General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsIf Al Franken ran for President in 2020 would you vote for him?
If yes, who should his running mate be?
I say Franken/Yates. A woman who stood up to Trump and from the South.
Pachamama
(16,887 posts)I really like her..
apcalc
(4,465 posts)Irish_Dem
(47,518 posts)LisaL
(44,974 posts)He asked for investigation, but his fellow democrats demanded he resign without one. There won't be an investigation.
Irish_Dem
(47,518 posts)what happened and why. Either on Al's side or Dem leadership.
I am not making any assumptions at this point.
I just don't have enough information either way.
DownriverDem
(6,232 posts)Franken said he would wait for the Senate investigation.
LisaL
(44,974 posts)Once he resigns there is no investigation.
disndat
(1,887 posts)Franken said, I think, he would resign in a few weeks. Maybe he is waiting to hear possible support for him stay. or wait for
an Ethical committee hearing.
onetexan
(13,071 posts)THANKS!
bagelsforbreakfast
(1,427 posts)RainCaster
(10,929 posts)japple
(9,844 posts)actions during the Clarence Thomas hearings. Blessed Virgen de Guadalupe can't even make the cut these days.
LakeArenal
(28,858 posts)With all the Biden praise I never Brought it up. I like Joe. As another DUer has said. Better a tarnished friend than a shiny enemy.
LisaL
(44,974 posts)with various constituents. I am sure they all asked for these photos but that doesn't seem to matter.
japple
(9,844 posts)I def. think we need new youngbloods in this party, but I know many youngbloods who aren't ready to stick with the current message. They want someone who will speak truth to power, like Bernie. They don't want a compromiser-in-chief.
DavidDvorkin
(19,497 posts)Whoever that is. There is no chance it will be Franken.
TDale313
(7,820 posts)oasis
(49,429 posts)tenderfoot
(8,438 posts)and has said so many times.
Cattledog
(5,919 posts)tenderfoot
(8,438 posts)eom
NCjack
(10,279 posts)and sees the next President of the USA.
Hayduke Bomgarte
(1,965 posts)Without a second thought.
MrsCoffee
(5,803 posts)Heartstrings
(7,349 posts)Otherwise....any combination of anyone will be a moot point.
pintobean
(18,101 posts)I've seen posts on DU encouraging him to flip to the Republicans, or become an independent.
So, what party does your scenario put him in, and are we talking primary or general?
LisaL
(44,974 posts)InAbLuEsTaTe
(24,123 posts)caraher
(6,279 posts)if he were a Republican, we'd all be hearing the allegations are just a nothingburger and nobody in his party would call for his head.
TheCowsCameHome
(40,169 posts)Franken - Yates would be a great ticket.
Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin
(108,304 posts)Depends who else is running. I'm certainly not opposed to him running.
MustLoveBeagles
(11,658 posts)I'm not sure about the running mate.
Snotcicles
(9,089 posts)Hortensis
(58,785 posts)He has a very serious interest in that, of course.
I'd like to see a lot more of Sally Yates, but something befitting her experience and talents.
(Michelle for president? So fortunately for her, our wishes aren't a draft.)
eissa
(4,238 posts)stonecutter357
(12,698 posts)davekriss
(4,628 posts)But, if he did, wed lose. The right wing Wurlitzer would love it (main stream media). Wed hear nothing except sexual harassment this and that and nothing else. No word about sane policies and positions would be heard. The low-information voters (who dominate) will vote Republican.
tazkcmo
(7,303 posts)No matter who the Dems run you'll hear crap from the GOPee. It didn't stop HRC nor should it stop any other qualified nominee. He'd be running against the Groper-in-Chief so they'd be on even footing.
The Democratic Party must stop worrying about what the GOPee would do.
davekriss
(4,628 posts)Do you think Trump would be anywhere near the Oval Office except for the non-stop spin of the Wurlitzer? My point is, because Al chose to resign rather than fight, hes left enormous ammunition on the table which would be used to shoot him down.
NNadir
(33,574 posts)...but he has honestly addressed it.
I hope he's back soon.
Egnever
(21,506 posts)One of the few I would actually have no qualms voting for.
