Not Again
Written by Michael K on August 27th, 2007Senator Craig is in some trouble.
Sen. Larry Craig was arrested in a “lewd conduct incident” in the men’s public restroom at the Minneapolis-St. Paul airport in June, according to an arrest report obtained by Roll Call. (For those without RC subscriptions, the article can be read here.)
He was arrested by a plainclothes officer responding to a complaint at the restroom, which has a problem with improper sexual activity. He pleaded guilty Aug. 8 to a misdemeanor disorderly conduct charge, but not before having shown an officer his business card, showing him to be a U.S. senator and asking, “What do you think about that?”
He is claiming it was a misunderstanding, but he has already entered a guilty plea and taken a relatively serious penalty for this, one years probation. He claims he was just following advice of counsel, but clearly pleading guilty makes it difficult if not impossible make that argument convincingly. I’m sure Sean will have more to say about what this means for the GOP in 2008, but needless to say, this is more very bad news.
UPDATE: Senator Craig is claiming that he should have had advice from counsel, not stating that he was following counsel when he pled guilty. My apologies.
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I want Senators who work toward conservative policy, and Senator Craig fits that bill. The Machiavelli in me, though, say that Craig needs to fall on the sword and resign now. Other Republicans should practice, “No comment” in the mirror and quietly urge him to step down. If he were up in 2010 or 2012, I’d be singing a different tune, but the Democrats/media can keep this in the public consciousness for a year.
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I’m usually in the “private behavior is private behavior” camp. I think the GOP has been far to quick to toss people overboard over purely personal stuff. The Jack Ryan situation was the best example of this.
That said, once you break the law, it is not longer private behavior. Getting arrested in an airport bathroom for lewd conduct is pretty good grounds for cutting ties with a guy.
So does anybody know anything about Idaho? Who do we have if Craig steps down?
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Larry LaRocco, an ex-congressman, is the Dem nominee is this senate race. He’s a bit of a has-been, but still formidable under the right circumstances. Wait, this just in… it appears as if he now has the right circumstances.
Back-up plans:
Newly elected governor Butch Otter, aside from having a totally awesome name, was a congressman for many years.
Lt. Gov. Risch was governor for a few months last year. But he doesn’t seem too ambitious.
Former Sen/Gov & current Cabinet member Dirk Kemptorne is always a possibility, but that’s a bit like bringing out your old ‘79 Buick for one last spin around the block instead of trading it in for a new model.
And two congressmen- Bill Sali is a big CFG guy, but he was just elected in a close race. Mike Simpson is the other congressman. Don’t know much about him.
Don’t make the mistake of saying, “Hey, it’s Idaho… they NEVER elect Democrats.” To Idaho’s east, witness Montana with a Dem governor and TWO Dem senators (screw you, Conrad Burns). To the southeast, witness Gov. Dave Freudenthal, Democrat, of Wyoming. Sadly, Dems are making gains all over the western mountain states. Let’s make sure Idaho isn’t next.
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Risch made way for Otter, so he’s got the inside track. Craig would have to resign, though. Otherwise he’ll still be an issue, even if he’s not on the ballot.
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Press 7
Thanks for the info. Believe me, I’m not going to think that Idaho is in the bag….not when I can just look across the Potomac and watch the Democrats steal Virginia from right under our noses. The GOP has to assume that ever seat is a struggle for the near future. And our growing weakness in the West is a potentially party killing problem. Western Conservatives tend to be small government types, and since we have completely abandoned that part of the platform (thanks Karl) we are losing crucial western states.
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Why is this such a shock? It is well known in DC that Craig is gay, and a very horny gay dude at that. This isn’t his first time in a public restroom looking for sex, nor is it the first time his inability to control himself has resulted in scandal. As we have all been reminded since the scandal broke, Craig was infamous for using and sharing cocaine and trying to bugger pages while a rep in the house. And this was way back in 1982. If I know this, then the amount of scandal that was well known to party insiders in DC is far, far worse than what has leaked out over the years.
The GOP knew about this guy, yet kept him on board because he was a willing pawn. He got to be a bigshot in DC, screw the pages and do blow, they got another solid vote when it counted. Look how Craig voted when it came to amnesty.
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This gives a whole new meaning to Craig’s List
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I guess supporting Mitt Romney would force just about anyone to adopt a wide stance to allow for the full spectrum of “flip-flopping”
:/