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dalton99a

(94,427 posts)
Sat Apr 11, 2026, 09:40 AM 15 hrs ago

No elected Democrat should be forced to resign unless convicted of a felony.


Republicans have a president with 34 felonies who remains in office and who is busy erecting monuments to himself all over Washington


72 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
No elected Democrat should be forced to resign unless convicted of a felony. (Original Post) dalton99a 15 hrs ago OP
I don't agree. n/t demmiblue 15 hrs ago #1
Al Franken Mossfern 15 hrs ago #3
+1. Democrats need fighters who win elections, not candidates for sainthood dalton99a 15 hrs ago #5
A guy who had 8 separate women accuse him isn't a great example EdmondDantes_ 12 hrs ago #34
Most of them remained anonymous as I recall. LisaL 12 hrs ago #48
what happens SonOfNebanaube 8 hrs ago #64
What happens when we find out it was Martians? Same likelihood EdmondDantes_ 5 hrs ago #71
Franken was 100% faithful to his wife and he had one FOX-affiliated accuser Earthrise 11 hrs ago #58
AI could have been hallucinating. SonOfNebanaube 8 hrs ago #65
Absolutely false. Franken had 8 accusers. EdmondDantes_ 5 hrs ago #72
Me neither Wifes husband 13 hrs ago #28
lol no thanks WhiskeyGrinder 15 hrs ago #2
Accusations should be investigated. Kid Berwyn 15 hrs ago #4
Who claimed repressed memories? Scrivener7 14 hrs ago #7
The accuser Kid Berwyn 14 hrs ago #17
There is some documentation. Maybe that particular accuser was not the one who provided it. Scrivener7 13 hrs ago #24
TV coverage went from accusations to rape PDQ Kid Berwyn 12 hrs ago #38
I just watched that interview. I agree it's problematic, but she didn't say she had repressed memories. Scrivener7 12 hrs ago #41
Right, the memories she couldn't remember until prompted. Kid Berwyn 11 hrs ago #53
I don't think that's what she said. Scrivener7 11 hrs ago #59
Others coming forward don't necessarily mean he's guilty. Kid Berwyn 8 hrs ago #66
And people deserve their day in court. dalton99a 14 hrs ago #8
Absolutely. Kid Berwyn 14 hrs ago #18
No one accused Franken of a crime SocialDemocrat61 13 hrs ago #21
Started a podcast, did a couple tours, hosted the Daily Show, acted in a Netflix movie. WhiskeyGrinder 13 hrs ago #22
Moved to NYC and bought SocialDemocrat61 13 hrs ago #23
So in the end we lost a great and effective politician. LisaL 12 hrs ago #49
Yep we got a much more effective and progressive senator in that seat. WhiskeyGrinder 11 hrs ago #50
This case involves text messages and pictures... LeftInTX 13 hrs ago #20
If there was strong evidence all along, why was it not charged until now? Bluetus 11 hrs ago #55
Allegedly. Wiz Imp 11 hrs ago #56
Are you serious?! MorbidButterflyTat 10 hrs ago #60
Are you asking to see his "thing"? LeftInTX 6 hrs ago #68
???? The CNN article refers to a specific photo (implied to be from an interview). Why not release that? Wiz Imp 5 hrs ago #69
The San Antonio Express-News has similar of Tony Gonzales. They haven't released images. LeftInTX 5 hrs ago #70
I suspect many men will agree while most women will not. I don't agree. Scrivener7 14 hrs ago #6
If they force him from congress they better take a few republicans with him. FloridaBlues 14 hrs ago #9
Starting with slobby! SheltieLover 14 hrs ago #10
+1. The felony threshold should help prevent blackmail, ratfucking and premature suicide among Democrats dalton99a 14 hrs ago #14
Don't agree with that. Andrew Cuomo - prime example - He needed to go. tulipsandroses 14 hrs ago #11
Swalwell, is dropping his bid. His ACT Blue was turned off. However, there is no reason to resign from Congress. LeftInTX 14 hrs ago #19
Thanks for the update. Glad he decided to do the right thing tulipsandroses 13 hrs ago #26
Resigning from congress, would mean a special election. LeftInTX 13 hrs ago #27
Well said Wifes husband 13 hrs ago #29
Not just 34 felonies D_Master81 14 hrs ago #12
And a proud self-admitted pussy grabber. dalton99a 14 hrs ago #13
Admitted "sexual predator" -- Live! Kid Berwyn 13 hrs ago #25
Every person living in America has a right to due process. Passages 14 hrs ago #15
Well said. travelingthrulife 13 hrs ago #32
No more Al Frankening! Clouds Passing 14 hrs ago #16
Rec, but to be clear, the accusations against Swalwell appear WAY worse RandomNumbers 13 hrs ago #30
Also Cuomo and Weiner were righteously removed. If Eric did those things, the bye bye. Clouds Passing 8 hrs ago #67
sorry, but I absolutely disagree NT Celerity 13 hrs ago #31
AMEN! nt City Lights 13 hrs ago #33
Obama fired Shirley Sherrod RandiFan1290 12 hrs ago #35
In this day of AI, deepfakes, and all the other internet crap Jilly_in_VA 12 hrs ago #36
No thanks. I support victims EdmondDantes_ 12 hrs ago #37
I disagree. A sexual abuser has no place in the Democratic Party. We are better than that. We actually have principles. Martin68 12 hrs ago #39
Having principles is all well and good, LisaL 12 hrs ago #46
You think we should become anti-democratic fraudsters and bigots like the MAGAts because that's the only way Martin68 9 hrs ago #62
100% Agree! ABC123Easy 12 hrs ago #40
+1. Walz should have stayed dalton99a 12 hrs ago #42
Agreed ABC123Easy 12 hrs ago #43
Repubs NEVER RESIGN FFS! justaprogressive 12 hrs ago #44
What about George Santos. Should Democrats opposed expelling him from Congress onenote 12 hrs ago #45
Agree republianmushroom 12 hrs ago #47
BS berksdem 11 hrs ago #51
The voters might make that decision for the office holder. NT mahatmakanejeeves 11 hrs ago #52
I Understand Your Point But THIS Democrat Has Been Taped to Every Repubs Bullseye For Years WizumbODaSage 11 hrs ago #54
And let's put an end to the damn circular firing squad. MorbidButterflyTat 11 hrs ago #57
Rep. Tony-Gonzales TX is staying in congress this year, but will not seek re-election. Ars Longa 10 hrs ago #61
I disagree, I KNOW we Dems are better than that Skittles 9 hrs ago #63

