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You are here: Home / Politics / Republican Stupidity / Craig To Resign

Craig To Resign

by John Cole|  August 31, 20079:20 am| 61 Comments

This post is in: Republican Stupidity

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According to CNN:

Several well-placed GOP sources in Washington and Idaho have told CNN that embattled Republican Sen. Larry Craig is likely to resign soon, possibly as early as Friday.

Republican Sen. Larry Craig of Idaho was arrested in June at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.

A GOP source with knowledge of the situation told CNN’s Dana Bash that the Republican National Committee was poised to take the extraordinary step of calling on Craig to resign.

However, that move was put on hold, the source said, because top party leaders have received indications that Craig himself is preparing to step down.

In case the dimwitted values voters aren’t completely clear what this means, I will clear this all up:

Family Values- Admit to nailing as many prostitutes as you can from New Orleans to Washington, DC, so long as they are female and the governor of your state can not name a Republican in your place.

Not-Family Values- Denying that you rubbed your foot against another man’s foot in a bathroom stall, a clear indication you have teh gay.

I hope that is clear.

*** Update ***

Captain Ed answers his own questions:

However, if the party wants to start drawing these lines, then one has to wonder why David Vitter isn’t getting the same push. He didn’t plead guilty in court, but unlike Craig, he openly admits he broke the law and solicited prostitutes. Others serving in Congress at the moment have pleaded guilty to misdemeanors of more import than disorderly conduct without being forced to resign. If morality and credibility are at issue, why isn’t Vitter being held to that standard? It’s either that Louisiana’s Democratic governor would appoint a Democrat in his place, or that Vitter’s transgressions involved heterosexual sex and therefore are less objectionable.

Craig will depart soon, and these questions will fade away eventually. However, people will wonder whether the GOP decided to argue for standards in public officials, or whether they just found it easy to use Craig without endangering their political balance in the Senate.

I guess someone needs to do the legwork and run down all the members of both houses who have plead guilty to misdemeanors. That could be fun.

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Previous Post: « The Craig Tapes
Next Post: Its Like Deja Vu All Over Again »

Reader Interactions

61Comments

  1. 1.

    Paris Hilton

    August 31, 2007 at 9:25 am

    That’s Hot.

  2. 2.

    cleek

    August 31, 2007 at 9:28 am

    don’t forget this very important point, as NPR was so eager to point out when ostensibly discussing the apparent double-standard between Vitter and Craig: WILLIAM JEFFERSON’s FREEZER!!

  3. 3.

    Third Eye Open

    August 31, 2007 at 9:31 am

    Can’t a guy play out his fantasy of pooping his own adult-diaper without you moonbats raggin on him, and screaming for his head?

    On the other hand, good, God-fearin’ ‘Mericans cannot stand by and let the moral fabric of our nation be torn asunder by the selacious footsy activites of Teh Gay Horde moles in the hallowed halls of our Congress.

  4. 4.

    Zifnab

    August 31, 2007 at 9:35 am

    don’t forget this very important point, as NPR was so eager to point out when ostensibly discussing the apparent double-standard between Vitter and Craig: WILLIAM JEFFERSON’s FREEZER!!

    Dude. Those ‘tards down in LA re-elected the corrupt motherfucker. What the hell do you do with that?

    I’m more pissed at how Congress has repeatedly attempted to obstruct the investigation – Dems and Repubs alike – because of some random declaration of Congressional Privilege.

    Why is it that Privilege only seems to get used when people are doing something horribly fucking illegal?

  5. 5.

    Quiddity

    August 31, 2007 at 9:36 am

    Does this make the Republicans look good? I don’t think so. Here we have the Republicans going all out against Craig who is charged with a personal offense, yet they didn’t care when other Republicans (Cunningham) were charged with abuse of public funds – which is arguably of more practical concern to the voter/taxpayer.

    (related: I totally agree w/JC on Sam Brownback being more human than the other Republicans; and John McCain and Mitt Romney are truly distasteful.)

  6. 6.

    Michael Demmons

    August 31, 2007 at 9:46 am

    I guess great minds think alike!

    http://gayorbit.net/?p=7789

  7. 7.

    SPIIDERWEB™

    August 31, 2007 at 9:58 am

    Thank you. The definitive explanation.

    Will the wingers read it?

  8. 8.

    canuckistani

    August 31, 2007 at 10:05 am

    I don’t get it. What does William Jefferson’s Freezer have to do with Bill Clinton?

