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Craig leaves door open to remain in Senate
Idaho Statesman ^ | Sept 5, 2007 | Erika Bolstad and Gregory Hahn

Posted on 09/05/2007 7:42:05 AM PDT by Jeff Head

Craig chose his words carefully during his resignation speech Saturday in Boise, according to a voice mail message he mistakenly left on a stranger's phone.

In that message obtained by the Capitol Hill newspaper Roll Call, Craig tells a man named "Billy" that his choice of language is deliberate because it leaves the door open for him to stay in office.

Craig made the call just minutes before his speech.

"We have reshaped my statement a little bit to say it is my intent to resign on Sept. 30," Craig said. "I think it is important for you to make as bold a statement as you are comfortable with this afternoon, and I would hope you could make it in front of the cameras. I think it would help drive the story that I'm willing to fight, that I've got quality people out there fighting in my defense, and that this thing could take a new turn or a new shape; it has that potential."

He said Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., had encouraged him to fight.

The recording was offered for sale to the Idaho Statesman, which turned it down because the newspaper's ethics policy precludes it from paying for information from sources. A Roll Call editor said that publication wouldn't pay either, but it managed to obtain the recording without charge.

The voice is indeed Craig's, spokesman Dan Whiting said. Whiting would not say who "Billy" is. On Saturday, Craig announced that he had hired high-profile criminal defense lawyer Billy Martin to help him unravel the guilty plea he filed last month.

(Excerpt) Read more at idahostatesman.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News; News/Current Events; US: Idaho
KEYWORDS: larrycraig; senateresignation; sexscandal; uhohstalldooropen; ussentae; widestance
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To: dooltotheend

“I suspect he may also have the goods on some other people as well. In his malice he will only out the GOP sodomites.”

Let him do it. Time to purge all of our problems at once, rather than suffer future scandals.


81 posted on 09/05/2007 12:55:38 PM PDT by WOSG ( Don't tell me what you are against, tell me what you are FOR.)
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To: Jeff Head
Breech of the Peace may be construed to be the same as Disorderly Conduct.

I doubt it. Do we really think the Founding Fathers would overlook more serious misdemeanor crimes to exempt arrest for causing a ruckus? I would assume Breach of the Peace refers to acts like inciting an insurrection.

If getting into an argument with an airport police officer is the new standard, look for lots of Republicans to start getting arrested if Hillary wins and gets to appoint the AG.

82 posted on 09/05/2007 1:34:20 PM PDT by VirginiaConstitutionalist (Socialized medicine kills.)
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To: WOSG
I’m not saying his rational is correct but from his perspective he pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor that didn’t include any sexual misconduct. He is probably also trying to rationalize his guilty plea to other circumstances around the arrest like the officer claiming he wouldn’t call the media about it and the fact it’s a deferred adjudication meaning had he gone a year without it leaking it would have been expunged from his record and no one would have known about it.
83 posted on 09/05/2007 1:37:45 PM PDT by tobyhill (The media lies so much the truth is the exception)
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To: VirginiaConstitutionalist

This is not about causing a ruckus, and I somehow believe that if the Founding Father’s so much as caught a whif of what is brewing in this case, what it is really about, they would not stand for it for an instant. But that is just my opinion.


84 posted on 09/05/2007 1:44:59 PM PDT by Jeff Head
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To: tobyhill

Read the guilty plea. It talks about the nature of the offense being phycisal in nature and not verbal, and about the signator knowing that an individual who thinks themselves not guilty should not, and would not be allowed to sign it. He signed it anyway.


85 posted on 09/05/2007 1:46:22 PM PDT by Jeff Head
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To: Jeff Head
What every politician needs to recognize is that he or she is NOT indispensible. There are lots of conservative politicians in Idaho who can perform senatorial duties just as well as Larry Craig.

Overall, Larry Craig has been a good Senator but he needs to realize that his time is up. It is truly sad that it has to end this way but it has to end.

86 posted on 09/05/2007 1:57:37 PM PDT by CommerceComet
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To: Jeff Head

I’m not in disagreement with the guilty plea, it’s Craig who’s trying to justify it and interpreting it to mean nothing really happened. There are cases that judges will toss the plea if circumstances change or new facts are discovered after the plea.


87 posted on 09/05/2007 2:00:45 PM PDT by tobyhill (The media lies so much the truth is the exception)
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To: Jeff Head
This incredibly stupid man has been a sinator for 3 decades?

Heaven help us all.

88 posted on 09/05/2007 2:46:33 PM PDT by mombonn (God is looking for spiritual fruit, not religious nuts.)
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To: Jeff Head
Before I look...has anyone posted a pic of the Black Knight from Monty Python and The Holy Grail?" Craig reminds me of that guy...
89 posted on 09/06/2007 12:19:49 AM PDT by Mr. Silverback (Libs obviously don’t believe pro-lifers are terrorists, or they'd placate us by banning abortion.)
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To: Jeff Head

Did you see the Tonight Show tonight?

