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guillaumeb

(42,641 posts)
Thu Nov 30, 2017, 03:11 PM Nov 2017

Simply as speculation, if Al Franken resigned, imagine that Governor Mark Dayton appointed

Representative Keith Ellison to fill the spot, thus replacing one strong progressive voice with another progressive voice.

This exercise in speculation does not mean that I feel Al Franken should resign. At this point, the timing of the charges against Franken are far too convenient for the Trump Administration.


But if this scenario were to happen, Ellison would be a strong voice for progressive Democrats, and an excellent ally and co-worker for Bernie Sanders and other progressive Senators in the fight for social and economic justice.

Thoughts?

Edited to correct my error. Ellison is still a Representative from Minnesota.

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Simply as speculation, if Al Franken resigned, imagine that Governor Mark Dayton appointed (Original Post) guillaumeb Nov 2017 OP
Trump only lost Minnesota by about 5 points standingtall Nov 2017 #1
Why would Franken resigning suppress Democratic turnout of white males? oberliner Nov 2017 #7
because there is very little evidence to support most standingtall Nov 2017 #12
Seems like it would be just as likely to motivate folks to vote oberliner Nov 2017 #16
If that were the case Trump would have lost Minnesota by 50 points not 5 standingtall Nov 2017 #20
Maybe they'll have been photographed with various women at some point it their past? Denzil_DC Nov 2017 #14
So that would cause them to not vote? oberliner Nov 2017 #15
I can't speak for "them", but I'd be pretty damn disgusted and my motivation would certainly suffer. Denzil_DC Nov 2017 #18
Franken should not resign. My view. eom guillaumeb Nov 2017 #10
Unless Trump resigns and Roy Moore drops out, Franken is going nowhere@ Chasstev365 Nov 2017 #2
I agree on that point. This is revenge by the GOP. eom guillaumeb Nov 2017 #5
Keith Ellison is not a "former" Representative. scarletwoman Nov 2017 #3
I corrected that. Thank you also. guillaumeb Nov 2017 #8
Keith Ellison is STILL a Congressman. MineralMan Nov 2017 #4
I will edit to reflect that, and thank you for that. eom guillaumeb Nov 2017 #6
What would be your argument for Representative McCollum? eom guillaumeb Nov 2017 #9
She is a solid progressive Democrat. MineralMan Nov 2017 #11
Yes,she would be Wellstone ruled Nov 2017 #13
Or almost any woman? n/t Orsino Nov 2017 #17
One was recommended by Mineral Man. guillaumeb Nov 2017 #19
IF Franken resigned (and nobody of notability is calling for him to...) brooklynite Nov 2017 #21
If a current officeholder were to be appointed, guillaumeb Nov 2017 #22

standingtall

(2,785 posts)
1. Trump only lost Minnesota by about 5 points
Thu Nov 30, 2017, 03:16 PM
Nov 2017

If Franken were to resign over this that could suppress democratic turnout of males particularly white males. We are already probably at about the floor of support we can afford to lose with that demographic. Keith Ellison's baggage will make him very vulnerable for re-election in a statewide race.

standingtall

(2,785 posts)
12. because there is very little evidence to support most
Thu Nov 30, 2017, 03:34 PM
Nov 2017

of the allegations leveled against Franken. Of the 30% or so of white males that still votes for democrats some of them are going to be turned off from voting in the next election cycle if they feel the Senator they voted for is being railroaded.

 

oberliner

(58,724 posts)
16. Seems like it would be just as likely to motivate folks to vote
Thu Nov 30, 2017, 03:36 PM
Nov 2017

Understanding the importance of making sure the seat remains in Democratic hands.

standingtall

(2,785 posts)
20. If that were the case Trump would have lost Minnesota by 50 points not 5
Thu Nov 30, 2017, 03:43 PM
Nov 2017

And people who live in Clay County,Ky where most of the population is on medicaid should've been motivated to vote Democrat instead they voted overwhelming for republicans in the last election cycle. This Franken stuff could morph into a social wedge issue for republicans to exploit.

Denzil_DC

(7,188 posts)
14. Maybe they'll have been photographed with various women at some point it their past?
Thu Nov 30, 2017, 03:35 PM
Nov 2017

Maybe they'll think "There but for the grace of ..."?

Maybe they wouldn't have respect for a party that buckles so easily and throws a good man under the bus on insubstantial, suspiciously timed, evidence?

Just speculating.

Denzil_DC

(7,188 posts)
18. I can't speak for "them", but I'd be pretty damn disgusted and my motivation would certainly suffer.
Thu Nov 30, 2017, 03:39 PM
Nov 2017

Nothing odd in that at all, unless you're just asking rhetorical questions.

scarletwoman

(31,893 posts)
3. Keith Ellison is not a "former" Representative.
Thu Nov 30, 2017, 03:22 PM
Nov 2017

He has neither resigned or retired, and is running for re-election.

MineralMan

(146,192 posts)
4. Keith Ellison is STILL a Congressman.
Thu Nov 30, 2017, 03:23 PM
Nov 2017

He did not leave that position.

Equally likely as an appointee would be my representative Betty McCollum. Perhaps more likely, since Rep. Ellison is also co-chair of the DNC. He's a busy guy.

You might want to look up Betty.

MineralMan

(146,192 posts)
11. She is a solid progressive Democrat.
Thu Nov 30, 2017, 03:29 PM
Nov 2017

Again, go look her up. Personally, I hope she continues to be my representative. I have helped her campaign since I first moved to her district. She is an outstanding member of Congress, with plenty of experience that would qualify her to be a Senator. Also, in a statewide election, she would probably be more likely to win than Ellison in this state. That's in my estimation, of course as an active DFL party member.

brooklynite

(93,883 posts)
21. IF Franken resigned (and nobody of notability is calling for him to...)
Thu Nov 30, 2017, 03:50 PM
Nov 2017

...whomever was appointed would need to immediately run for re-election, with virtually no record.

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