  9. 9.

    Zifnab

    August 31, 2007 at 10:17 am

    related: I totally agree w/JC on Sam Brownback being more human than the other Republicans; and John McCain and Mitt Romney are truly distasteful.

    Brownback just does a better job of masking his intentions. His voting record and his private speeches to his Opus Dei friends are no better – often times even worse – than McCain or Romney. However, he gives plenty of lip service to “liberal” causes. Honestly, he reminds me more of Ted Haggard than anyone.

    Fortunately, he couldn’t be farther away from the Presidency.

  10. 10.

    Paul L.

    August 31, 2007 at 10:22 am

    Admit to nailing as many prostitutes as you can from New Orleans to Washington, DC

    Can you cite where Vitter admitted he had sex with a large number of prostitutes?

    Senator’s Number on Escort Service List

    This was a very serious sin in my past for which I am, of course, completely responsible. Several years ago, I asked for and received forgiveness from God and my wife in confession and marriage counseling. Out of respect for my family, I will keep my discussion of the matter there – with God and them. But I certainly offer my deep and sincere apologies to all I have disappointed and let down in any way.[24]

  11. 11.

    Bob In Pacifica

    August 31, 2007 at 10:38 am

    It’s not about misdemeanors. It’s about lying to themselves and the world about themselves and how their dishonesty destroys others.

    Fascism seems to attract men who need to publicly demonstrate their masculinity. Witness Flyboy and his pal, Jeff Gannon, the man who could slip past the White House guards in the Age of Terror.

    Just like everything else the Republicans pretend to be, their family values and the purity of their sexual desires are nothing more than pasteboard displays to fool the hicks. Shouldn’t we have Ann Coulter front-and-center to make a determination of sexual preferences of politicians?

    The Republican Party of 2007: angry closet queens and their closeted fag hags, cutting out their pink triangles while Der Fuhrer portrays another character from The Village People.

  12. 12.

    John S.

    August 31, 2007 at 10:56 am

    Can you cite where Vitter admitted he had sex with a large number of prostitutes?

    He just calls escort services and visits brothels because he enjoys ministering his Christian values to women. Yeah, that’s it.

    Are you really so fucking naive as to believe that?

  13. 13.

    The Other Steve

    August 31, 2007 at 11:33 am

    Can you cite where Vitter admitted he had sex with a large number of prostitutes?

    There was the DC madam, and then there was a brothel in New Orleans which said he was a regular there.

    I guess you’re right. Vitter did obfuscate and lie about this, just like Craig.

  14. 14.

    AnonE.Mouse

    August 31, 2007 at 11:37 am

    I was all set to become a Republican until I found out about the initiation.

  15. 15.

    ThymeZone

    August 31, 2007 at 11:43 am

    Thank god, the delicate peepees of Minnesota are now safer.

    And in other states where delicate men are unable to defend their own peepees in restrooms, great sighs of relief are being breathed now! Now they can sit in their stalls and not have their peepees peeped.

    Here in Arizona, home of Manly Men, of course, we just make a mental note of the foolishness in the rest of the country and go on about our beezwax. We proudly defend our own peepees and never have to ask the government keep our peepees safe.

  16. 16.

    demimondian

    August 31, 2007 at 11:46 am

    TZ, I want to know what your plans are to protect the virtue of the delicate flowers of New Orleans’ Bourbon street whorehouses.

  17. 17.

    Tax Analyst

    August 31, 2007 at 11:57 am

    ThymeZone Says:

    Thank god, the delicate peepees of Minnesota are now safer.

    And in other states where delicate men are unable to defend their own peepees in restrooms, great sighs of relief are being breathed now! Now they can sit in their stalls and not have their peepees peeped.

    Here in Arizona, home of Manly Men, of course, we just make a mental note of the foolishness in the rest of the country and go on about our beezwax. We proudly defend our own peepees and never have to ask the government keep our peepees safe.

    Well, there you have it: Arizona is NOT the place of Government of the peepee, by the peepee, and for the peepee.

    They clearly all have a handle on their own peepees…no need for gum’mint intervention.

    Those of you whose hands are not busy, please offer a salute to the self-sufficient Arizonans.

  18. 18.

