The growing list of powerful men accused of sexual misconduct now includes a sitting U.S. senator, Al Franken (D-Minn.).
Leeann Tweeden, a broadcaster and former model, is accusing Franken of unwanted kissing and groping during a USO tour they both embarked upon in 2006 — shortly before Franken launched his ultimately successful 2008 campaign for Senate.
-Aaron Blake
I avoided him as much as possible and made sure I was never alone with him again for the rest of the tour.
Franken repaid me with petty insults, including drawing devil horns on at least one of the headshots I was autographing for the troops.
But he didn’t stop there.
-Leeann Tweeden
Democrat, Hypocrisy, Liberal, Character, Sex, Degeneracy, Sexism, Assault
A growing national outcry over sexual harassment reached the Senate on Thursday, when a radio newscaster accused Al Franken, Democrat of Minnesota, of kissing and groping her without consent during a 2006 U.S.O. tour of the Middle East before he took public office.
Mr. Franken, who has been mentioned as a possible presidential candidate, almost immediately released an apology to the newscaster, Leeann Tweeden, who said that Mr. Franken forcibly kissed her during a rehearsal and groped her for a photo as she slept.
After initially apologizing without fully acknowledging all of her accusations, he then released another lengthier, more contrite statement that contested nothing.
Disgusted and violated...
"I immediately pushed him away with both of my hands against his chest and told him if he ever did that to me again I wouldn't be so nice about it the next time. I walked away.
All I could think about was getting to a bathroom as fast as possible to rinse the taste of him out of my mouth.
I felt disgusted and violated."
"How dare anyone grab my breasts like this and think it's funny?"
Sexual Harassment And Violence
Are Unacceptable
Sexual harassment and violence are unacceptable. We all must do our part to listen, stand with, and support survivors.
— Sen. Al Franken (@SenFranken) October 23, 2017
"As I’ve listened to their experiences, I’ve realized that the disappointing responses women often face when they go public both embolden harassers and encourage victims to stay silent." -Democrat Senator Al Franken
"And as we hear more and more about Mr. Weinstein, it's important to remember that while his behavior was appalling, it's far too common."
I’m still angry at what Al Franken did to me. Every time I hear his voice or see his face, I am angry. -Leeann Tweeden