the most effective Democratic Senator and water down the work of #MeToo in one stupid press release storm.

Well. At least they gave all the gang a breitbart a good laugh.

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