Amid sex scandal, Sen. Craig resigns
BOISE, Idaho (CNN) — Sen. Larry Craig said Saturday he will resign, succumbing to rapidly intensifying pressure from within his own Republican Party…. “The people of Idaho deserve a senator who can devote 100 percent of his time and effort to the critical issues of our state and of our nation,” said Craig, speaking under a clear blue sky at 10:30 a.m. (12:30 p.m. ET) outside the historic Boise Depot in Idaho’s capital city…. “Therefore it is with sadness and deep regret that I announce that it is my intent to resign from the Senate, effective September 30th.”…. His announcement was greeted by scattered applause. A woman called out, “We love you, Larry!” Craig’s wife, Suzanne, Idaho Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter and other supporters stood behind Craig as he spoke.
OK, so Larry Craig gave in to the inevitable. Big deal. He’ll now likely do one of two things: either disappear from the public consciousness entirely or engage in some sort of misguided attempt to “clear” his name. Never mind the unpleasant reality that Craig pleaded guilty in the apparently mistaken and misguided hope that it “would all go away.” Either way, he rides off into the sunset with a comfortable Senate pension to cushion his fall from grace. We should all be so lucky.
My argument with Craig is not with his real or alleged sexual preference. If he’s been buggering goats…well, hey, it’s a free country, right? As long as said goat is past the age of consent, well, where’s the harm? No, my problem is with his self-righteous, holier-than-thou Conservative religiosity and duplicity. If you’re living a lie, you can’t claim to be surprised when that lie is finally exposed for all to see. Welcome to Larry Craig’s world…and before you go getting all weepy on his behalf, try and remember one thing- Craig has already pleaded guilty. Game, set, match. Now that he’s been caught, he’s decided to “clear” his name, but the damage has already been done. This is what happens when you make stupid decisions for stupid reasons.
I hope that Craig can find some peace, and that he’ll take the time to do what needs to be done to get right with his wife and family. Larry Craig may be a hypocritical troll, but he’s still a human being, and I’m not about to treat him with the disrespect and disdain he’s displayed for others who don’t think and believe as he allegedly does (not that he doesn’t richly deserve it). Not that I’m not tempted, mind you, but I’m growing tired of making sport of the hypocrisy of public figures. Nothing ever changes, and guess what?? Nothing likely ever will. Today it’s Larry Craig. Perhaps tomorrow it will be Elizabeth Dole and her secret life as a lesbian porn star and leather queen. (Hey, a man can dream, right??)
Now can we get back to the business of government? Please?? Americans are still dying in Iraq, and the news media is absolutely captivated about what supposedly happened in a men’s room stall at the Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport. Get a grip, willya??