C_U_L8R
(45,025 posts)a smart ticket.
Lotusflower70
(3,077 posts)I campaigned for him as a Senator. I would be all in on getting him to the White House. Franken/Yates would be a fantastic ticket.
tazkcmo
(7,303 posts)The Velveteen Ocelot
(115,900 posts)dchill
(38,565 posts)KewlKat
(5,624 posts)rateyes
(17,438 posts)I would vote Franken every time.
rzemanfl
(29,573 posts)Mr.Bill
(24,334 posts)kiranon
(1,727 posts)Break time
(195 posts)In a heartbeat... Yates, Warren, Brown and I am sure there are many more that would make good VPs and/or Pres.
Dalton Mac
(76 posts)She's revealed herself to be craven enough to accept.
Jakes Progress
(11,123 posts)But I voted twice for Obama, even with the clarence thomas enabler on the ticket.
onecaliberal
(32,931 posts)rainy
(6,095 posts)a perfect ticket of very intelligent people
Jakes Progress
(11,123 posts)ProudLib72
(17,984 posts)After he resigns, that will be the end of that. No more questioning Tweeden, Hannity, and Stone.
That's why I would vote for Franken for pres in a heartbeat.
brooklynite
(94,792 posts)krispos42
(49,445 posts)An instance or two of pushing boundaries while performing (for the troops, no less) and allegations of ass-groping during photo ops at the Minnesota State Fair that can't be proven or refuted don't make him ineligible.
Butterflylady
(3,553 posts)Demsrule86
(68,715 posts)byronius
(7,402 posts)roamer65
(36,747 posts)Good stepping stone to the presidency.
LakeArenal
(28,858 posts)DAMANgoldberg
(1,278 posts)This has a great chance to keep MN DFL and keep Jason Lewis or Norm Coleman away from it.
mountain grammy
(26,659 posts)Rustynaerduwell
(665 posts)To both.
LiberalLovinLug
(14,178 posts)For fear of answering the question "wrong"
What if..the Democrats carry on this sham and kick him out, and so, leaving him no choice, he runs as an Independent candidate?
Same person, same positions on the issues, still fighting Trump, and would most likely caucus and vote with Dems, just with a different letter in front of his name.
Egnever
(21,506 posts)I would vote for him no matter what letter was behind his name.
I know his track record and I approve regardless of party.
caraher
(6,279 posts)I don't think he has any interest in the presidency. And moreover, regardless of office, I think he's too smart (like Sanders was) to divide the vote and give Republicans a shot at a Senate seat, governorship or the presidency with a third party run.
LiberalLovinLug
(14,178 posts)He maybe could have been ready to run for President in 2020 as a D if this whole debacle never happened. But now, just keeping his Senate seat would be a bonus, under any banner. I would hope that the Democrats would not run a candidate against him. As they basically do with Bernie Sanders. They'd be cutting off their nose to spite Al Franken if they did. And they'd also probably get very embarrassed as I think he'd do much better than a DNC sanctioned one. If they were stupid enough to do that then yes you may be right and those D votes might be just enough to split the vote.
But I also think that America is ready for an independent candidate for President. Trump basically ran as one with his spurious attacks on past Republican Presidents, and even established Republicans still serving in Washington. The same reason Sanders had a higher approval rating than Clinton was his perceived independence from 'the swamp'.
Mr.Bill
(24,334 posts)"kick him out".
LiberalLovinLug
(14,178 posts)A large part of the Democratic leadership demanding his resignation (without due process) is "kicking him out".
Mr.Bill
(24,334 posts)And he has not resigned yet.
LiberalLovinLug
(14,178 posts)I agree with you there.
But do you think that the DNC will be actively supporting him if he stays a Democrat and tries to run under their banner? After they humiliated him like that, I don't know why he would even. But if he did, the DNC and Democrats that have been pushing for his resignation, saying he is unfit for office, would never want to be labeled as hypocrites, especially when it comes to the delicate issue of sexual misconduct. He'd be basically on his own anyways. Might as well go full on I.
Mr.Bill
(24,334 posts)We'll see what happens if Roy Moore wins and what the reaction is to that.
