FRANKEN FRIED – AT 1:58 P.M. ET:   Al Franken is desperately trying to hold on to his seat in the U.S. Senate.  Minnesota may be a Democratic state, but Franken has never been overwhelmingly popular there.  From the Minneapolis Star-Tribune: 

WASHINGTON – Sen. Al Franken plans to stay in the U.S. Senate and try to win back Minnesotans’ trust.

The Minnesota Democrat, who has been accused by four women — two of them anonymously — of inappropriate contact, issued a Thanksgiving afternoon apology and pledge. He wrote that he “feels terribly that I’ve made some women feel badly.” He called himself “a warm person” who likes to hug people when they’re being photographed with him, but clearly, his embrace “crossed a line for some women.”

Although his statement did not directly address the question of whether he might resign, he vowed to move ahead with an effort to regain the trust of his constituents. A spokesman for Franken said Thursday that the senator has no plans to resign.

The accusations, which have left Franken facing a Senate ethics investigation, have touched off a fierce debate among his progressive supporters over what level of sexual misconduct should force a politician with a record of support for women’s rights to resign from office.

“Because he happens to be a good guy on some other issues, people are confused,” said Erin Vilardi, head of VoteRunLead, a national group that aims to elect more women to public office. It held a national convention in Minneapolis last weekend.

COMMENT:  The hypocrisy flows.  Bill Clinton got a pass from "women's" groups because he was pro-choice and invited the leaders to the White House.  I'd imagine there'll be forgiveness all around when this rash of charges is over.  The left will find it in its heart to forgive politicians, or journalists, who've followed the party line.

November 24, 2017