Al Franken tests Democrats' sexual harassment resolve

Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., is a test case for Democrats: Can they hold accountable a current party leader accused of sexual misconduct as they have just started to do with one who is clearly past his prime?

Over the past week, liberals have been entertaining second thoughts about their handling of allegations against former President Bill Clinton during the 1990s. One prominent columnist wrote that she believed Juanita Broaddrick, who accused Clinton of rape. Another argued he should have resigned over the Monica Lewinsky scandal. A third pushed back against the way Democrats defended Clinton and even how “machine feminism” worked to discredit his accusers.

These are just a handful of examples. But Clinton has been safely out of office for nearly 17 years. His wife’s defeat in 2016 likely marks the end of their time at the helm of the Democratic Party. Franken is a sitting senator and an ascendant progressive leader, still highly relevant when a photograph appeared of him groping accuser Leeann Tweeden.

So far, Democrats and outside liberal groups have been intent on showing they will pass this test. “Sexual harassment is never acceptable and must not be tolerated,” said Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. “I hope and expect that the Ethics Committee will fully investigate this troubling incident, as they should with any credible allegation of sexual harassment.”

“There is never an excuse for this behavior — ever,” said Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin, D-Ill. “What Senator Franken did was wrong, and it should be referred to the Ethics Committee for review.”