EdmondDantes_

(1,878 posts)
34. A guy who had 8 separate women accuse him isn't a great example
Sat Apr 11, 2026, 11:48 AM
12 hrs ago

That's a pattern of behavior. And it wasn't until the 7th that there was a serious push for him to resign.

LisaL

(47,446 posts)
48. Most of them remained anonymous as I recall.
Sat Apr 11, 2026, 12:38 PM
12 hrs ago

And they all went away right after he resigned. Other than the original photo (purpose of which clearly was a joke as far as I am concerned) I also don't recall any evidence provided. Did anything good come out of it?

EdmondDantes_

(1,878 posts)
71. What happens when we find out it was Martians? Same likelihood
Sat Apr 11, 2026, 07:39 PM
5 hrs ago

Don't invent conspiracies.

Can you provide an example of 8 women who accused a man who was later found to have been the victim of a frame job?

Earthrise

(15,755 posts)
58. Franken was 100% faithful to his wife and he had one FOX-affiliated accuser
Sat Apr 11, 2026, 01:31 PM
11 hrs ago

Last edited Sat Apr 11, 2026, 06:11 PM - Edit history (1)

showing group photos of him in which he was pointing to her breasts in a clear attempt to be comic.

Swalwell has admitted that he's cheated on his wife and he now has 4 women speaking out about being sexually harassed - they are reporting specific details about repeated occasions. The woman who is accusing him of rape has contemporaneous corroboration of the event - she reported sexual abuse to a health care provider within a week of the event.

I love Al and I'm still angry that Dem leadership believed the single, weak accuser with clear ties to the Republican party.

Katy Porter is Elizabeth Warren's protege. I trust her judgment about the accusers. I do not believe she would play this dirty of a trick to get the seat. Katy will be brilliant as a Governor.

In terms of political fallout, Swalwell will be replaced by a Dem house member whether it's Newsom's choice or in an election.

I get that men can have their live's ruined by false allegations. As additional evidence is being released - including sexual texts from Swalwell to his women staff members - it looks, to me, more and more like the case made against Mario Cuomo.

EdmondDantes_

(1,878 posts)
72. Absolutely false. Franken had 8 accusers.
Sat Apr 11, 2026, 07:42 PM
5 hrs ago
https://www.twincities.com/2017/12/07/al-franken-sexual-misconduct-allegations-timeline-senator-minnesota/

Also nobody accused him of cheating on his wife. He was accused of groping. That Franken defenders have to misrepresent the facts doesn't help the case.

Wifes husband

(732 posts)
28. Me neither
Sat Apr 11, 2026, 11:32 AM
13 hrs ago

Democrats should try to stand for something. What republicans will stand for should not be a benchmark for us.