    Ellison, Ellensburg, Ellers, and Lambchop

    August 31, 2007 at 12:07 pm

    Gosh, there’s political concerns involved in politics? If the GOP didn’t figure that out, they’re bringing a knife to Sean Connery’s gunfight. I’m from New Jersey. Let’s ask Lautenberg what he thinks about who should be allowed to stay and who should be forced out. Ask McGreevey whether being outed as gay, even as a (D-NJ), gets you kicked to the curb.

    Of course, some of it has to do with who will replace Craig vs. who will replace Vitter — if the GOP had a super-majority, Vitter might have been on the chopping block. Some of it might have to do with Vitter’s vote on immigration vs. Craig’s. Some of it has to do with attitudes about political norms in Louisiana vs. those in Idaho.

    The simple fact is, most of it has to do with the fact that America — red state, blue state, purple state — feels differently about a guy calling a female prostitute for private sex, and trolling for gay sex in public restrooms. The latter’s just plain creepier than the former, and if there’s one thing a public person can’t be, it’s creepy (bought George Michael’s last CD? Neither did anyone else). See how infinitely-more-titillated the media, the blogs, the comedians and the talk shows are by Craig in comparison to Vitter.

    How much of this is a homo/hetero component? Thought experiment: Imagine what would’ve happened if Bill Clinton had gotten blown by a male intern. Or imagine Craig had been loitering in a unisex bathroom, peeking and reaching in stalls women were occupying.

    The fact is, the GOP knew that Vitter’s situation would blow over, and that Craig’s won’t.

  19. 19.

    ThymeZone

    August 31, 2007 at 12:10 pm

    Those of you whose hands are not busy, please offer a salute to the self-sufficient Arizonans.

    Or, just a foot tap will do.

  20. 20.

    demimondian

    August 31, 2007 at 12:12 pm

    Or imagine Craig had been loitering in a unisex bathroom, peeking and reaching in stalls women were occupying.

    That would have been viewed as sexual assault, rather than a merely a lewd act.

    Oops. Sorry, Eeel. Forgot — those facts aren’t your friends are they?

  21. 21.

    ThymeZone

    August 31, 2007 at 12:12 pm

    TZ, I want to know what your plans are to protect the virtue of the delicate flowers of New Orleans’ Bourbon street whorehouses.

    We Manly Men of Arizona proudly volunteer to have the whores placed directly under us.

    For protection, I mean.

  22. 22.

    AkaDad

    August 31, 2007 at 12:18 pm

    One of the lessons I taught my daughter, was to always plead not guilty…

  23. 23.

    ThymeZone

    August 31, 2007 at 12:22 pm

    That would have been viewed as sexual assault,

    Really? So, looking into a stall is a sexual assault?

    So, a janitorial service worker who looked into a stall to see if anyone were in there …. guilty of an assault?

    Wow, you learn new things here every day. Clearly we need more sex police. It’s an outrage that there is a public restroom in America where there is not a Sex Police officer there to protect our genitals, our values and our women.

    I see the need for a private service here, an opportunity for profit. Since the government, run by liberals, isn’t interested in protecting Americans, I will start a Public Restroom Sex Police service and sell these services to nervous women and delicate men everywhere who just want to eliminate their waste in peace.

    Necessity, as they say, is the foot tap of invention.

  24. 24.

    Tax Analyst

    August 31, 2007 at 12:34 pm

    Shameless self-promotional item: I just penned a parody for the situation. Don’t know how many of you are acquainted with the original song, it’s from the 60’s.

    Original Song – “The Rapper” by The Jaggerz
    Parody – “The Tapper” by Tax Analyst

    Well sir, this dude here
    Wants to give some head to ya
    He’s there at the airport
    For his lust he’ll go far; in a toilet stall
    Feel him peruse me
    Staring at me through a hole in the wall

    Tap-a-tap-a-tap
    On the floor he’s tappin’
    Tap, tap, tap
    I know what he’s after

    So he started tapping
    As I’m taking a crap, man
    He spreads he knees to
    reach over his toes there to touch you
    He’s crazy, this guy
    He wants someone to suck his tool

    Tap-a-tap-a-tap
    This guy; he keeps tappin’
    Then I laugh
    He’s courtin’ disaster

    He made his request then
    OK, now I’ll arrest him
    He’ll soon be disgraced
    Shows his Senate ID badge to me
    He knows now that he’s screwed
    I said, “Sir, better come now with me”

    Trapped, oh yes, he’s trapped
    right there in the crapper
    Trapped; he yaps
    That sick, horny bastard

    Trapped, oh yeah
    One sick, horny bastard…

  25. 25.

    myiq2xu

    August 31, 2007 at 12:36 pm

    I don’t get it. What does William Jefferson’s Freezer have to do with Bill Clinton?

