Contrast in Accountability

Flopping Aces ^ | 09/01/07 | Mike

[Starman417]

"Do we operate under a system of equal justice under law?
Or is there one system for the average citizen
and another for the high and mighty?"

- Senator Ted Kennedy, 1973 -

Saturday, September 1, 2007 Senator Larry Craig (R-Idaho) resigned from the United States Senate effective September 30. He did so after it was revealed that he had plead guilty to a charge of "disorderly conduct" in a public restroom at the Minneapolis airport.

In his statement announcing his resignation he said:

Statement of Senator Craig
Senator's Official Web site
September 1, 2007

...To the Idahoans I represent, to my staff, my Senate colleagues and, most importantly, my wife and our family, I apologize for what I have caused.

I am deeply sorry.

...These are serious times of war and conflict - times that deserve the Senate and our full nation's attention. There are many challenges facing Idaho that I'm currently engaged in, and the people of Idaho deserve a Senator who can devote 100 percent of his time and effort to critical state and national issues.

Therefore, it is with sadness and deep regret that I announce that it is my intent to resign from the Senate, effective September 30. In doing so, I hope to allow for a smooth and orderly transition for my loyal staff, and for the person appointed to take my place at William Borah's desk. I have full confidence that Governor Otter will appoint a successor who will serve Idaho with distinction.

I apologize to the people of our great state for being unable to serve out the term to which you have elected me. I hope you understand my decision to step aside.

Reports are numerous that Senator Craig reached his decision after GOP leaders informed him that they could no longer support his bid for re-election in 2008.

Like Mark Foley and other Republicans shown to be an embarrassment to those who voted for them, Republicans take seriously their responsibility to uphold a higher standard of conduct in office.

Contrast with Chappaquiddick

At 11:15 PM at party on July 18, 1969, after a day of heavy drinking in and around Chappaquiddick Island off nearby Martha's Vineyard, Senator Edward Kennedy demanded the keys to his car from his chauffeur ostensibly to give a ride to Mary Jo Kopechne, a young woman who had worked for his late brother Robert Kennedy. Ms. Kopechne, curiously left her purse behind when the pair exited without telling the host or guests they were leaving.

More at Flopping Aces

[peekaboo]

I could not agree with you more. The lack of accountability on the part of some of the democrats is quite a contrast to the republicans. I can say that without hestitation because I am from Louisiana and jefferson who had the 90,000.00, stashed in his freezer has been reelected, even with charges pending.

I for one also am of the opinion that the republicans act too swiftly to throw their own overboard, even without all of the facts. I pray that senator Craig, who has been a devoted and loyal supporter of the Republican party can some day clear his name of this charge. I did listen to all of the tape several times and honestly believe that he was set up in a sting.

Just remember how the party threw out Trent Lott, because he was hosting a party for Strom Thurman and without any malice said,(paraphrase), “ What might be different if Strom had actgually won the presidency years ago”. I know that Lott was not a favorite of many on this board, but he was thrown out for the wrong reason in my view.

The republicans need to take a strong hard look at how they lack compassion when a good man goes down. IF THEY ARE NOT CAREFUL THEY WILL NOT SEE THE MAJORITY IN EITHER HOUSE OR THE PRESIDENCY FOR MANY YEARS TO COME.

Barbara Bush was right in her book, that Republicans eat their own.

[gidget7]

“No organized poll had been established wherby Massachusetts voters could register their opinion. There was only one candidate in this election, and his staff was going to count the votes.”

Typical of MA elections. That’s how they stay in office, and it’s been going on for years. They squash anyone wwho would stand in their way.

[GOPJ]

I’m glad Senator Larry Craig is gone — what a scuzzy jerk. Public bathrooms are for the public - what’s the matter with gays? Too cheap to “get a room” or too creepy in their drama queen ways - maybe wanting to get caught? Whatever, I’m glad he’s gone.

[balch3]

I pray that senator Craig, who has been a devoted and loyal supporter of the Republican party can some day clear his name of this charge. I did listen to all of the tape several times and honestly believe that he was set up in a sting.

---

Absolutely right. It was no secret that Sen Craig traveled through this airport frequently. This was a setup from the get-go. They wanted to bring down a GOP senator. It wouldn’t surprise me a bit if Soros was behind this.

[Enchante]

Good riddance to Craig. As the blogger Flopping Aces notes, the Demagogues get away with far worse, but then they are the party of depravity and debauchery, the party of scumbags and professional liars..... for all their problems, Republicans do have much higher standards and usually meet them. Demagogues, on the other hand, are led by the woman-killer Ted Kennedy, rapist Bill Clinton, and KKK Grand Kleagle Robert Byrd-brain.

"Another Democrat, the late governor and U.S. senator Huey Long of Louisiana said it best: "The only way I can lose is if they find me in bed with a dead girl or a live boy." But perhaps that's no longer true; especially in Massachusetts where a dead girl in the car or a prostitute boyfriend are no longer disqualifications for office. Of course that only applies if the offender is a Democrat!"

[Elsiejay]

Pay attention to daily event trends in the world of partisan electoral politics, and you may observe that when something appears to be bubbliing up that might yield unfavorable publicity for a Clinton, suddenly, seemingly out of nowhere will appear a Republican “scandal,” in all likelihood some event weeks or months old that will serve to flood the news cycle and submerge whatever it was that might have redounded to the political injury or discrediting of a Clinton.
I am convinced that Republican members of Congress, especially those coming up for re-election and deemed beatable, are being shadowed at all times by operatives of liberal political activist organizations, ever watchful for some potentionally actionable misstep, and in all likelihood funded by Soros or others of that ilk.
I have yet to see conclusive objective evidence of wrongful acts on the part of Sen. Craig, who, although he was one of my state’s senators and served admirably on many issues, was in some ways a disappointment regarding illegal immigration.

[Elsiejay]

Pay attention to daily event trends in the world of partisan electoral politics, and you may observe that when something appears to be bubbliing up that might yield unfavorable publicity for a Clinton, suddenly, seemingly out of nowhere will appear a Republican “scandal,” in all likelihood some event weeks or months old that will serve to flood the news cycle and submerge whatever it was that might have redounded to the political injury or discrediting of a Clinton.
I am convinced that Republican members of Congress, especially those coming up for re-election and deemed beatable, are being shadowed at all times by operatives of liberal political activist organizations, ever watchful for some potentionally actionable misstep, and in all likelihood funded by Soros or others of that ilk.
I have yet to see conclusive objective evidence of wrongful acts on the part of Sen. Craig, who, although he was one of my state’s senators and served admirably on many issues, was in some ways a disappointment regarding illegal immigration.