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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsAl Franken Is Mounting a Comeback From #MeToo Exile
Al Franken Is Mounting a Comeback From #MeToo Exile
WHY NOT ME?
Nearly three years after sexual misconduct allegations got him pushed out of the Senate, Al Franken has quietly made his return to cable and radio airwaves.
Maxwell Tani, Media reporter
Published Nov. 17, 2020 4:48AM ET
Photo Illustration by The Daily Beast/Photos Getty
If youve recently tuned in to CNN or MSNBC you may have noticed a familiar face has returned to political punditry: Al Franken.
Over the past several months, the former Minnesota senatorwhose legislative career ended in 2018 over multiple allegations of sexual misconducthas been quietly growing his media presence, becoming a more common sight on cable news, in op-ed pages, and on the radio.
Earlier this month, for example, the former Minnesota senator appeared three times in a single week on MSNBC, weighing in on the Senate confirmation hearings for now Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett. At other times hes joined host Joy Reid to react to news or, since Election Day, has appeared regularly on Brian Williams show to discuss Donald Trumps current futile attempts to overturn Joe Bidens electoral wins in several states via recounts, noting his own experience with a much narrower recount in 2008.
In September, he spoke with CNNs Christiane Amanpour about political satire and Trumps handling of the coronavirus pandemic, and wrote an op-ed for the networks website over the summer about how Biden could win the election. He wrote about Bidens incoming administration for the Los Angeles Times, and launched a podcast/radio show on SiriusXM dedicated to covering the election, booking interviews with high-profile guests and personal friends like musician John Mayer, former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, upstart 2020 Democratic candidate Andrew Yang, and comedians like Sarah Silverman, Jimmy Kimmel, and Chris Rock.
In a brief telephone interview several days after the election, Franken said his goal in returning to the public eyedespite his unceremonious exit from politicsis to raise awareness about the issues he felt passionately about as a legislator, including health care, climate change, right-wing media, and an increasingly conservative tilt in the judiciary system. He seemed more focused on the future than reflecting upon his past.
more...
https://www.thedailybeast.com/al-franken-is-mounting-a-comeback-from-metoo-exile?ref=home
malaise
(268,594 posts)I never believed those lies
a kennedy
(29,602 posts)Still pissed at the whole thing.
MoonRiver
(36,926 posts)calimary
(81,058 posts)infiltrating and embedding within police departments.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/aug/27/white-supremacists-militias-infiltrate-us-police-report
So you tell me. What would you expect would be the result of an infiltration of individuals with an if youre a hammer, everything looks like a nail mentality in this particular regard?
You tell me.
I strongly suspect that this explains the lopsided statistics of mainly black men being targeted and outright exterminated by heavy-handed police officers? It just keeps happening over and over and over again. Its never different. You never hear how a white suspect was manhandled or brutalized like the blacks taken into custody are. You never see or hear about white suspects being shot in the back or choked to deathwhile fleeing - after some pissant little charge - like they were stopped because they had a fucking tail light out, or they were selling single cigarettes on a public sidewalk, ie: an offense that a white offender might get a mere ticket for.
In both those cases, it didnt mean a black person was given some slap-on-the-hand ticket and small fine. It meant DEATH for that black person.
ananda
(28,828 posts)And it was Democrats who went after Al,
particulary Kirsten Gillibrand, who is now
dead to me.
DENVERPOPS
(8,781 posts)It wasn't as much a Republican hit job, as it was an unscrupulous Democrat hit job.
Kirsten Gillbrand is a ..............................
disndat
(1,887 posts)for joining the Gillibrand cabal.
Warpy
(111,107 posts)Yes, there was a joke photo from one of his shows for the troops and it was a bad joke, but that's all it was.
I will never forgive people for jumping on that stupid bandwagon. I will never forgive Wasserman-Schutz for playing into the hands of a right wing mob seeking to rid themselves of someone who skewered them frequently and completely.
SergeStorms
(19,121 posts)And yes, he was railroaded by Stone and some useful idiots who thought it would make them look better in the public eye. It was a damned shame, and Al deserves far better than he got from his Democratic "friends".
LakeArenal
(28,786 posts)There were 13 others I believe that signed.
I wont forgive any of them that dont publicly make amends.
No matter how high their personal aspirations raise them.
58Sunliner
(4,370 posts)LakeArenal
(28,786 posts)Publicly apologized.... Not so much.
Id like to know who you think have apologized publicly as I can find not one
https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&hl=en-us&nfpr=1&q=what+Senators+have+publicly+apologized+for+railroading+Franken&spell=1&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjmvMPuuYztAhUlT98KHasFDhoQBSgAegQIARAC&biw=320&bih=454
58Sunliner
(4,370 posts)And I can't find it online. I believe it was Harris. I will never forgive any of them.
LakeArenal
(28,786 posts)Dem4Life1102
(3,974 posts)and ignore the 37 others including Harris, Sanders and Warren.
