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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsIs Franken's request for an ethics investigation a GIANT FU to Tweeden?
Not sure what's involved in an ethics investigation - but if it involves wasting copious amounts this woman's time - she may end up regretting the whole thing.
Speculation...like I said - not sure what an ethics investigation is - or how wide it may be.
Homeoutside
(65 posts)blame him for wanting an investigation into this matter. It stinks to high heaven.
greymattermom
(5,754 posts)Then she'll have to hire a high priced lawyer, presumably at her own expense, and she'll have to travel to DC, stay in hotels, etc.
HAB911
(8,957 posts)she might come out on the losing end
Not Ruth
(3,613 posts)betsuni
(25,815 posts)PJMcK
(22,074 posts)This is the Senator's statement:
He doesn't call her a liar, he says his memory of the event is different. Yet he apologizes and takes responsibility for harming her feelings. Then he resolutely regrets his ill attempt at humor.
How is any of that behavior a GIANT FU?
An ethics investigation can be very far-reaching and revealing of many personal details. Years ago, the Senate investigated Oregon Senator Robert Packwood (R) for sexual assault claims among other allegations. The investigation lasted nearly three years and the evidence collected included Packwood's personal diary which included devastating corroborative evidence against him. Under the threat of being expelled, Packwood resigned in disgrace.
More importantly, Senator Franken immediately agreed to an ethics investigation. He knows that the charges won't hold up to scrutiny. In fact, I believe Ms. Tweeden will probably back off of her claims and there will not be a Senate investigation. The whole story smells as soon as you inspect its provenance. After all, anything that has Roger Stone's fingerprints on it is suspect.
hexola
(4,835 posts)Her claim has already had it's intended effect.
I think the ethics investigation is an unintended effect.
For sure he was perfectly polite and sounded sincerely remorseful in his public response.
But he had to know - an ethics investigation (which I think he hoped a Trump GOP would charge into) would open the door to more involvement than Ms Tweeden may have bargained for.
This assumes Tweeden has overplayed the story and Franken knows it.
Agreed!
Squinch
(51,090 posts)Squinch
(51,090 posts)hexola
(4,835 posts)Notice today Tweeden is out in the media accepting his apology...
The "ready request" is a big move for a fellow who - you would think - would want to move on.
Franken can't be "more damaged" from here - Tweeden is the one with everything to lose.
C_U_L8R
(45,040 posts)Lee-Lee
(6,324 posts)From what I understand they will only investigate things that happened while the person was actually in the Senate.
So Im not sure what the requests significances are.
hexola
(4,835 posts)Al Franken is currently in the senate - and he is being accused of a crime?
Not legally - but if this is something within any statue of limitations - the senate might be able to do it.
Why else would he say that? He would know if it was do-able?
delisen
(6,050 posts)it is best way to deal with the issue.
Kirk Lover
(3,608 posts)and I REMEMBER that there were plenty of witnesses...ETC...I would say bring on an investigation and let the facts come out. I think I would realize to come right out and say 'what Ms. Tweeden is saying is just not true' would not be prudent as it would look like I'm attacking the accuser. So let witnesses etc come forth and say that for me.
kcr
(15,329 posts)When to me it seems so obvious. I have a feeling a lot of people are going to end up feeling foolish.