I can’t understand why readers are criticizing Ms. Gillibrand for this. Sure, she could have said it sooner, and Trump isn’t going to take her advice, but I don’t recall any other Senators saying this yet.
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The reason she is doing this now, gentlemen ( and ladies,) is because now is the moment for it. If you read what Trump’s accusers who were TV said, that’s what they said - they weren’t heard the first time so Round 2. Since this is that kind of moment - for women.
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I just read that Sen. Sanders said the same thing recently, but still, he and Gillibrand are on the leading edge of this.
Of course, Donald should resign - he is disgusting.
But, Gillibrand really really should shut up after what she and her lynch mob did to Senator Franken. She has no credibility. She has shown herself to be a bully and a coward and what she says about anything is worthless. She also needs to resign, right along with Trump!
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I am sick of this =- this is old talk - turning women into a lynch mob for doing what they felt was right.
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Yeah, serving up Franken’s head on a platter without any due process sure was worth it for this single moment for her.
I’m still firmly on the Fuck You, Gillibrand express train!
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It’s a comment thread on a blog so they are more inclined to be purity ponies but it’s a tad inane.
She’s a crafty pol who knows how things work – you build up to this point. And, even then, a senator who wants to be a player (including working with Republican senators on certain stuff) knows you have to say things in a certain way – you aren’t going to get far in her position by simply being a total firestarter or something. Even if it feels good.
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Cue Trump rage tweet in 3, 2, 1…
Has he attacked KG before? Wonder what the nickname will be.
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I can hear the cry of “identity politics!” already.
It was. It absolutely was.
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One of the most idiotic things I’ve read in a long time. And that’s saying something.
How very Jill Stein 2016 of you.
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Oh, I don’t know. Trump’s probably packing up right now…for his next round of golf.
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Only in the sense that it’s “unclear” whether unicorns will ever fly out a leprechaun’s butt.
After he magically changes chocolate, bacon, and beer into health foods.
While riding a rainbow sparkle pony that pees unlimited, greenhouse-gas-free oil.
But I suppose it could happen…
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[quote=“irasdad, post:33, topic:66167”]
After he magically changes chocolate, bacon, and beer into health foods
[/quote]Wait…I was specifically told this had already been done.
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This is from Minnesota’s former Republican Gov. Arne Carson, who thinks Franken should remain in office until due process is done:
Carlson asserted that “Senate Democrats who asked for Franken’s resignation may have been motivated more by the politics of the Alabama Senate race than the seriousness of the allegations.”
In his commentary, Carlson cites the surfacing of reports saying that Franken’s main accuser, Leeann Tweeden, “may have been coached by Roger Stone, a major Trump operator,” and he describes the unknown facts around the case as “very troubling.”
Arne Carlson is moderate Republican. He endorsed both Obama and Hillary.
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Gillbrand is exactly the right person to open this Overton Window. After calling for Franken to resign she can logically do nothing else, and now it’s out there. Everyone else can make reference to the open question of trump’s resignation without being the first, and Sanders and all the other surrogates will have to figure out how to get out of the cleft stick.
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[quote=“paulw, post:36, topic:66167”]
Gillbrand is exactly the right person to open this Overton Window. After calling for Franken to resign she can logically do nothing else, and now it’s out there.
[/quote]And if Mueller starts closing in, Trump can resign and say, “It’s not because of the Russia investigation. It’s because of Senator Gillibrand.”
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I hear what you’re saying. I would also be interested in the evidence that you have that suggests something has changed.
Maybe with this election in Alabama we’ll get a hint of where this whole issue is headed.
Honestly, I hope you’re right. I hope I eat my words.
Senator Al Franken will be resigning in disgrace. In the meantime, Donald Trump is still President, and I think Roy Moore will soon become a Senator.
Seriously, I hope you are right and I’m wrong.
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I completely agree. I have called my state Senators and asked them to take this stand, as well. My feeling is, if you are going say you don’t countenance sexual assault (on any level of the spectrum) you need to take that stand across the board. I salute her and don’t understand the vitriol.
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The thinking was that it would appear “politically motivated” to attack Trump on this front before Dems cleaned house. What I’m thinking is that the Franken gambit doesn’t really change that equation, because let’s be honest, it is politically motivated.
But let’s also take a step back here. Trump is repulsive in an entirely holistic way. He boasted crudely about grabbing women and forcibly kissing them, and we all completely believe him (for once). If we take Trump’s politics and personality out of it (as any serious investigation must do), and we compare his charges with Franken’s, we see a big difference in attitude but very little difference between what they’re actually accused of doing. Grabbing bodies, forcing tongues down people’s throats – it has to be a no-no no matter how nice or handsome you are, or how nasty and rich you are. This is painful to admit, but we have to admit it. I hadn’t realized until now that I hate Trump in part for something I would forgive Franken for. If you were sitting on the other side, and you saw Franken sitting unpunished while we try to impeach a President for similar behaviors, you wouldn’t give an inch for anything. Why would you? We need the other side to give an inch if we want anything done. And that’s that. Compromise.
I still wish Franken had been given a chance to earn forgiveness and/or defend himself, because I believe he could have done – and Trump, never. But we likely only get one shot in on Trump over this. We can’t afford even a shadow of equivalency right now.