WhiskeyGrinder

(27,014 posts)
2. lol no thanks
Sat Apr 11, 2026, 09:44 AM
15 hrs ago

not a fan of "republicans hold themselves to lower standards so we should too"

Kid Berwyn

(24,569 posts)
4. Accusations should be investigated.
Sat Apr 11, 2026, 09:45 AM
15 hrs ago

But barring proof, a previously “repressed memory” of wrongdoing is no reason to destroy a dedicated progressive and liberal Democratic Congressman.

Kid Berwyn

(24,569 posts)
17. The accuser
Sat Apr 11, 2026, 10:39 AM
14 hrs ago

I saw her interview on television news program, her identity hidden.

Going by my memory: She said she had no conscious memory, but remembered details as she was recently prompted by others, including the interviewer.

Scrivener7

(59,684 posts)
24. There is some documentation. Maybe that particular accuser was not the one who provided it.
Sat Apr 11, 2026, 11:04 AM
13 hrs ago

Kid Berwyn

(24,569 posts)
38. TV coverage went from accusations to rape PDQ
Sat Apr 11, 2026, 12:04 PM
12 hrs ago

Here’s an interview from CNN — the clip is from 20 minutes ago, but I recognize the woman in shadow from the close up on her hands — seems like the footage was the same yesterday.

Scrivener7

(59,684 posts)
41. I just watched that interview. I agree it's problematic, but she didn't say she had repressed memories.
Sat Apr 11, 2026, 12:24 PM
12 hrs ago

She implied she was drugged and she only remembered flashes of what happened.

Kid Berwyn

(24,569 posts)
53. Right, the memories she couldn't remember until prompted.
Sat Apr 11, 2026, 12:55 PM
11 hrs ago

Other than that, why should her word be sufficient to destroy Swalwell?

Scrivener7

(59,684 posts)
59. I don't think that's what she said.
Sat Apr 11, 2026, 01:45 PM
11 hrs ago

I didn't hear her say anything about memories that returned with prompting

What she said was that she remembered only flashes of what happened.

I don't think most are going to go on her word alone. There are others coming forward. And we can reverse your question to ask why should his word be sufficient to let him get away with ruining her life?

More will likely come out on this, I think. At the very least, HIS words admit that something happened, which shows a profound lack of judgment if you want to be a governor.

Kid Berwyn

(24,569 posts)
66. Others coming forward don't necessarily mean he's guilty.
Sat Apr 11, 2026, 04:14 PM
8 hrs ago

Until there’s proof or an admission of guilt, I will stand with Swalwell. It’s a question of loyalty to a pol with a 20-year career of public service.

Unlike so many political leaders, Swalwell stood up to Trump, Bondi, Patel and the rest of the traitors. The billionaires behind them can afford to do anything crooked under the Sun, including manufacturing witnesses.

LisaL

(47,446 posts)
49. So in the end we lost a great and effective politician.
Sat Apr 11, 2026, 12:42 PM
12 hrs ago

Did we gain anything out of it?

Bluetus

(2,909 posts)
55. If there was strong evidence all along, why was it not charged until now?
Sat Apr 11, 2026, 01:08 PM
11 hrs ago

The timing of these things does reflect badly on the accusers and our system.

Wiz Imp

(10,105 posts)
56. Allegedly.
Sat Apr 11, 2026, 01:15 PM
11 hrs ago

I'm not aware that any texts or pictures have been released publicly. If they do indeed exist, they need to be released.

MorbidButterflyTat

(4,571 posts)
60. Are you serious?!
Sat Apr 11, 2026, 02:03 PM
10 hrs ago

People are referring to texts and pictures that haven't even been released publicly?

Unbelievable, and yet, not.

LeftInTX

(34,483 posts)
68. Are you asking to see his "thing"?
Sat Apr 11, 2026, 06:00 PM
6 hrs ago



Post by @adamparkhomenko
View on Threads


?xmt=AQF0yANmKVaF-X_PWhprQM7Mo4_fMSGIMfZ0lJypxtfTXpCU4-HkG069737JvAZwPOSEXQsi&slof=1

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


CNN also reviewed messages between her and Swalwell, including a photo he sent her that matches footage of him during a CNN interview in her city on the night they met in person.

https://www.cnn.com/2026/04/10/us/eric-swalwell-sexual-misconduct-allegations-invs

Wiz Imp

(10,105 posts)
69. ???? The CNN article refers to a specific photo (implied to be from an interview). Why not release that?
Sat Apr 11, 2026, 07:04 PM
5 hrs ago
CNN also reviewed messages between her and Swalwell, including a photo he sent her that matches footage of him during a CNN interview in her city on the night they met in person.


