Larry Craig Delays Resignation

Senator Caught In Sex Sting Will Wait Until Judge Decides If His Guilty Plea Can Be Withdrawn

(AP)  Idaho Republican Larry Craig has decided he wants to be a U.S. senator a little longer. His tenure may still be a short one.

Craig's lawyers asked a Minnesota judge Wednesday to let the three-term senator withdraw his guilty plea in a sex sting at a Minneapolis airport restroom. Afterward, Craig issued a statement saying he will stay in office "for now."

People close to Craig said that means until the judge rules.

Hennepin County Judge Charles Porter said that will be at the end of next week at the earliest.

Craig said earlier he planned to resign Sept. 30, then left the door open to stay if he could successfully withdraw his plea.

Craig, who originally had planned to seek a fourth term next year, pleaded guilty in August to disorderly conduct following a June 11 sting operation in a men's room at the Minneapolis airport.

That he will stay in the Senate past Sunday was an unwelcome development for Senate Republican leaders who have made clear they wish Craig would step down and let Idaho's GOP governor, C.L. "Butch" Otter name a replacement.

Otter canceled an extended tour of the state's overcrowded prisons this week to interview some of the nearly 30 people - including Lt. Gov. Jim Risch and Attorney General Lawrence Wasden - who have publicly expressed interest in Craig's job.

"He wanted to be ready to act if we received a letter of resignation," said Jon Hanian, Otter's spokesman in Boise. "Obviously, we had not. ... Until he receives a letter of resignation, we have no vacancy, therefore, there is no replacement."

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., told reporters he had nothing to add to previous statements in which he said he thought Craig made the proper decision on Sept. 1, when he announced his intention to resign by month's end.

Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, Craig's strongest ally in the Senate, said that Craig, "like every citizen facing allegations, deserves to be able to fully defend himself."

Craig's lawyer, Billy Martin, said it is "near impossible, and it should be" for Craig to withdraw his plea. But he said his client's conduct - shoe tapping and hand gestures under a men's room stall divider - was not criminal.

The arresting officer described those gestures as signals recognized in the gay community as an invitation for sex. Craig has repeatedly said he is not homosexual.

Jim Weatherby, professor emeritus of political science at Boise State University, said Craig has been permanently weakened by the charges.

"How effective can he be, when his leadership wants him out?" Weatherby asked. "I suspect they would want to punish him further than the steps they've already taken."

Craig gave up his leadership posts on Senate committees after his arrest become public. Senate Republicans would have to vote to restore those posts, an action seen as highly unlikely.

[tbweb]

This is too painful to watch, do we have to? What is this guy thinking about? The damage is done, go away!

[ixoye_02]

This whole thing is ridiculous. And this makes the GOP look even more ridiculous given their supposed "righteous and moral" label they like to give themselves. Craig cannot say that for weeks he couldn''t make an intelligent response to say guilty or not guilty. Isn''t Craig a longstanding lawmaker? Craig knows about due process and the implications of one''s statements when arrested. The other republican senators may say that Craig did nothing criminal by the hand swiping and foot tapping/touching. The INTENT was perhaps criminal according to public law, but I would not try to downplay the actions because they reveal intent. And Craig''s gestures were not accidental or just random movements...think about it. I don''t think people who would be cruising for *** in the restrooms would come up with "signals" that can be randomly or mistakingly be done by the general public. Upon reading the polic report, there is no doubt in my mind that Craig was cruising for ***. It is unfortunate that Craig has to drag the Republican party into his personal fiasco. But then again, all of these sexual scandals from Republicans tells me that the Republicans and their leaders do not have any moral edge over the Democrats. This also carries over to the religious right, who are neither right nor moral, they are classic modern-day Pharisees. I am sick of all this ***!!!!

[jghutto]

As I see it, it is not a matter of whether he thinks these gestures were criminal. The court apparently did, and he had the option to ask for a trial if he did not. Instead, he plead guilty to something, and by his not mentioning it even to his wife, indicates to me that he thought he had been caught "criminally."

If the Judge allows him to withdraw a plea he voluntarily made, it seems that would open the flood gates for others that have entered a guilty plea voluntarily.

[signof4]

Larry, Larry, Larry......please go away!

[agnim]

"Larry Craig Delays Resignation"

LOL

Stay, Larry! Stay!

Stay and ''bring down'' (double entendre) all deviants of the Gaay Old Perverts (GOP). LOL

[rushlimpdrug]

This guy needs to stay in the senate where he can fight for legislation for widening stalls across America.
He could also propose windows on bathroom stall doors.
This would avoid having to "peep" into occupied stalls.
This would make a great anti-gay campaign for the republicans.
Wouldn''t it?

[talkingham]

Craig used his adopted "fake" family to cover his bizarre desires which have been hinted at for more than 20 years in the Congress. How many of you posters run your hand over into the stall next to you in a public rest-room - - how many? He''s jsut weird republican gay and ashamed to admit it.

[dodaz-2009]

The Press LOVES him and this STORY,.. cuz they keep CRUCIFYING him..lol...the Irony is ..the press loves his Gay-hiding-story-ways,... but Craig seems to hate himself....sad really...okay , maybe NOT that sad....FUNNYlol lol

[prinzowhales]

Who cares? Just another Regime Senator that would look better dangling from a lamp post...with one foot just close enough to the ground so he can tap his toes...

[antoniof123]

I guess he is hoping the Judge will take a wide stance on the issue.

Posted by CBS_Oliver at 08:03 AM : Sep 27, 2007

I was going to say something else but this was too funny way too funny. I hope this case doesn''t go away for a long time I just love the comedy channel. This makes me laugh I mean he paid a fine and they are making a big deal of this.

[briannorwood]

I don''t know about you, but this guy really gives me the creeps!

Amazing that the people in his state could even elect him.

[gkc99]

Withdraw the guilty plea my a$$! Craig looks like he could suck the chrome off a trailer hitch.

[cbs_oliver]

I guess he is hoping the Judge will take a wide stance on the issue.