Stop the presses, Franken is issuing a big non-denial denial, non-apology apology. Except for where there is indisputable photographic evidence, Al Franken doesn't remember doing anything wrong but promises to stop doing it. He is deeply sorry for what he doesn't admit doing. Colleagues dispose of his money and bill sponsors want his name off of a bill because his name is poison. For whatever he did or did not do wrong, he is now a less effective Senator in a somewhat divided state. Democrats have a unique opportunity to replace him right now with another Democrat. He declines to resign, meaning this is all about personal power, not party, policy or direction of the country.
Sen. Franken had a chance of being a future Democrat nominee and President just before this broke, and still does - when you consider who the other possibilities are, Sanders, Biden, Warren, Hillary again, running against Trump with his warts or a fractured Republican party that tosses Trump out.
Rep. Conyers is an "icon", therefore Pelosi disbelieves, disregards the victims and trivializes the offenses and the effort to stop this in America. That puts her somewhere in between co-conspirator and being on 'the wrong side of history'. Detroit would also predictably replace him with another Democrat, one who could become part of a new class of future Democrat leaders.
Senate candidate Roy Moore is poison for Republicans and they, for the most part, turned against him instantly. Some of his accusers are discredited but the whole thing looks creepy. Moore stays in for personal reasons, not to help his party or his cause. He will probably win anyway because Democrats are so far removed from the views of the voters.
Pelosi cheapens herself, the crime and the accusers against Conyers and all others by letting politics AGAIN decide who to turn against and who to defend.
Accusations about Republicans only come out exactly when there can be political gain. Accusations against Democrats only come out when media do their job and report what is in front of them in plain view.
Sen. Rubio is putting the size of the Child Tax Credit, a worthy cause, ahead of growth economics that could save the economy and the nation. Ironically, he represents a retirement state.
Sen. Tim Scott who is right on the issues could not explain why tax reform helps the poor and lower income working people other than to mention specific goodies in the bill.
Republicans hate McConnell and now Ryan who support the agenda but can't lead. Democrats stick with Pelosi and Schumer who are mostly old, obnoxious and clueless. All 4 are bringing no one new into either of their respective parties. Ryan is the only one who had potential but angers the right by being soft on illegal immigration. (We had that election; build the damn wall.)
Both sides should desperately be asking, who will be our future leaders and bring them forward now.
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Update: A similar view on Franken: "a disingenuous denial, a disingenuous apology"
http://www.weeklystandard.com/why-wont-al-franken-say-whether-he-believes-his-accusers/article/2010620He didn't admit or deny, he is trying to survive this politically.
