Craig on resignation: ‘I just don’t know yet’

September 21, 2007

If previous announcements hold, Sen. Larry Craig’s (R-Idaho) congressional career will come to an ugly end in just nine days. But just when it seems as if he already has one foot out the door, the Idaho Republican suggests he plans on sticking around for a while.

U.S. Sen. Larry Craig said Thursday that he’s waiting to find out whether a judge dismisses his guilty plea next week before he decides whether he’ll step down from the Senate at the end of the month.

“I just don’t know yet,” Craig said, when asked whether he would resign Sept. 30.

His decision to continue in office past his self-imposed deadline will depend on “the legal issues, and those kind of things I’m working on,” Craig, R-Idaho, told McClatchy Newspapers in a brief interview.

Asked about his self-dictated Sept. 30 deadline, Craig said, “It is my intent to proceed in that direction.” Now that’s a classic non-answer if I’ve ever heard one.

The Idaho Statesman added, “His latest comment seems to suggest he might stay even if his name isn’t cleared in the 10 days remaining in September.” I think that’s right — Craig seems to think that if there’s even a glimmer of hope, he’ll take his chances and see what happens.

Not that his Republican colleagues will be happy about it.

Senator Larry E. Craig returned to Congress on Tuesday for the first time since the disclosure of his arrest in a sex sting, voting and having lunch with fellow Republicans in an atmosphere described as chilly and awkward. […]

During brief remarks in the private luncheon, Mr. Craig apologized to his Republican colleagues for any embarrassment his case had caused and said he had retained a high-powered legal team to try to clear his name. Those who attended said that he received a smattering of applause but that some were uncomfortable with his presence.

I suspect “It is my intent to proceed in that direction” won’t help make anyone in the caucus feel more comfortable. Call it a hunch.

If you ask me, the Republicans won’t care after it all blows over (as Larry is undoubtedly hoping) since that’ll mean a Repub Senator.

The GOP will wring its hands but will be happy to keep Larry in the wide tent for his votes.

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    I hope Larry stays.

    For years we’ve had insider slang like “pressing hands” and “glad handing” and “greased palms” to describe pols.

    I see nothing wrong with adding “hand jobs” to the Senatorial lexicography.

  • Which comes first? Craig out of the Senate, or Blackwater out of Iraq? (Hint: This could be a trick question.)

    If the question is decided in an airport restroom then my money’s on Craig.

  • “just when it seems as if he already has one foot out the door”

    No. “Just when it seems as if he already has one foot tapping outside of the stall . . .”

    ” will be happy to keep Larry in the wide tent for his votes

    Should be: “will be happy to keep wide-stance Larry in the wide tent”

  • Craig…Resign already. Bush is not going to ‘ re Assign’ you somewhere else. Leave and take the Congress with you. In fact grab the 4 th branch and George, too. Same Players. Different Scandal.

    My question why is nobody covering the Dubai/nasdaq deal…or the Abu Dhabi/Carlyle deal yesterday. This IS the LARGEST SCANDAL OCCURRING! please read my post The Carlyle/Haliburton Show is Shifting into ‘OVERDRIVE’.

    http://newssophisticate.blogspot.com/2007/09/carlylehaliburton-show-is-going-into.html

  • Hey, who knows, maybe Craig has some damning evidence up his sleeve. Like a pic of Jeff Gannon, the President, and a horse in a compromising position. Poor horse.

  • Answers that Senator Craig won’t be giving his wife any more:

    Mrs. Craig, “Welcome home, dear, how was the trip from Washington?”

    Senator Craig:
    “Those layovers in Minneapolis are so fatiguing – what I wouldn’t give for a straight flight from Washington.”
    “One of these days I’m going to get confused by always changing equipment in Minneapolis.”
    “I wasn’t a bad, naughty boy, and certainly not a nasty, bad, naughty boy.”
    “Oh boy, those Minneapolis stopovers are such a rush – deplane, hit the restroom, and already it’s time to take off again.
    “You know, one of these days I should take a little time and see something more of Minneapolis than the toilet at the airport.”

  • Just as homo Craig knocked hetero Vitter out of the hot seat (no pun intended), Craig probably was heartened to hear of about John David Roy Atchison, an assistant US attorney and Rethug pedophile, and his penchant for young female children or adult women who are willing to wear diapers. It’s getting harder and harder (no pun again) to stand out as a Rethug sexual hedonist these days.
    http://rawstory.com//news/2007/Alleged_pedophile_prosecutors_sought_young_girls_0920.html

  • There is no dignity left in the leadership of this country. What a scumbag! First, he attacks gay issues and sexuality in every turn. Then, he is exposed as the liar he is. If he had any pride, he would resign and go away.
    The real story is Iraq, loss of habeus corpus, loss of our civil rights, government spying on US citizens using equipment that looks right through walls into your basements. No coverage. They talk about Toilet Boy from Idaho, and OJ Simpson.
    Time for all of them to get new jobs. We need a new leadership in DC.

  • […] he received a smattering of applause but that some were uncomfortable with his presence.

    Well, they were probably thinking about the nuisance it’ll be. You need to go, you pop into the bathroom, and there’s Craig… Do you go about your business as usual (and risk being ogled at it) or do you pop right back out and look for another restroom? Damned if you do, and damned if you don’t; damned awkward all around.

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