Dem Senator on Bill Clinton Sexual Misconduct Scandals: ‘Let’s Move Forward’

by Conor Beck, Washington Free Beacon, November 21, 2017

Democratic Sen. Mazie Hirono (Hawaii) on Tuesday called for people to "move forward" when asked on MSNBC's "Meet the Press Daily" about whether former President Bill Clinton should have resigned.

Host Katy Tur asked Hirono about Clinton the two of them had talked extensively about the problems of sexual harassment and even assault. Hirono spoke strongly about the importance of such matters but downplayed the question of whether Clinton should have resigned over his own scandals.

"Really quickly, do you agree with your colleague, Senator [Kirsten] Gillibrand (D., N.Y.) that if this happened today with Bill Clinton, with his accusers, that he should have resigned back then?" Tur asked.

"Well the whole question of resignation, once again, in my view, he went through an impeachment process as a result of his actions," Hirono replied.

"I certainly do not defend his indefensible actions. But let's move forward," Hirono continued. "You know, talking about Bill Clinton should not be a shield to the rest of us talking about what we are going to do about this going forward."

She went on to say that people should focus on how we are going to "change our culture" with regards to sexual harassment.

Earlier in the interview, Hirono talked of Sen. Al Franken (D., Minn.) resigning "because what's really at the bottom of this whole issue of sexual harassment is that it is pervasive in our culture."

"I hope that we're reaching some kind of tipping point in our country that this kind of behavior not only is acknowledged but it comes to an end," Hirono said. "And that we prosecute the people who need to be prosecuted so they are held accountable."