Jay Leno suggested to Fred a bumper sticker: Fred, he’s got a narrow stance.


90 posted on 09/06/2007 12:23:11 AM PDT by gondramB (Preach the Gospel at all times, and when necessary, use words)
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To: California74
Senator Craig is not a deviant nor is he gay.

Had he not pled guilty, I would be willing to believe that, and would presume it until proved otherwise. But...he pled guilty.

91 posted on 09/06/2007 12:29:50 AM PDT by Mr. Silverback (Libs obviously don’t believe pro-lifers are terrorists, or they'd placate us by banning abortion.)
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To: WOSG

Yep, they all know who they are. I for one will be happy to see the toilet flushed—literally and figuratively.

Apparantly the US Congress draws the same kind of sexual predators as are attracted to the clergy. Same MO. Predator in position of power and compulsion to live on the edge. Access to young males and females. It’s really beyond disgusting.


92 posted on 09/06/2007 4:28:17 AM PDT by dooltotheend (uir)
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To: gondramB

Did not see it. But I did watch Fred’s entire candidate announcement video and was impressed. I’d love to see him and Hunter hook up.


93 posted on 09/06/2007 6:46:23 AM PDT by Jeff Head
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To: dooltotheend

ALl of these vipers need to be routed out. God grant us the strength as a people to do so, for if we do not, then collectively, we shall deserve the consequences and the horrible and horrific harvest of what we sow by not doing so.


94 posted on 09/06/2007 6:48:00 AM PDT by Jeff Head
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To: dooltotheend

All of these vipers need to be routed out. God grant us the strength as a people to do so, for if we do not, then collectively, we shall deserve the consequences and the horrible and horrific harvest of what we sow by not doing so.


95 posted on 09/06/2007 6:48:08 AM PDT by Jeff Head
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To: VirginiaConstitutionalist; George W. Bush; patton
Well, as to Disorderly Conduct and Breach of the Peace, here is the Minnisota Statute for Disorderly Conduct that Cragin pled guilty to:
609.72 DISORDERLY CONDUCT. Subdivision 1. Crime. Whoever does any of the following in a public or private place, including on a school bus, knowing, or having reasonable grounds to know that it will, or will tend to, alarm, anger or disturb others or provoke an assault or breach of the peace, is guilty of disorderly conduct, which is a misdemeanor:
  1. Engages in brawling or fighting; or
  2. Disturbs an assembly or meeting, not unlawful in its character; or
  3. Engages in offensive, obscene, abusive, boisterous, or noisy conduct or in offensive, obscene, or abusive language tending reasonably to arouse alarm, anger, or resentment in others.
A person does not violate this section if the person's disorderly conduct was caused by an epileptic seizure.
He's going to have a tough time getting off constitutionally since this is exactly what he pled guilty to, and, under oath in the plea, indicated he made no claim of innocence.
96 posted on 09/06/2007 7:02:43 AM PDT by Jeff Head
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To: Jeff Head
I don't know which part of this story is more disturbing.

But I think for me it's the fact that the esteemed Senator "Wide Stance" Craig didn't know that the Constitution makes him immune from arrest for this kind of stuff while he's coming from or going to the Senate while it's in session.

For a sitting 'conservative' Senator not to know that simple, basic fact is disturbing.

Now I'm not countenancing what this creep did, but he would have been well within his rights to pull out a copy of the US Constitution and tell that officer "Sorry son. You can't arrest me."

So not only is he a creep, he's a dumb creep.

L

97 posted on 09/06/2007 7:10:34 AM PDT by Lurker ( Comparing moderate islam to extremist islam is like comparing smallpox and ebola.)
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To: Lurker
Well, in this case, the two provisions where a Congresscritter can be detained and aressted is for a felony, or for a Breach of Peace. That's right in the constitution.

Craig pled guilty to "Disorderly Conduct". In the Minnesota statute, disorderly conduct is defined, among other things, as being guilty of "breach of the peace". See my post number 95 in this thread for the fuill wording.

He pled guilty to that. Her signed the plea which is the same as an admission of guilt under oath. I do not believe he will even be able to hide behind the constitution on this one...nor should he IMHO.

I stopped supporting Craig over his stance on immigration. Now I just want to see him gone so our Governor can appoint a conservative in Craig's stead, who will not only vote conservative where Craig did, but will also stand against the illegal invasion. Either Simpson or Risch will do that IMHO.

BTW, as always, great to see you my friend.

98 posted on 09/06/2007 7:29:57 AM PDT by Jeff Head
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To: Lurker

oops...the full text of the statute is in post 96, not post 95. Sorry.


99 posted on 09/06/2007 7:40:22 AM PDT by Jeff Head
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To: Jeff Head
Now that I've seen the Statute is obvious that you're quite correct.

Great to see you as well my friend.

Take care,

L

100 posted on 09/06/2007 8:03:08 AM PDT by Lurker ( Comparing moderate islam to extremist islam is like comparing smallpox and ebola.)
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