The latest WashingtonD.C. political scandal involving U.S. Senator Larry Craig (R-ID) is unfolding very quickly. Craig is losing support on a daily basis and will soon be without any friends in the U.S. Senate. In the past few days, several Republican leaders including U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ) have called for Craig to resign. McCain is focusing on the fact that Craig admitted to a crime and should resign because of the admission of criminal behavior.
The Craig scandal is just the latest controversy involving prominent Republicans caught in comprising unethical situations. Just last month, the scandal involving U.S. Senator David Vitter (R-LA) made national news. Last year, the investigation involving U.S. Congressman Mark Foley of Florida and his inappropriate conduct with congressional pages shocked the nation and contributed to the GOP losing control of Congress in 2006.
As the mid-term election clearly showed, voters are tired of Republican hypocrites and especially tired of elected officials running on a family values platform but privately living a very different lifestyle.
It seems that Republicans finally understand the anger of voters, especially social conservatives who make up a major portion of the GOP electorate. With Craig losing GOP support so quickly, party leaders are now signaling that they have less tolerance for bad behavior. This is in contrast to how GOP leaders responded to Vitter’s admission that he contacted the notorious D.C. Madam. In an off the record meeting last month, Republican Senators gave David Vitter a thunderous round of applause and showed support for him both privately and publicly.
One big difference in the two cases is that Craig is accused of soliciting gay sex in a public bathroom. Therefore, soliciting sex from a prostitute must not be as grave of a sexual sin. Interestingly, Vitter admitting a “very serious sin” while Craig denied anything inappropriate happened and still claims that he is not gay.
Despite his denials, no one seems to believe Craig. The arresting officer had no reason to lie about the situation and was doing his job when he arrested Craig.The Senator also pled guilty initially, although he claims that was mistake. Without question, his current excuses seem quite flimsy. This is an even bigger problem for Craig since there has been an accusation made public in the Idaho press for many years that Craig is in fact a homosexual.
What is quite troubling for the GOP is that there have been so many sex scandals in recent years involving congressional Republicans. In fact, one national television report tallied the number of scandals over the past ten years and found that Republicans were involved in twice as many as Democrats. This certainly is upsetting to Republican voters, who are less forgiving than their Democratic counterparts. They expect their candidates to not only walk the walk, but to talk the talk. With the Mark Foley page scandal, the David Vitter prostitution admission and now the Larry Craig crisis, the Republicans have been the unfortunate subjects of too many sex scandals.
Now that Craig will likely be forced out of the Senate, more voters will associate hypocritical behavior with the GOP. It spells bad news for the Republican candidates running for President, which is why Mitt Romney was so quick to drop Craig from his campaign. Romney waited less than a New York second to kick Craig off of his campaign team and criticize his behavior. Romney’s strong action stands in contrast to Rudy Giuliani who refused to dump David Vitter as his Southern Coordinator despite the D.C. Madam revelations.
Who will disappoint the GOP faithful next? Many voters question whether anyone in the party really believes in the family values platform. This anger makes it a difficult situation for Craig. There is very little sympathy for the Idaho Senator, as most people do not believe his excuses.With this incident becoming public, Craig should resign and seek some sort of therapy to deal with his behavior. It is a sad situation for not only his wife and family, but also the voters in his state and his colleagues in the Republican Party, who should not have to suffer while he tries to seek help.
Some Republican talking heads are trying to defend Craig and blame the media for blowing this scandal out of proportion. In fact, the media is doing its job by informing the public. The partisan talking heads should be ashamed for being such blatant advocates for one party.
The American people are tired of hypocrites. They want genuine people who are believable and trustworthy. The list of honorable candidates is shrinking everyday, in both parties, but most recently in the Republican Party. The sooner the GOP deals with this crisis, the sooner they will be able to win elections again.
poboy1,I was wondering how you felt about the republican party closing their open primary in Louisiana,not allowing independent voters to vote in them anymore?Now you will be able to vote for who they pick,just not be part of the selection process anymore.Could this also be a trend to do away with the indepented party in Louisiana?
