Franken Insists ‘No Final Decision Has Been Made’ About Political Future

U.S. Senator Al Franken is seen in the Great Hall at Cooper Union in New York, NY, USA on August 1, 2017. At the event, organized by The Strand bookstore, Senator Franken discussed his career in politics and his new ... U.S. Senator Al Franken is seen in the Great Hall at Cooper Union in New York, NY, USA on August 1, 2017. At the event, organized by The Strand bookstore, Senator Franken discussed his career in politics and his new book "Giant of the Senate." (Photo by Albin Lohr-Jones) *** Please Use Credit from Credit Field ***(Sipa via AP Images) MORE LESS
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Sen. Al Franken (D-MN) denied a report Wednesday that he had decided to resign the following day.

Minnesota Public Radio had reported, citing an unnamed Democratic official who had spoken to Franken and his staff, that the senator would resign Thursday.

Shortly after the story went live, however, Franken’s office said it was “not accurate.”

MPR had reported that its source, an unnamed Democratic official, had spoken to Franken and his staff separately.

The outlet reported: “A staff member told the official that Franken had gone to his Washington home to discuss his plans with family.”

The senator has been accused by several women of unwanted and forcible groping and kissing, most recently on Wednesday.

Also on Wednesday, more than a dozen Democratic senators called for Franken’s resignation. The senator’s office announced amid those calls that he would make an announcement Thursday.

Some senators implied that they believed Franken would resign.

Sexual harassment is unacceptable,” Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) wrote on Twitter. “This morning I spoke with Senator Franken and, as you know, he will be making an announcement about his future tomorrow morning. I am confident he will make the right decision.”

This post has been updated.

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  1. Very sad.

    I hope he stays until a new Senator is appointed. We need every Democratic vote in the Senate that we can get.

  2. Avatar for erik_t erik_t says:

    I don’t think the math ends up shaking out that way - 50-50 with a Pence tiebreaker is not practically different from a 50-49 vote. The filibuster language, according to Wikipedia, is “three fifths”, which would require 59.4 = 60 (I assume it’s rounded up) votes.

  3. Avatar for krux krux says:

    This just makes me crazy sad.

  4. Meanwhile, Republican’ts will welcome a known pedophile into their caucus, because tax cuts are more important than protecting children. And while Democrats are busy dying on their Do The Right Thing hill, Republican’ts will gleefully continue raping and pillaging with unchecked abandon. Well done, Democrats! Well done!

  5. THis is total and COMPLETE bullshit. So, you’re saying that Franken has to go but the idiot who sends dick pics, who will not run for re election gets to stay until then because - reasons???

    I am so hoping that Franken tells people that he’s staying until he is finally voted out of office. When ever that is.

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