CNN

J in Houston,

Get your story straight! As a conservative you are programmed to rant about liberals and Clinton, no matter what the situation. It is NOT hypocritical liberals who defended Clinton who are calling for Craig to resign. The ACLU is representing Craig for god's sake. It is conservative Republican leaders behind the entire move to force him from the Senate. Few Democrats have even commented on the issue. Oh, I almost forgot. You are a conservative so facts do not matter. Sorry to have wasted your time.

He's GAY, he got caught "cruising", he needs to just go away.

Whether or not I like Larry Craig, I just have to ask- Why does anyone care at all what this man does in a public restroom?
There are politicians and CEOs all over the world committing horrific human rights violations (everywhere from Africa to Palestine to Guantanomo to right here in this country) and the American people are wringing their hands about whether or not Craig is gay?

Get your priorities in line, America.

CNN commentators!

Every once in a while, we've received a complaint about a comment getting published on The Political Ticker only to have it suddenly disappear. As it turns out, we moderate comments to avoid that very scenario. The theory is: If your comment gets published, and most of them do get posted, we very rarely take it down after-the-fact.

There's probably nothing more frustrating than seeing your post appear online one minute and then have it disappear the next. We only have reports of a couple of incidents, but if it does happen to you, we truly apologize. I promise that we're urgently investigating the problem. If your post actually appears on the site (not just in preview mode) and then it disappears, we appreciate your patience and feel free to email us – it’ll help The Ticker team work out the bug.

I hope this helps. We just didn't want to go another minute without addressing the issue.

Come on CNN, I'm a faithful viewer and participate in your comments sections. Why are my posts being deleted? I'm on Hillary's side. You're supposed to like me.

Just making sure I have it straight….

What a progressive tolerant approach!

I'm neither and I'm crying that. Good riddance, get another old fart out of Washington. If only his replacement won't already be past the age of retirement and completely out of touch with American business like...the rest of Washington.

Just making sure I have it straight....

When President Clinton was facing impeachment – the liberals cried "it's only sex", "personal matter", "let it go".

When it's Larry Craig – liberals cry, "Pervert", "Hypocrite", "Resign Resign Resign".

What a progressive tolerant approach!

Fox News wins rating wars? Huh? The only reason I ever watch Fox news is to LOL at the right wing propaganda they are peddling. There is about as much journalistic integrity on the Fox News Network as there is honesty and integrity in the Bush Administration.

First Craig permitted himself to be placed in this situation, regardless as to whether he did any thing or not.

He tried to hush it up with a guilty plea. Now he claims basically he did not understand the ramifications of his guilty plea and wants to fight the injustise. Let's see a US Senator, some how in the whole process did he not understand his rights, the concept of a lawyer, the charges, what did he not understand. You really want this man in the US Senate representing you, well I don't but hes not my Senator. So I guess the good people of Idaho will have to decide and let him know.

Aren't you guys all conflating Rep Filner, who shoved a baggage handler, with Rep Gillmor, who died recently? And Filner just said he was embarrassed and wouldn't contest the charges, which is different from what Craig is doing.

This is a perfect example of what sen.Craig is telling all of us, about himself.

A) Plead guilty and kept quiet until news broke out.

B) Stated he is not gay and wanted to make no trouble,so he pleaded guilty.

C) Said he will resign.

D) Is now THINKING again, and will not RESIGN.

Question?

Are you sure you know what you are doing this time Sen.Craig?

Aren't you making trouble now for yourself by not pleading guilty?

Yess....No....uhmm....YESS?

If this really is the sign of a Straight talking man on how he handles business, then I can't believe anything you will say anymore, because you've proven yourself as useless, since you change your answers on one simple topic.

Paulz, he was in a public bathroom, not the bathroom of a gay bar. In a busy airport full of children. Long enough for someone to notice and phone the cops. There are plenty of bathrooms where no one cares what you do, but that wasn't one of them.

what did Larry Craig do? People have more hatred for him than for that terrorist Ahmandinejad.

Posted By Shana Gainey, Chicago, IL: "INNOCENT PEOPLE DO NOTE PLEAD GUILTY…GUILTY PEOPLE DO! Unless he can prove that he was tortured into confessing, then I think his guilty plea should stand."

