Sen. Al Franken: 'I want to be a better man'

Jessica Estepa | USA TODAY

Show Caption Hide Caption Poll: Half of Americans think Sen. Franken should step down Half think Franken should resign.

One day before his return to work on Monday, Sen. Al Franken said he has spent time reflecting on his past behavior and is taking responsibility for the sexual misconduct allegations against him.

"I want to be a better man," the Minnesota Democrat told Minnesota Public Radio on Sunday.

Franken did a round of interviews with local media outlets from his home state, and all appeared to be geared toward the same idea: that he apologizes for his behavior and intends to regain his constituents' trust.

"I'm embarrassed and ashamed. I've let a lot of people down and I'm hoping I can make it up to them and gradually regain their trust," he told the Minneapolis Star Tribune.

While in line with what he has said in previous statements, the interviews broke his media silence since the first allegations surfaced on Nov. 16. With the Senate on its Thanksgiving recess, Franken has been able to lie low.

Four women have alleged that Franken, a two-term senator, touched them inappropriately. Broadcaster Leeann Tweeden was the first woman to come forward, saying that Franken forcibly kissed her and posed for a photograph in which he appears to grope her breasts while she sleeps.

Mixed views in Minnesota on Senator Al Franken The Associated Press was able to find a range of views on Senator Al Franken. The Democrat is facing sexual misconduct allegations as he heads back to Capitol Hill on Monday. (Nov. 27)

A second woman, Lindsay Menz, told CNN that the senator pulled her in close and grabbed her buttocks while the two were posing for a picture at the Minnesota State Fair in 2010.

Two other women also told HuffPost that Franken touched their buttocks at political events in 2007 and 2008.

Franken told MPR that he wasn't sure if other accusers could come forward.

"This has been a shock to me," he said.

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