Now that some time has passed since former Sen. Al Franken was first accused of sexual misconduct, it’s time to rehabilitate the Minnesota Democrat’s public image.
At least, that’s one way to interpret this conversation Monday between EMILY’s List president Stephanie Schriock and David Axelrod, former senior adviser to President Barack Obama. The way they tell it, Franken was given a raw deal when he was made to resign in January after eight women accused him of unwanted touching and kissing.
Axelrod started first by praising the #MeToo movement, which seeks to raise awareness about systemic sexual abuse and harassment. He then pivoted to saying he felt like Franken’s resignation was “collateral damage,” explaining that the Democratic Party was invested more in defeating Republican Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore, who has been credibly accused of assaulting several women, including minors.
He also referred to the Franken episode as “unfair,” adding that it “feels like politics run amok a little bit.” Schriock, who heads one of the largest pro-abortion political action committees in the country, agreed, calling the Franken episode a “painful time for everybody involved.”
She added that the scandal was a “perfect storm” and that it was “incredibly frustrating.”
Schriock, who headed Franken’s 2008 Senate campaign, continued, saying, “He was never going to do anything that wasn’t going to help the people of Minnesota … He loves, loves Minnesota and did not want to do anything to hurt or damage the people there.”
For perspective, there are more Franken accusers than there are months between now when he was first accused. For additional perspective, Schriock’s comments come in the context of a larger conversation about how important the #MeToo movement has become both culturally and politically.
The EMILY’s List president said later in the same interview that she was “heartbroken” by the former senator’s ouster.
Interestingly enough, as the Washington Free Beacon noted, it appears Schriock has evolved somewhat since last November, back when Franken was first accused of misconduct.
“Harassment is always wrong and should always be called out,” she tweeted at the time. “I am sad and disappointed about this inappropriate behavior. This does not reflect the Al Franken I have known for 12 years and I’m glad he has apologized and called for an investigation.”
A total of eight women have accused Franken of unwanted kissing and touching. He has never denied the allegations outright, which is wise considering there’s at least one photograph of him pretending to grope a woman. The closest the former senator has come to apologizing to his accusers was when he explained all eight have remembered their encounters with him “very differently.” Believe women indeed.
Franken’s resignation speech on the floor of the U.S. Senate was bitter, self-pitying, and defiant. He dismissed his accusers. His speech was a final, “I’m innocent,” served with a bit of whataboutism aimed at the Republican Party’s sexual misconduct scandals.
When he resigned in January, Franken characterized himself as the real victim. Listening to Axelrod and Schriock Monday, it seems the former senator is not the only one who believes this.
