Craig To Resign Committee Assignments
Politico reports that Sen. Larry Craig (R-ID) "has agreed to step down as the top Republican on the Veterans' Affairs Committee and two other subcommittees pending an investigation of his June arrest."
Inside the Beltway, being accused of (homo)sexual peccadilloes will end a career quicker than being accused of or pleading guilty to corruption. For example, former Rep. Bob Ney (R-OH) gave up his chairmanship after being linked with Jack Abramoff in January 2006. In September, he pled guilty to a felony but did not resign from his Congressional seat nor did Congress force him out.
Rep. Mark Foley (R-FL) resigned from his House seat even though he was charged with nothing. As I said at the time, Foley's actions appear inappropriate, but Ney's were admitted criminal -- and criminal against the people of the United States no less.
But a visit to a high-class female prostitute? That doesn't generate the same kind of career-ending cloud. Witness Sen. David Vitter (R-LA). He still has his committee assignments and just came back from Iraq, singing praises of the surge.
Another example. Rep. William Jefferson (D-LA) was re-elected despite FBI allegations of bribery; his website says he's still a member of the Ways & Means Committee, one of the most powerful in the House. Sen. Ted Stevens (R-AK) and Rep. Don Young (R-AK) are under FBI investigation for corruption; they haven't stepped down from their committees either.
Craig pled guity to a misdemeanor after being charged with a victimless crime. The way the wind is blowing, Craig is more likely to follow the path forged by Foley than by Ney.
I don't care if someone is gay or bi or cheating on their spouse -- unless or until it interferes with their ability to govern. Based on my read of the police statement, I think Craig's behavior was reckless -- but unless someone was blackmailing him over a double-life, I don't see how it affects his ability to govern.
And it's not for me to judge whether he's worthy of representing Idaho in the Senate -- that's for his constituents.