    Clinton’s full name is William Jefferson Clinton.

    Now do you see the connection?

  26. 26.

    ThymeZone

    August 31, 2007 at 12:38 pm

    Okay, I am off the public restroom, with TA’s ditty in my head.

    I hope I make it back. If not, if my peepee gets peeped and I have to kill myself because there are no Sex Police there to save me, I just want you all to know, I love you guys and it was great sharing some pixels with ya.

    So long, until we meet again.

  27. 27.

    ThymeZone

    August 31, 2007 at 12:40 pm

    Now do you see the connection?

    Good one.

  28. 28.

    Helena Montana

    August 31, 2007 at 12:46 pm

    If I were Craig, I’d hang in to the bitter end, just to fuck with my loyalGOP “friends.”

  29. 29.

    John S.

    August 31, 2007 at 12:59 pm

    Really? So, looking into a stall is a sexual assault?

    No, but:

    peeking and reaching in stalls women were occupying

    Might be.

    So, a janitorial service worker who looked into a stall to see if anyone were in there …. guilty of an assault?

    The janitor at my office building usually doesn’t open locked stalls with people in them. If a janitor went into an open stall, that’s an entirely different story. I’m not really sure where your train of thought pulls into the station here.

  30. 30.

    Xenos

    August 31, 2007 at 1:08 pm

    It may be a minor issue, since it appears they have Jefferson dead to rights, but at the moment he is just alleged to have accepted bribes, committed wire fraud, frozen currency violations, and so on. As he should be considered innocent until convicted, Jefferson should not be compared to admitted violators such as Vitter and convicted criminals such as Craig.

    Let’s just compare him to Tom Delay.

  31. 31.

    ThymeZone

    August 31, 2007 at 1:17 pm

    The janitor at my office building usually doesn’t open locked stalls with people in them. If a janitor went into an open stall, that’s an entirely different story. I’m not really sure where your train of thought pulls into the station here.

    Right at the station where people start to realize how fucking ridiculous it is to have sex police sitting in stalls and snaring gay people?

    The humorous comment I made (so identified here for those who have no actual sense of humor) was based on a vague description somebody made of “reaching in” to a stall. What that means, is TBD. Under the door? Over the door? Under the side wall?

    To unlock a stall from outside, one would have to do more than just “reach in” in any stall I have seen in the last 40 years. But hey, I live in Arizona, where we take good care of our peepees at all times. To unlock, one would have climb or crawl in, would one not? Without some special key thing that they only sell at gay sex stores, I mean.

    Does any of this start to sound ludicrous to you? That’s because IT IS. The whole fucking idea is ludicrous, which is the point, the whole point, and nothing but the point.

    If it doesn’t seem ludicrous to you, then I would like to suggest the very nice people at the Republican Party might have something for you. It is there that the people who want a values-driven nanny state and a populace filled with fearful people hang out. The scairdy cats, the Minnesota Delicate Peeppe Men, the scolds, the crazy people, and the Brownbacks and the Huckabees and the Giulianis.

    They will protect your stall, and your peepee will be safe!

  32. 32.

    ThymeZone

    August 31, 2007 at 1:29 pm

    Of course, if I ruled the world, I’d take a few of those Lutheran Lake Wobegone Sex Police folks and retrain them and make them bridge inspectors.

    Sure, I know a few peepees would go unprotected, but Im thinking, on balance, maybe keeping the bridges from falling down on your peepee is also important?

  33. 33.

    Rome Again

    August 31, 2007 at 1:38 pm

    Of course, if I ruled the world, I’d take a few of those Lutheran Lake Wobegone Sex Police folks and retrain them and make them bridge inspectors.

    Minnesota would probably do best to consider that bridges might be more important, I think.

  34. 34.

    Tax Analyst

    August 31, 2007 at 1:43 pm

    Sure, I know a few peepees would go unprotected, but Im thinking, on balance, maybe keeping the bridges from falling down on your peepee is also important?

    I can see where that might be more beneficial than having Potty Police PeePee Protection Personnel stationed at every Public Restroom.

    Maybe they could just have “Peeking Permitted” and “Non-Peeking” section options for Public Restroom Accomodations.

