Craig Creates Problems For Senate GOP

Idaho Senator's Decision Not To Resign Gives His Colleagues Unpleasant Choices

(CBS/AP)  Facing untimely resignations, an unpopular war and a troubling 2008 election landscape, Senate Republicans didn't need another headache this week.

But they got one anyway when Sen. Larry Craig vowed Thursday to serve out the last 15 months of his term, despite a court ruling that left intact his guilty plea in a sex sting operation.

The Idaho Republican's decision gives his GOP colleagues two unpleasant choices. They can resume pressuring him to leave, and risk being seen as disloyal politicians who go harder on alleged homosexual misdeeds than on heterosexual wrongdoings.

Or they can basically ignore him for months, and endure more TV comics' taunts about a conservative senator convicted in a case involving public bathroom stalls.

"A resignation is what GOP leaders sought to put the incident behind them," said CBSNews.com senior political editor Vaughn Ververs. "Now that it appears unlikely, they’ll have to calculate the potential further damage that may be incurred by the spectacle of going after one of their own." (read more in Horserace)

Judging from comments in the first hours after Craig's announcement, Republican senators were unsure exactly where to land. Outright confrontation with Craig, however, seems unlikely.

Craig's lawyer Stanley Brand said the Senate traditionally has shied away from disciplining members for misdemeanors unrelated to their duties and might be unwise to cross that line now.

"Are they going to begin to take up misdemeanor cases as a matter of course?" Brand said Friday on NBC's "Today" show. "That's going to put a lot of other people in serious jeopardy down the road."

Five weeks ago, Craig announced his intent to resign Sept. 30 if he could not have his guilty plea rescinded. But Craig, who bridled at colleagues' not-so-subtle hints to leave, reneged on the deal Thursday.

"I have seen that it is possible for me to work here effectively," he said in a statement. He vowed not to seek a fourth term in November 2008, and the seat is likely to stay in Republican hands.

But his continued presence in the Senate obviously annoys Republicans facing tough campaigns in a year in which GOP scandals are emerging as a Democratic theme.

"Senator Craig gave us his word" that he would resign by Sept. 30 if he could not overturn the guilty plea, said Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev., who chairs the GOP campaign committee overseeing next year's Senate elections. "I wish he would stick to his word."

"It's embarrassing for the Senate, it's embarrassing for his party," Ensign said. Asked if Craig's staying would be a distraction for the party, Ensign said: "It may be a personal distraction for me."

Sen. Norm Coleman, R-Minn., who faces a tough re-election campaign next year in a state where opposition to the Iraq war is strong, spoke with reporters Thursday before Craig announced his plans to stay and fight.

"I would hope that he would live up to what he said he would do - not put the Senate through the wringer on this, respect the institution," Coleman said. "Clearly, his ability to serve his people was severely compromised."

Some Republicans feel that Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., went too far in late August when he called Craig's actions that led to his arrest "unforgivable."

Commentators and activist groups contrasted the reaction to the welcome that GOP leaders gave Sen. David Vitter, D-La., after he apologized for his phone number turning up in a list of clients for an alleged call-girl operation.

McConnell had little to say Thursday. "That whole matter is before the Senate Ethics Committee, and will be dealt with by Senator Craig and the ethics committee," he told reporters.

Craig, 62, was arrested June 11 in a men's room in the Minneapolis airport by an undercover officer. The officer said Craig exhibited behavior consistent with seeking a sexual encounter.

Craig said he had panicked when arrested, and pleaded guilty by mail on Aug. 1 to disorderly conduct because an Idaho newspaper had been aggressively investigating allegations that he was gay. Craig says he is not gay.

His arrest and guilty plea were reported Aug. 27 by Roll Call.

In September, Craig hired a high-profile legal team and asked that his guilty plea be rescinded, which would clear the way for a trial.

But in Minnesota on Thursday, Hennepin County Judge Charles Porter ruled: "Because the defendant's plea was accurate, voluntary and intelligent, and because the conviction is supported by the evidence ... the defendant's motion to withdraw his guilty plea is denied."