That's not to say that Franken didn't get a bad deal. It just happened to be at the height of the Me Too movement and it was zero tolerance for any allegation.
LakeArenal
(28,786 posts)All they needed was the ethics investigation that Al requested.
Dem4Life1102
(3,974 posts)is that it doesnt determine guilt or innocence, just whether congressional rules has been violated.
LakeArenal
(28,786 posts)Few days later some called for the alleged victims to have their say on court. But not Al.
Response to Dem4Life1102 (Reply #91)
Post removed
Eyeball_Kid
(7,429 posts)jimfields33
(15,649 posts)If she doesnt, I dont think hell ever be in the senate again. As sad as it is, I dont think hed run against Amy in the next primary and Senator Smith is up in 2026.
Iggo
(47,533 posts)disndat
(1,887 posts)Klobuchar and Franken looks radiantly happy on TV lately. Biden's winning will shortly
bring forth many such miracles.
Dem4Life1102
(3,974 posts)DownriverDem
(6,223 posts)The 2 current Senators are Democratic women. If Amy Klobuchar joins the Biden cabinet there would be an opening.
True Blue American
(17,981 posts)I am on his Email list. He starts it by thanking those who still read his emails.
I would love to have him back in the Senate. I disagreed with Sherrod whole heartedly on that made up complaint. And made it plain.
TBA
(825 posts)eissa
(4,238 posts)over flimsy allegations made by anonymous or paid sources. Nothing turned me off the #MeToo movement more than Franken's ridiculous ouster, and this is from someone who suffered sexual assault as a child. If there is one thing a survivor hates more than those who commit such crimes, it's those who report false ones.
dalton99a
(81,371 posts)pazzyanne
(6,541 posts)Iggo
(47,533 posts)betsuni
(25,356 posts)obamanut2012
(26,028 posts)Just like I'm glad Northam didn't in VA.
UCmeNdc
(9,600 posts)lindysalsagal
(20,554 posts)Grow up a little if you're going to be a comedian.
Wellstone ruled
(34,661 posts)Roger Stone had this Slime Job in the can so to speak in 2006.
Knowing Al and his Family on a personal level,just knew this was a Hit Job.
Franken was the Reason the DFL Party was rebuilt from the ground up. You do not think the Minnesota GOP would stand for that do you. Mercury Media was always lucking in the background.
Hassin Bin Sober
(26,308 posts)joshcryer
(62,265 posts)Using our own desire for equality against us.
And we fell for it.
Baltimike
(4,134 posts)Scalded Nun
(1,234 posts)dchill
(38,422 posts)Response to babylonsister (Original post)
Name removed Message auto-removed
Happy Hoosier
(7,205 posts)We need him back.
samsingh
(17,590 posts)Mme. Defarge
(8,003 posts)OverBurn
(941 posts)RussBLib
(9,002 posts)I hope he gets back into the Senate, or at least the House. I'd sure vote for him again, if I could.
PatrickforO
(14,556 posts)I'm glad he is back.
Dem4Life1102
(3,974 posts)barbtries
(28,753 posts)I recommend it.
I begged him not to resign as did many. pretty sure he regrets it now.
this is why i cannot forgive whats-her-face. i'm getting her confused with the woman trump had institute the baby stealing operation.
ETA link
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChK2Q2QyQlygpwSp8AE24TQ
FreepFryer
(7,077 posts)VA_Jill
(9,933 posts)pissed at Sen. Gillibrand over this, and I can't support her for anything. She was responsible in large part, leading the charge against him and pushing him under the bus. I hope to see Al back in politics, either as MN governor, or maybe senator again. Gillibrand can go fry ice as far as I'm concerned.
LAS14
(13,767 posts)KS Toronado
(17,130 posts)Surely there's some common sense rules/laws which could stop the brainwashing of low-information voters.
With the possibility of even turning them into Democrats.
mountain grammy
(26,594 posts)He talked to Senator Jon Testor a few weeks ago. Testor apologized to Al for being one of the senators who called for his resignation.. A huge blot on Democratic senators. Al's a good and decent man and never should have resigned.
dsc
(52,147 posts)I will have to track his pod cast down
mountain grammy
(26,594 posts)now you can find it on his website...
https://alfranken.com/listen
OnDoutside
(19,944 posts)That was great from Tester, hopefully we will hear from more of the 38.
mountain grammy
(26,594 posts)ailsagirl
(22,868 posts)I've missed him
BigmanPigman
(51,554 posts)I think he was set up by Roger Stone.
SleeplessinSoCal
(9,079 posts)I was a low info voter until I read "Rush Limbaugh is a Big Fat Idiot..." No turning away after that.
When I had him sign my copy at a Barnes and Noble event in 1994, he was seated next to his young son. They lived then in our neighborhood on the Upper West Side. Watching him succeed in his goals through his pain of loss, first of Paul Wellstone and later his comedy partner Tom Davis, showed his humanity and what makes a great Democrat. So proud of him for returning to the arena. Thanks Al for caring .
