California Democrat Assemblyman Resigns Immediately After Wave of Sexual Conduct Allegations

As Comrade Arthur says, "So it is possible that a Democrat can resign..."

He had previously said he would resign at the end of his term, but now with more women accusing him of "unwanted touching," he's decided to resign immediately.

California Assemblyman Raul Bocanegra said Monday he is resigning effective immediately after multiple women accused him of sexual harassment and unwanted touching, after previously announcing he would wait until the end of the legislative term.

"Upon further reflection during the recent holiday weekend, and conversations with family, friends, supporters, I have decided to resign earlier from the State Assembly effective immediately, which was my original intention," Bocanegra said in a statement released Monday.

Incidentally, Al Franken gave a quick presser in which he basically repeated what he'd said in his earlier statement to local papers -- in fact, he specifically quoted himself.

Once again he said his memory differed from Leeanne Tweeden's, but did not say what his memory was. Once again he offered Apologies Without Admissions. He apologized for effects alleged -- making women feel "uncomfortable" -- but not for any specific actions on his part, such as groping, that caused those effects.

Franken is basically denying these allegations without saying so. Being a Democrat, he is required to Believe All Women (or pretend to), so he contradicts them implicitly rather than explicitly. He claims to not remember if he groped strangers -- a bizarre failure of memory, as most men, I think, can remember all breasts and buttocks they've fondled. So what he really means when he says he doesn't remember this happening is that it did not happen, but he can't actually say that. He just implies they're liars -- he doesn't say plainly that they are.

Such is the progress Democrats have made since they suddenly developed a conscience about Bill Clinton's serial sexual crimes two weeks ago. They've made the huge leap from claiming female accusers are nuts and sluts recruited from trailer parks to make rightwing conspiracy allegations to merely strongly implying they are, while apologizing for making them "uncomfortable" being paid liars for Richard Scaife.

posted by Ace at 06:15 PM

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