August 28, 2007
Posted: 01:40 PM ET

Human Rights Campaign gave Sen. Craig its worst rating.

WASHINGTON (CNN) — Idaho Sen. Larry Craig, who is currently under fire for his conduct in a men's restroom, was given the lowest possible rating by the Human Rights Campaign in their report released right before the 2006 midterm election.

"Senator Craig is the latest in a string of public officials who have yet to learn that the days of treating Congress as a game of charades where you say one thing and do another are over," Joe Solmonese, President of the Human Rights Campaign, said Tuesday. "Throughout his career, Senator Craig has readily espoused his so-called moral values in an attempt to score political points by passing judgments and dividing our country without regard to his own personal life."

Craig was given a "zero" rating by the prominent gay rights group based on his votes on seven issues over the past few years. Notably, Craig voted to add the Federal Marriage Amendment to the Constitution, which would have defined marriage as a union between a man and a woman while taking marital and other related legal rights away from unmarried or same-sex couples.

Craig was also criticized for his vote supporting the nomination of conservative Justice Samuel Alito to the Supreme Court. In addition, Human Rights Campaign highlighted the senator’s vote against a bill that would allow states to expand Medicare coverage to low-income, HIV positive Americans. Finally, it targeted his vote against the expansion of federal funding for sex education.

"While he’s reflecting on his latest actions, maybe he’ll finally realize that standing in the way of equality and being hypocritical with his politics is wrong for the country," Solmonese said.

–CNN Associate Producer Lauren Kornreich

Related: Senator says he regrets guilty plea after restroom arrest

Filed under: Larry Craig


Bob, Sarasota FL   August 28th, 2007 4:51 pm ET

Having read police reporting of the complaint, it seems to me that I now understand a similar event that occurred when I had to use a public toilet some years ago. Well, he probably isn't gay as he claims, but that doesn't make him not a just another sexual pervert who got caught and is trying to obscure the facts and deny his real "intentions"! The Senator ought to have the decency to resign.

Cable King Pittsburgh Pa   August 28th, 2007 4:50 pm ET

Hey Henry,

Maybe I'm not the sharpest knife in the drawer, but who is Bob Gilner? According to the lists I've seen he is neither a Congressman nor Senator. Please help me!

Bubba from Dallas, Tx   August 28th, 2007 4:49 pm ET

Henry, perhaps because Larry Craig made a career of bashing the very same people he was trying to "associate with" in the public bathroom. I know that when I travel, I don't want myself, my children or grandchildren confronting people like him. As far as your comparisons to the news worthiness vs a minor scuffle involving a Democrat - YOU are reaching way too far! Remember "FAMILY VALUES" Live what you preach!

Robert Roman Palm Springs, CA   August 28th, 2007 4:47 pm ET

Hey, Hank; you're on the CNN website, aren't you? Comparing FOX to CNN is laughable at best, Hank.
It is appropriate that Senator Lawrence Craig (R-Idaho) opened his news conference in Boise Tuesday by stating…and I quote: "Thank you for coming out today."

Ken, San Fran, CA   August 28th, 2007 4:45 pm ET

Henry, Perhaps it has something to do with Craig voting on laws regarding Family rights and decency, and then going out to break the very principles he is supposed to be supporting?

Fox is biased, everybody knows that. In fact, I'd be willing to bet almost ever major news source in the world is slanted at least a bit in one way or the other. The trick is to see past the hype and advertising dollars to the real story. Sometimes, the simplest truth shines through no matter how you try to spin it. It's ok to be wrong or misinformed sometimes: just accept it, adapt and move on.

Jose Rodriguez, North Bergen, NJ   August 28th, 2007 4:37 pm ET

An assualt is quite different than the outright hypocracy of a US Senator. The senator's dispicable actions have tarnished his reputation and have highlighted the continued moral corruptness of the GOP. Personally, I'd perfer my senator to assault an airline employee than turn tricks in a public airport.
Maybe next time the senator will consider more tasteful means of satisfying his "urges."

