Federal Government
Craig Goes Back On His Word
September 5, 2007 
While Senatorial observers are consumed with Larry Craig’s “intention” to resign, the GUARDIAN read beyond the sound bite and shows Craig is now offering Idahoans less than he has said they deserve.
At what point did Craig forget his prudent reasoning, voiced Saturday at the Depot?
“…to pursue my legal options, as I continue to serve Idaho, would be an unwanted and unfair distraction of my job and for my Senate colleagues. These are serious
times of war and of conflict—times that deserve the Senate’s and the full nation’s attention.
There are many challenges facing Idaho that I am currently involved in. And 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.”
Now that Craig has “lawyered up,” he apparently feels the people of Idaho no longer deserve “a senator who can devote 100 percent of his time and effor to the critical issues of our state and of our nation.”
In an attempt to unresign and deny his guilty plea, Craig has hired a dog killer’s attorney–one who has apparently plea bargained Michael Vick out of an NFL job and into prison.
The lame excuse circulating on the internet of attempting to invoke the constitutional ban on arresting members going to and fro during sessions will not wash since the Senator was not prohibited from his travels. The law does not give them IMMUNITY to commit crimes, it merely prevents members from being DETAINED, thus depriving citizens of representation.
Craig was issued a complaint and SUMMONS (to appear in court) which he answered. We cannot imagine a decision from the U.S. Supremes authorizing members of the house and senate to commit crimes while enroute to and from Washington.
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Comments & Discussion
Comments are closed for this post.
Sep 5, 2007, 5:04 pm
Shift happens.
Sep 5, 2007, 5:16 pm
Relax Guardian, this is just the final gasp of a once powerful senator. I may be looking for a pony in a room full of horse poop here, but the bright side is that we may have shed the national image of white supremacy( thank you reverend Butler) for one of “socially progresive” rednecks.
After all, it appears that 50% of our senatorial representation may be gay.
Sep 5, 2007, 5:21 pm
Good point Guardian. His recent efforts demonstrate he’s in it for himself and was when he uttered those words. As a sympathizer to the other party I say give him all the rope he wants.
As a wonk, I say pass the popcorn. Its Patreaus’ surge week where Bush is going to try and sell the same repackaged BS on Iraq. Watching one of their own deep six these efforts will be immensely entertaining.
But as an Idahoan I say the senator should quit playing selfish games with the reputation of our state. Every senator’s job is to bring home the bacon and he’s already assured that we will get a much smaller slice of the pie of the federal taxes we pay thanks to his lack of judgment. His own party stripped his seniority. The only bright spot I can see is the aid he’ll give to a Democratic candidate who can join the majority Craig helped assure next November and who’ll be much more effective in getting some of those funds back for us.
Sep 5, 2007, 6:03 pm
I agree with Sisyphus:
“the senator should quit playing selfish games”
time to grow up, and realize the rest of the world is not as in love with him as he is
t
Sep 5, 2007, 7:03 pm
Should Mr. Craig belive his innocence that is fine…but what about all of his shame, hiding and lieing to his family, his party, his state? That is what one needs to look at – his total lack of character. I don’t give a rats tail if he is gay. But I’d like a gay man with character, with honesty – not Craig!
Now as for the Republican Party – what a bunch of knee jerks! After pronouncing him guilty (starting a war due to “weapons of mass destruction”) they are now kinda backing down. Too late folks, too late! As mom used to say: “once mean words leave your mouth, there is no taking them back. You can say that you’re sorry, but the damage has been done.”
Sep 5, 2007, 9:06 pm
You would think the Boise police would go ahead and arrest the “stand up” character witness’s Larry had with him Saturday!
adasheriff.org warrants
HOWELL SHAE SUZANNE
2108 N FASTWATER AVE
BOISE, ID 10/11/70 M0615800 4/18/2007 1 M CONTEMPT OF COURT $500
Sep 6, 2007, 6:20 am
There has to be more to it than what’s being said.
How much will he lose in his retirment fund if he leaves before the end of his term? Must have to do with money some where. No one could face all those people with out the greed of money involved.
Sep 6, 2007, 7:54 am
Idaho needs to change that slogan on the license plates from “Famous Potatoes” to “Famous Larry.” Lawyers Tom Kelly and Billy Martin are pursing the Larry’s legal case in Minneapolis. Last I heard they were Twins managers. Maybe they will call “foul ball” from the dugout. What does the Crapo think about this?
Sep 6, 2007, 9:31 am
Senator Craig should NOT go back on his word over his announcement to resign. He told his constituents he intended to resign, his colleagues in the Senate urged and assumed he would do so. Such a change of heart is not responsible for an elected official.
Sep 6, 2007, 10:27 am
During his resignation speech I heard it differently than many…the intent to resign seemed very conditional and I would not consider this a change of heart, but of a change of conditions that prompted his intent. In any event Craig is guiltiy of being stupid, but I would say the majority of Senate and Congress are guilty of being stupid as well as some point in their career, I would let the process run its course and see what legal challenge he is able to muster, knowing it is a steep hill to climb. If our governor were a democrat the National Republican Party would be more supportive of Craig.
Sep 8, 2007, 1:37 am
Did my ears fail me, or did Craig really begin his Depot speech with “Thank you all for coming out today …” ?
The haste with which the Republican leadership and Senate power structure have distanced themselves from Senator Craig is unseemly at best, and a crass rejection of a party loyalist at worst. Just when the guy could use some help from those he has served within the Party and in the Senate, they begin kicking the downed. Not pretty, and really, really sad.
I certainly have enjoyed my share of the cheap shots directed toward the Senator and this situation; but, he IS a person, one with faults and failings just as are we all. At least an iota of respect for privacy is in order.
EDITOR NOTE–The “Coming out” line was at his first press conference and the late night comics have used it repeatedly.
Sep 8, 2007, 1:37 am
Did my ears fail me, or did Craig really begin his Depot speech with “Thank you all for coming out today …” ?
The haste with which the Republican leadership and Senate power structure have distanced themselves from Senator Craig is unseemly at best, and a crass rejection of a party loyalist at worst. Just when the guy could use some help from those he has served within the Party and in the Senate, they begin kicking the downed. Not pretty, and really, really sad.
I certainly have enjoyed my share of the cheap shots directed toward the Senator and this situation; but, he IS a person, one with faults and failings just as are we all. At least an iota of respect for privacy is in order.