A mistake on several levels.
First, let’s get this out of the way: Yes, Franken’s actions were improper and wrong. He should be as criticized as he has been for conducting himself that way.
But his resignation is damaging our side in several ways. First, his resignation will deprive us of a consistently liberal voice in the Senate, one of a diminishing number of such voices. How many Republican voices defend women? Judging by GOP support for the P*ssy-grabber-in-chief and the pederast Senate candidate from Alabama, none of them.
Second, don’t for a moment entertain the notion that Franken’s departure will put some sort of “pressure” to similarly clean their own house. They won’t; they’ll simply use this self-inflicted wound as a way to further their own agendas. They’re letting a pedophile run for Senate, with complete support; do you think if a Republican Senator had groped Leanne Tweeden they would have tried to force him out?
Third, despite Franken’s comments, the conversation now is all about Franken, and not the Republicans’ malfeasance. Again, their side gets stronger, ours gets weaker.
Fourth, things won’t end here. This incident has almost certainly emboldened not only our own home-grown GOP political terrorists, but ones in foreign countries (cough * Russia * cough) that seem very willing to help the GOP.
Franken’s decision to resign may be the high road, but it’s damaging in the long term, and a mistake.