Author Topic: Pelosi Defends Congressman Accused of Sexual Harrasment, Botches #MeToo Moment  (Read 2078 times)

polychronopolous

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https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/pelosi-stumbles-alleged-harassment-her-own-ranks-n824041

Pelosi stumbles on alleged harassment in her own ranks



WASHINGTON — House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi's comments about sexual harassment allegations in her party's own ranks touched off a fierce blowback not only from Republicans, but also from progressives, who said they feared it muddled the Democrats' message on misconduct by putting politics ahead of protecting women.

In an interview Sunday on NBC's "Meet the Press," Pelosi, D-Calif., offered supportive words for Rep. John Conyers, D-Mich., who has been accused of sexually harassing former members of his congressional staff and who reached a taxpayer-funded settlement with one accuser who said she was fired for rejecting his advances.

Pelosi praised Conyers, who has denied the allegations, as an "icon," questioned the identity of his accusers and declined to call for his resignation — all within moments of having hailed the "zero tolerance" movement against sexual misconduct as "transformative ... so wholesome, so refreshing, so different."

 Pelosi: Conyers deserves 'due process'
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 Pelosi: Conyers deserves 'due process' 1:35
Pelosi's comments were criticized as tone-deaf and a bad flub — one that diluted the message that Democrats want to be sending on sexual misconduct, particularly in light of Roy Moore's Senate campaign in Alabama and President Donald Trump's support for him.

"I'm trying to think of a political interview in recent history that's been as damaging to a politician, simply because she was so unprepared and could not answer questions about a huge crisis that is sweeping across the nation and so many industries, not just politics," said Elise Jordan, a Republican strategist and MSNBC analyst.

"I think that Democrats on Capitol Hill are underestimating the movement that's happening right now and the tenor of the nation when it comes to zero tolerance for sexual harassment and sexual assault. It's another example of Washington protecting their own — they're protecting the boys who are in the club," Jordan added. "It's about the ties of the club, the bonds of the club, and no one will defy that even when it's a question of morality and standards from the party that ostensibly says they support women."

As Democrats also wrestle with groping allegations against Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., Pelosi's remarks raised questions about the credibility of the party's messaging and the degree to which its elected leaders are willing to put the protection of women ahead of political considerations. Some Democrats worried that they came at the cost of drawing a distinction with Trump and Moore.

"We have no moral high ground against the likes of Roy Moore if we sit by in silence when Al Franken and John Conyers get to sit in their seats," Democratic strategist Lis Smith said. "We can't be the party that says we stand up for women only when it's politically convenient — we have to apply the same standards to ourselves."

Amid a torrent of criticism from progressive activists — and as Republicans called her a hypocrite — Pelosi tried to limit any fallout.

Conyers, who Democratic aides said already had agreed before Pelosi went on camera Sunday to temporarily step away from his post as the top Democrat on the Judiciary Committee, made his plans public shortly after her appearance. Then Pelosi issued a her own statement after the interview, stressing the seriousness of sexual misconduct allegations.

"Zero tolerance means consequences," Pelosi said in the later statement, noting that she had called for an ethics investigation into Conyers. "We are at a watershed moment on this issue, and no matter how great an individual's legacy, it is not a license for harassment. I commend the brave women coming forward."

Several Democratic lawmakers declined to make on-the-record comments about Pelosi's remarks, not wanting to make a bad situation worse for her.

Some junior members of the Democratic caucus have long grumbled that Pelosi should consider stepping aside to allow younger leaders to rise and because they fear that the Republican Party will try to make an issue of her in the midterm elections next year. But one lawmaker and two veteran Democratic aides said Sunday that they didn't think the interview would cost her support among House Democrats.

"This is not going to move the numbers in any substantial way," the lawmaker said.

But for the silence about Pelosi's comments among Democrats in Congress, beyond the Capitol, there was concern that Democrats need to speak clearly on the issue of sexual misconduct.

Nomiki Konst, a former member of the Democratic National Committee and a surrogate for Sen. Bernie Sanders' 2016 presidential campaign, said Democratic leaders are in a "prickly position" when lawmakers who have advanced women's rights are themselves accused of sexual misconduct.

"There is no doubt that Nancy Pelosi is a feminist and that she has stood by women," Konst said, "but this is a moment when we really need to say, 'How are we going to look back on this in 20 years?'"

Agnostic007

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seems her partisan politics reared it's ugly head...

Skeletor

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  • Silence you furry fool!

polychronopolous

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Such poor leadership by Pelosi.

Conyers is 88 years old and from a HEAVY blue district. Any Democrat replacement of him would win the next 10 elections versus Republican opposition.

Similar thing with Al Franken. The move should be to force him to resign and replace him with a young, energetic progressive who has a clean slate.