This isn't exactly true. The system is set up in such a way that a person is charged with a crime. That person may be offered a "deal" inwhich they plead guilty to a lesser crime, pay a fine, and not have to face a trial.

In Craig's case he had a choice of a public hearing pleading innocent and having a media circus or he could plead guilty to the lesser crime, pay the fine, and walk away without a hearing. Unfortunately for Craig, and everyone else for that matter, the media got hold of the story and the media circus occurred anyway.

It's very common for innocent people to plead guilty to a lesser crime in order to wash their hands of the case. For the rest of us middle class shmoes we plead guilty to lesser crimes because we can't afford the cost of the trial and risk a jury or judge finding us guilty anyway even if we are actually innocent.

Besides, tapping your foot in a public restroom is not a crime, even if it does tap on someone else's shoe. It's weird but it isn't a crime. It makes no difference if Craig was soliciting sex. His actions were not criminal. Had he come right out and solicited the cop then he'd be guilty of a crime. I'm tapping my foot right now in public. Should I be arrested?

"When a Democrat violates the law (Gilmore assaults airline employee) – how many articles does CNN post? One."

Posted By Henry Tucker, Ga : September 26, 2007 11:46 am

Mr. Henry Tucker Carlson apparently has selective amnesia. Democrats like Rep. Jefferson, fundraiser Hsu, and of course BJ Clinton all were more than well publicized on CNN, et al. Of course, when Republicans break the law, FOX News just trys to claim they are Democrats.....remember Mark Foley (D-FL) being displayed on the bottom of the screen!!!!

He is gay. He should not be allowed to waste the court money he already made his plea. Once again a dirty republican trying to worm is way out of the mess he has made.

Looks like Fox News has 257 stories about Larry Craig – so stop bashing CNN. In addition to Fox News reporting on Craig, they also are carrying front page stories on: "Vick Going to Pot," "Letters Reveal Sex Life of Vincent Van Gogh," "Eatery Owner Forced to Remove Chelsea Clinton Picture," "Nike Unveils Shoe Designed for native Americans," and oh yeah, "Sen. Craig in Court to Try to Nix Guilty Plea Today." Collectively, highly profound? Perhaps to the fans of Fox News.

If he is allowed to retract his guilty plea, I hope the courts get flooded with requests from all the common folks who have previously plead guilty.

Just SUCK IT up, Larry, because everybody knows that what you wanted to do in the airport crapper.

I'll be glad when the whole Larry Craig story blows over.

he is a lawyer so whyshouldn't he bekept at his guilty pleas other than he is in FEDERAL GOVERNMETN and they are so special..yeah well how come?

it istime all are treated alike..

FOX doesn't allow comments on their Craig story (for fear of me I guess) but they used my line about Craig trying to "wipe out" his bathroom scandal. You know, that's kinda snarky and judgmental. It sounds as if they are cracking wise on him. Surprisingly CNN's story is kinder to him than usually-partisan FOX.

It is a sad day for America's justice system if the senator is allowed to hlod his seat in Washington. I heard somewhere that the leaders of our country should be held to a higher standard. When i'm in the men's restroom i'm weary of reaching my hand into other areas. the notion of him recanting his plea is outrageous.
Joseph

OK, so let me get this straight.
Craig may very well be a hypocrite and gay. So what exactly is he guilty of, cruising for guys in public places? Since when is meeting people in public places a crime? Theres plenty of people hooking up over the internet and getting some "action". To each their own, but is it a crime? If so, should everyone who has had sexual relations via the internet be persecuted? Is it our business what his sexual preferences are? Like some one mentioned earlier what if it was a female instead of a man, would this have made the news? Can someone please fill me in, because I really never understood this.
Thanks.

You know I got a speeding ticket once, so that I would not miss work. I paid the find. Can have that rescended and get my money back.

I heard that the Village People are looking for a new member. Senator Craig could be the Republican Senator member! He can play all the footsie he wants there.

Hopefully, he will continue to embarrass the Republican party as long as possible.

Poor Larry- he got busted and he never even got any – the George Michael of the Republican Party.

I think Frank Rich's idea of a pardon is right on. If Scooter Libby deserved one, he does as well. Maybe Mary Cheney can work something out.