BamaRefugee
(3,488 posts)Susan Calvin
(1,650 posts)ClarendonDem
(720 posts)Of course. That's why I support DU. If he's not, I'll support the Dem nominee. I think a Booker/Gillibrand ticket would have a great chance.
DownriverDem
(6,232 posts)We have a two party system and the Dem nominee would get my vote.
DownriverDem
(6,232 posts)If Franken runs as a Dem he would get my vote. I would hope his running mate would have wide appeal.
Sancho
(9,070 posts)and Franken would be as good as any.
At this point, it's a war.
XRubicon
(2,212 posts)Polly Hennessey
(6,812 posts)infullview
(982 posts)Absolutely
Duppers
(28,127 posts)Love that ticket!
democratisphere
(17,235 posts)FRANKEN 2020!
trueblue2007
(17,242 posts)sandensea
(21,688 posts)Besides: as we all know, trial by media can be just as damaging as any judicial trial - and usually more so. Today's fascists - here or abroad - have become very good at that game.
I'm just not sure Sen. Franken's reputation can survive that kind of harm enough to see him through a presidential run (think Chappaquiddick).
Vogon_Glory
(9,133 posts)And if Al gets that far, it'll probably be because the rat-f***ers who tried to stop him were exposed and the people who mobbed him will be too humiliated to survive the primary process.
usaf-vet
(6,217 posts)In a heart beat. Yates works too. Anybody on the lynch mob....never ever. They could have had the investigation first.
doc03
(35,389 posts)R B Garr
(16,995 posts)Schiff/Franken. I'm sure I'm missing a couple obvious good choices, but those two came to mind immediately.
edit: oh, and Hillary Clinton for NY Senate -- again!
R B Garr
(16,995 posts)Good choice, too.
barbtries
(28,815 posts)it's a damn shame the democrats piled on him to resign so the investigation could not play out. he's one of the best. yes, i would if the election was held today. it's hard for me to imagine that he's guilty of anything worse than occasionally being an ass. and as a co-smoker said the other day, "He was a comedian."
yes. Yates seems a good choice as well. i had been thinking Kamala Harris but not pleased with her today.
treestar
(82,383 posts)If he is the democratic nominee. Not if an independent spoiler
Louis1895
(768 posts)I really like Al. I think he is a better Senator than comedian. In fact, I believe he is brilliant but I think he carries too much baggage to run for President. I think he would be fantastic as a Cabinet member.
Louis1895
(768 posts)...I definitely would but I would prefer someone else in the primary, assuming someone I liked more was running.
ProfessorGAC
(65,248 posts)Pardon the pun, but she's bulletproof!
CommonHumanity
(246 posts)Would be proud to. He speaks truth to power. I am a feminist through and through but do not plan to vote based on gender. My vote goes to the candidate who is able to present a clear and compelling progressive agenda in a manner that most people can relate to. Oh yeah, and did I mention sane? The candidate needs to be demonstrably SANE and level-headed.
BigDemVoter
(4,157 posts)smirkymonkey
(63,221 posts)? On running mate....
PJMcK
(22,056 posts)janterry
(4,429 posts)Chasstev365
(5,191 posts)Shocking because I love what Al has done and stood for. However, the right will just repeat the lies and smears.
I want Jay Inslee and Joe Kennedy III
Progressive dog
(6,921 posts)but if he should get the Democratic nomination, I would.
LisaL
(44,974 posts)Might have been if not for what happened.
GulfCoast66
(11,949 posts)Independent? Get back with me. Not too thrilled with Independents now.
superpatriotman
(6,253 posts)In a hot minute
tavalon
(27,985 posts)They railroaded him. I suspect he won't be the last.
VOX
(22,976 posts)Al is brilliant. Yates is sharp and has charisma. These two would be a Common Sense paring as in, a return to common sense.
RealityChik
(382 posts)Stranger things have happened...like Trump, for example.
McCamy Taylor
(19,240 posts)Generic Brad
(14,276 posts)He shares the values of the late Paul Wellstone. I still support him.
blue cat
(2,415 posts)Love Yates but does she want to be drafted?