Weiner requests temporary leave of absence

Last Updated 3:38 p.m. ET

Rep. Anthony Weiner, embroiled in controversy since he admitted engaging in illicit online relationships with women before and during his marriage, is requesting a temporary of leave of absence from the House as he seeks "professional treatment.

The news came after several top Democrats called on the New York Democrat today to resign.

"Congressman Weiner departed this morning to seek professional treatment to focus on becoming a better husband and healthier person," a spokesperson said Saturday. "In light of that, he will request a short leave of absence from the House of Representatives so that he can get evaluated and map out a course of treatment to make himself well. Congressman Weiner takes the views of his colleagues very seriously and has determined that he needs this time to get healthy and make the best decision possible for himself, his family and his constituents."

CBS News Congressional correspondent Nancy Cordes reports that there has been a concerted effort by party leaders to try to get Weiner to resign. A senior Democratic aide told CBS News that they held off on putting out public statements in the hope he would step down without their public urging.

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This morning Weiner informed Democratic leaders of his intention to seek treatment, indicating his unwillingness to resign (and thus squelch the Twitter scandal that first erupted two weeks ago). Consequently, top Democrats in the House put out statements calling for his resignation.

Democratic Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi issued a statement saying, "Congressman Weiner has the love of his family, the confidence of his constituents, and the recognition that he needs help. I urge Congressman Weiner to seek that help without the pressures of being a Member of Congress."

Democratic National Committee Chair Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Fla., also said in a statement, "This sordid affair has become an unacceptable distraction for Representative Weiner, his family, his constituents and the House.

"The behavior he has exhibited is indefensible, and Representative Weiner's continued service in Congress is untenable," Wasserman Schultz said.

Saying she made the request for his resignation "with great disappointment," Wasserman Schultz said, "For the good of all, he should step aside and address those things that should be most important - his and his family's well-being."

Also joining the chorus was Steve Israel, chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

"Anthony's inappropriate behavior has become an insurmountable distraction to the House and our work for the American people. With a heavy heart, I call on Anthony to resign," said Israel, who also represents New York.

"I pray for his family and hope that Anthony will take time to get the help he needs without the distractions and added pressures of Washington, D.C."

[mick7744]

In glancing over these posts, I get the sense that many are bemoaning the fact that burning at the stake...boiling in oil...and drawing and quartering are no longer considered politically correct...

I fail to see why this must be turned into a Republican/ Democratic thing...after all, why would Republicans ever want to go there?

If anything...this guy engaged in an updated, high-tech version of a practice men (and women) by the millions indulge in every day...

Are husbands going into the bathroom with the swimsuit issue of SI, to be held up to public ridicule and self-righteous censure? Are wives who fantasize about some muscular stud on tv to be forced to wear the scarlet letter?

What Weiner is REALLY guilty of is for a man in the public eye to put such potentially damaging and embarrassing things in the hands of people he never met...people who turned out to be the type who would sell their mothers for a few bucks (and probably have)

That Weiner is a real trusting soul...

Own up, guys...none of you has ever indulged in an erotic fantasy about some gorgeous porn star not your wife...and that that constitutes adultery?

If you said yes...you have...SHAME ON YOU! You can expect mass demonstrations in front of your house by the "patriotic, Christian guardians of family values and the self-appointed judges and arbiters of public morals" at any time

If you said no...you have not...SHAME ON YOU...for being a lying SOB...

And BTW...I'm not particularly defending cyber-sex...I don't have a twitter account or feel the need to socialize and flirt with complete strangers...but since it exists, I don't give it much thought as to the right and wrong of it.

It's here...so try to deal with it without too many public stonings (brought to you by your friendly, neighborhood self-righteous "family values" GOP... Grotesque Old Perverts)

[scubbasteve01]

Top 12 Reasons Weiner Was Caught

12. I'm still waiting for something to happen this week to fill up slot number 12.
11. Weiner's wife is pregnant. Arnold! Terminator ! It's not your baby, right?
10. While at the baseball game hearing the crowd say " Swing, Batter. swing!''
he thought they were talking about him swinging his weiner while texting and
hitting it at the same time.
9. From the BlackJack Table, '' Thank you madam may have my b****back please.
I mean some more chips please! '' ( Makes you wonder the stuff that the cameras
don't catch from under the table.).
8. '' Order up for Der-Weiner Schnitzel! No, no! Excuse me, it's just Mr. Weiner! Ok?''
7. '' Oooooh, nom he's not a Republican?!! He's a Democrat! ''
6. '' Look, I'm sorry I lied. I hacked into the website and sent the messages myself.''
5. Have you seen the ex-Governator's mistress and do you know where the missing
Watergate tapes are at?''
4. '' He's also trying to get a deal from Sonic to get a Sonic Weiner 5 foot Conie with
lewd text messaging and photographs with a $2.50 Gift Card.''
3. '' Hello, cute Intern I need you to unzip my pants and take care of my Weiner before
lunch, please.''
2. " The Rep. Weiner Mobile is now open outside the Washington Monument to f****
every intern and text messenger in sight please. ( Guys no need to apply).

Reason No. 1

"' This is an important press conference. I refuse to resign because I'm innocent
and to prove I'm not a cruel and callous human being. I'm not going to swipe this
fly off of my hand like in the Hitchcock Movie " Psycho'' instead I'll let President Obama
swat it off of my hand. Then you will be convinced'' Oooh, yes, he is innocent because
he wouldn't hurt a fly.''