Craig, who did not show up for a Senate vote late Thursday after issuing his statement, said he was disappointed, and suggested he might appeal. "I am innocent of the charges against me," he said in the statement.

While most Republican senators were mum Thursday, Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, again spoke up for his friend. Craig "has the right to pursue his legal options as does any citizen, and I support his effort," Crapo said.

Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., who had encouraged Craig to try to overturn his plea, told reporters that his colleague had the right to stay in office. "Disorderly conduct is not moral turpitude," Specter said, "and is not a basis for leaving the Senate."

"I don't think it reflects on the party at all," Specter said. "Larry Craig is an individual. He doesn't represent the party or any other individual senator or any Republican. The conduct which is described here at worst is disorderly conduct. I don't know what his sexual preference is. It's not relevant to the issue in any respect."

Republicans are bracing for a difficult election. Democrats believe they have solid chances to replace retiring GOP senators in Virginia, Colorado, New Mexico and possibly Nebraska. Republican incumbents facing tough fights include Coleman, John Sununu of New Hampshire and Susan Collins of Maine.

Meanwhile, the bipartisan Senate ethics panel is gearing up for possible hearings into Craig's case, a step requested by Republican leaders when they were trying to persuade the senator to step down.

If the hearings go forward, and are televised, it will mark another setback for a party aching for some good news.

[rushlimpdrug]

Here are two suggestions for the GOP on turning this thing around:

1. Declare Larry Craig a bad boy and give him a good spanking.
2. Create a "GOP Rat Pack" including Craig, Vitter, and Foley.

[pollroller1]

I say let him stay. Everybody knows that most politicians are hypocrites.

[pollroller1]

I say let him stay. Everybody knows that most politicians are hypocrites.

[micma-2009]

This is awsome!


Craig will remain the Republican poster child for corruption and hypocrisy.

[mcvet]

Pat Robertson and the rest of the Religious Reich HAVE to have this member of the Toe Tappers Association go away! How can they sell their snake oil to the ignorant and simple minded when the FACT that they have been used like Hookers stands right there in front of them. God I love it when Hypocrits are exposed!! Sieg Heil Bush!!

[rushlimpdrug]

New names for a men''s bathroom stall:

"I''ll be in:
1. The GOP Room";
2. Craig''s Office";
3. Miss Demeanor''s Office"

[greeneyes222]

The Senate GOP has much bigger problems than Larry Craig. Illegal immigration, tainted goods from China, tainted food, predatory lending ... etc. etc. etc. Deal with this and move on.

[tyjohn47]

Talk about your flip-floppers! He''s going to resign, he''s going to serve out his term. See this for what it really is: Larry Craig giving a big FU to the ReBloodlican Party for throwing him under the bus so quickly after he carried their water for so many years. The DemoCripps are lovin'' this!

[walt1944-2009]

Because of the state of affairs concerning Larry Craig, Senate Republicans have adopted the following measures:

1. Stealing some of Rush Limbaugh''s thunder and declare Larry Craig a "phoney Republican".

2. Fit Craig''s statements "I''m not gay; I never have been gay" to the old Lou Christy song "Rapsody in the Rain!".

3. Order the maintenance department in the Senate to install new stalls in all men''s rooms, that have walls reaching down to the floor.

4. Send Larry Craig a coupon for a free dancing lesson at the local Fred Astaire dance studio. It''s debateable what gender his dancing partner will be!

I STILL INSIST "THE DEVIL MADE ME DO IT"!

SIG HEIL, BUSH!!!

[marcodele]

"This is awsome! Craig will remain the Republican poster child for corruption and hypocrisy."

Truer words were never spoken. Excellent.

[mcvett]

If it''s OK for Barney Frank (Democrat-****)
to keep his seat in Congress,

then it should be OK for Larry Craig (Republican-****)
to keep his seat in Congress.

Fair is fair, and equal is equal.


SEIG HEIL, HILLARY

...

[godseyesore-2009]

Idaho constituents, where are you? Is Craig the best you have? If so, Idaho must be full of ''broke-back'' mountaineeers.

