Senate Republicans are really, really, really not dealing well with allegations of sexual harassment against their own members. Today, the editorial board of the Denver Post made a very public call for change in arguing that State Sen. Randy Baumgardner should resign from office. More importantly, perhaps, the Post hangs plenty of blame on Senate GOP leadership:
We are disappointed that Republican Senate leaders — Senate President Kevin Grantham and Majority Leader Chris Holbert — have not taken action against Baumgardner by removing all but one of his committee assignments to at least send a clear message that this behavior will not be tolerated.
Instead, Grantham and Holbert ordered Baumgardner to take sensitivity training but then defended their colleague, saying the investigation was full of “inaccuracies, bias, conflicts of interest and inconsistencies.” They offered no specifics, which is unhelpful…
…Sexual harassment has been tolerated for far too long in the Colorado General Assembly and we are disappointed that Republicans in the Senate are choosing to enable those bad actors who would abuse their power at the expense of a professional and civil workplace environment. Whether intentional or not, Grantham and Holbert have also sent a clear message to any potential victims about how their accusations will be treated if they find the courage to speak up.
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Resign? Ah, come on, people . . .
. . . remember, nuthin’ says “I’m sorry” (. . . or, “I you” . . . or, “gee, you’re sure special” . . . ) like a strappin’ cowboy’s hearty ass slap, or two!!?!!
That's what he looks like without the hat? He shouldn't take it off. Ever.
But you have to admit that the 'stache is a magnet. For what, I won't say. I've been in its fascinatin' presence, and wondered if it might slither off his face at any moment. Think Voldemort.
C;mon…
He did it, they denied it – why in the world should he be punished for something someone else noticed? Seriously.
The final chapter of this particular story will be written some future November . . .
. . . when the DP, yet once again, heartily endorses all three of these assclown stooges to whatever next office or position they might run or be in consideration for?!?
Call it The Gardner (or Coffman) Rule of Colorado editorial “journalism”.
Baumgardner should resign after Lebsock resigns.
No argument here. They both need to go stat.
Here's a suggestion. They both go at the same time. And each district convenes vacancy committees and a Repug replaces the Stache and a Dem replaces Lebsock.
The vacancy process does work that way, r and r. Seats don't change party hands, so dumping a miscreant would not, for instance, mean the Rs would lose control of the Senate.
No. But it would trigger an election in Baumgartner's district this fall. The seat is not up until 2020.
So they'll just drag this out. If people forget, he stays in. If they don't forget, he quits after the election, maybe.
Baumgardner does not quit unless he is thrown out. I believe he feels entitled to the position.