Why not release the messages? I'm sorry, but "just trust us, we at CNN have seen them" is not good enough. If they have the evidence, then release it. Names and other sensitive info can be redacted to protect privacy. Until evidence is produced publicly, it's an unproven allegation.

(I'm assuming CNN does have the so called "proof", so in my mind, with such explosive allegations, journalistic standards demand they release evidence of that "proof". )

LeftInTX

(34,483 posts)
70. The San Antonio Express-News has similar of Tony Gonzales. They haven't released images.
Sat Apr 11, 2026, 07:26 PM
5 hrs ago

It comes a point where no one will believe the media anyway.

Scrivener7

(59,684 posts)
6. I suspect many men will agree while most women will not. I don't agree.
Sat Apr 11, 2026, 09:48 AM
14 hrs ago

I was waiting for more information and more has come out which is damning.

SheltieLover

(80,917 posts)
10. Starting with slobby!
Sat Apr 11, 2026, 09:56 AM
14 hrs ago

Wtf. Why did these women accuse him now? I'm not saying he is innocent, this just reeks of rat fuckery to me.

dalton99a

(94,427 posts)
14. +1. The felony threshold should help prevent blackmail, ratfucking and premature suicide among Democrats
Sat Apr 11, 2026, 10:13 AM
14 hrs ago

tulipsandroses

(8,275 posts)
11. Don't agree with that. Andrew Cuomo - prime example - He needed to go.
Sat Apr 11, 2026, 09:58 AM
14 hrs ago

As far as Swalwell - I think he should drop his bid for governor for the sake of the people of California, he should not let his ego get in the way.
Just as Tim Walz dropped his bid when he realized that the fraud accusations would be a distraction.
I don't think Swalwell should resign his seat just yet. If evidence comes out - texts, photographs - that proves he committed a crime or was a serial sexual harasser like Cuomo, then he should resign. If it turns out that he's another man that can't keep it in his pants - that is between him and his wife, and he should not resign.
Either way, these allegations should be taken seriously and should be investigated.

The timing is suspicious, but doesn't mean there isn't there there. Think Christine Blasey Ford. - Republicans probably thought the timing was suspicious then too.
We know both parties do opposition research. So even if republican opposition research found these women, doesn't necessarily mean they are lying.


LeftInTX

(34,483 posts)
19. Swalwell, is dropping his bid. His ACT Blue was turned off. However, there is no reason to resign from Congress.
Sat Apr 11, 2026, 10:42 AM
14 hrs ago

Politically, he really needed to drop out of the governor's race, for the sake for the race! There are 20 Dems in the race and they are in a jungle primary. Allow someone else to take the lead because we can't afford to have a Republican governor. He will still be on the ballot, but he won't have ads. If he stays and fights, that means more votes taken from a more qualified candidate. (Actually he is highly qualified, but the Dem power is diluted on this ticket!)

tulipsandroses

(8,275 posts)
26. Thanks for the update. Glad he decided to do the right thing
Sat Apr 11, 2026, 11:22 AM
13 hrs ago

If there is proof that he sent pictures of his junk to a staffer and requested pics from the staffer, I don't see a way for him to effectively continue in congress either. Yeah I know the party of " family values, that claims to protect girls and women, does not care that trump is president. It is not something I want to emulate.

LeftInTX

(34,483 posts)
27. Resigning from congress, would mean a special election.
Sat Apr 11, 2026, 11:24 AM
13 hrs ago

His voice will not be effective as it was, but his vote matters.

D_Master81

(2,602 posts)
12. Not just 34 felonies
Sat Apr 11, 2026, 10:04 AM
14 hrs ago

But also DOZENS on women who accused of inappropriate conduct and an adjudicated rapist.

Kid Berwyn

(24,569 posts)
25. Admitted "sexual predator" -- Live!
Sat Apr 11, 2026, 11:19 AM
13 hrs ago

Donald John Trump of Queens NY admitted to being a sexual predator on the Howard Stern program in 2006.



Reminds me of how he mouthed, "fuck you," to the Detroit autoworker with integrity who called him a "pedophile protector."

Jeffrey Epstein met his match and wrote:

“I told everyone from day one. evil beyond belief, mad, ” Epstein wrote of Trump in March 2018. “he feels alone. and is nuts !!!”

Source: https://www.cnn.com/2025/11/14/politics/epstein-emails-trump-kfile

Passages

(4,210 posts)
15. Every person living in America has a right to due process.
Sat Apr 11, 2026, 10:25 AM
14 hrs ago

Until then, they should not be subject to "damage control" hysteria.