Amber, Los Angeles CA   August 28th, 2007 4:34 pm ET

"I can't IMAGINE why Fox News consistently beats CNN for viewership?"

I'm sorry, it does? According to who? Faux News?

Anonymous   August 28th, 2007 4:30 pm ET

The difference is that Bob allegedly assaulted someone and was not convicted, while Larry Craig admitted to the charge by pleading guilty. Fox News just gets the sheep because they play to your fears and desires, projecting a simulated reality you want to think is America.

roger, conway sc   August 28th, 2007 4:26 pm ET

Henry in GA…Gilner to my knowledge has not pled guilty to assault…your friend Senator Craig pled guilty to his crime and after is became headlines has said he should not have… the man is 62 years old and has been in in politics for years open your eyes the man is a hypocrite just like FOX news

Ed,Ellenville,New York   August 28th, 2007 4:17 pm ET

FOX viewers are less discriminating and swallow psuedo-news and right-wing dribble on a regular basis.If it happens that more americans are suited to it,then we'll have more say over their lives.FOX viewers are clearly the sheeple.

mike, greenbelt, md   August 28th, 2007 4:14 pm ET

larry craig's defense is that he "has a wide stance" while using the toilet?!how can you have a wide stance when your pants are around your ankles?! thanks for covering this story…the stench of craig's hypocracy matches only that of the seat he was sitting on when he was caught!

Ed,Ellenville,New York   August 28th, 2007 4:12 pm ET

Wait until Samuel Alito gets outed,that's been stewing for some time I bet.

pl, at the UN, for a while.   August 28th, 2007 4:06 pm ET

Why beat up the guy? Morality? Whose standards? Ethics? Whose ethics? Double standard? No. Standards don't come in pairs–they are always multiple–and no one is innocent.

Whatever the philosophy though, some sins inflict more damage and are more shameful than others.

Jeannie - Sacramento, CA   August 28th, 2007 4:01 pm ET

Reply to Henry Tucker: Because Gilner isn't a "moral and family values" Republican male who solicited sex from another man - a police officer at that! Remember when you Republicans impeached Clinton for having sex with a WOMAN? All is fair in politics, baby!

Jeannie - Sacramento, CA   August 28th, 2007 3:57 pm ET

How embarrassing for all Republicans! Where do they get off spouting off on moral and family values? Sanctimonious hypocrisy, indeed!

Henry Tucker, Ga   August 28th, 2007 3:44 pm ET

CNN - this is your 5th story on Larry Craig. Why didn't you give as much attention to Bob Gilner (Democrat) that assaulted an airline employee?

I can't IMAGINE why Fox News consistently beats CNN for viewership?

Mary Joe SanFranscisco CA   August 28th, 2007 3:44 pm ET

Granted Senator Craig earned, and got, his zero for his votes. However, now that he is "out" of both the stall and the closet, perhaps he can join the other Log Cabin Republicans and form a serious bi-partisan gay rights Senatoral league with Barney Frank and his votes, and turn this thing around once and for all. It is unfortunate they are all being outed via criminal activity, however while they're still in power to vote on the use of our tax money, lets be big supporters. Remember there's an election in '08 and there's already a cry of "Vote Straight in '08″. What a tragedy that would be for gay rights.

Lev Klinemann, Redondo Beach CA   August 28th, 2007 3:42 pm ET

The sad thing about this case is that these poeople (GOP - Grand Old Perverts) fight so much against gay rights, but they seem to all have bathroom gay sex fetishes. If this guy wasn't so anti-gay in his public life, people could forgive him. Now, I just hope he gets all he deserves.

Lyons Steve   August 28th, 2007 3:28 pm ET

Another Republican liar and hypocrite.

It's not really his attempt to solicit homosexual sex - it's his hatred against all of those who have similar sexual proclivities as his own.

What a piece of crap. Resign, loser. Idaho should be ashamed of this creep.

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