Remaining questions:

1. Why do Republicans hate all gay people? Or is it just most gay people?

2. Why are do Republican voters elect so many gay politicians, when the party line says you can't be gay?

3. Why are there any gay people who choose to be Republicans?

4. Who do you think will be the next Republican Senator or Congressman outed as gay?

The Gilmore and Craig cases are extremely different and hardly comparable regardless of political party. Gilmore hasn't denied doing what he did, he didn't enter a guilty plea, and then try to rescind it. Gilmore also didn't say he was going to resign and then try to rescind that decision. Gilmore is also a Rep. not a Senator. Senators generally garner more coverage. Conservative news outlets have devoted a lot of coverage to Craig too.

Good to see that all of you are without sin..

To all the Faux News faithful:

Go to your news bible's website and take note that they cover the same story, it's twice as long, and it's their number 5 headline. It's 8th on CNN's page.

Just because you WISH this wasn't news because it accurately portrays the GOP as a bunch of hypocrites, doesn't make it so.

Lets send him to Iran..

"You don't watch them anymore because you're a Fox News lover. That's all it is. You can't stand anything to the left of Attila the Hun.

At least be honest."

Okay, Steve, let's be honest...I don't watch Fox, I think it's GOP bought and paid for propaganda! I think you're also a nitwit for even insinuating I watch Faux News in the first place! How did you derive that from my statement? Have a cookie and go stand in the corner now!

That republican doesn't deserve a trial. He's totally gay! He's guilty! Everyone knows it. Why does he deserve a trial! He's a republican!

Let me get this right. A senator freaks out and pleads guilty to a crime even though he did not know enough about the crime he was being charged with and pleading guilty to and/or because he panicked? To the good people of Idaho: Is this someone you really want voting on our nation's laws?

It seems to me either way Craig is finished. Even if his guilty plea is overturned, he has already been tried and convicted among his peers and in the court of public opinion. He simply needs to go away, move on, and stop bringing attention to it.

I can't think of anything more sad than someone being so arrogant that it dumbs them down...way down.

To all the dopes complaining about CNN's coverage of the Craig story, maybe you should just go to Fox where they NEVER report on bad news concerning Republicans!

Attaboy, Larry. Keep this whole sordid thing on the front page.

Goodbye to you and the GOP.

"Here you go again! Why should being gay or not matter so much is beyond my comprehension."

Tell me you're not really this thick.

Larry Craig is one of those homophobic homosexuals that hates himself. The guy has spent his time on this matter in the Senate, quoting the bible and other hypocritical hateful comments when, of course, he was talking about himself.

Craig is simply ANOTHER liar. I don't care about his "crime." I don't think there WAS a real crime. But it did out him as another religious and far-right hypocrite. "Family values," my butt.

Besides the obvious (he had *plenty* of time to consult a lawyer before pleading guilty and chose not to do so, therefore there is no grounds for withdrawing his plea), Mr. Craig has a long history of gay activities and anti-gay actions. He made this story himself and is an embarrassment to all Americans. Just go away or come out, already.

Ed, Fort Lauderdale -

Let's take your statement and make a simple comparison:

You said,

"Larry Craig placed himself in this situation." (Representative Gilmore that assualted an airline employee – Did he put himself in his situation?)

He claims to be a member of the moral majority with staunch family values. (Does Representative Gilmore consider himself to be apart of a lawmaking institution but it's ok to violate the laws?)

This is a very news worthy story. (Newsworth because it was a Republican? Is Rep Gilmore's issue not newsworthy?)

He admitted his guilt and simply wanted to sweep the story under the rug, or perhaps in the closet! As Senator, I think it’s safe to assume that he understands the law. (Does Rep Gilmore "know the law" too before he shoved the airline employee out of the way to enter a restricted area?)

He is a hypocrite, plain and simple and is hoping to pull the shades over a judge’s eyes just as he has done to his family and this nation for so many years. (Would Rep Gilmore be considered a hypocrite for breaking laws he is responsible for creating and supporting?)

Fact is – Larry Craig get's attention because he is a Republican. Democrats get a "pass" by the media. The blantantly obvious differences between the coverages of two people (Craig versus Gilmore) prove the bias.

"Why is CNN pulling comments from this story as soon as they're posted?"

Because most of the country wants to know.

" If you don't like what people write, don't ask them for their comments! No wonder I don't watch you anymore!"

You don't watch them anymore because you're a Fox News lover. That's all it is. You can't stand anything to the left of Attila the Hun.

At least be honest.

