The controversy surrounding U.S. Senator Larry Craig will not go away anytime soon. The disgraced politician is now vowing to remain in the U.S. Senate despite his pledge to resign. He lost a court attempt to withdraw his guilty plea for disorderly conduct. Craig was arrested in a bathroom sex sting operation at a Minneapolis airport back in June. It became public in August when Craig vowed to resign by September 30. Now that deadline has come and gone and Craig wants to stay in the U.S. Senate.
Of course there are many problems with this strategy. First and foremost, it proves that Craig is a liar. He promised to resign and now he is going back on his word. It raises troubling questions about his claims that he is not gay. Most people assume he is gay and is lying about that behavior as well. An Idaho newspaper has investigated Craig for years and claims that there is substantial evidence that Craig is not being truthful about his sexual orientation.
So, we have another politician going back on his word and even worse, one who is involved in a sex scandal. This development is horrible news for the Republican Party as they try to regain control of the White House and Capitol Hill in 2008. The quest in the U.S. Senate is now hopeless as the GOP has Craig bringing it down as well as five members resigning at the end of this term. The Republicans will also have to defend more seats next year.
With his decision to remain in the U.S. Senate, Craig has been exposed as a liar. His claims that he will be able to work “effectively” are laughable. Who will want Craig to co-sponsor legislation? Who will want to work with Craig on anything? Craig will be a pariah for the remainder of his term.
He claims that he will not run for re-election, but who will believe that claim? He has already been seduced by the lure of power and the prestige of his position and it is possible that he will want to retain his position.
It seems that Craig has a problem with not only his sexual orientation, but with lying as well. What should happen now is that the ethics investigation should move forward and there should be an effort to remove Craig from the U.S. Senate. He has already pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct, a crime. He is also an embarrassment and a liar. The longer he stays in the U.S. Senate, the worse it will be for the Republicans on Capitol Hill.
Jeff Crouere is a native of New Orleans, LA and he is the host of a Louisiana based program, “Ringside Politics,” which airs at 8:30 p.m. Fri. and 10:00 p.m. Sun. on WLAE-TV 32, a PBS station, and 5 till 9 a.m. weekdays on WGSO 990 AM in New Orleans and the Northshore. For more information, visit his web site at www.ringsidepolitics.com. E-mail him at jeff@ringsidepolitics.com
Darrell, dear, again to heck with the issue of Repubs vs. Dems. They are all street angels and house devils. We agree that what goes on it a person's personal life is their own business. When it comes to the right of the public, then the question of legality of persons activities are important. The little black book of the Madame, for example, involves criminal activity. Thus expose everyone of those indivdiduals, not simply the ladies of the evening. Written by RhettsWife
on 10/7/2007
With regards to my original comment about a "homosexual festival". It is my personal opinion and belief (one for which I make no apology) that a publicly promoted and city sanctioned "decedant" festival has played a part in embolding those who seek to engage in the worst behavior.I agree that the same goes for parties (re: the French Quarter Mardi Gras,spring break,etc.) that serve to promote hethrosexual behavior equally abhorrent,but, do we really want to attempt to justify bad behavior by pointing to equally bad or worst behavior? The vast majority of citizens agree with me whether you believe it or not,but are unwilling to say so for fear of intimidation by the radical gay community,even the news media have been intimidated.When a video tape surfaced a few years ago showing homosexuals engaged in public sex in the Quarter the news media heaped more scorn upon the person who produced the tape than the perpetrators. So much for promoting a family friendly atmosphere.This issue has never been about a persons lifestyle or sexual preference but about the increasing incidence of deviant homosexual behavior in public places which should be dealt with harshly by law enforcement. Anyone who doesn't see this needs to take stock of their belief system and probably needs help. Written by poboy1
on 10/7/2007
"Whether a person is straight, gay, bi is not our business. What is our business, and that of the public, is whether our public representatives are acting ethically and legally". Give me a break, RhettsWife, a person's sexuality has ALWAYS been the business of conservatives. Conservatives have such an unnatural and perverted obsession with the goings on in a person's bedroom that they even make policy based on it and seperate people. Strange but true. Written by Darrel
on 10/7/2007
I agree that what Vitter did is worse than what Craig did. But the truth is, there's more than just 'anti-gay bias' behind the differeing treatments. If Vitter resigns, he'll be replaced by a Democrat (a political no-no) because the Louisiana governor is a Democrat and gets to choose the replacement candidate. But if Craig resigns, he'll be replaced by another Republican...one who is likely untainted and plans to run in 2008 and will be electable from a safe seat. So, from just a political perspective, we cannot say these two cases are the same.
