A few of the main differences between Franken vs Rose, Moore, Weinstein

[nadine_mn]

In cases of Charlie Rose and Roy Moore - the victims were sought out by reporters. They were reluctant to come forward

Once the first news hit, several more women IMMEDIATELY came forward with similar stories

Patterns of behavior are similar among each woman's story (in regards to each man) and span years or even decades

With Weinstein and Moore for sure, it was a well known "secret"

There are either blanket denials or victim blaming

Statements released are pretty much CYA

Witnesses have corroborated some of the events

With Franken:
One woman came forward (and that is sketchy as far her ties with Hannity) then basically silence until another woman called into CNN 4 days later

Franken's response was swift, apologized not just in a public statement but also privately to Tweeden

Franken called for an investigation on himself and offered to cooperate fully

Several women who worked on the Senate campaign and SNL with Franken have released public letters of support

Witnesses (such as Franken's USO escort) have dispute Tweeden's account of what happened

So far no similar pattern of harassment has emerged


I am biased. I 100% support Franken. I want to believe Franken.

But logically - we have seen several (unfortunately) cases of serial predators ... not just within the past month. And there is always a similar pattern of how it plays out. Cosby, Weinstein, Louis CK, Charlie Rose, Kevin Spacey, Roy Moore - they have a certain MO (drugs, masturbating, under the guise of "business meetings" etc) of isolating their victim, using their status to keep their victim silent (either they won't be believed because of their age or gender or because the creep is famous or powerful). Many cases it is an open secret in their industry/community and people cover for them (agents, staff, police). Victims are reluctant to come forward, but when they do - it opens a floodgate from others. The response from the men are the same - the "apologies", the seeking treatment (barf), thought it was consensual etc.

The 2 Franken allegations - this just doesn't follow the same pattern.

This is why I get so angry with calls to resign. Something just doesn't meet the smell test.

I will be the first to apologize if I am wrong.

I also 100% believe (and have stated in other threads) that his behavior in the photo (which he has not denied) is just stupid and gross. But to me, it's not the same. Tweeden's version of the "kiss" doesn't sound believable and as I mentioned before, I am reluctant to believe Franken was grabbing ass at the state fair in front of hundreds of people (and cameras).

I still proudly support my senator and will continue to do so.

[planetc]

1. I'm glad you lined up these contrasts.

We will have to wait for the results of the investigation, but I believe that's one of the reasons he asked for an investigation of himself almost immediately. An investigation can find accusations untrue, or at least not well supported.

[tblue37]

3. And if Tweeden is fibbing about the kiss, she won't want to be questioned under oath. nt

[Wellstone ruled]

6. You nailed it.

Tweenden suddenly went darn quite. Oh btw,someone posted a story about this person doing a book deal.

[tblue37]

2. K&R for visibility. nt

[OregonBlue]

4. I agree with you. I think the picture in the flak jacket was just what Al said, a very crude and not

at all tasteful attempt at humor but I don't believe the woman. I also don't believe that he would have grabbed a woman's bottom at the fair with tons of people there and her husband taking the picture and if he did I just don't think he was making a pass at her. So far, not one woman who has worked with him has come forward to say he is a male chauvinist pig. Until they do, I don't believe the claims about Al and think if those things happened there must be some misunderstanding.

I've been marching for women's rights and burning bras since the 60's and I've met a lot of jerk offs in my time and I, at least for now, don't believe Al Franken is a sexual pervert.

[eissa]

5. You're lucky to have him as your Senator

Have loved Al forever -- have all of his books, listened to him on AirAmerica (even called in once and got to talk to him!), have followed his stellar career in the Senate. These flimsy allegations have changed nothing for me. As a child sex abuse survivor, I find lumping Al with the likes of Moore or Weinstein to be completely unfair, and does a major disservice to actual sexual assault victims.

[solara]

7. Agree 120%

thank you for laying it out like that, it definitely helps to see each point one by one

[mopinko]

8. the power differential is just not there w franken, either.

he and tweeden were pretty much peers, at least on the uso tour. and he certainly had no power over the woman at the fair. nor was she seeking anything from him but a photo.

that right there is a big dif to me.

[FailureToCommunicate]

10. Good point.

[Demit]

9. If Tweeden hadn't been so melodramatic I might not have been so skeptical.

In her published statement she said “Every time I hear his voice or see his face, I am angry.”

In her press conference she said, “Every time I see him now my hands clench into fists."

Then I saw the photo of her and Franken chatting at the USO-Metro Awards dinner in 2009, where she is pictured laughing merrily at something Al Franken had just said. It very definitely gives the lie to her claims.

At the very least she is an exaggerator.

[TNNurse]

11. I agree with your premise.

This woman is a drama queen and I suspect it is for money and attention.