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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsAl 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 whos 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 shell 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.
dalton99a
(81,513 posts)It's final.
rzemanfl
(29,565 posts)cstanleytech
(26,293 posts)Pachamama
(16,887 posts)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.
ananda
(28,865 posts)This one hurt... a lot!!!
Ligyron
(7,633 posts)Honeycombe8
(37,648 posts)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)
JimBeard This message was self-deleted by its author.
JimBeard
(293 posts)hlthe2b
(102,283 posts)as much as I celebrate the success in Alabama, this is a far more significant and intense loss.
Dyedinthewoolliberal
(15,575 posts)But he'd probably turn us down...........
lark
(23,102 posts)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.
ariadne0614
(1,730 posts)JimBeard
(293 posts)So, was Al the ONLY one to be accused in the Senate?
It is indeed a big loss.
MoonRiver
(36,926 posts)I won't forget, EVER.
cwydro
(51,308 posts)Just plain wrong.
BigmanPigman
(51,607 posts)JimBeard
(293 posts)are pissed at what happened to Al, especially by their own senator. Gillerderbrand.
MoonRiver
(36,926 posts)eissa
(4,238 posts)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."
JimBeard
(293 posts)Dawson Leery
(19,348 posts)flamingdem
(39,313 posts)And not to be forgotten
OnDoutside
(19,960 posts)Alice11111
(5,730 posts)Effective voice had not been gagged and sacrificed
Blue_true
(31,261 posts)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.
JimBeard
(293 posts)NewJeffCT
(56,828 posts)so, basically making it an open seat for next year?
FSogol
(45,488 posts)BootinUp
(47,156 posts)FSogol
(45,488 posts)BannonsLiver
(16,387 posts)As I understand it shes 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)Be vocal and call out abuses by the GOP and she'll win in 2018 and 2020.
BannonsLiver
(16,387 posts)But I remember sweating out Minnesota on election night, so Im not sure we can just default to its a blue state so itll be fine. If Tina is as talented as everyone says this wont 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)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.
BannonsLiver
(16,387 posts)Mister Ed
(5,938 posts)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.
Terminally_Chill
(76 posts)Franken should reverse his choice to resign.
Calista241
(5,586 posts)Just making us look like giant fucking hypocrites.
Drahthaardogs
(6,843 posts)I won't forget this
kstewart33
(6,551 posts)A very difficult and classy move.
I have faith that he will continue to be a great public servant.
BeyondGeography
(39,374 posts)Plenty of high-quality fuel left in that tank.
peggysue2
(10,829 posts)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)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.
InAbLuEsTaTe
(24,122 posts)BannonsLiver
(16,387 posts)For the seat down the road? I sure hope so. It was beyond dumb.
BeyondGeography
(39,374 posts)And yes, that made my head hurt.
Hong Kong Cavalier
(4,572 posts)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)not to run in 2018. He had no power to require any such thing, though.
BannonsLiver
(16,387 posts)workinclasszero
(28,270 posts)Al Franken is a victim of McCarthyism IMO!
DAMN IT!!!
Meowmee
(5,164 posts)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.
dalton99a
(81,513 posts)PearliePoo2
(7,768 posts)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.
mopinko
(70,112 posts)it would make for an extremely smooth transition.
SCVDem
(5,103 posts)Anyone who can piss off the Pope is good for our side.
Duppers
(28,125 posts)SHRED
(28,136 posts)Alice11111
(5,730 posts)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.
Duppers
(28,125 posts)Alice11111
(5,730 posts)VOICE if Al hadn't been burned at the stake.
🔥♨️🎯
Duppers
(28,125 posts)Botany
(70,510 posts)but damn it this rat fuck job on him still hurts.
Mr.Bill
(24,300 posts)can move to NY and run for a Senate seat there in the near future.
InAbLuEsTaTe
(24,122 posts)disndat
(1,887 posts)This is a profound loss to the country.
Honeycombe8
(37,648 posts)Susan Calvin
(1,646 posts)Bernardo de La Paz
(49,002 posts)Alice11111
(5,730 posts)Honeycombe8
(37,648 posts)This is so wrong.
InAbLuEsTaTe
(24,122 posts)mountain grammy
(26,622 posts)Jersey Devil
(9,874 posts)He'll quit when McConnell agrees to swear her in.
Alice11111
(5,730 posts)onenote
(42,704 posts)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)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)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)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.
mountain grammy
(26,622 posts)No conspiracy here. Mitch does what he wants.
Response to SHRED (Original post)
Post removed
Kimchijeon
(1,606 posts)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
Susan Calvin
(1,646 posts)I still come here for the occasional news tidbit I might have missed. That's it.
InAbLuEsTaTe
(24,122 posts)Susan Calvin
(1,646 posts)He wants to do good, and he's a smart cookie.
InAbLuEsTaTe
(24,122 posts)DAMANgoldberg
(1,278 posts)could be a similar type deal in MN as the CA saga with Gavin Newsom and Kamala Harris.
rtracey
(2,062 posts)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...
Classy guy who was railroaded. Hope he finds a place to continue public service.
disndat
(1,887 posts)They embarrassed and humiliated him.
rtracey
(2,062 posts)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)I have decided to trust Al's good judgement. He has certainly exhibited plenty of that in the past. One can hope.
ariadne0614
(1,730 posts)bluestarone
(16,959 posts)in 2018 or 2020 Al couldn't run again? (if he decides he is needed)
spooky3
(34,456 posts)Its kind of him to issue such a statement, but there still needs to be a reckoning.
oberliner
(58,724 posts)She sounds like a good choice.
herding cats
(19,564 posts)His statement is classy, just like Al.
Tatiana
(14,167 posts)Senator Franken, you and your keen intellect will be missed.
spanone
(135,841 posts)the 'president' is not.
suegeo
(2,573 posts)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.
Susan Calvin
(1,646 posts)BlueWI
(1,736 posts)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.
...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)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.
Alice11111
(5,730 posts)Jakes Progress
(11,122 posts)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.