That said, I wonder what would have happened to Vitter if he had been caught with a MALE prostitute...like Matt Sanchez... Written by Robert
on 10/6/2007
Never forget the republicans are desperate to come with excuses for their false high moral leaders.They blame the democrats for what Vitter and Craig have done,instead of living by their own lies..They demand and blame others to live by their false morals,but quickly cover up their own perverted leaders..Notice Larry Craig will not step down now, because the party allowed David Vitter to stay..The only difference was Vitter used a woman and Craig was toe tapping with a man..The party did not change David Vitter, because they know they have false morals..Everytime something happens Vitters name pops up on Fox news,who we all know loves the republican party,so they are not just picking on him..Louisiana should be so proud of Vitter ,bringing such needed attention to the sad shape Louisiana is in. Written by Diaperman
on 10/6/2007
Well, dears, let's go back to our original posting. We do not agree with blantant misbehavor of our public officials that is illegal in nature. We have members of Congress caught in illegal behavior. Now, some of them are outed (shall we say) by those who have their personal agenda. We simply say that if the acts are illegal, all members of Congress and other elected officials should be outed also. However, we believe that only certain officials are being outed and that is based on their political affiliations. What is good for a Republican is good for a Democrat or an Independent, etc. That is why we have continued to call on Mr. Letten to disclose the names in the Canal Street Madame's little book. If Larry Flynt can out Republicans for their illegal activities, what is keeping him from doing the same for Democrats, Independent, etc. It is the failure to disclose all who acted illegally that has us upset. Whether a person is straight, gay, bi is not our business. What is our business, and that of the public, is whether our public representatives are acting ethically and legally. We hope you get the picture, dears. Written by RhettsWife
on 10/6/2007
Sorry, Poboy1, I have to chime in as well. I'm a redblooded, meat eating, all american gay man who served his country for 8 years. Your original statement takes issue with a "homosexual festival", not deviant sexual behavior in public. Those who engage in that are an extemely small minority and should be dealt with when caught. You did not mention this very same offense which also occurs among heteralsexuals during Mardi Gras or Spring Break. Now, to all who read this forum: You bet your as* there's a gay agenda. I still can be fired just for being gay. I still can have my children taken from me for being gay. I still can will my pension to my partner of 20 years. Need I go on. Oh, but the "gay agenda" -- SCARY. Get a life. Written by Darrel
on 10/6/2007
PoBoy, Your comments are nothing more than despicable hatred. There's nothing wrong with a festival that glorifies homosexuality...for people to 'be what they are' (as long as it does not trample the rights of others) is what being an American is about. Now that we've got that out of the way, as a gay man I think Larry Craig should resign...because he is a hypocrite and a liar. Gays don't want closeted self-hating hypocrites in Congress. No, there's no need to have sex in a public restroom...try a bedroom instead. Written by Robert
on 10/6/2007
Next time you wipe the sh1t from your nose, check your cheek aswell. Written by zwig
on 10/5/2007
To all who read this forum: Do not be intimidated by the gay agenda that resorts to name calling and inuendo. This issue is not about a persons sexual preference, it is about deviant homesexual behavior in public places which should not, and will not, be tolerated by law abiding society. Because these people have come marching out of the closet doesn't mean you have to go marching into one. Stand up to these radicals and confront them every chance you get. Written by poboy1
on 10/5/2007
I am on record on this forum and elsewhere in my condemnation of Senator Vitters actions. I believe he should resign. Written by poboy1
on 10/5/2007
What about Vitter? He admitted to using a prostitute. The last time I checked that was illegal and immoral as you can get. Yet, where is the outrage? I'll start having faith in the GOP again once they publicly renounce Vitter as well. Written by Megan
on 10/5/2007
Name calling is the last desperate act of a weak mind.Deviant sexual behavior in public places should not, and will not be tolerated by a civilized society whether you like it or not.If you are a law abiding, tax paying homosexual, good for you. Written by poboy1
on 10/5/2007
Do I really have to dignify this moron's comments with a reply? yes, i do. I'm gay, you moron. I'm not a deviant, nr am I pervert. I'm a tax-paying, regular person who goes about my daily busniess witout inflicting harm. The same obviously cannot be said for you. I used to wish and pray for intolerant savages like yourself that god would have pity on you for your blatant stupidity and unenlightenment. Now, I honestly just hope people like you experience the massive karmic repayment so overdue to you. You're an idiotic child who will sadly never realize the harm you do in showing off your stupidity to the world. The really funny thing is you'd probably never say this outloud to a real gay person. That's what makes you a coward, through and through. Written by poboy1 is a frickin idiot.
on 10/5/2007
Why,in the name of Pete, are we so worried about what a lying, disgraced, sexually perverted Senator does. Who the hell cares anymore? We live in a city who glorifies homosexualiaty with a festival and a country where anything goes,where a lying,law-breaking president is defended to the hilt by politicians in congress,where law breaking and sex scandals abound in the nations capital and throughout the land.I am almost gleeful watching the systematic,slow destruction of the two party system that has failed the citizens of this country for decades brought on by their own hands.It won't be long before the pitchforks come out and it will be hard times ahead my friends,very hard times. Written by poboy1
on 10/5/2007
Jeff, dear, if the proof of his lies is there, we would agree. Now insofar as lies are concerned, we believe that others in like circumstances should be removed from office. That is why we believe that Mr. Letten has a responsibility to the people of New Orleans and Louisiana to release the names and issues involving the guests of the Canal Street Madame. Why keep this issue so private? What is good for one is good for all. Why this morning the T-P outed an individual relative to lewd behavior, even though there is no criminal charges from what we read. My, is the T-P discriminating also? Written by RhettsWife
on 10/5/2007
The controversy surrounding U.S. Senator Larry Craig will not go away anytime soon. The disgraced politician is now vowing to remain in the U.S. Senate despite his pledge to resign. He lost a court attempt to withdraw his guilty plea for disorderly conduct. Craig was arrested in a bathroom sex sting operation at a 