Verifying accusations is not undercutting victims either.

RandomNumbers

(19,185 posts)
30. Rec, but to be clear, the accusations against Swalwell appear WAY worse
Sat Apr 11, 2026, 11:38 AM
13 hrs ago

than the accusations against Franken. (what I remember anyway)

Assuming some truth to it - Swalwell should help make arrangements to ensure safe passage of his seat to another Dem, and resign at the appropriate time to make that happen. And get some help for his issues.

RandiFan1290

(6,711 posts)
35. Obama fired Shirley Sherrod
Sat Apr 11, 2026, 11:52 AM
12 hrs ago

and the accusation wasn't even true.


ETA: republicons and their 'centrist' allies prefer the status quo.

Jilly_in_VA

(14,428 posts)
36. In this day of AI, deepfakes, and all the other internet crap
Sat Apr 11, 2026, 11:53 AM
12 hrs ago

EVERYTHING has to be investigated carefully before you start calling for someone's head. You don't know what's real any more.

EdmondDantes_

(1,878 posts)
37. No thanks. I support victims
Sat Apr 11, 2026, 12:00 PM
12 hrs ago

Not just when it's against an easy villain, not when it's just in my political interests.

Martin68

(27,821 posts)
39. I disagree. A sexual abuser has no place in the Democratic Party. We are better than that. We actually have principles.
Sat Apr 11, 2026, 12:22 PM
12 hrs ago

LisaL

(47,446 posts)
46. Having principles is all well and good,
Sat Apr 11, 2026, 12:32 PM
12 hrs ago

but right now we don't have any power in any of the branches of government. So what did these principles have gotten us?

Martin68

(27,821 posts)
62. You think we should become anti-democratic fraudsters and bigots like the MAGAts because that's the only way
Sat Apr 11, 2026, 03:33 PM
9 hrs ago

to win? I disagree. We will win in the end without sinking to their level. If we sink to their level there's no point in winning because we end up the same. Camus wrote that if you believe the end justifies the means, your end will be totally corrupted along the way. He had experience fighting the Nazis, so he knew what he was talking about.

ABC123Easy

(297 posts)
40. 100% Agree!
Sat Apr 11, 2026, 12:22 PM
12 hrs ago

Let's not Al Franken ourselves again. This isn't a fair fight.

Forcing out our best candidates is NOT how we defeat the GOP. These allegations should be investigated of course but in America, we're not guilty until proven otherwise.

Look at Tim Walz....dropped out of the governor's race because of a fake scandal the GOP made up! Let's not hurt ourselves ant longer.

onenote

(46,172 posts)
45. What about George Santos. Should Democrats opposed expelling him from Congress
Sat Apr 11, 2026, 12:30 PM
12 hrs ago

prior to his being convicted of a felony?

berksdem

(923 posts)
51. BS
Sat Apr 11, 2026, 12:52 PM
11 hrs ago

If this were a rethug we would all be calling for his removal. Cant have it both ways all the time.

WizumbODaSage

(21 posts)
54. I Understand Your Point But THIS Democrat Has Been Taped to Every Repubs Bullseye For Years
Sat Apr 11, 2026, 01:03 PM
11 hrs ago

.... and for whatever combination of perfidies, mental challenges, losses of perspective, and mental pathologies which would explain HOW he would commit such actions post Clinton, post Weiner, post Spitzer. The finding THAT he committed such actions(not proved but oh hell what LONG road & we could use the next six months backing someone else!) requires too much sturm und drang for a party in this condition. Due process is due process but we don't need to accompany Eric to the door here.

Ars Longa

(537 posts)
61. Rep. Tony-Gonzales TX is staying in congress this year, but will not seek re-election.
Sat Apr 11, 2026, 02:12 PM
10 hrs ago
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/tony-gonzales-scandal-deepens-as-new-allegations-reveal-pattern-of-explicit-messages-to-staffers/ar-AA20hgOx

Although it differs from Swalwells case, in that Gonzalez does admit to wrong doing, and
it is unclear if legal charges will be forwarded...

Swalwell should indeed drop out of the Gov race.
ES has maintained he is Innocent of the charges. If he wants to stay in Congress for 9 months,
that is, for the time being, within his rights.
The very serious allegations, and their validity, need thourough vetting before removing him!
(re; see Al Franken)

Skittles

(171,974 posts)
63. I disagree, I KNOW we Dems are better than that
Sat Apr 11, 2026, 03:42 PM
9 hrs ago

I do agree, however, that it must be showcased just how hypocritical it is that the "party of family values" has a 34 time felon sex offender seditionist mass murderer as "president".

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