Ahh, its great to be part of the loyal class in this country.

I see his conviction falls under the cafeteria legal statute. Whereby you pick the crime, and then if your caught, you pick the outcome that's right for you.

It saves money on the system and everyone wins.

tippy, tap, tap, tap.......

So, Larry Craig is a senator and he is gay but he won't admit it and insteads heaps lie upon lie. Then, he gets caught in a sting while trying to make a bathroom buddy and pleads guilty because he "thought that would be the most expedient way of handling the issue". And, now, he's trying to backpedal.

I don't care what this man's sexual leanings are.

Here's what I do care about:

1. He's gay and instead of supporting the cause, he's a complete hypocrite.

2. He's a liar AND he's lying to those who elected him and pay his salary. WHAT innocent man pleads guilty????

3. He says his decision to plead guilty was badly considered and impetuous. (not good qualities for a senator).

4. He thinks he is deserving of special privileges. When is the last time your typical John Q Public was allowed to recant his guilty plea because it didn't work out like he thought it would?

IF this was any john doe he wouldn't ahve got a second chance. This man is a pathetic crrep

Toiletgate - what more can be said? Any fool can see he's guilty. In fact, the fool knows it himself!

INNOCENT PEOPLE DO NOTE PLEAD GUILTY...GUILTY PEOPLE DO! Unless he can prove that he was tortured into confessing, then I think his guilty plea should stand.

Larry Craig's politics and his dearth of integrity are repugnant to me. I believe the nation would be better run if Craig and those of his political ilk were voted out of office.

However, the hypocrisy of the Republican leadership in their efforts to railroad Craig from the Senate are equally repugnant and he should not appease them. Had he been in a local tavern hitting on a woman-using words in addition to tapping his toes–the good old boys in the Senate would be winking in macho admiration even if they could not voice it.

That Craig allegedly made "signals" to another man is the crux of what the outrage is about. It is not about general morality or about the sanctity of marriage, it is about homophobia coupled with the Republican need for a scarificial lamb to assuage the electorate in thier disgust with Republican scandals, duplicity and hypocrisy.

I hope Craig is soundly defeated when he runs again. I hope everyone else of his political stripe is voted out. But what he is accused of doing in the restroom -and I have no reason to think he did not tap his foot –does not approach a level of impropriety suggested by the Republican outcry demanding his resignation.

If the goal is to rid the Senate of disruptable and dishonest members-to get rid of people who are not serving the interests of America-then all the Republicans who have sold their souls to Bush and his misguided, immoral policies should resign en masse. Craig is a weak, tortured, dangerous little man who needs therapy and a life without influence on national policy but except for his dancing feet, he is little different from the rest of the Bush base–and I use the term "base" advisedly.

So if this works, he'll be 'flushed' with success? His conviction will be 'wiped out?' He can quit 'stalling' and get back to work?

Man, this guy is just circling the drain.

How much does the GOP just want Larry Craig to disappear? Pathetic...

http://www.political-buzz.com/

OK, he's not gay. It makes me feel so much better... some I knew in my heart of hearts that we really don't have any gay Republicans in America.

Senator Bathroom Goblin (R – Mensroom) is the gift that keeps on giving!

Senator Craig has always been a latent homosexual, he just happened to get caught. Rumors have circulated for years. After all he has never had any biological children. What really disturbs me however is the way Congress and the media has gone after this sad and pathetic man. Had he instead picked up a young woman, this would have all been swept under the carpet and forgiven. God forbid he happens to be gay. There is definitely a double standard – one that needs to be examined in the public forum.

Typical republican...cant' stand by his first position, comes up with multiple explanations for his conduct, and then disavows anything he said once caught with his pants down around his ankles bending over to pick up a piece of toilet paper and then waiving to the guy sitting in the stall next to thim. What piece of GARBAGE!

Here you go again! Why should being gay or not matter so much is beyond my comprehension.
Gays are all over the world and all over history–Iran omitted–as we have learned in last couple of days.
Let him pay the fine and let him go...and bring the ghost back next August.

What exactly did Lary Craig do? We complain that our country is going to pot, yet our Congressmen are spending time on prosecuting each other and holding hearings to get each other in trouble .

Hey Henry Tucker...

Larry Craig placed himself in this situation. He claims to be a member of the moral majority with staunch family values. He has consistently voted against any type of gay rights legislation.

