Franken fray straining Senate soulmate’s faith

Schumer in bind after protege lands in storm

WASHINGTON — It’s difficult to overstate how much Al Franken means to Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer, D-N.Y.

From Washington, Schumer oversaw the Minnesota Democrat’s first campaign in 2008. When Franken was finally declared the winner in the summer of 2009 after a long recount, he gave the Democrats a brief filibuster-proof majority of 60 seats, a precious gift that allowed them to pass the Affordable Care Act on a party-line vote that December.

The experience forged a strong friendship between the two that has lasted ever since. But this week’s allegations that Franken engaged in inappropriate advances before joining the Senate put their bond to a new test. Coming amid a national focus on other powerful men accused of sexual improprieties, Franken quickly found himself under fire.

The allegations against Franken come at a time of broad awakening on the issue of sexual misconduct, with accusations surfacing in recent weeks against film producer Harvey Weinstein, Republican Senate candidate Roy Moore of Alabama and others. As the news sank in about Franken, even some veterans began adding his name to that growing list.

“I think that people feel they can get away with a lot of things,” said Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif. “And nobody’s going to pay any attention.”

Feinstein was among four women elected to the Senate in 1992 , a momentous enough occasion that the cycle was dubbed the “Year of the Woman.” Here’s another important detail about that wave: It came after the then-all-male Judiciary Committee effectively ignored allegations that Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas had sexually harassed Anita Hill.

Some things have changed since 1992. Schumer, for instance, quickly agreed with his more junior colleagues in calling for an ethics investigation of Franken.

In any previous political fight, Franken could lean on Schumer for advice and counsel. Now, in a testament to the precarious politics of the moment, Schumer must remain publicly neutral and careful about any private advice he gives.

For years, Schumer would tear up when he recounted what he considered the best ad of 2008, a powerful testimonial from Franken’s wife, Franni, on how her husband rescued her during her battle with alcoholism.

Up against then-Sen. Norm Coleman, Franken stumbled and struggled with allegations of sexism in his writing as a comedian and author. Finally, Schumer dispatched two future stars to Minnesota to help take over the drifting effort: Stephanie Schriock, who is now president of Emily’s List, and Eric Schultz, who went on to serve as President Barack Obama’s deputy press secretary.

That fall, Obama had pulled well ahead of Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., in the presidential race. The biggest question wasn’t whether Schumer would hold on to the Senate majority or even gain seats; it was whether he would win enough to hit the magic number of 60.

A few weeks after Election Day, every race but one had been called, and Democrats held 58 seats. Then Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania switched parties. And finally, on June 30, 2009, the Minnesota Supreme Court declared Franken the winner in the prolonged Minnesota recount.

This was supposed to be Franken’s breakout year. His close friend took over the caucus, and the former comedian published a new book, “Giant of the Senate.”

Now, Franken has a new fight on his hands to keep this job — and it may be out of his longtime ally’s hands.

Charles Schumer