    If you don’t mind having your pecker perused (and then perhaps pursued), well, then you just have a seat in the “Peeking Permitted” (or “PP” for short) section.

  35. 35.

    ThymeZone

    August 31, 2007 at 1:53 pm

    Caution: This restroom does not have a No Peepee Peeping section.

    Something like that?

  36. 36.

    ThymeZone

    August 31, 2007 at 1:58 pm

    Got it! I will invent the Super Peepee Protector Restroom Stall. Absolutely peep-proof.

  37. 37.

    Ellison, Ellensburg, Ellers, and Lambchop

    August 31, 2007 at 2:06 pm

    No, but:

    peeking and reaching in stalls women were occupying

    Might be.

    If you knew Craig’s story, you would know that, from his restroom stall, Craig reached his hand under the stall divider and into the next one slightly, allegedly “to pick up a piece of paper.” It’s apparently part of the intricate Mating Dance of the North American Airport Bathroom Perv.

    Since Craig was not charged with sexual assault for his reaching into the stall, you may take back your original comment. Of course, ironically, you were also dead wrong about the facts and me not being friends. We’re BFFs.

  38. 38.

    ThymeZone

    August 31, 2007 at 2:12 pm

    allegedly “to pick up a piece of paper.”

    Didn’t it turn out to be a card that said “Police” on it?

  39. 39.

    Tax Analyst

    August 31, 2007 at 2:23 pm

    ThymeZone Says:

    Got it! I will invent the Super Peepee Protector Restroom Stall. Absolutely peep-proof.

    Yes! A great Service to our Society. You could end up with a Medal of Some Type for that.

  40. 40.

    myiq2xu

    August 31, 2007 at 2:24 pm

    Maybe someone who is familiar with the Minneapolis Gayport could tell us if the restroom Craig was busted in was adjacent to or between his connecting gates.

    He stated that he used that restroom many times. I’m just curious, is Minneapolis the usual hub for flights in and out of Idaho? Since he’s flying on the public teat, I would think he’d go fastest rather than El Cheapo.

  41. 41.

    Tax Analyst

    August 31, 2007 at 2:25 pm

    Caution: This restroom does not have a No Peepee Peeping section. Peepee Peeker’s will be Prosecuted

    Fixed

  42. 42.

    ThymeZone

    August 31, 2007 at 2:32 pm

    Caution: This restroom does not have a No Peepee Peeping section. Peepee Peeker’s will be Persecuted

    By order of the GOP.

  43. 43.

    myiq2xu

    August 31, 2007 at 2:36 pm

    I just answered my second question myself by checking Expedia. There are connecting flights that go from DC to Boise that stop in Minneapolis, but only 3 out of about 42, and those are 3 of the 4 most expensive.

  44. 44.

    Tax Analyst

    August 31, 2007 at 2:37 pm

    ThymeZone Says:

    Caution: This restroom does not have a No Peepee Peeping section. Peepee Peeker’s will be Persecuted.

    By order of the GOP.

    Yeah, that’s better…I don’t know how I missed it.

  45. 45.

    John S.

    August 31, 2007 at 2:38 pm

    EEEL-

    If a man reached into a stall where a woman was in your fantasy unisex bathroom scenario, I have no doubt it would be construed as sexual assault.

    Of course that has absolutely nothing to do with Craig whatsoever, so who knows what this anecdote of yours was meant to convey.

    Actually, I don’t think anyone can figure out what the fuck you’re talking about. Can you?

  46. 46.

    John S.

    August 31, 2007 at 2:41 pm

    The humorous comment I made (so identified here for those who have no actual sense of humor) was based on a vague description somebody made of “reaching in” to a stall.

    And my comment was in response to that being a man reaching into a stall where women were. I realize the scenario is absurd, but then again it came from EEEL.

  47. 47.

    myiq2xu

    August 31, 2007 at 2:50 pm

    The humorous comment I made (so identified here for those who have no actual sense of humor) was based on a vague description somebody made of “reaching in” to a stall.

    Is a “reach in” anything like a “reach around?”

  48. 48.

    ThymeZone

    August 31, 2007 at 3:01 pm

    Is a “reach in” anything like a “reach around?”

    Don’t know, never saw either. In the stalls I use, no reach would reach anything but my ankle, which is of course enticing as you know, but not of any particular use to anyone.

