Until a few hours ago, Al Franken was my very favorite Senator. No more. No, he’s not a monster. He’s not a rapist. But he violated Tweeden’s consent — for the picture (whether he physically groped her or just pretended to, she didn’t agree to such a picture), and by turning a stage kiss (which involves no tongue at all) into an intimate kiss. That’s not okay. Yes, he apologized (and the second apology was particularly good, IMO) and Tweeden accepted his apology, which reflects well on her.
How does having a groper/violator-of-consent in the Senate help the Democrats? For moral reasons, but for political reasons as well, Franken should step down. Let at least the Democrats be the groper-free party. Franken can go on to try and make amends and do good things in other ways, perhaps, but as long as we have a groper/violator in the Senate, it will be that much easier for Republicans to point at him as a “what about Franken?” distraction for a million other future disgusting things Republicans will be caught doing. Plus, a long investigation that will take focus away from other assholes, and other terrible behavior (and terrible legislation!), in addition to the decent chances that this wasn’t the only woman that Franken was skeevy with. This shift in society and culture will be a long and painful process, and zero-tolerance, at least for high political office, for groping and similar shittiness, should be one of the easiest parts of that process.
If he stays, we get a long investigation, possibly more accusers and accusations, and an easy target to point to for Republicans when inevitably some of their shitty behavior comes to light. If he resigns, Democrats can say with clarity and honesty “we have zero tolerance for violating the consent of women”. That could be a powerful statement in the long run. Society will get there eventually — we should be at the forefront, and not lag behind.