My thoughts on Al Franken being accused of sexual abuse.

Senate picture of Al Franken. 

Unless you have been living under a rock, you probably know that Al Franken has been accused of sexual assault by Leeann Tweeden, a news reporter and model. Franken and Tweeden were overseas with the USO and Tweeden accused Franken of two separate incidents. First, Franken allegedly forcibly kissed Tweeden over her objections. Later Franken was photographed grabbing Tweeden's breasts. More background, along with the picture of the second assault, can be found here. I don't really want to post that picture on my blog, even if it is everywhere. 

There is no doubt in my mind that Franken is guilty of something here. Without knowing the exact jurisdiction and the status of the statue of limitations, it's speculation that he could be in legal trouble. I do know that in my state groping an unconscious person is 2nd degree sexual assault, a major felony. The forced kissing would be something else, but still a crime. 

The fact that there is photographic evidence of this incident makes it impossible to defend Franken. Unlike accusations against other politicians, this one has rock solid evidence and isn't just a he said she said situation. That doesn't mean that those other situations are fake, but it does mean that people won't be able to defend Franken for his actions. Though you could potentially argue that the forced kiss didn't happen, you would be hard pressed to do so after seeing that picture. 

This is fairly disgusting behavior all around. Obviously both assaults are unacceptable behavior but the context is even worse. Leeann Tweeden was overseas entertaining the troops with the USO. Doing so is obviously a good thing and before this happened it was one of the few things I admired about Al Franken. To attack someone who is trying to help the troops is just vile. 

It doesn't seem like the accusations against Franken are over either. Melanie Morgan, a reporter, also accused Franken of stalking her and harassing her. This appears to not have been sexual though. 

Yes, it’s true. I was stalked and harassed by Al Franken. I will have details @MediaEqualizer shortly.

— Melanie Morgan (@MelMorgan1350) November 16, 2017

So what happens to Franken? He has already apologized for the picture but denies the forced kiss. The apology probably isn't going to fly. He said that the picture was meant to be a joke, but I doubt people will see it that way. I am guessing for a normal person anyone using that excuse would be laughed at... as they were convicted for sexual assault.

I don't know if he remains a Senator. There are investigations going on but I don't see him being removed. That almost never happens and would be completely unprecedented. What happens more frequently is a resignation. He is probably being pressured already. I'd be surprised if he doesn't end up resigning and we get a new Senator over this.

What are the political implications of this? We should keep in mind that if Franken does resign, he will be replaced by Minnesota's governor, Mark Dayton, a Democrat. He will almost certainly pick another liberal Democrat to replace him, so the short term nothing much should change.

But there will be a special election. Though a blue state, Minnesota was in play during the presidential election. It's certainly possible that a Republican could win. It's not a lock either way and I think it's very possible that Democrats won't be enthusiastic to vote for a replacement for a Senator who resigned in disgrace. It will all depend on who the candidates are and who can get people to turn out.

Still, I haven't heard anything indicating that he is going to resign. Not doing so isn't unheard of but if he does stay on, I can't imagine he wins when he is up for reelection.

The whole thing has probably spawned from the Harvey Weinstein situation. People are much more likely to come forward to accuse people who did something in the past now that they are likely to believed. The incidents have now spilled over to the political world. First it was Roy Moore and now it is Al Franken.

Some people are accusing Republicans are being hypocritical by still supporting Moore while at the same time demanding Franken resign. I don't think the situations are that similar. For one thing, there is actual psychical evidence of what Franken did. Not so with Roy Moore. There is no doubt what Franken did, but we still don't know if Moore did what he was accused of, much of which is legal anyways. Also, the timing of this accusation against Franken makes it a lot less likely to be politically motivated, unlike the situation with Moore. That doesn't mean what Moore did was correct, but it also doesn't mean that he is actually guilty of anything either.

I don't think that this is the end of accusations against politicians. I doubt that Franken is alone. We already know that there is a multi-million dollar fund for paying off victims of sexual harassment. It will only take on of those victims to come forward to end someone's career.

And I think that this is probably a bipartisan issue. I won't be surprised if the next person is a Republican or a Democrat. It's also very possible that the next person to be accused could be a woman as well. Perhaps they won't all have pictures like Al Franken did, but I doubt this is the last we have heard about sexual abuse in Washington...