OK, so I’ve said that Anthony Weiner should resign, and I’m not going to back away from that. I still believe it’s the right thing to do. Politicians- whether Republican or Democrat- should be held to a higher standard. It should be an article of faith that an elected Representative is a servant of the people who elected them, and as such they must hold themselves to a higher standard of personal conduct. No, I’m not talking about requiring a Congressman to be a saint…but when they’re committing crimes (soliciting prostitutes) or using Congressional resources to conduct inappropriate online relationships…. Sometimes a higher standard simply means doing the right things for the right reasons.
What I find so interesting is the general reaction of Republicans, which can be summed up thusly:
When Republicans do it, it’s and unfortunate lapse of moral judgement, but not one that should cost a man his job.
When Democrats do it, it’s the worst of moral failure and betrayal of his marriage vows imaginable…and it’s renders a man unworthy of the trust of being a servant of the People.
David Vitter solicited and paid prostitutes…and Republicans gave him a free pass. Boys will be boys.
Mark Sanford’s “hiking the Appalachian Trail” was code for schtupping his Argentinian mistress in Buenos Aires…and Republicans gave him a free pass. Boys will be boys.
Larry Craig, a virulently anti-gay Crusader in the Senate, was busted for soliciting sex in the men’s room of the Minneapolis airport…and Republicans gave him a free pass. Boys will be boys.
Anthony Weiner engaged in multiple acts of inappropriate online sexual relationships. HOW DARE HE VIOLATE THE SACRED COVENANT OF HIS MARRIAGE VOWS…ESPECIALLY SINCE HIS WIFE IS REALLY, REALLY HOT!! RESIGN NOW OR FACE THE WRATH OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE!!
Not that there’s a double standard at work here. Oh, Heavens, no….
