Franken defends himself on this charge by saying that he remembers the incident differently.
There is enough grey area in this story that I can't see any reasonable possibility of a conviction as a sex predator, based on that incident alone. Am I wrong?
Ass kicking? Yes... I wish that SHE had taken him down and delivered a beating at the time it happened, and made it publicly known THEN.
Instead of correct "justice", these incidents are now being used as political weapons to damage each side in turn... What are we waiting for? Which side (D or R) has less sex perverts than the other, so that side can declare victory?

Whats his version of the incident?

I certainly don’t remember the rehearsal for the skit in the same way, but I send my sincerest apologies to Leeann,” he said. “As to the photo, it was clearly intended to be funny but wasn’t. I shouldn’t have done it.

"The first thing I want to do is apologize: to Leeann, to everyone else who was part of that tour, to everyone who has worked for me, to everyone I represent, and to everyone who counts on me to be an ally and supporter and champion of women. There's more I want to say, but the first and most important thing—and if it's the only thing you care to hear, that's fine—is: I'm sorry.
"I respect women. I don't respect men who don't. And the fact that my own actions have given people a good reason to doubt that makes me feel ashamed.
"But I want to say something else, too. Over the last few months, all of us—including and especially men who respect women—have been forced to take a good, hard look at our own actions and think (perhaps, shamefully, for the first time) about how those actions have affected women.
"For instance, that picture. I don't know what was in my head when I took that picture, and it doesn't matter. There's no excuse. I look at it now and I feel disgusted with myself. It isn't funny. It's completely inappropriate. It's obvious how Leeann would feel violated by that picture. And, what's more, I can see how millions of other women would feel violated by it—women who have had similar experiences in their own lives, women who fear having those experiences, women who look up to me, women who have counted on me.
"Coming from the world of comedy, I've told and written a lot of jokes that I once thought were funny but later came to realize were just plain offensive. But the intentions behind my actions aren't the point at all. It's the impact these jokes had on others that matters. And I'm sorry it's taken me so long to come to terms with that.
"While I don't remember the rehearsal for the skit as Leeann does, I understand why we need to listen to and believe women's experiences.
"I am asking that an ethics investigation be undertaken, and I will gladly cooperate.
"And the truth is, what people think of me in light of this is far less important than what people think of women who continue to come forward to tell their stories. They deserve to be heard, and believed. And they deserve to know that I am their ally and supporter. I have let them down and am committed to making it up to them."

The photo actually shows a crime, several legal analysts have said it may even be within the statute of limitations depending on exactly where it occurred.

As for Bob Menendez, the FBI has evidence he hired underage prostitutes. Where is the hard evidence on Moore? Oh that's right, there is none.

I'm seeing a pattern here:
-Bill Clinton: physical evidence and even settlements, disbarment, censure, etc.
-Al Franken: admission of guilt, physical evidence, etc.
-Bob Menendez: court filings/evidence

-Moore: no evidence, hearsay from 30-40 years ago, several accusers worked for/donated to his opponent and Hillary, several accusers already caught in lies
-Trump: talked about concept of something but no actions, one accuser who initiated legal action dropped the suit and pretty much admitted it never happened

The photo actually shows a crime, several legal analysts have said it may even be within the statute of limitations depending on exactly where it occurred.

As for Bob Menendez, the FBI has evidence he hired underage prostitutes. Where is the hard evidence on Moore? Oh that's right, there is none.

I'm seeing a pattern here:
-Bill Clinton: physical evidence and even settlements, disbarment, censure, etc.
-Al Franken: admission of guilt, physical evidence, etc.
-Bob Menendez: court filings/evidence

-Moore: no evidence, hearsay from 30-40 years ago, several accusers worked for/donated to his opponent and Hillary, several accusers already caught in lies
-Trump: talked about concept of something but no actions, one accuser who initiated legal action dropped the suit and pretty much admitted it never happened

From his first "apology" which was roundly criticized as awful:



Then his full apology that Alpine posted here : http://waguns.org/viewtopic.php?f=33&t= ... 75#p841165

I hope he's serious....and means what he said.

It sounds sincere.

That was a good apology....good on him and it showed he has class.

Which up to this point I didn't think he had.

The photo actually shows a crime, several legal analysts have said it may even be within the statute of limitations depending on exactly where it occurred.

As for Bob Menendez, the FBI has evidence he hired underage prostitutes. Where is the hard evidence on Moore? Oh that's right, there is none.

I'm seeing a pattern here:
-Bill Clinton: physical evidence and even settlements, disbarment, censure, etc.
-Al Franken: admission of guilt, physical evidence, etc.
-Bob Menendez: court filings/evidence

-Moore: no evidence, hearsay from 30-40 years ago, several accusers worked for/donated to his opponent and Hillary, several accusers already caught in lies
-Trump: talked about concept of something but no actions, one accuser who initiated legal action dropped the suit and pretty much admitted it never happened

The whataboutery runs deep.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whataboutism

I agree, he sounds sincere. Also agree, he doesn't seem like he has much class.
Does it qualify as reasons to step down from his Position of Trust? I am not an analyst, but my gut says no. I wouldn't vote for him, and I hope that the majority would not either. But obviously my choice of candidates doesn't mean squat, or we wouldn't be in a spiral decline of the Republic.

We have a precept in the United States of America- Presumption of Innocence.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Presumption_of_innocence

The burden of proof lies with the accuser, not with the accused. That is a legal precept mostly, but I apply it to most things that I hear and see. An accusation never reaches my threshold of innocent/guilty. (Would be different if I personally knew and trusted the accuser(s.)

He has no class. He's only sorry he got caught.

Where was this class a month ago when he was lecturing others about denigrating women?

Think he would have spoke up if he hadn't been outed?

We don't need sick opportunists like him around, especially since he hates your civil rights and wants you disarmed with the government's jack-boot on your neck.

He should resign and go back to writing dumb jokes that few enjoy.