Posted on 08/23/2012 3:00:21 AM PDT by markomalley
A Minnesota Democrat who had a rest-stop sexual encounter with a 17-year-old boy dropped his re-election bid Wednesday, hours after declaring he would stay in the race in defiance of party leaders who wanted him out as they fight to regain control of the state Legislature.
Rep. Kerry Gauthier, 56, told The Associated Press the decision was his own after multiple conversations with Democratic leaders pressing him to withdraw. He said he had been going back and forth about running "every 20 minutes for a week."
"I changed my mind," he said. "Too much. It's just too much."
Gauthier also told the AP that an overdose of muscle relaxants he took last week that led to his hospitalization was a suicide attempt. He'd earlier issued a statement saying he has been in recovery from chemical dependency for 30 years with one relapse.
Gauthier's decision came after Democratic leaders, from Gov. Mark Dayton on down, urged the first-term lawmaker to step aside so the party could field another candidate in a reliably Democratic district. Democrats need to gain at least six House seats to take control of the chamber, a top goal in November, and the last thing they needed was the possibility of losing what was thought to be a safe seat.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
He should leave office now. He was having sex with a boy.
Can we bring up this guy who had gay sex with a minor every time they try to talk about the republican missouri senate candidates comments on rape?
Why should we? After only about five hours of pressure, he did the right thing for his party and is not running again. All he has left is until the end of December, all the while forever a scarlet letter on his forehead. In Akin’s case the Party be damned for his ego and screw all of us to insure that Obamacare is repealed.
Because they’re trying to tar all republicans with his rape comments, so can we respond by asking them if then all democrats should be tarred with statutory gay rape of 17 year olds?
Reality is explicit in that we can ask the question all we want in our echo chamber. I know it sucks but our energy ought to be getting Akin to step aside, for the good of the party. Most everyone is taking the media’s bait in focusing on the “legitimate rape” words. That was somewhat forgivable but the subsequent “scientific” assertions were a true indication this goof is not suited to represent anyone who knows better.
I agree he should step aside, I just think we should bring this up every time they try to talk about the missouri comments.
Which is worse, a senator saying something wrong and grotesque, or a congressman molesting a 17 year old boy for money
By the way if you actually look at the “echo chamber” there aren’t any major republican figures I am aware of who is saying he should stay in the race. Nor was I.
Everyone has pulled money from him and distanced themselves and screamed at him to step down.
My point is that the major news is devoting a huge effort into tarring the entire republican party with his comments.
We don’t have a say in the media, we can’t stop that.
But as individuals, when the subject comes up, we can ask if Democrats likewise should all be tarred with the homosexual molestation of a 17 year old boy?
Why are Republicans any more tied to the rape comments than Democrats are to gay molestation of a 17 year old?
Both parties have made the same efforts to get their candidate to step down.
Hey, I am with you but until We the People stop watching, reading and listening to the major media, it will not change. The story of the puke in Minnesota was a one day deal. We have been going on with Akin since Sunday, and only because he will not step aside.
The sad irony is the pedophile faggot first termer does the right thing and the “ultra conservative” career politician won’t. Just how screwed up is that?
Stupid homo....at least he isn’t a lawyer. I always vote for the non-lawyer if I can. I also vote for the non-homo.
Why isn’t this on the front page of the New York Times? Akin was.
I’ve been reading your comments. I agree with your outrage and the tone of your comments. However, to be accurate, while the boy might be under the age of 18, he is over the age of consent to have sexual relations. In MN, as in a lot of states, that age is 16.
The two set up online the meeting at the rest stop. It appears the boy met him there as a result of the online contact, and knew to meet him at the rest stop, and did. By every measure it appears the boy consented to this.
What makes it tawdry is the whole preying upon youth for sexual purposes thing, the rest stop meeting for sex, the whole thing reeks. It is as sleazy of a behavior as it gets. That is true in spite of the fact it appears the boy was just as much for this as the 56 yr old politician.
This guy now admits he has had a 30 yr long substance abuse problem.
There is so much wrong with this guy, he has no business whatsoever representing the people in a public position of trust.
Because of all this, he has left the race. He knows he is s total loser and now the world knows it. He couldn’t stonewall and keep going like Aiken has over his nutty comments.
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