So. Who, really, is accusing Swalwell?

Retaliation by firing is a thing.

I infer a desire for personal safety.

Then any staffer who knew these things were happening and did not report them is complicit in all of this.

Or they might have been in the position that the former staffer told them but specifically did not want them to report it and said she would not stand behind it. I could understand that she might have been concerned by having gotten drunk and because she may have initially been happy that he was attracted by her. She might have blamed herself.

As to the other things, it could well be they didn't know the scope of it.

At this point we don't know ... and there are many staffers etc saying they are not surprised With this, it seems to be unsigned and it doesn't even say how many .... It could be two.

"Then any staffer who knew these things were happening"...

I was trying to add that there could be a grey area between "knowing" and "not knowing" and as she was a former colleague, there was a possibility of her telling someone in confidence. What would be the right thing to do in that case?

Then in MY opinion...again MY opinion, which I'm entitled to have - they had a duty to report it so that no other staffer might have been assaulted. I mean, if Swalwell was a known assailant, then he should have been turned in to protect other staffers.

[Thanks for the clarification about your reply. I appreciate that and understand better now. ]

be the right thing to do. It makes sense that they should have considered they needed to protect other future victims. Have always enjoyed your posts as they always were very informative.

This whole thing stinks.

Staffers? Unsigned? Non-specific? I mean, what does this really accomplish other than to solidify the opinions of those who have already decided that Swalwell did this?

Makes me wonder about the integrity of any of the "staff" that: (a) knew of specific instances of this nature and didn't report them, and (b) continued to work for someone who they obviously despised.

I'm not defending Swalwell. He may be the biggest asshole on the planet. But an unsigned press release that does not name the people involved is not evidence of anything.

It was their obligation to protect other staffers. It doesn't impress me if staffers knew all along this was going on and only came forward when it was convenient. If Swalwell is guilty of this behavior then they had an obligation to come forward. Then there wouldn't be so many victims.

His womanizing has been known for years. Maybe not on CNN, but people involved in politics in the Bay Area have always whispered about him.

But an actual assault allegation is very different from cheating. Cheating a lot of people in politics will overlook. The nature of the recent allegation mixed with general grossness with sending sexual material to multiple women. Nah. They're out.

The tell is in the speed with which everyone bolted - with those closest to him vacating the fastest.

They knew. Maybe not the details or the specific assault situation, but they knew there was potentially something lurking. You don't have half a bag already packed if you don't.

The fact they all find this extremely credible right out of the gate says it all.

"The fact they all find this extremely credible right out of the gate says it all."

If instead there were a bunch of people saying, "wait! we just can't believe this! Not Eric!! He's nothing like that!!" .... but doesn't seem to be anyone saying that.

It's sad when an otherwise (seemingly) decent guy lets his dick take over like that. Probably with the help of booze ... but based on these allegations, he has had a problem for years and should have faced up to it instead of pretending it didn't happen or that it was okay.

I can understand job security but this is rape we're talking about. I'm still on the fence about all this. I'll admit that it doesn't look good for him.

but Swalwell's political career is over. Remember Al Franken. Several of Swalwell's Democrat colleagues are already calling for him to quit the gubernatorial race and resign from the House, without any due process. In the meantime, a convicted sexual assaulter, accused rapist, and possible pedophile is sitting in the Oval Office, and the party of family values could care less..

Then there's 4 women with corroboration and I can't think of any examples of a situation where that's later been proven false. He's already admitted he had to apologize to his wife and he knew who to send cease and desist letters to indicating he knows who he acted inappropriately against.

Believe victims.

Nobody here thinks Trump should be in office, a bunch of Democrats have said Trump should be removed from office, we literally tried to impeach him twice.

In any case, Swalwell's political career is over, and Trump is still president after being accused by at least 28 women of sexual assault.
MAGAts have a totally different idea of morality and justice.

Or is she believable?

There is no convenient time because victims process an assault differently and as we've seen here, a whole lot people will leap to defend a man and seek any excuse to not believe victims. Shockingly seeing a man who abused someone reaching to get more power might cause some victims to gather their strength and willingness to come forward.

I believe there is a big difference in the accusations.

Christine Blasey Ford came forward when Kavanaugh was being considered for the US Supreme Court. He wasn't running for an office, no campaigning (except for dark money) just sitting under oath answering questions.
There wasn't any reason for Christine Blasey Ford to come forward until it was absolutely necessary to expose Kavanaugh for his behavior, because he would be making decisions about women while sitting on the highest Court.

She testified under oath, as did Kavanaugh. republicans protect their sexual predators, so, Kavanaugh was confirmed by the senate. No one else got to vote for him.

The accusations by the Eric Swalwell case so far is only accusations. No one has testified under oath about these sexual assaults.

And

Why did no one come forward years ago?

I don't know what to believe since so much ratfooking goes on in politics.

There is plenty of time for Democrats to coalesce around a less odious choice.

No one is forcing him to run for Governor. He can step aside.

There is no due process in politics. Getting caught, or even the suspicion of getting caught, is just as bad as the actual deed. There is no burden of proof for public vibes.

But to your point, yeah, his career is over. There is the easy way or the hard way.

With regard to Al Franken, his resignation elevated the moral status of the party. He wasn't forced and he could have fought, but he decided to raise the moral bar.

There was nothing much lost in Tina Smith taking over. She is every bit as good as Al Franken is.

Also, with respect to Franken, many of his Senator colleagues probably wanted him out so they could neutralize him as a potential primary opponent. I remember there were some rumors about him running for president prior to his resignation.

I just hope that all that moral superiority doesn't earn the Democrats a silver medal in 2028.

I hope we are not forced to sacrifice our morality for electoral victory. Ideally our moral rectitude would fortify our chances for success.

Trump, however, is a demon.

I can only speak for myself.

Silence is how evil persists.



Victims are always doubly victimized.

making that known?

I wouldn't be able to live with myself otherwise because NOT speaking up would provide the opportunity for it to happen to others.

knowing people are being hurt while I say nothing. Who does that?!

Then go home and live a life paid for by a predator?!

Sounds like the allegations are truthful. The bum needs to drop out.

“Eric Swalwell vowed Friday to fight sexual misconduct allegations he said are false, while apologizing to his wife for unspecified “mistakes” in his past.”

His statements betray themselves.

Dude did some bad shit.

And there is a vocal minority here that absolve him because he aggressively attacks Trump.

California deserves better.

Apparently Katie Porter is too mean and too female. Steyer is too wealthy.

But Swalwell is too rapey.

That said, the 'mistakes' he's made for which he's "only responsible to his wife" likely translate to his cheating on her..Lousy as that may be, it's not in any way conflatable with rape or assault. That situation would certainly make him accountable to more people than his wife.

Swalwell didn't need to be on the list.

but he is denying the assault .

This degenerates to a he said, she said.

In such a situation, I say vote for someone else.

Timing makes me suspicious 😕