Written by Diaperman
on 8/31/2007
Like I said when I started this buzz, you have all proven that the 2 party system is broken.Partisan bickering while Rome burns.I too will be holding my nose and voting Republician in future elections,then again maybe not.I still believe that a 3rd party candindate with the will and ability to tell the truth is the only answer.How many can actually say that their candindate of choice wouldn't switch parties at some time in the future if it is seen to be politically expediant? Honestly, not many. Admit it, most of these people are on power trips and would lie, steal and cheat their way to the top if given half a chance. Sad commentary but true.
Written by poboy1
on 8/31/2007
Ben,it is not a private matter,when Vitter built his career on high morals.That makes it a public matter,that shows what a liar he really is.Then you add like President Clinton as you say,it was Vitter who called on him to resign for cheating on his wife.A man who cheats on his wife is unfit to serve and should resign,where Vitters own words.BTW Please remind me, of how the Republicans let president Clinton affair be private again,because I remember it being in the news alot.Also republicans like to forget hiring a hooker is illegal in louisiana.No matter how you change Vitter,he still smells.Jindal is being two faced by calling on Craig to resign,while refusing to even talk about Vitters,dirty little mess he sat in.BTW If you feel it is up to the voters,will you tell Jindal to quit calling for him to resign,oh I forgot Jindal can do no wrong,even when he does something his supporters do not agree with.Now as for as me voting for Tony G. why should that matter to you.As you were the one Ben, to bring diapers into the conversation,Tell the truth,you were really wondering what brand of Diapers, Vitter would recommend.Now I would not have said that if you had not brought it up.
Written by Diaperman
on 8/30/2007
As a Republican I would prefer my elected officials to have high moral standards and abide by them. The older I get the more I realize that very few could live up to that standard. And I have grown to Hate the double standard used in judging people. Bill Clinton is a womanizer and adulterer beloved by all Dems. Heck I think they would elect him again knowing all they know about him. Republicans cheat and are expected to resign from office. Mark Foley (R) was run out of office for inappropriate emails with pages. Jerry Studds had sex with pages was censured then applauded by Dems and remained in office for years. He died shortly after the Foley scandal and was eulagized by the Democratic leadership as a pioneer for gay rights. Barney Frank's lover ran an "escort" service out of Frank's Washington apartment. Frank still serves today. Now we have Senator Craig. There is something that is just not right about this. Seems to me that this Fed was very eager to have Craig plead to a lessor charge. Craig was stupid to agree. What I would like to see is set standards applied to both sides equally. We Republicans are often a little to eager to throw the "baby out with the bathwater". If we do not play by the same rules, there is no way we can win. The Democrats will grit their teeth, stand behind a wrongdoer, and pull that lever for power. Do I want better? Yes. But if it means putting more democrats in office and Hillary in the White House. This disappointed Republican if need be will hold her nose and vote Republican.
Written by
on 8/30/2007
I listened to the Denver police interrogators tape this evening on ABC. The office that made the arrest and another officer browbeat Graig into coping for a lesser charge. There wasn't even a bad/good cop scenario just two officers telling Craig "you know you are guilt" we will prosecute you for solicitation!
I don't know if Craig is a bi-sexual, out right queer or straight only he and his wife knows and of course his Creator.
I believe its up to the voters of Idaho don't you Jeff!
Diaperman, I hope its a large diaper because since you've made your bed with the dems you'll definitely need it! Voting for Tony G. whose only claim is he is a Refinery Supervisor and Landscraping Contractor. Some resume for governoring a State but that's the meat of third party canidates.
I don't remember anyone calling for Barney Franks head when it was discovered his queer lover was running a queer brothel out of Franks D C apartment.
As far as David Vitter is concerned, like former President Clinton D, its a private matter!
