Senator Al Franken is not only under fire for sexual harassment allegations from Los Angeles anchor Leeann Tweeden, but the Democrat lawmaker is getting grilled for what critics believe was a pathetic first attempt at clearing the air.
Below is Franken’s first statement.
“NEW Stmt from @SenFranken: “I certainly don’t remember the rehearsal for the skit in the same way, but I send my sincerest apologies to Leeann.” Says he “shouldn’t have done” the picture,” tweeted NBC reporter Frank Thorp V.
NEW Stmt from @SenFranken: “I certainly don’t remember the rehearsal for the skit in the same way, but I send my sincerest apologies to Leeann.”
Says he “shouldn’t have done” the picture. pic.twitter.com/cJ0avgDroM
— Frank Thorp V (@frankthorp) November 16, 2017
The statement drew ire from the media.
Al Franken's apology isn't going to cut it https://t.co/Dry8Oe5xys via @CharlesPPierce
— Esquire (@esquire) November 16, 2017
Esquire reports:
This is not an adequate response:
NEW: Statement from Sen. @alfranken: “I certainly don’t remember the rehearsal for the skit in the same way, but I send my sincerest apologies to Leeann. As to the photo, it was clearly intended to be funny but wasn't. I shouldn't have done it.”
— Tom Weber (@webertom1) November 16, 2017
Not even close to it. Jesus, Senator, there’s a picture!
Today’s chapter in the apparently neverending saga of men behaving crudely comes from LeeAnn Tweeden, a former model and currently a news reader at KABC radio in Los Angeles. She went on a USO tour in 2006 along with some country music stars and then-newly-elected Senator Al Franken. According to Tweeden, this was not a pleasant experience.
Matthew Yglesias of Vox dismissed the statement, as well.
https://twitter.com/mattyglesias/status/931199547497381890
“Um… this statement is quite terrible Al Franken. You are going to have to do a lot better than that,” tweeted Cheddar anchor Baker Machado.
https://twitter.com/BakerMachado/status/931191644787003392
After the first apology didn’t see to cut it, Franken issued a second statement.
Sen. Al Franken apologizes after accusation of sexual misconduct: “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.”
JUST IN: Sen. Al Franken delivers lengthier apology following accusation of sexual misconduct: “I am asking that an ethics investigation be undertaken, and I will gladly cooperate." https://t.co/aDkmC6puqy pic.twitter.com/668E3GrXci
— ABC News (@ABC) November 16, 2017
Both Republicans and Democrats are calling for an ethics probe.
NEW: @SenSchumer on Al Franken: “I hope and expect that the Ethics Committee will fully investigate this troubling incident, as they should with any credible allegation of sexual harassment.” https://t.co/aDkmC6puqy pic.twitter.com/k4VOtQgbw9
— ABC News (@ABC) November 16, 2017
BREAKING: Top Senate Democrat calls allegations against Minnesota Sen. Al Franken `troubling' and expects ethics investigation.
— The Associated Press (@AP) November 16, 2017
Moments ago, Democratic Senator @clairecmc called for an ethics investigation into @SenFranken. pic.twitter.com/NpFxVDQlkl
— Fox News (@FoxNews) November 16, 2017