Top donor may pull cash from Dems who told Franken to quit

A top Democratic donor is thinking about cutting off her donations to the senators who pushed Sen. Al Franken out after he was accused of non-consensual touching.

‘In my gut they moved too fast,’ longtime Democratic donor Susie Tompkins Buell told the New York Times in a text message. ‘For me this is dangerous and wrong. I’m a big believer in helping more women into the political system but this has given me an opportunity to rethink of how I can best help my party.’

Buell said that Franken, who officially left the upper chamber on January 2, ‘was never given his chance to tell his side of the story.’

 

Donor Susie Tompkins Buell (right), photographed back in 2004 with Hillary Clinton (left), says she might cut off donations to the senators who backed Sen. Al Franken’s ouster, telling the New York Times she thought the move was premature 

Sen. Al Franken, a Democrat from Minnesota, served his last day on Capitol Hill on January 2 after announcing his resignation in December on the heels of multiple accusations that he acted inappropriately with women 

Sen. Al Franken, a Democrat from Minnesota, served his last day on Capitol Hill on January 2 after announcing his resignation in December on the heels of multiple accusations that he acted inappropriately with women 

Franken was accused of inappropriate sexual behavior, including groping and kissing women without their consent. 

As allegations piled up, he said he wanted the Senate Ethics committee to take up the matter. 

His Democratic colleagues, however, wanted him out. 

The charge was led by Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, a Democrat from New York with possible 2020 presidential ambitions.  

‘As for Gillibrand, unfortunately, I believe she miscalculated and she shot herself in the foot,’ Buell told the Times. ‘I have supported her for many hears. Will I going forward? To be determined.’ 

Franken’s ouster makes the math more difficult for Democrats later this year, as the party already had to defend 23 Senate seats. 

Now they have to guard 24. 

The two independents who caucus with the Democrats, Sens. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Angus King of Maine, are also up for re-election.   

BUYERS REMORSE: Democratic donor Susie Tompkins Buell (left), again photographed with Hillary Clinton (right), but in March 2017, said she thought it was a mistake for Democrats to ditch Sen. Al Franken before he was able to tell his side of the story 

BUYERS REMORSE: Democratic donor Susie Tompkins Buell (left), again photographed with Hillary Clinton (right), but in March 2017, said she thought it was a mistake for Democrats to ditch Sen. Al Franken before he was able to tell his side of the story 

 Susie Tompkins Buell told the Times that Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand's (pictured) push to toss Sen. Al Franken out of the Senate over the accusations was a miscalculation 

 Susie Tompkins Buell told the Times that Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand’s (pictured) push to toss Sen. Al Franken out of the Senate over the accusations was a miscalculation 

Donor Susie Tompkins Buell (right) is pictured during a fundraising luncheon for Hillary Clinton (left) in 2007. Buell told the New York Times that the Al Franken episode is making her rethink how she gives money to the Democratic Party 

Donor Susie Tompkins Buell (right) is pictured during a fundraising luncheon for Hillary Clinton (left) in 2007. Buell told the New York Times that the Al Franken episode is making her rethink how she gives money to the Democratic Party 

Minnesota’s Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton chose his lieutenant governor, Tina Smith, to fill Franken’s seat until a November special election. 

Smith was sworn into the body on Wednesday, alongside Doug Jones, the Democrats’ surprise winner in the Alabama Senate race. 

She’s planning to run in the special election to keep the seat, hoping to fill it for the remainder of Franken’s term, which was to be over in 2021. 

Republicans are already licking their chops at the opportunities presenting themselves in Minnesota thanks to Franken being pushed out, as Sen. Amy Klobuchar, another Democrat, is up for re-election as well. 

‘Tina Smith’s abysmal name ID makes her one of the worst appointments in history if Democrats intent to keep this sea,’ said Michael McAdams, the spokesman for the National Republican Senatorial Committee, in a statement to reporters on Monday. 

‘Not only will Smith have to introduce herself to Minnesota voters for the first time, but she will have to do so while defending a voting record that mirrors Elizabeth Warren’s,’ McAdams added. 

Before Republicans get too giddy, they must find a candidate first. 

Former Sen. Norm Coleman, who ran for re-election against Franken in 2008 and was routed by 312 votes, has said that he’s out. 

The state’s former Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty, known as ‘T-Paw’ to supporters, has also said he’s politically retired, according to the Pioneer Press. 

The only Republican with national name ID who has expressed interest in the Franken seat is former Rep. Michele Bachmann, known for her associations with the Tea Party movement, her colorful husband Marcus and her short-lived 2012 presidential campaign. 

Speaking to televangelist Jim Bakker, Bachmann said she’s waiting to hear from God and then she’ll decide whether to enter the race. 

She said that in the 2012 race she ‘fulfilled the calling God gave me,’ by getting Republicans across the board to support a full Obamacare repeal. 

‘So the question is, am I being called to do this now?’ she said of the upcoming Senate race.  



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