GOP Senators Join Call For Craig To Quit

McCain And Coleman Call For Idaho Senator's Resignation In Scandal Over Bathroom Arrest

(CBS/AP)  The Idaho Statesman published a lengthy story on Tuesday, a day after the June 11 arrest was first reported, detailing allegations of homosexual behavior by Craig. The senator denied the allegations and contended the paper was engaged in a witch hunt. In a statement, the newspaper said its story spoke for itself.

"While I was not involved in any inappropriate conduct at the Minneapolis airport or anywhere else, I chose to plead guilty to a lesser charge in hopes of making it go away," Craig said. "It's clear, though, that through my actions I have brought a cloud over Idaho. For that, I ask the people of Idaho for their forgiveness."

Idaho's Republican Party took a measured, wait-and-see stance while Democrats remained mum, content to let Republicans sort through the fallout.

"I would encourage all Idahoans to avoid rushing to judgment and making brash statements about a man who has dedicated his life to public service," GOP state party chairman Kirk Sullivan said in a statement.

Ignoring that plea, some social and religious conservatives and right-wing radio talk show hosts called for Craig's resignation. Political analysts said Craig will have trouble convincing Gem State voters that his 27-year political career is worth sparing.

"I think what makes it very difficult is the guilty plea," said Randy Stapilus, a former political editor at the Idaho Statesman who has a political blog. "That is something a lot of people will have a tough time getting around."

In Idaho, with its 1.4 million people, politicians know many supporters by name. The state also likes its Republicans. The GOP controls the statehouse and Congress, and President Bush carried the state in 2004 with 68 percent of the vote.

More than 166,000 residents are Roman Catholic and more than 385,000 Mormon.

Republican leaders in the Senate called for an Ethics Committee review of the case.

"This is a serious matter," they said in a written statement issued in Washington over the names of Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the party leader, and several others.

Two Republicans seeking the party's presidential nomination didn't mince words. Mitt Romney, in whose campaign Craig was playing a prominent role until he quit amid the scandal, told CNBC, "He's disappointed the American people." On Jay Leno's "The Tonight Show," Sen. John McCain said, "It's disgraceful."

Reports state that police Sgt. Dave Karsnia was investigating allegations of sexual conduct in Minneapolis airport restrooms when he went into a stall. The complaint against Craig alleged that he employed "a signal often used by persons communicating a desire to engage in sexual conduct."

Craig was arrested, read his rights, fingerprinted and photographed for a mug shot released by police showing him in coat and tie. He signed a guilty plea on Aug. 1 and later paid $575 in fines and fees and was placed on unsupervised probation for a year.

Craig joins other Republican senators facing ethical and legal troubles.

Rep. Mark Foley resigned nearly a year ago after being confronted with the sexual computer messages he sent to male teenage pages who had worked on Capitol Hill. Sen. Ted Stevens is under scrutiny for his relationship with a contractor who helped oversee a renovation project that more than doubled the size of the senator's home. Sen. David Vitter acknowledged that his phone number appeared in records of a Washington-area business that prosecutors have said was a front for prostitution.

[oakishpines]

'' ... putting women in mens armys did not turn men into gardenets, it turned women into rapists of husbands and children ... putting children into armys does not turn women and men into gardenets, it turns children into parent rapists ... if men are to treat children with respect, then men are to start acting like children ... and are to start treating two year olds like two year olds ... ''

'' ... all the front pages would have been covered in photos of local children dancing get well feed world songs rallied around the sick beds drifting the farm trails, except a terrorist warned against it ... ''

[georgebushed-2009]

Senator Widestance should never resign. His position is very clear. He is against gay rights and gay marriage, he is not against soliciting gay *** in a publlic restroom.

[greybeardvet]

The public is getting another glimpse into the reality of the Republican establishment. It is literally filled with filthy predators, both the sexual and economic varieties. Both are disgusting and deserve condemnation. Both are based on premise that the strong have the inherent right to exploit the weak. Somebody should kill those ***#ers!