[rushlimpdrug]

I still say he should find God really quick.
If it worked for Vitter it can work for anyone.
A press conference with a priest on one side and his wife on the other and presto! All is forgiven.
It''s pretty cool how that works.

[clestes-2009]

Do you suppose he shares the same brain disease as Dominici?

Well, whatever the reason the man insists on continuing, it will only keep the whole embarressing affair front and center stage and give the dems a fighting chance to take this seat.

[godseyesore-2009]

MCVett, I don''t think Barney Frank rocks-on in public toilet stalls as Craig wants to do. There is a difference in having a sense of public decency and being an idiot. Obviously, you think not. Hummm....

[secundus2]

Sen. Craig''s erratic behavior (yesterday he made a statement to the press that he wanted to keep his important committee assignments even though he has been suspended from any leadership role on committees)indicates that he is not tracking reality very well at all. Aside from party politics, the senate ought to make him get a medical evaluation; they have a 62-year old (he looks 75 or 80) who is showing repeated signs of deteriorating health on their roster.

[dodaz-2009]

Uh-Oh,,.. the GAY PALGUE, has infectedthe GOP , and it looks like it''s(HE''s) here to stay...lol

[dodaz-2009]

Uh-Oh,,.. the GAY PLAGUE, has infectedthe GOP , and it looks like it''''s(HE''''s) here to stay...lol

[micma-2009]

The old, toe-tapping senator from the great state of Idaho, Larry Craig ... has changed his mind and is not going to resign.

You know what it is?

I don''t think he wants to give up the key to the executive washroom.

[mcvett]

If it''''s OK for Barney Frank (Democrat-****)
to keep his seat in Congress,

then it should be OK for Larry Craig (Republican-****)
to keep his seat in Congress.

Fair is fair, and equal is equal.


SEIG HEIL, HILLARY

...

[micma-2009]

The airport bathroom where Senator Larry Craig was arrested is now being renovated, and the new bathroom will have stall dividers that go all the way down to the floor. When he heard about the new stall dividers, Senator Craig said, "It doesn''t matter. Love will find a way."

[micma-2009]

This morning on Capitol Hill ... four bathroom fires broke out inside the Senate office building. Inside one bathroom, three big, burly firemen broke the door down, kicked in the stall, and Senator Craig said, ''My dreams have come true.''"

[micma-2009]

The bathroom stall at the Minneapolis airport where Larry Craig was arrested has now become a tourist attraction where people go to have their pictures taken. Not only that, for $10, Larry Craig will autograph your pennis.

[micma-2009]

Senator Craig from Idaho is blaming the media for his guilty plea, especially that cute guy from the Associated Press.

[colonieny]

This is not only a display of bad judgment, and lack of personal responsibility, but also of a TREMENDOUS EGO Defence system, in this guy''s brain. Like Clinton giving the State of the Union address a few days after the stained dress episode, he got up there as if nothing had happened ! Are these men leaders, or pathologic egotistical power hungry robots. They certainly are not ordinary men.
This guy gives me the creeps. For Bill, Republicans went way over board, putting the whole country at risk (distacting from real problems!)- And I am a conservative Republican !

[micma-2009]

Have you heard the latest on men''s room enthusiast, Senator Larry Craig? ... He has taken back his guilty plea. ... He''s changed it to just curious. ... Have you heard his defense? ... Senator Craig now says his arrest has to be overturned because under the Constitution -- and this is true -- a senator cannot be arrested on his way to or from the Capitol if they are on official business. So apparently, he was striking a blow for freedom.

[micma-2009]

But he did say today that if he is found guilty, he would be willing to do some kind of community service. You know, like picking up papers in the men''s room.

[micma-2009]

Senator Larry Craig is now saying that his constitutional rights were violated when he was arrested in an airport''s men''s room. Craig was furious. He said, ''When I got to a men''s room, I do the violating."

[micma-2009]

At first he said he was going to quit, then he said he''s not going to quit, now he said he''s going to quit again. He wants to fight for his right to potty.

