LA Radio host Lee Ann Tweeden says “in a way it’s kind of sad that somebody’s losing their job that I know he cared very deeply about. It’s a lose-lose situation I think for everybody.” U-S Senator Al Franken’s resignation became official today. Franken stepped down amid several allegations of sexual harassment, starting with Tweeden’s accusation that Franken tried to kiss her, and took a picture making it look like he was groping Tweeden as she slept during a 2009 USO tour the two performed in together. Tweeden says Franken did “a lot of great things” as a senator. And she says she believes his apologies to her were sincere. She adds, however, that it’s likely Franken is “angry” about having to resign and she says “sometimes you have to suffer the consequences for your actions.” Here is MNN’s Scott Peterson’s full interview with Tweeden.
In Minneapolis last week to thank his supporters, Franken reflected on his entrance into politics nearly a decade ago and said “people knew that I was passionate about the issues, but they didn’t know if I was serious about the work. They knew what I believed in, but they didn’t know if they could believe in me. All these years later I’m deeply proud of the work I’ve been able to do on Minnesotans’ behalf.” Franken says even though he’s leaving the Senate, he is not giving up his voice.