I actually think he should stick around and even run for re-election. The charges were spurious and all the claims of being gay were confined to aparachiks of the homosexual mafia who had been after him because of his unwavering stance against homosexuality. He has been a solid conservative and deserved a little more consideration than to be forced out over a stupid sex sting that involved not one bit of sex or even inappropriate behavior.
Notice not one person came forward during the debacle to publicly excoriate the Senator with confirmation of the claims. That suggests to me that there was nothing to the claims in the first place. Republicans need to learn to start fighting back and stop indulging the media by throwing their own under the bus. I suppose if the highest standard were adhered to Craig should resign to keep his word but so should Viter the pretty boy from LA(Louisiana) who was cavorting with a Prostitute and admitted as much. I for one believe people including Senators can change their minds. I’m sure he was willing to say anything at the time to deflect the relentless criticism at the time so I can find mercy in my heart for the Senator.
I’m tiring of the one dimensional thinkers who dance to the conventional wisdom which is not conventional at all. Craig would easily go on to re-Election if he runs which he has said he will not. Idaho is not going to elect a Democrat Senator. So the hand wringing is not only misplaced but better reserved for for the stages that we call newsrooms today. Republicans are always going to be at risk if they automatically cave based on allegations alone. Craig did make stupid mistakes like pleading guilt but if making mistakes even ones involving a misdemeanor were a disqualifier from public service then very few including our President would be fit for office.
A man may not deserve special consideration because they hold a public office but they most certainly deserve the same consideration as we would give any person. Trying to appear as high and mighty over small things does not improve the standing of the Republican party but will condemn it to obscurity.
If his stance had been unwavering he wouldn't have this problem ... :)
I agree with you. Craig was stupid, not criminal. If stupid disqualified you from public life, we could be rid of most of the Democrats and a good part of the Republicans. I for one am really tired of getting rid of Republicans while the Democrats rally 'round even their criminal members like Jefferson of Louisiana, Kennedy(both), ad nauseum.
I'd rather get rid of him via the ballot box because he's a RINO, but I'd prefer to elect a conservative in his place. Until such time, most any Republican is better than a Democrat subservient to Dingy Harry.
And I agree in advance to the point you will make that there's a double standard here. Republicans have to dump their garbage. Democrats defend and reelect their garbage. That's just the way it is when you try to live by standards of honesty in an often dishonest world.
Congressman Billybob
Heads up -- my announcement of running for Congress in 2008 will appear here, Monday afternoon.
On the other hand, we are talking about a United States Senator, and that changes the paradigm.
Giving any sort of succor to that behavior is of zero value. That “behavior” being his retraction of his resignation from the Senate.
You can invoke the rectal cranial inversion position if you like, but as for me, Craig should have been gone as soon as this business became known. He is a hypocrite, and enabling that person is an exercise in foolishness.
The man simply has to go.