DNC chief Perez initially declined to call for Franken ouster

[DonViejo]

By GABRIEL DEBENEDETTI 12/06/2017 01:13 PM EST

Democratic National Committee chairman Tom Perez declined late last week to call for Sen. Al Franken’s resignation, holding off after discussions with top aides who wanted him to do so, three senior Democrats with knowledge of the discussions told POLITICO.

Perez called for Franken’s resignation on Wednesday, after Democratic senators started calling for his exit for the first time. But the move came days after a group of high-level DNC staffers, including CEO Jess O’Connell, last week spoke with Perez about the need to push for Franken's ouster. After the chair consulted with several senators and political allies, he opted against calling for the Minnesotan's ouster over allegations of sexual misconduct before Senate Democrats did so.

"Tom has been meeting with senior staff daily about the extremely troubling allegations regarding Al Franken. After these conversations, Tom believed that Franken must resign because he would not only be ineffective but because it was the right thing to do," said DNC communications director Xochitl Hinojosa.

On Wednesday, Democratic Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand of New York became the first senator to call for Franken’s resignation, followed by a flood of other Democratic senators. Franken had repeatedly said he would participate in an Ethics Committee investigation into his actions. He said after the resignation calls that he will make an announcement on Thursday.

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https://www.politico.com/story/2017/12/06/tom-perez-al-franken-resign-282534?lo=ap_b1

[BannonsLiver]

1. I've defended Perez here for a long time.

That was a mistake.

[still_one]

2. I am through with him too. Of course I will vote Democratic as I always have, my contributions have

have dried up

[BannonsLiver]

3. I was looking forward to Harris in 2020

That too, was also a mistake. I will not be supporting any grandstanding dems who called for franken to resign.

[still_one]

5. I am from California, and I had issues with Harris before this. Experience was my biggest negative

on her

There are plenty of good potential Democratic candidates out there

[wishstar]

4. At least 20 Dem senators are calling for his resignation, can't stop this avalanche

They don't want an extended distraction that hurts Dems ability to take moral high ground and move on to other issues of importance

[still_one]

6. I realize that, but Franken deserves his investigation. In addition, that strategy of "high moral

ground" will not work

When Bill Clinton was being pressed to resign, republican Speaker of the House Livingston was caught in a sexual scandal and he resigned. The republicans used Livingston as their example why Bill Clinton should resign. It didn't resonate then, and it won't resonate now.

As for the distraction argument, there is no doubt, it would no longer be an issue, however, it rubs me the wrongs way that Franken won't be allowed his ethics investigation

[State the Obvious]

7. Dems followed the bait on that one. Kellyanne is so proud of you! nt