Did
Larry Craig Resign For
The Wrong Reasons?
By Mary Shaw
07 September, 2007
Countercurrents.org
On
September 1, Senator Larry Craig (R-ID) resigned in the wake of the
latest Republican sex scandal. Craig had been caught in a sting operation
making sexual overtures towards a cute undercover cop in an airport
restroom, and then pleaded guilty to a reduced charge in hopes that
this would make the whole matter go away. But it didn't go away. And,
when the news hit the media, several key Republicans promptly called
for Craig's resignation.
But why did Craig really
resign? And why did the Republicans get so worked up about this?
After all, other politicians
have been caught up in sex scandals of their own, only to survive and
thrive in office, even recently. Senator David Vitter (R-LA) comes immediately
to mind. Earlier this year, Vitter was identified as a client of the
"DC Madam" and a New Orleans brothel, and yet the Republicans
stood by him, and Vitter is still in the Senate. Is hiring a hooker
less of a crime that making a pass at another guy in the men's room?
I am not a lawyer, but I don't think so. At least, it shouldn't be.
Sure, the Craig story is
creepy, but what's so different in this case that merits the degree
of pressure and humiliation that Craig has been made to suffer? Let's
see...
Was it because of the hypocrisy?
Was it about the fact that Craig had consistently voted against the
interests of gays and lesbians, and judged others on their sexual behavior,
while he was busy participating in his own gay sexcapades? That would
be a good reason to call for his resignation. But I don't think it was
the real factor at play here.
Was it because Craig was
actually arrested, and actually pleaded guilty to something, whereas
Vitter did not? If so, wasn't Vitter just lucky because the statute
of limitations had made prosecution unlikely in his case?
Was it because Craig didn't
handle the fallout as smoothly as Vitter did? Perhaps. Vitter delivered
an Oscar-worthy press conference performance, his poor wife at his side,
in which he admitted to his mistake, apologized profusely, and promised
to do all he can to rebuild the trust of his constituents. Emotionally
moving enough to win some sympathy. Craig, on the other hand, had an
opportunity to redeem himself in a similar manner, and he blew it (no
pun intended).
So then was it for partisan
political reasons? We might be getting warmer here. If Vitter had resigned,
Louisiana Governor Kathleen Blanco would likely have appointed a Democrat
to replace him. However, Idaho is a very red state, so Craig will most
likely be replaced with another Republican. That Senate seat is safe.
But I think it has even more
to do with the gay issue. Vitter solicited a woman's sexual favors.
Craig solicited a man's.
And this can help set the
stage for the 2008 campaign season, in which the Republicans will likely
cling to their tired old themes of God, guns, and gays.
Meanwhile, American troops
and innocent civilians are dying in Iraq, the polar ice caps are melting
fast, and 47 million Americans do not have health insurance.
Can we really afford to waste
time worrying about the sex lives of our politicians?
Does it really matter to
you? Does it really matter for America?
Mary Shaw is a Philadelphia-based writer and activist.
She is a former Philadelphia Area Coordinator for the Nobel-Prize-winning
human rights group Amnesty International, and her views on politics,
human rights, and social justice issues have appeared in numerous online
forums and in newspapers and magazines worldwide. Note that the views
expressed here are the author's own, and do not necessarily reflect
the opinions of Amnesty International or any other organization with
which she may be associated. E-mail: [email protected]
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