Senator Larry Craig was arrested in June for lewd conduct in a Minnesota airport mens room. I'm afraid it's about as bad as it sounds. Roll Call has it:
Craig's arrest occurred just after noon on June 11 at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. On Aug. 8, he pleaded guilty to misdemeanor disorderly conduct in the Hennepin County District Court. He paid more than $500 in fines and fees, and a 10-day jail sentence was stayed. He also was given one year of probation with the court that began on Aug. 8.
A spokesman for Craig described the incident as a "he said/he said misunderstanding," and said the office would release a fuller statement later Monday afternoon.
After he was arrested, Craig, who is married, was taken to the Airport Police Operations Center to be interviewed about the lewd conduct incident, according to the police report. At one point during the interview, Craig handed the plainclothes sergeant who arrested him a business card that identified him as a U.S. Senator and said, "What do you think about that?" the report states.
Well, if I was the policeman, I'd be saying, "I think you're in deep, deep trouble." Which of course the senator now is.
Hugh Hewitt is calling for Craig's resignation and let me second that. There's room enough in the Senate for good men who do not pull this kind of crap. Let's find one of those. Maybe you can pull this off if you are a Democrat. Republicans, not so much.
Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 2)
1. Nix,
But Republicans sure do seem to be doing it an awful lot lately.
david knowles at 8:48PM on Aug 27th 2007
2. Yeah, if it were a Democrat, no-one would be paying any attention. Because Craig and Vitter were conservative family value men, the news is all over it. Something's just not right here, must be the Liberal Media, can't be that these guys were the leaders in condemning Clinton and now to find out this. Makes me want to join the other Party. It does clear up why Craig was so opposed to benefits for Military Veteran men though!
Max Morgan at 9:58PM on Aug 27th 2007
3. Great News for Veteran's!
Max Morgan at 9:58PM on Aug 27th 2007
4. Senator Craig, on Meet the Press in 1999:
"Bad boy, Bill Clinton. You're a naughty boy."
"Bill Clinton is probably even a nasty, bad, naughty boy."
Awww, sounds like someone wishes he could be Monica for a day!
jeff at 11:53PM on Aug 27th 2007
5. now who's the fruit cake? voted against rights for guys! Right!!!!!!!!!!!!
fred at 5:37AM on Aug 29th 2007
6. CRAIG WAS ON THE DOWNLO AND NOTHING MORE! HE IS NOT GAY! NEXT TIME DON'T FORGET TO TAP TOE SHOW HARD! TEE HEE HEE
Cholo Picante at 1:44PM on Aug 29th 2007
7. If he's supposedly gay, why aren't gays staunchly standing up for him like they usually do?! Is he really a Republican or did he just jump on the bandwagon just to get voted in? Reminds me of certain presidential candidates who, in actuality, disdain religious groups, yet will say anything to get their votes. By the way, an intolernat person is anyone who only agrees with those that agree with his or her views. Are you really tolerant or do you just like to wear the label?
CJ Madsen at 5:56PM on Aug 29th 2007
8. Oh yeah, if this happened to a Democrat, it would reluctantly be put out to the public, then quickly swept under the bulging liberal carpet.
John Reiser at 6:03PM on Aug 29th 2007
9. Everyone is to be presumed innocent until proven guilty by a jury of his/her piers in a proper court of law. When someone pleads guitly in a proper court of law then the record of the charges so states that the person pleaded guilty. Therefore that person is guilty in the eyes of the law or in the eyes of his/her piers in a court of law.
But, then to come out in the news media and say that he/she is innocent a week or so later is about the dumbest thing anyone can do. He, being a Senator, shoulda sought the advice of an attorney from the moment he was arrested by the police officer. And then kept his statements to himself and shoulda followed his attorney's advice.
How can anyone really believe the Senator now????? I do not know Senator Craig but I certainly would not vote for him in the next Senatorial Election; flip - flopper!!
GlenP at 1:13AM on Aug 30th 2007
10. Now we know why Senaror Larry Craig did not like Merchant Seamen.
WILLIAM F. MACK at 5:24AM on Aug 30th 2007
11. Stereotyping any group of people by the actions of a few is not only bad/fuzzy math but a sure sign of intolerance.
Janice A. Stanton at 3:55PM on Aug 30th 2007
12. Sounds like a set up. If you listen to the actual audio tape it shows a he said/he said conversation with a vague interpretation by the police.
jason J at 9:55AM on Aug 31st 2007
13. I really figured that Craig was guilty until I heard the tape. Now I believe that we have a corrupt cop. I really do. I honestly believe that Senator Craig was either framed or we have some cop bucking for a name. The problem with a lot of police officers (and I have a lot of them in my family) is that they always assume the worst. Senator Craig was in that bathroom, that is what made him guilty in their eyes. This is the typical cop mentality. Good luck Senator Craig.
Tanning Lotion at 1:40AM on Aug 31st 2007
14. I too assumed Senator Craig was most likely a closet homosexual who was trolling for some male attention in a public restroom. Until I heard his response to that arrogant buffoon of a policeman... Where do these ignorant cops come from?? Apparently they are born and raised in Minnesota.. And why would Senator Craig allow himself to be abused by this yoyo?? Good God Larry! Call in the troops!! You could have had the full weight of every police agency within a 200 mile radius on your side! And at the end of the hour, Sgt. Dave Karsnia would have been on administrative leave charged with harassment and false arrest...
This incident only proves one thing - if you're detained or arrested by the police, don't say a word and demand an attorney.. And if you happen to be a U.S. Senator, scream senatorial harassment and have the offending law enforcement officer immediately arrested and put out of commission....
Dave Schrom at 4:43AM on Aug 31st 2007
15. Sure, it's a set up and Craig is being smeared by the 'liberal media ' - just like Haggard, Foley, Bob Allen, etc.
You Republicans just can't stand seeing your hypocrisy exposed for all the world to see. I've always suspected that you flag-waving, military loving (he looks so good in uniform!) gay-hating repubs are all closet queens. That's why you hate gays so much!
Meanwhile you all called Clinton a degenerate because he was a straight man with a mistress. Classic. And where were the cries of 'liberal media' and 'set-up' when Monica Lewinski was plastered all over the papers?
Miro at 3:00PM on Aug 31st 2007