Written by Ben
on 8/30/2007
Don't confuse standards with a pedestal. Reps expect high standards and Dems put people like Clinton and such on pedestals...as long as there is the promise of something for nothing...useful idiots will entitled to support them no matter what. It's sad...I pity them.
Written by LT
on 8/30/2007
yeah Anthony spoken like a TRUE democrat.. if he had a (d) next to his name you would be defending him ............HYPOCRITE!!!!
Written by Ole Jarhead
on 8/30/2007
This guy just like david vitter goes to show how filthy and nasty republicans really are
Written by anthony
on 8/30/2007
Dan ,Your 100 percent right.
Written by Diaperman
on 8/30/2007
The problem is that Republicans hold themselves on such a high pedestal that when they fall down, they make a much larger thud.
Written by Dan
on 8/30/2007
Vitter...Craig...need to go. When person seeks office...it is expected that the person behave. As a "rightard", I expect no less.
Written by LT
on 8/30/2007
I can certainly understand the feelings of dissappointment and betrayal felt by the people who have buzzed back. I too am feeling these same emotions. However, they are just emotions. The reality of the situation is that voting a third party ticket is simply taking votes away from the republicans. Most Democrat voters don't feel the least bit outraged when one of their elected has a moral lapse. In fact they seem to glory in it by rationalizing that this is a "real person" with whom they can identify. Abandoning, the Republican Party because of the acts of a few, is cutting off your nose to spite your face. Also, I think that many of these people will never be satisfied. It's like they're just looking for an excuse to lash out!
Written by River Jim
on 8/30/2007
I can certainly understand the feelings of dissappointment and betrayal felt by the people who have buzzed back. I too am feeling these same emotions. However, they are just emotions. The reality of the situation is that voting a third party ticket is simply taking votes away from the republicans. Most Democrat voters don't feel the least bit outraged when one of their elected has a moral lapse. In fact they seem to glory in it by rationalizing that this is a "real person" with whom they can identify. Abandoning, the Republican Party because of the acts of a few, is cutting off your nose to spite your face. Also, I think that many of these people will never be satisfied. It's like they're just looking for an excuse to lash out!
Written by River Jim
on 8/30/2007
I heard that Craig got married to an instant family (i.e., woman with kids) when the rumors first started back in the early 80's, and he has not added any children to that family. So there is no evidence that his marriage is bona fide in any way, and hence no need for "counseling".
Written by swampwie
on 8/30/2007
As are many voters, I am tired of the complete hypocrisy of the rich and powerful. They are two-faced elitists---they all need to go because they are a total disgrace---a disgrace to the institution they are a part of(the congress), and to the state they represent. What is most reprehensible and repugnant is the spin machines in both parties---"it's immoral and wrong when you do it, and it's okay when we do it." That is why we need a strong third party in the United States--the two major parties have failed us completely. There's only two things I don't like about the whoremongering Vitter and the bathroom sexcapading Sen. Craig---their face!!!
Written by Randy
on 8/30/2007
poboy1 ,I will admit the Vitter scandal is what made become a democrat, after years of being repulican.Now I was still planning on voting for bobby jindal,but I read this morning,Bobby Jindal is calling for Senator Larry Craig to resign,which I found hypercritical,after he over looked David Vitter in his own back yard.So I may just vote for Tony.G who at least stands for real change.
Written by Diaperman
on 8/30/2007
It is becoming painfully obvious now with this increase in sex/criminal scandals plaquing the Republicians and Democrats that the American voter is fed up. We need a viable 3rd party in this country desperately.The 2 party system is broken,there is too much money involved in the process and something needs to be done. The partisan fighting between the parties along with the fact that the national media is now blantantly taking sides one way or the other is frightening.Nothing can be believed anymore and Americans are more and more becoming confused. Since the Vitter scandal I have had several friends say that, for the first time, they are considering opting out of the voting process altogether out of sheer frustration. Sad situation.
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