Thought you were done hearing about Senator Larry Craig?…think again. Although he pled guilty to disorderly conduct for attempting to solicit sex in an airport men’s restroom, he tried to overturn that plea today. Although he was overruled, he says that he plans to try to clear his name before the Senate Ethics Committee and feels he can still serve Idaho and wants to complete his term, ending January 2009 and then retire. Releasing a statement, Sen. Craig stated “I am innocent of the charges against me”. However, he already signed an affidavit, admitting guilt, and paid a fine of $575. In response to Sen. Craig’s urge to continue serving the country, Nevadan Senator John Ensign said “He gave us his word that he would resign. I’m calling on Sen. Craig to keep his word. If he loves his party, and he loves the Senate, the honorable thing to do is to resign.”
I can’t believe this guy is seriously trying to redeem himself. It’s bad enough that he got caught soliciting sex after being so adamant about his stance on homosexuality. He plead guilty, which should have ended the controversy, leaving people to shake their heads, but put the issue to rest. However, now after some consideration, Sen. Craig feels like that was not a good idea and is trying to deny guilt after all. Obviously if this whole thing was some kind of set up, he would not have pled guilty in the first place. Even if he were to retain his position, I don’t think he would get the respect that he thinks he deserves so it is not worth while for him to spend so much time in court fighting the charge when he has already lost.
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2007/10/breaking-news-s.html
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3 comments:
I don't usually feel that what a person does in their personal life should effect their political standing. They should be punished according to law, of course, but if they are doing their job well regardless of the personal issues, then they shouldn't be forced to resign. That makes politiics based on gossip and rumors that may have nothing to do with a person's capability to be a good leader - we all make personal mistakes. However, in this situation, it seems that the Senator's "mistakes" tie in with his political actions, namely his stance on homosexuality. Makes you kind of question any trust you might have had in the guy. Therefore I do agree that he should probably give up his self redemption and resign.
Still, however, everybody's got to get over the gossip and spend their energy on the more important things: the actual issue of homosexuals and their rights. Too often, politics gets mixed up with scams and interesting, dirty stories.
I agree with megan that every citizen has a right to do what they wish in the privacy of their own life, of course according to the law. However, I too believe that this was a string to his credibility, mainly based on a lack trust. Not only can one not exactly take what he says as fact anymore, but such gossip is distracting the main purpose of the senate. I am sure the senate do not want to be hounded anymore by the press when they are trying to do their job. I agree with the quote you put up Samantha that if he really cares about doing what is the most beneficial for his state, it is to resign so that it has legitamate authority and order once again.
Sometimes you just have to know when to quit. Maybe something along the lines of picking your battles. I respect his attempts to clear or redeem his name, but really, he should not have done what he did, even after knowing of the potential consequences that could affect his political standing. His action did damage on so many levels: I think it's time he resigns for good.
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