2018 Senate (& House)
- Thread starter Joe Fan
- Start date
Oh I know that. I just think the laws need to be changed. The ethics investigation will do nothing. Honestly, I just think his constituents should decide whether he stays or goes.
Brad Austin
2,500+ Posts
Just like Hollywood, Franken is surely just the tip of the allegations iceberg for Congress, past and present.
Which is why the current members are going to tread as lightly as possible now it's in their backyard.
I can't imagine an avalanche not coming soon. Members of Congress on both sides have always been known as notorious power-wielding pervs.
I can remember this stigma being around ever since I was young. Lots of hooker rumors, cheating on spouses, drugs, etc.
There's surely a parade of ex-staffers, bimbos, etc that are waiting to unload. And like Hollywood the majority will probably be true.
Which is why the current members are going to tread as lightly as possible now it's in their backyard.
I can't imagine an avalanche not coming soon. Members of Congress on both sides have always been known as notorious power-wielding pervs.
I can remember this stigma being around ever since I was young. Lots of hooker rumors, cheating on spouses, drugs, etc.
There's surely a parade of ex-staffers, bimbos, etc that are waiting to unload. And like Hollywood the majority will probably be true.
Joe Fan
10,000+ Posts
The only thing that makes sense in Trump's endorsement of Strange was that Mitch, who had some of these allegations before the primary, warned Trump off Moore. It was self-serving for McConnell but also allowed him to claim he was keeping Trump out of the fray. But then Moore, who was closer in policy terms to Trump, won the primary.
In terms of Senate voting and nothing else, I think Moore is with Trump 100%. Strange would have been with Mitch 100% (in exchange for money and some chairmanship).
One last thing, Trump carried Alabama by nearly 30%. It's hard to see all of that evaporate, even in this situation, as some of the polling tries to show. For example, the latest Fox polling shows Jones up 8 but Fox polling in Alabama showed Hillary only down by 9. In addition, if you dig into it, 53% think he should stay in while 75% of Republicans support him. So, something does not add up.
https://andersonrobbins.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/111617_complete_nov_AL_topline_web.pdf
Joe Fan
10,000+ Posts
His race last time was razor thin
And was probably corrupt
See
lovely
Want to guess who represented Franken in these cases?
Perkins Coie is who
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Joe Fan
10,000+ Posts
The Ethics Committee investigation is a bit of a crock - not because I have no faith in them to take the issue seriously. Bob Packwood ended up resigning following such an investigation for sexual harassment. However, Franken's actions took place before he was in the Senate. I doubt the Committee would consider pre-Senate acts to be part of their concern, and to be honest, I don't think it should be.
Undoubtedly. When I worked at the Texas Capitol, it was rampant. In DC, I'll bet it's at least as bad.
Seattle Husker
10,000+ Posts
The fact that Congress is just now training on sexual harassment tells you just how far behind mainstream they are. Of course, the age of the average Congressman also contributes to a risk factor of sexual harassment being more pervasive.
He needs to stay in Alabama.
Seattle Husker
10,000+ Posts
Not a chance unless there are other women that come out. If this is the only one and she has already accepted his apology then this will likely simply tarnish Franken's reputation. If others come out of the woodwork he'll be forced out.
Highly unlikely if this is the end of it.
The smart, non-elitist response is to let the voters decide.
Seattle Husker
10,000+ Posts
Agreed. Let the voters decide as well as those supporting the campaign. Of course, I reserve the right to be critical of said voters if they vote the wrong way.
Horns11
10,000+ Posts
Franken is going to play the "I'm a comedian and this happened before I was a public official" card and I think that'll be enough to hold him over through the 2020 elections, when he'll probably lose.
The Fox News polls are notorious for their "troll" impact, as Democrats rush the floodgates to respond to them over traditional blue-leaning media outlets.
The Fox News polls are notorious for their "troll" impact, as Democrats rush the floodgates to respond to them over traditional blue-leaning media outlets.
It might be the non-elitist response, but it's not the smart response. The founders gave the Senate the power to discipline and expel its members for a reason. The people's will isn't supposed to be absolute.
Brad Austin
2,500+ Posts
I figured you'd have some first hand insight on that subject.
On another front, this whole time Hollywood was taking it in the teeth, I could only imagine how professional athletes are in full panic mode.
Looks like Jameis Winston just got popped with a claim he grabbed an Uber driver's vag. And she has a post-incident scathing Uber review that specifies it. Not to mention he was accused of rape in college. Yikes.
First hand? Well I'm a guy, and there was only one gay guy in the Legislature back then (Glen Maxey from Austin, of course). So I wasn't exactly at much risk of being a target for sexual harassment. Besides, I'm not quite sure how to put this, but somebody who meets me can pretty much tell right away that I'm not gay. I ooze heterosexuality and masculinity. Lol. So even Maxey would have left me alone.
Anecdotes about other people? Tons. It's a place run by dirty, old, and often drunk men with lax ethics. Furthermore, the members have huge leverage on the staff. They don't have the legal protections that other state employees have, and their bosses can pretty much ruin their careers at any time. It's a toxic combination that encourages bad behavior. Furthermore, the media knows about the the sleaziness, and they basically laugh it off. They view it the way the national media views Joe Biden.
And of course, by the time I got there, Pete Laney had been Speaker for a few years and had cleaned the place up some. He got rid of the beer kegs and margarita machines in the halls and kicked the strippers off the House floor.
I'm sure they are, but suspect that politicians might be even worse. There's even less accountability.
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So, if Alabama sends Moore to the Senate, then I assume you would not support an ethics investigation against him.
Not based on current allegations, no.
Seattle Husker
10,000+ Posts
Nice narrative, not true but the marketing spin is good, until Roy Moore wins the Senate seat demonstrating that at least the deep South R base cares more about team than pedophilia, sexual assault or womens rights. The Evangelist preachers should have monuments built to their recognize their hypocrisy.
Joe Fan
10,000+ Posts
Rumors of fresh sexual harassment names this week in the political world, including a ranking Dem on major committee (multiple women).
If true and the news becomes public, is it still a big deal? Have the people already become desensitized to these allegations? Since it is a Dem, will the media be able to just brush it under the rug ala Franken?
If true and the news becomes public, is it still a big deal? Have the people already become desensitized to these allegations? Since it is a Dem, will the media be able to just brush it under the rug ala Franken?
Brad Austin
2,500+ Posts
By 'first hand insight' I meant in your profession you likely have experienced direct exposure of these rumors, stories, etc by crossing paths with politicians and related attorneys. Wasn't implying Deez got a Bush Sr. squeeze.
You will be right even though I doubted it. Woman number 2 Lindsay Menz just accused him. Expect "Moore" to come forward...
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