Al Franken is the latest o be accused of harassment after a  female radio news anchor, Leeann Tweeden, said that Minnesota Democratic Sen. Al Franken groped and “forcibly kissed” her without her consent during an overseas USO tour in 2006. Franken was elected to the Senate two years later.
But before we all go ballistic, it turns out that it was all part of a skit to entertain the troops and he may have ‘practiced’ the kiss before it was absolutely necessary.
Regardless, the Senator has apologized.
“I certainly don’t remember the rehearsal for the skit in the same way, but I send my sincerest apologies to Leeann,” Franken said. “As to the photo, it was clearly intended to be funny but wasn’t. I shouldn’t have done it.”
In a second apology, Franken said he “didn’t know what” had been in his head when he took the actions in the photo.
“The first thing I want to do is apologize: to Leeann, to everyone else who was part of that tour, to everyone who has worked for me, to everyone I represent, and to everyone who counts on me to be an ally and supporter and champion of women. There’s more I want to say, but the first and most important thing—and if it’s the only thing you care to hear, that’s fine — is: I’m sorry,” Franken said in the emailed statement.”
He continued, “I respect women. I don’t respect men who don’t. And the fact that my own actions have given people a good reason to doubt that makes me feel ashamed.”

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Evan Hosie has worked as a Women's Lifestyle editor/writer (expert in the beauty and fashion vertical); created the Pop Culture section for Radaronline.com; never met a gadget she didn't want, and spends waaaaay too much time on Social Media.

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