[greybeardvet]

The public is getting another glimpse into the reality of the Republican establishment. It is literally filled with filthy predators, both the sexual and economic varieties. Both are disgusting and deserve condemnation.

[greybeardvet]

The public is getting another glimpse into the reality of the Republican establishment. It is literally filled with filthy predators, both the sexual and economic varieties. Both are disgusting and deserve condemnation.

[slim1h2o]

Yawn!!!!!

Just another repub. pervert getting outed.

Who''s next? Any takers? Bush, Cheney maybe?

[slim1h2o]

Yawn!!!!!

Just another repub. pervert getting outed.

Who''s next? Any takers? Bush, Cheney maybe?

[slim1h2o]

Yawn!!!!!

Just another repub. pervert getting outed.

Who''s next? Any takers? Bush, Cheney maybe?

[slim1h2o]

Yawn!!!!!

Just another repub. pervert getting outed.

Who''s next? Any takers? Bush, Cheney maybe?

[slim1h2o]

Yawn!!!!!

Just another repub. pervert getting outed.

Who''s next? Any takers?

[jowand]

Republicans shoot their wounded, Democrats make them committee chairman and give them a standing ovation. Both are a bunch of twisted freaks.

[marcodele]

"Republicans are just aghast at this," Schieffer said."

Are you kidding me? They knew they were hypocrites, why are they so ''aghast?'' Even their reaction is hypocritical. Hastert covered up for Foley for years. They''ve known since 1982 that Craig had a little problem. And they probably gave David Vitter the number of the DC Madam and told him who to ask for.

[marcodele]

"Republicans are just aghast at this," Schieffer said."

Are you kidding me? They knew they were hypocrites, why are they so ''aghast?''

[sigotratando]

I can%u2019t but help comment on something McCain is quoted to have said in this article: "but my opinion is that when you plead guilty to a crime, you shouldn''t serve. That''s not a moral stand. That''s not a holier-than-thou. It''s just a factual situation." ''Opinion'' and ''factual'' equated this way indicates the man cannot distinguish fact from opinion! It might be possible for a man to plead guilty to something and still be able to serve effectively, while ---on the other hand--- someone lacking higher-level cognitive skills would certainly have difficulty functioning at the level required of a President.

[tnichlsn]

Maybe someone should fix up all the closeted, gay, homophobic republicsans with all the closeted, gay, homophobic preachers and throw a coming out party for them... If they could meet someone nice, they wouldn''t have to work the men''s rooms, which must be few and far between in Idaho.

[tnichlsn]

Maybe someone should fix up all the closeted, gay, homophobic republicsans with all the closeted, gay, homophobic preachers and throw a coming out party for them... If they could meet someone nice, they wouldn''t have to work the men''s rooms, which must be few and far between in Idaho.

[tnichlsn]

Maybe someone should fix up all the closeted, gay, homophobic republicsans with all the closeted, gay, homophobic preachers and throw a coming out party for them... If they could meet someone nice, they wouldn''t have to work the men''s rooms, which must be few and far between in Idaho.

[tnichlsn]

Maybe someone should fix up all the closeted, gay, homophobic republicsans with all the closeted, gay, homophobic preachers and throw a coming out party for them... If they could meet someone nice, they wouldn''t have to work the men''s rooms, which must be few and far between in Idaho.

[tnichlsn]

Maybe someone should fix up all the closeted, gay, homophobic republicsans with all the closeted, gay, homophobic preachers and throw a coming out party for them... If they could meet someone nice, they wouldn''t have to work the men''s rooms, which must be few and far between in Idaho.

[tnichlsn]

Maybe someone should fix up all the closeted, gay, homophobic republicsans with all the closeted, gay, homophobic preachers and throw a coming out party for them... If they could meet someone nice, they wouldn''t have to work the men''s rooms, which must be few and far between in Idaho.