Is it? My understanding is that Franken is accused of hovering his hands over the breasts of a woman when he was a comedian, and then forcefully kissing her during a performance rehearsal. I don't exactly perceive that as sexual harassment.

The first is a joke, in poor taste, sure, but he didn't even touch her, it's not like their were negative consequences for the woman involved. The second seems like it was a miscommunication. His apology seemed appropriate to the misconduct he was guilty of, and even the woman who was the subject of these issues said she was satisfied with it.

Are we supposed to crucify him and fire him from a job which he's doing well for a bad joke and a miscommunication? It seems like a gross overreaction to me.