Then you still pretend to have the moral high ground and can continue to attack the Republicans as knuckle dragging neanderthals.

A narrative which just dies in its tracks by this move.

This WILL be used against the Democrat Party in the next few elections.

That political capital is just given away by defending these bozos.

Soul Crusher

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Dingbat psycho B I A T C H

Dos Equis

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Dos Equis

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Pelosi: I Believe A Conyers Accuser
AMBER RANDALL
Civil Rights Reporter
11/27/2017
 
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi came forward to say she now believes a sexual harassment accuser of a fellow Democratic congressman Monday night.

Pelosi seemed to have changed her tune on a sexual harassment accusation against Democratic Rep. John Conyers of Michigan, saying she believed Melanie Sloan’s account of “distressing experiences” while working for the congressman.

“This afternoon, I spoke with Melanie Sloan who worked for Congressman Conyers on the Judiciary Committee in the mid-1990s,” Pelosi said in the statement. “Ms. Sloan told me that she had publicly discussed distressing experiences while on his staff. I find the behavior Ms. Sloan described unacceptable and disappointing. I believe what Ms. Sloan has told me.”

Pelosi seemed to defend Conyers from the harassment allegations Sunday on NBC’s “Meet the Press” and hailed the representative as a “icon.”

“I don’t know who they are,” Pelosi said Sunday when asked by the host whether she believed the women. “Do you? They have not really come forward.”

At least five women have accused Conyers of a sexually harassing them while they worked for him.

Sloan alleged that Conyers summoned her into his office while he was only wearing underwear. Conyers has denied all accusations, but stepped down from his position on the House Judiciary Committee while an investigation into his behavior is going on.

http://dailycaller.com/2017/11/27/pelosi-i-believe-a-conyers-accuser/

Agnostic007

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her politics allowed her to drag her feet. There is no honor in finally believing in the face of insurmountable evidence..anyone can do that 

Soul Crusher

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Illinois Representative Guitierrez to Retire After
Belleville News-Democrat ^ | November 28, 2017 | Alan Fram
Posted on 11/28/2017, 10:14:15 AM by PBRCat

WASHINGTON

Illinois Democratic Rep. Luis Gutierrez will announce he is retiring and won't seek re-election next year.

The 13-term lawmaker from Chicago has been a leader in his party's efforts to overhaul the nation's immigration laws. His decision was confirmed by a Washington Democrat on condition of anonymity because the congressman had yet to announce his decision.

Gutierrez, 63, is a leading member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. He's pushed for federal aid to help rebuild storm-battered Puerto Rico. His parents came from Puerto Rico before moving to Chicago in the 1950s.

The congressman has also clashed repeatedly with President Donald Trump. He's among a small handful of House Democrats who have signed onto a largely symbolic effort to impeach him.

(Excerpt) Read more at bnd.com ...

Dos Equis

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Another Woman Accuses Democratic Rep. John Conyers Of Sexual Misconduct
Deanna Maher, his former deputy chief of staff, says the veteran congressman inappropriately touched her and asked to have sex with her.
By Marina Fang
11/28/2017
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/john-conyers-sexual-misconduct-former-staffers_us_5a1d6b57e4b04e8b2a845c94?ncid=inblnkushpmg00000009

Soul Crusher

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Another Woman Accuses Democratic Rep. John Conyers Of Sexual Misconduct
Deanna Maher, his former deputy chief of staff, says the veteran congressman inappropriately touched her and asked to have sex with her.
By Marina Fang
11/28/2017
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/john-conyers-sexual-misconduct-former-staffers_us_5a1d6b57e4b04e8b2a845c94?ncid=inblnkushpmg00000009

Culture of corruption w democrat libfag lawmakers



tonymctones

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Cue straw man to tell us she isn’t far left

SOMEPARTS

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Her iron lung probably has a painting of Mao on it.

Soul Crusher

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Conyers hospitalized in Detroit
The Hill ^ | 11-30-2017 | Mallory Shellbourne
Posted on 11/30/2017, 9:45:35 AM by tcrlaf

Rep. John Conyers (D-Mich.), who is embroiled in a sexual misconduct scandal, is hospitalized in his home state due to stress, according to two local reports on Thursday.

"I just spoke with Monica Conyers on the phone and we want you to know that the congressman is resting comfortably in an area hospital. He's doing OK, as well as he can be expected for a gentleman that's approaching 90 years of age," Sam Riddle, a Conyers consultant, told WDIV TV.

"The congressman's health is not what it should be and lot of that is directly attributable to this media assault."

(Excerpt) Read more at thehill.com ...

Agnostic007

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New rule- If you pay out 27K to shut someone up about your sexual harassment you lose your right to continue to say you are innocent