    I suppose if the gay fiend grabbed my ankle and dragged me out of the stall …. but see, us Manly Arizona Men don’t get treated that way. We just say , “Hey, unless you want to die in that stall over there today, I’d recommend that you withdraw your hand and be on your way.” And, they go away. Simple, really. Still haven’t need a Sex Cop to save me. Of course, I am getting older.

  49. 49.

    Tax Analyst

    August 31, 2007 at 3:11 pm

    ThymeZone Says:

    Still haven’t need a Sex Cop to save me. Of course, I am getting older.

    Yeah, those “geriatrica-philes” are just drooling at the thought of nailing some “Old Meat” at the local Public Restroom.

    So you’d better watch your Old Ass from now on…

  50. 50.

    myiq2xu

    August 31, 2007 at 3:13 pm

    Don’t know, never saw either. In the stalls I use, no reach would reach anything but my ankle, which is of course enticing as you know, but not of any particular use to anyone.

    If you Arizona men were as manly as you claim, then if he could reach your ankle he could reach something else.

    “The water’s cold.”

    “Deep too.”

  51. 51.

    Rome Again

    August 31, 2007 at 3:16 pm

    Don’t know, never saw either. In the stalls I use, no reach would reach anything but my ankle, which is of course enticing as you know, but not of any particular use to anyone.

    Well, I happen to think you have cute ankles. ;)

  52. 52.

    ThymeZone

    August 31, 2007 at 5:53 pm

    nailing some “Old Meat” at the local Public Restroom.

    Yuck!

    Oh, you meant me.

    Damn you Tax Analyst!

  53. 53.

    ThymeZone

    August 31, 2007 at 5:55 pm

    Well, I happen to think you have cute ankles.

    { blush }

    Thank you sir!

    Oh, it’s you, Rome. I thought it was some guy outside my stall ….

  54. 54.

    Rome Again

    August 31, 2007 at 6:11 pm

    Oh, it’s you, Rome. I thought it was some guy outside my stall ….

    ::snap:: “Damn, brushed off again!”

  55. 55.

    JGabriel

    August 31, 2007 at 9:03 pm

    Ellison, Ellensburg, Ellers, and Lambchop:

    The simple fact is, most of it has to do with the fact that America—red state, blue state, purple state—feels differently about a guy calling a female prostitute for private sex, and trolling for gay sex in public restrooms. The latter’s just plain creepier than the former…

    Umm, not really. Especially once you add in the diaper-fetish, the adultery, the health risks to which he may have exposed his wife, and the family values hypocrisy.

    Really, the Vitter and Craig situations are about equal in creepiness. And even if Craig’s pursuit of sex in a public space adds a level of ‘lewd conduct’ criminality to balance the Vitter’s prostitutional criminality, you’re still left with the fact that at least Craig wasn’t paying for sex.

    So, if forced to make a choice, I’d say Vitter wins the creep factor contest.

  56. 56.

    Ellison, Ellensburg, Ellers, and Lambchop

    August 31, 2007 at 10:52 pm

    So, if forced to make a choice, I’d say Vitter wins the creep factor contest.

    I think you’d be alone there, but to each his own scorecard.

    Diaper fetish (of which I’d not heard, btw) vs. the mating dance in the public restroom — I’d be generous to call that even. Craig probably trumps Vitter in the adultery, the health risks (!), and the hypocrisy categories.

    Paying for sex vs. anonymous gay sex — hey, we’ve all heard of famous people and pols busted for hookers. Craig was breaking new ground — so much so that entire columns are being dedicated to gay sex men’s room etiquette. And to find out a Louisiana politician frequented a hooker would not exactly shake the foundations there on the bayou. They’ve seen much worse.

    But mainly, it’s the whole public place vs. behind closed doors thing. We’ll see. The comics spent 2 days on Vitter — they’re working on three now with Craig. No end in sight.

  57. 57.

    Ellison, Ellensburg, Ellers, and Lambchop

    August 31, 2007 at 10:54 pm

    Actually, I don’t think anyone can figure out what the fuck you’re talking about. Can you?

    Apparently, you’re the only one having trouble, John. And that just shocks me!

  58. 58.

    grumpy realist

    September 1, 2007 at 8:10 am

    I also wonder (aside from the heterosexuality vs. homosexuality thing) whether it’s that Vitter is from a stereotypically sleazy area of the South and this is seen as just another “boys will be boys.”

  59. 59.

    JGabriel

    September 1, 2007 at 10:04 am

    Ellison, Ellensburg, Ellers, and Lambchop:

    Diaper fetish (of which I’d not heard, btw) vs.