This is a very news worthy story. He admitted his guilt and simply wanted to sweep the story under the rug, or perhaps in the closet! As Senator, I think it’s safe to assume that he understands the law.

He is a hypocrite, plain and simple and is hoping to pull the shades over a judge’s eyes just as he has done to his family and this nation for so many years. He and everyone in Washington knows he’s been a NAUGHTY, NAUGHTY BAD BOY!

He pleaded guilty and walked away, and that would have been the end of it if it hadn't been found out by the public.

Read between the lines: He isn't saying he didn't do it. He's saying he's embarrassed that everybody KNOWS he did it.

Seems like Republicans don't like hearing about their gay Senator anymore...

If you've got a problem with the Craig stories, tell Gay Larry to resign. He's the one fighting the charges, he's the one creating the news, not CNN.

I think Mr. Craig's story is pointing out two glaring problems our country faces.

For one, it proves beyond a shadow of a doubt the inanity of the American jurisprudence and political systems.

After listening to the man's own statements and considering his vacillating opinions, depending on his changing environments (Minnesota and Washington DC), the very idea that he his confession could be legally overturned lacks credibility or common sense.

The man isn't a juvenile, nor is he a naif to that legal system; the man's a congressman.

If he didn't know what he was saying perhaps he doesn't have the mental acuity to hold his position. And if not, how could the Minnesota electorate have been so stupid to vote him into office? It makes one wonder.

At the very least, Craig's gaffe shows that the man is incapable of thinking on his feet.

And besides that, by trying to get his confession overturned after the damage had been done shows a deep contempt for the intelligence of his constituency.

Everyone, except perhaps the people who depend on him for their living, knows or at least strongly suspects Mr. Craig to be a homosexual, a designation, incidentally, that some of us adults consider merely a benign aspect our human existence.

The second problem Mr. Craig's case brings to light is the incompetence of American leadership.

Granted, under the scrutiny of a rapacious and often duplicitous news media, Jesus Christ would have been proven either a charlatan or lunatic after a week or perhaps a month at the most in the headlines.

Having said that, I still think that "leaders" like Mr. Craig have committed blunders that defy the imagination.

For example: in Mr. Craig's case, a
tearoom encounter is normally grist for only the young and stupid or
occasionally a few old street perverts, not men of Mr. Craig's
stature and importance.

For God's sake Mr. Craig, surely you can afford the cost of a room.

The Craig story will ultimately be viewed as comical, the problems that it highlights,will not.

CNN – the Craig News Network

CNN, please stop the torture now, not another Larry Craig story...

Frankly, the 'gay panic' defense he's adopting doesn't sound very not-gay to me.

Oh, I understand. One law for you and your powerful cronies and another for the rest of us. Isn't that right, Senator?

You are one pathetic person. I hope that the folks in Idaho have the brains to make you an ex-Senator the next time around.

Let me predict the blog comments to any court outcome:

1. If the court overturns his original plea... comments will be: outrage, "preferential treatment" for Craig, "He's still gay", etc.

2. If the court rules the guilty plea stands... comments will be:
"Resign Now", "Hypocrite deserves jail time", "Come out of the closet", etc.

Just want to thank CNN in advance for the more than 2 dozen articles on Larry Craig! This is such a newsworthy story and deserves MUCH MORE attention (hopefully you catch the sarcasm).

When a Democrat violates the law (Gilmore assaults airline employee) – how many articles does CNN post? One.

Gosh, I can't imagine why Fox News wins the rating wars!

He's concerned about overturning a misdemeanor now. But what about the two weeks he had between being arrested and actually pleading guilty. Anyone stupid enough to plead 'not guilty,' much less cruise for men in public places, shouldn't be in office.

Why is CNN pulling comments from this story as soon as they're posted? If you don't like what people write, don't ask them for their comments! No wonder I don't watch you anymore!

But Larry,

You're a senator. You know the laws and you know about judges. Your excuse sounds hollow at best.

If this hypocritical pervert gets these charges overturned, it will be all the proof I need to know that your legal system is truly as big of a joke as our entire system of government as become! Craig needs to accept responsibility for his actions and decisions and stop whining...there were more than enough rumors going around about him before the bathroom incident and all the anti-gay legislation he tried to pass didn't calm those rumors! Step down and move on, loser!