[Cornelius_Seon]

What no one has properly said so far is why Weiner doesn't feel the need to resign. I used to live not far from his district, and I knew him when he was a City Councilman, and he has yet to change from those days. Anthony Weiner is lucky enough to be the perfect Representative for the district he represents. They have sent him back to Congress for seven terms, and would send him back for an Eighth if the Congress were foolish enough to push him out. Why? For the same reason why Charley Rangel had little to fear from the Inquisition he had to endure, and the same reason why Charley was re-elected in the middle of the investigation: His constituency resented all the hoopla and the attack on the career of their favorite Congressman. Both men have reputations of bringing home the bacon, and getting their constituent's point of view across on the House Floor. It is true that he has few friends in Congress, but the fact is that his Constituency didn't send him to Congress to make friends, and he certainly isn't there to schmooze. So, get over the idea that you can force him out of office.

[Lindag10]

by WeHappyFew June 12, 2011 3:40 PM EDT
There is a weird dynamic going on here where the females involved seem to be backing Weiner.


----------------

I agree it's really strange. If I'd received his nasty picture, I'd be out for his blood. Are they some sort of groupies? Besides that he's an ugly worm at best.

[RET-ABNRGR-CSM]

Wiener's a slug - but he's a Dem - he's above the law

Ain't dat right "slow the paid cbs troll", "LGM", and "fish"

HAR!

Hey - for you Seniors -- just got back from Cpt D's - get a Great fish Dinner for less than $5!

RLTW

[RET-ABNRGR-CSM]

Nope - I got an Honorably Retirement after nearly 30 years of serving my country and getting shot up enough to earn 60% VA disability - I also have another VA appt in Montgomery 21 Jun

Never did any drugs "slow the paid cbs troll with silver birds"

I did make E-4 two times - once drunk in ranks when I was in the 2/504 "Devils in baggy pants" in the mid 60's and another one when I went to eat breakfast and told the cook I wanted my eggs "over easy" and he cooked them harder than Chinese arithmatic - so I grabbed him by his cook whites and pulled him up on the grill -- he started hollaring "First Cook!" On that Art 15 -- I even got kicked out of the 82d Airborne Division!

HAR!

But - I retired as a Command Sergeant Major -- I was also a Master Parachutist since 73 but I ain't never seen anyone with "silver birds" as you claim!

HAR!

[RET-ABNRGR-CSM]

Ref your "Born Again" comment -- Church was Great this morning -- we attend the Infantry Chapel on Ft Benning

You need to try it sometimes

I hate to break this to you "slow the paid cbs troll with silver birds"

But your Messiah Obama really ain't the true Messiah!

HAR!

[tammyof4]

This isn't about being a republican or a democrat. This is about a politicians integrity and the arrogance to think he can just lie his way out of things to the people he's supposed to represent. I originally would of thought this a matter between him and his wife but he let things go way too far. He had to of known at some point with all the persitence that things would come out or is he that narcissitic to think he was going to get away with it. In any case, RESIGN!!! You cannot be trusted and you've raised doubt that will not be forgotten.

[RET-ABNRGR-CSM]

Totally agree Ms Tammy -- I wish "slow the paid cbs troll" and his buddies "fish" and "LGM" would agree with us instead of always making excuses for that Weiner Pervert

[WeHappyFew]

There is a weird dynamic going on here where the females involved seem to be backing Weiner.

[RET-ABNRGR-CSM]

You mean like "sheboard" Mrs Happy?

[Lindag10]

Meboard was one of the best "gotchas" I've ever seen. Still laughing.

[RET-ABNRGR-CSM]

"Amid increasing calls for the 46-year-old Weiner to resign, House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi said earlier Friday in San Francisco that the decision should be up to the congressman and his constituents."

Hey - All you Libby Progs -- "wannabeamarinevet" "slowthepaid cbstroll" "34" "disloyal" LGM" "fish" "pagrat" "micky" etc

Why do you all defend this scumbag POS - now possible a pedofile sextexing a 17 year old?

Now if you don't - why don't you say so instead of defending and making excuses for this bottom feeder -- Let me guess - he was molested by that purple dino - Barney and Big Bird when he was 25!

Always has to be somebody else that caused this sicko -- Right?

HAR!


PS: "Slow the paid cbs troll" tell me again about your "silver birds"?

HAR!
HAR!

[RET-ABNRGR-CSM]

Spent 30 years in the Army "slow" Never heard of "silver birds"

Let me help you out so in the future you won't get challenged by those like me that know OK?

Colonels refer to the rank as "silver eagles" not "birds"

Remember that hero and it will help you when you try to impress someone later

You're Welcome

HAR!

[RET-ABNRGR-CSM]

I know you're "slow" so let me makes this easy for you -- No Colonel calls his/her rank "silver birds" they use "Full Bird" or "eagles"

Don't forget who you learned that from!

HAR!

[maryc0509]

I hope this tax paid employee leaves and takes care of his problem. He would have been fired by now in the private sector....and does he get benefits and retirement for life? He shouldn't.

[philpenn345]

No, he would not have been fired for what he did using his personal devices, not unless the company wanted to pay a huge lawsuit settlement.

What Mr. Weiner did is disgusting, it is not however, illegal.

Do you think Mr. Vitter and Mr. Ensign should also lose their life time benefits? Please, what is good for one is good for all.

[theskeptical1]

" . . . as he seeks "professional treatment."

Rep. Weinie's "professional treatment" will be provided by his porn-star Tweetmate, Ginger Lee. And what's more his "treatment" is totally covered by that generous Congressional health plan which he and the rest of the political royalty have voted for themselves at our expense. And no, you stupid taxpaying serf, your "coverage" under Obamacare does *not* include this therapy.

Well, why are you looking so surprised?