FakeNoose
(32,535 posts)Enjoyable, informative and laugh-out-loud funny.
BobTheSubgenius
(11,558 posts)He is far too educated, intelligent and dedicated for his voice to not be heard. He also has a unique way of getting his point across - barbed, but not attacking.
I was so bummed when he left the Senate.
mvd
(65,150 posts)Always thought he got a raw deal. I hated losing him from politics.
Evolve Dammit
(16,689 posts)DFW
(54,256 posts)He said so in so many words last time I saw him (last January), BUT....Franni does not NOT want him in the Senate where he would be in the same chamber with so many people who willingly tossed him under the bus. She carries far more of a grudge than he does, and her word carries a LOT of weight with Al. They really are a devoted couple. Figure ANY move Al makes, it will be done after Franni has given her blessing.
I find it encouraging that Jon Tester made a public apology to Al for being duped into calling for his resignation. I know eight of the 33 who did had made private apologies, but this is the first I have heard of a public one. I hope others will follow. But unless a majority of the ones still there own up publicly, don't look for Al to return to the Senate unless begged by the governor, and Klobuchar takes a position with the Biden Administration. As a sitting U.S. Senator, and senior Senator from her state, I don't know why she would unless offered a position she thought would be a stimulating challenge, like Attorney General or Secretary of State. I guess we'll find out soon enough who Biden's picks are for those positions. I sincerely hope that his pick for Attorney General strikes deep penetrating fear into the hearts of those Republicans whose offenses have been the most heinous of the past four years--and then goes of to justify those fears.
Wicked Blue
(5,808 posts)I'd almost swear it was Franken. He has a distinctive "smile" in his voice.
BlancheSplanchnik
(20,219 posts)Combined with a misused social change movement.
We never believed you did any of that garbage!
NurseJackie
(42,862 posts)BlancheSplanchnik
(20,219 posts)Polybius
(15,319 posts)He was the greatest Judiciary member in modern times.
BootinUp
(47,046 posts)Joinfortmill
(14,372 posts)dinger130
(199 posts)come back!!!!!!!!
healthnut7
(249 posts)Hekate
(90,497 posts)Mopar151
(9,973 posts)Not usually a full term job. Would go a LONG way to repairing confidence in the news business, and in the office of the President. Plus he can deftly gut the alt.right "correspondents" when it becomes necessary.
mushroomhunter
(87 posts)would love to see him again in a high profile position. We need his humor and quick wit - might do a lot to tone down the hate-filled rhetoric.
karin_sj
(808 posts)The vast majority of us will welcome you back with open arms! Think of all the good he could have done if he hadn't been forced out.
soldierant
(6,776 posts)every time I heard or saw a comment that someone missed him, I've been directing them to his email list and his podcasts (either or both can be found at alfranken dot com).
How can you not love am email that starts out, "Dear person who still opens my emails,"?
AdamGG
(1,284 posts)I would love it if he came back to the Senate. He's a huge asset to the party and was taken out by completely unsubstantiated nonsense.
marble falls
(56,956 posts)Mr. Evil
(2,819 posts)She knew she was going to run for the 2020 nomination and probably felt that Sen. Franken was going to also. She knew she didn't stand a chance against him and jumped at the opportunity to throw him to the wolves. She was also the most vociferous in calling for him to resign. Whatever credibility she may have had is gone for good. Fuck her!
I sincerely hop Al makes it back to the Senate. We need him. The country needs him. And I would gleefully watch as he proudly reappeared in the Senate Chamber with all those dupes that turned their backs on him. I'm willing to bet he'd get a standing ovation.
And by the way, why haven't we heard anything from Gillibrand regarding the very credible rape and sexual assault allegations against Trump?
Dem4Life1102
(3,974 posts)stab Warren, Sanders, Booker and Harris in the back too.
Oh right, she didnt. But all of them called for Franken to resign on the same day. Since they were all thinking about running for President too, did they also want to take him out?
Actually yes: https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2017/1213/Senator-Gillibrand-takes-on-leadership-role-in-fight-against-sexual-assault
helpisontheway
(5,004 posts)and it cost us a very good senator. I mean completely turned their back on him. 🤬 Now he probably cant run for higher office because of that bullshit. That is why I did not give Gillibrand the time of day when she was running.
ancianita
(35,915 posts)She was his Senate mentor. That might be in the works. Pure speculation on my part.
bringthePaine
(1,727 posts)mahina
(17,592 posts)As well as see him start to return from that shameful injustice.
I do love both of my Senators very much but I called Mazies office and told them at their office that what did she did was terrible and wrong and that I was ashamed for her that she went along with it.
It was a terrible waste and stupid on top of all of it. God damn it. Still mad.
bluestateboomer
(505 posts)I miss his voice in the Senate.
Sugarcoated
(7,716 posts)OnDoutside
(19,944 posts)The Blue Flower
(5,430 posts)I'm so glad he's on the way back.
onetexan
(13,018 posts)I'm hoping Biden will appoint him to a position