You go girl!

[micma-2009]

Legal experts say that Larry Craig may try to have his guilty plea overturned because he didn''t have an attorney present at the time. ... To prevent this from happening in the future, Craig now brings at least one attorney into each bathroom stall.

[micma-2009]

Larry Craig having second thoughts about resigning, and well I would add he''s having second thoughts about tapping his foot in the men''s bathroom. ... No, he''s changed his mind and he thinks he''s going to stay in the Senate, and that occurred to him after he saw the new batch of fall pages.

[micma-2009]

Senator Larry Craig announced he''s now rethinking his decision to resign from the Senate. He resigned from the Senate and now he''s rethinking his decision to resign from Senate. Craig says he''s going talk the decision over with his wife, and the guy in stall number 3.

[micma-2009]

I wonder if Republicans will run on "family values" in 08?

[micma-2009]

When the White House heard about the Vitter prostitute scandal, they were relieved. Finally, a Republican caught in a *** scandal with a woman.

[bogusbones]

It''s not about gay - it''s about a lawmaker pleading guilty, hiding his unlawful actions, saying he "intends" to resign, using public time and money to repair his image and taking his valuable Senatorial time to defend himself.

Flush him.

[jcr103]

Why is it that the politicians proclaiming "family values" the loudest always seem to be the one''s caught with their pants down?

[cameranut-2009]

Back in my day, we called people like him queers.

The people in Idaho need to get that queer out of office A.S.A.P. !!!

[signof4]

Craig is creating problems for Craig....that''s all. Perhaps enough peer pressure can be brought and he will go away!

[gunownerdan]

GOP = Gay Old Politicians

DNC = Dumb Nutless Cowards

[mudrose-2009]

It''s all about him now isn''t it? Self-serving bastardo. Just like the rest of them up there on the Hill. Don''t care about the people, the party or their country. All they care about is their fat azzes.

[gunownerdan]

Congress is full of Gay Old Politicians and Dumb Nutless Cowards.

[micma-2009]

Craig is a prime example of Republican family values.

[micma-2009]

The airport bathroom where Republican Senator Larry Craig was arrested is now being renovated, and the new bathroom will have stall dividers that go all the way down to the floor. When he heard about the new stall dividers, Senator Craig said, ''It doesn''t matter. Love will find a way."

[micma-2009]

Republican Senator Larry Craig has vowed to stay on and work with Senator David Vitter to fight for family values.

They are taking the battle to Congress, to ***********, and to mens rooms across this great nation.

[name_verify]

If he is so stupid as to get himself painted in this kind of legal corner, then he is too stupid to be a lawmaker.

Now he is just going to waste half his office hours on this frivolous embarassment of a legal issue instead of being an advocate for the citizens of Idaho.

[cameranut-2009]

taaap tap tap
tap tap taaap
taaap taaap
tap taaap taaap tap

tap tap tap tap
tap
taaap taaap

[micma-2009]

You know that bathroom in the Minneapolis airport where family values Senator Craig got caught? Well, the airport is now spending a ton of money to build new stall dividers that go all the way to the ground ... to make it a less inviting spot for sexual activity. And today, Senator Craig said, ''Minneapolis, tear down that wall."

[mike71067]

Fron the article: "They can resume pressuring him to leave, and risk being seen as disloyal politicians who go harder on alleged homosexual misdeeds than on heterosexual wrongdoings."

NEWS FLASH: Homosexxuality is a perversion, heterosexxuality is not. You can call it anything you want ("alternative lifestyle, etc.), but it doesn''t change what it is.

[stevex47]

Idaho political professor:

"There is core support here that thinks Craig has been railroaded, and there''s another group that thinks he should stick it out," LiCalzi told the newspaper."

That''s what got this fella in trouble in the first place, ha !

[micma-2009]

mike71067


Really? So I guess that you don''t regard GOP Senator David Vitter''s practice of paying prostitutes to make him wear a diaper as perverse? Maybe you are into that kind of thing. You must be a conservative.