Republican senator Larry Craig of Idaho has quit the Romney campaign after the revelation surfaced that he was arrested in June for allegedly propositioning a plainclothes cop for sex in an airport men's room known for sexual activity. Roll Call quotes the arrest report: "At 1216 hours, Craig tapped his right foot. I recognized this as a signal used by persons wishing to engage in lewd conduct.
Craig, who is married, is now doing all kinds of backtracking and trying to defend his guilty plea on his website, but the damage is pretty much done. A YouTube video of Craig praising Romney's "family values" has been yanked.
On one hand, you have to pity a public figure so desperate that he'll recklessly endanger his whole political career and his colleagues' for a Minneapolis bathroom quickie.
And yet, Andrew Sullivan writes, "My sympathy vanishes when it comes to people who support amending the Constitution to ban gay marriage, as Craig did."
Which is a good point. So all that's left to feel is glee that such base hypocrisy has come to light.
Reader Comments ( Page 2 of 5)
16. This is just sad....why is it that some conservatives feel the need to live there life so repressed? All joking aside, this is just depressing that a 62-year-old married man has to solicit sex from another man in a public restroom. For God's sake, Senator, if you do not know who you are by age 62, you will never know.
We live in a time when being gay is no longer the taboo issue it once was; at least among reasonable minded folks. I guess when you are part of a political party that gets votes by bashing gay folks, you have to hide who you are...again, just sad.
David S. at 3:14PM on Aug 28th 2007
17. what bothers me is his regret to his confession. What he wants to accomplish from his regret?
Solomon Christian at 3:19PM on Aug 28th 2007
18. It is amazing that anyone would proposition a stranger for any kind of physical contact especially in a nasty public bathroom no matter what sort of sexual proclivity they had(man or woman). Just think of all the bacteria pathogens that you may encounter or deal with unknowingly. It would be neat if they would invent bacteria and disease detectors like they have for radiation.
George at 3:42PM on Aug 28th 2007
19. Public officials who break the law should be executed, preferably by hanging, on TV. Maybe the sight of a few of these losers twitching at the end of a rope would straighten the rest of them out.
cliothecat at 3:53PM on Aug 28th 2007
20. DAVID, WHY ARE THE DEMS CONDEMING THIS GUY? HE WAS ONLY BEING HIS HOMOSEXUAL SELF, GIVE THE GUY A BREAK. DONT BE A HYPOCRITE.
AMY at 3:59PM on Aug 28th 2007
21. The republicans will get this guy out of office due to his bad actions if they are proven true and not some sort of set up, as they should, its the dems that keep their politions in place even when proven in the wrong. Thats why we have so many bad ones still in our Congress. Kennedy (for killing Maryjo Kopectney when driving drunk then cutting and running leaving her for dead to save his own pathetic self) and Byrd for being a honcho in the KKK... just to name a few of your great representatives.
BETTE at 4:09PM on Aug 28th 2007
22. I'm confused, do I have to worry about being arrested the next time I'm at Ohare airport listening to my ipod and tapping my foot to the music? Who makes up this "Code"? I don't think I would plead guilty but not being in the Senator's position and just wanting this to go away, I can see how he opted for what was ultimately stupid. As for private behavior being used as an overlay for public policy positions. I thought we weren't supposed to judge how a politician will vote on ssues based on his religion or beliefs. As far as I can tell, thee was no illegal behavior only a perceived intention. Seems pretty flimsy to me.
Joe Edgington at 4:39PM on Aug 28th 2007
23. He who is without sin, cast the first stone...remove the splinter/log from your own eye before you can see what is in your neighbor's eye. In other words, mind your own business, clean out your own closet, rid yourselves of sin and then go out and " HELP " your neighbor, pray for them, not tear him down and judge him. Only God has the ability to judge another human being!!! This sort of actions and tale bearings is what is wrong with this country, do you not know that it is just as bad a sin to not be able to control your own tongue! Take control of your own lives before you try to control or judge someone else's life! You might find that things will go a little better for you as well as others too!
Dena at 4:41PM on Aug 28th 2007
24. In reply to Lordfussy: I could not agree with you more. The words and actions of The Christ are conveniently ignored...while the other scriptures are twisted to cover up for their own inadequacies...Thanks
Pat Bell at 5:10PM on Aug 28th 2007
25. For the record, for those of you asking why dems are condemning him since he was just being his homosexual self... as a homosexual myself, I can say that I've never solicited sex from a stranger in a bathroom. Furthermore, as a fraternity member, I've also seen plenty of heterosexual people attempting to have sex with strangers on multiple occasions. Remember, the mainstream gay community didn't invent the hook-up bar.
So, while, I'm sure you're comments are meant to be sarcastic and inflammatory, in case you sincerely don't understand why even a big gay democrat might find a problem with what he's doing... it's because he is a hypocrite. Also, unless they had some agreement, then he was most likely cheating on his wife, which, even though I'm barred from getting married myself, I can respect that for those who do, there is probably some expectation of sanctity.
Lastly, "condemning" seems to be more of a judgey republican word. I, however, have other words in my vocabulary so I don't judge this man. That's not for me to decide. I can however object to his hypocritical behavior and feel very bad for him and his family. Hopefully some good can come out of this for them in the long run.
M at 5:11PM on Aug 28th 2007
26. Am I misinformed, or is all this guy did was tap his foot. I expected something more interesting, like actually propositioning someone or something. As cynical about politicians as I am, even I cannot call the guy gay, adulterous, or anything just because he "tapped his foot in a suggestive manner"
Stephanie at 5:16PM on Aug 28th 2007
27. here we go again another right winger that hates homosexuals and is found out to be one himself. it never seems to amaze how these people can continue to condemn another's lifestyle yet are just as involved it. what hyporcites they are with their holier than thou attitudes about morals and values. poor ole jerry falwell is again spinning in his grave or either trying to bust hell wide open to get back to earth to help straighten out his pals. OOPS!!!! I SAID STRAIGHT, WHAT A JOKE SOME OF THESE GUYS ARE. WONDER WHAT O'REILLY, HANNITY, TUCKER AND THE REST OF THESE SOB'S HAVE TO SEND TO DEFEND THIS GUY.
STACCEE DAVIS at 5:24PM on Aug 28th 2007
28. I tried tapping my wife's foot but she asked me if I wanted to lose my foot---oh well.
Commoncents at 5:27PM on Aug 28th 2007
29. More and more Republican are finding themselves caught with their pants down, it is time they started leveling up with public. Stop preaching what you don't practice.
Manmohan Singh at 5:41PM on Aug 28th 2007
30. #29 EVER HEAR OF MCGREVY? OR DO YOU JUST FOLLOW THE NEWS CONNCERNING THIS SORT OF SNUT IF ITS A REPUBLICIAN? HE WAS A MARRIED DEMOCRATE WHO LOOKED FOR SEX IN TRUCK STOPS AND BOOK STORE BATHROOMS... REMEMBER HIM? HE EVEN HAD THE AUDACITY TO WRITE A BOOK OUTLINEING HIS ESCAPADES, MUCH TO THE EMBARRASSMENT OF HIS, "WIFE AND CHILDREN."
PAM at 6:05PM on Aug 28th 2007