    Well, if you really want to get into a detailed comparison…

    Health Risks: Really depends on whether Craig restricted himself to hand/blow jobs, which Vitters clearly did not. If Craig restricted his ‘activities’ in that way, the Vitter would be the one taking the greater health risks.

    Adultery: That’s pretty much up to the spouse, but it depends on whether she finds anonymous sex (Craig) more threatening than sex that involves developed relationships (Vitter). It also depends on wheter the spouse finds homosexual or heterosexual activities more threatening. Obviously, neither you nor I can make that call for them. The best either of us can judge that situation is that they (Craig and Vitter) both engaged in multiple adulterous liasons, and that the creep factor on that score is about even.

    Hypocrisy: This one’s easy. Craig and Vitter have equally strong or reprehensible (depending on your viewpoint) voting records on issues regarding equal rights for women and homosexuals, but Vitter was clearly more vocal about his bonafides in that regard, whereas it was a much less emphasized point in Craig’s political rhetoric. Vitter wins easily on the hypocrisy creep factor score card.

    The point I’m trying to make here is that you have to debate some pretty fine points to declare that either one is more creepy than the other. They’re pretty much equally creepy. If forced, I’d give Vitter the nod, on the basis of the hypocrisy and the paying for sex.

    But as you say, “each to his own scorecard.”

    The other main point I’m trying to make here, which is in support of John Cole’s statements, is that given the so-minor-as-to-be-genuinely-debatable differences in how creepy the two men are, there really is no basis for the *huge* contrast in how they’ve been treated by their peers in the Republican party: outrage and outrage and shunning for Craig, wagon-gathering and applause for Vitter.

    Whether or not you want to admit it, most people outside of the Republican party, including independents, will see it as further confirmation of Republican hypocrisy and bigotry on gay issues. Hell, some may even be *more* supportive of the Republicans on that basis. The Republicans are welcome to them — we don’t want them, and, fortunately, they’re a shrinking minority.

  60. 60.

    JGabriel

    September 1, 2007 at 10:07 am

    (Re-post, to correct formatting errors in previous post)

    Ellison, Ellensburg, Ellers, and Lambchop:

    Diaper fetish (of which I’d not heard, btw) vs.

    Well, if you really want to get into a detailed comparison…

    Health Risks: Really depends on whether Craig restricted himself to hand/blow jobs, which Vitters clearly did not. If Craig restricted his ‘activities’ in that way, the Vitter would be the one taking the greater health risks.

    Adultery: That’s pretty much up to the spouse, but it depends on whether she finds anonymous sex (Craig) more threatening than sex that involves developed relationships (Vitter). It also depends on wheter the spouse finds homosexual or heterosexual activities more threatening. Obviously, neither you nor I can make that call for them. The best either of us can judge that situation is that they (Craig and Vitter) both engaged in multiple adulterous liasons, and that the creep factor on that score is about even.

    Hypocrisy: This one’s easy. Craig and Vitter have equally strong or reprehensible (depending on your viewpoint) voting records on issues regarding equal rights for women and homosexuals, but Vitter was clearly more vocal about his bonafides in that regard, whereas it was a much less emphasized point in Craig’s political rhetoric. Vitter wins easily on the hypocrisy creep factor score card.

    The point I’m trying to make here is that you have to debate some pretty fine points to declare that either one is more creepy than the other. They’re pretty much equally creepy. If forced, I’d give Vitter the nod, on the basis of the hypocrisy and the paying for sex.

    But as you say, “each to his own scorecard.”

    The other main point I’m trying to make here, which is in support of John Cole’s statements, is that given the so-minor-as-to-be-genuinely-debatable differences in how creepy the two men are, there really is no basis for the *huge* contrast in how they’ve been treated by their peers in the Republican party: outrage and outrage and shunning for Craig, wagon-gathering and applause for Vitter.

    Whether or not you want to admit it, most people outside of the Republican party, including independents, will see it as further confirmation of Republican hypocrisy and bigotry on gay issues. Hell, some may even be *more* supportive of the Republicans on that basis. The Republicans are welcome to them — we don’t want them, and, fortunately, they’re a shrinking minority.

  61. 61.

    JGabriel

    September 1, 2007 at 10:08 am

    Ok, I give up on the formatting. Something is clearly wrong with the system, because the preview showed everything correctly.

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