A typical profile if a republican Senetor in Washingto D.C.
Hypocrite, unfaithful, corrupt, dishonest, untouchable, unskillful, unchristian. Such an ideal Republican Senetor is Sen. Larry Craig.
He is staying. Is that the final decision of the remaining Republican Senetors in Washington D.C.? This Sen L. Craig, a senetor with such a low esteem, cannot differentiate the right from the wrong ?
If he is a Christian, where is his religious education ?
If he is an American ? Where is his American Esteem ?
If he considers himself a legislator, where are his moral values ?
We do not care about L. Craig's sexual preferences or orientation, but this Sen. Craig has no respect to his wife, to his family and especially to the people of Idaho and to this Great Nation.
As a Republican, I deplore every single Repuplican Senetor who accepts the decision of the Sen. L. Craig to stay.
After the decision of the Minnesota Judge's denial, the final judgement belongs to the Great people of Idaho.

Funny, only the Republicans want "mulligans." That, and have you forget the original snafu, too!!!

Posted By Brendan H., San Antonio, TX : October 4, 2007 4:18 pm

Bush sucks, OK Brendan?

Talk about a mulligan, Kennedy got one for killing a young women many years ago and the sheep still voted him in again…………

Oops, sorry, moderator. I jumped the gun and didn't wait long enough for approval of comments.

C'mon, moderator. How do my comments on two stories about sending him condolences to his public address in DC, or suggesting that only Dershowitz can help him now violate the terms of service?

One of the few lawyers who can help him now on appeal is Professor Alan Dershowitz at Harvard Law. But reversing the well-reasoned 27-page opinion of the trial court denying a new trial might be beyond even his considerable skill in twisting facts that are already pretty clear, both as to the offense and the voluntary plea.

We can't have but so much sympathy for Sen. Larry Craig. Obviously, this guy just doesn't think too clearly.

Just think: if he gets his face out of the media and quietly disappears, he can cruise restrooms in relative anonymity.

He needs to go away, now. Since Cheney has been quiet lately, why don't they go "hunting" together..

That's the ticket.

I understand what he was trying to do when he pled guilty (keep this away from the public eye). But that doesn't make it right, because now few people will believe he is innocent.

Ah…
*evil grin*
Now, on to the next Republican sex scandal du jour!
*rubs hands together eagerly*
He needs to admit that he's gay…

I have two comments on this story. The first is that I am in awe that it would take 27 pages of leaglease to say "your request to overturn your guilty p[lea is denied". Wonder why the justice system is in the wicked shape it's in today – heck, almost akin to our lethargic Congress.
Posted By Jim W, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma : October 4, 2007 2:23 pm

Jim, the first page told you the outcome of two different motions. That's all that you needed if you just wanted to know that.

All of the other information is given so that the opinion can be used as legal precedent. In order to do so, the judge needs to lay out a statement of facts and then show what legal analysis he used to make his decision. I don't know how you think that law is applied, but if it weren't for precedent and these types of opinions, there would be no consistency to its application. In order to be used down the road for other similar cases where defendants want to withdraw their pleas, one must know the relevant facts to show similarity, as well as which prior cases were used to in the event that any were overturned.

What a shinning example of respectability Idaho has sent to our capitol, no wonder there is stiff backed irascibility (it could be any of us and is many of us), and unwillingness to bend to reality, false posturing and false pride in that place of duplicity. FOR GOD'S SAKE, YOU FOLKS IN DC, GET OVER YOURSELVES – you put your pants on one leg at a time just like every other biped, find your humanity soon please; I for one am running our of patients.

I am still in awe that Sen. Craig is still around! He should be in jail to be honest, why isn't he is a subject to a field study in human psychology among political leaders of this country.

He pleaded guilty, and he knows he is guilty, why is he wasting tax dollars to try to save himself? Truly this man, among are other leaders, is doing a disservice to the very people and state he represents. He needs to go.

Unfortunately Craig (and many other Republicans AND Democrats) are complete hypocrites. In the past three years alone (and this goes way back) we have seen many of these lawmakers break the law on a constant basis. I love to see when a Republican is caught and the bloggers cry a party name and the same with the Democrats. I wonder when 'we as a people' will wake up and realize that in our country (and the corruption is even deeper in most other countries) we are led by LOSERS. Most of them, no all – but a great majority of these chuckle heads are nothing more than pure embarrassment. When are REAL politicians going to finally surface… when the country is not divided as planned into two need 50%/50% groups… when we can all wake up and stand together against ALL of these crooks, well… maybe then things will change. Until then, keep bloggin your time away.

This keeps the seat more competitive than it would have been if Craig had resigned, but the seat stays low on the pick-up opportunities list. Check out the details at these Senate rankings.

Funny, only the Republicans want "mulligans." That, and have you forget the original snafu, too!!!

What'll be next, Bush will proclaim, "My bad on Iraq," and then go, yet again, after the wrong country?!?!?!

Another HIPOCRIT……
Craig is a seasoned politician, college graduate and now he pretends he is ignorant with the law. Craig is downplaying the justice system and he thinks he can be over and above the law. Craig better keeps his promise and RESIGN asap! Dont drag America with this mess – shamefull SOB.

Judge Porter – your doing the right thing.

I don't want him to resign? For what? a misdemeanor

They all have skeletons in their cupboards GOP just want to run this guy out of town. I am not for anyone losing their jobs over sex.

The Senator knew what he wasd doing when he pleaded guilty. He was caught with his pant's down. What part of guilty doe he not get? An old addage states: Thos who live in glass houses should not throw stones. Just add one more Republican to the pervert barbie.

Damn don't you hate those STRICT Constructionists

I was really hoping that this would go to trail.

zzzzzzzZZZZZZZ…

Robert, Port Jefferson and Peter Formaini, Ithaca

I'm not defending Craig with this commentary, as I am a Liberal Democrat.
However, there is a law in Minnesota that allows a defendant to withdrawal a guilty plea. So your comments about "privilege and power" or "setting a precedent for other criminals" shouldn't be aimed at Craig, but more so toward the courts in Minnesota. Your dislike of Craig for one reason or another is one thing; but to imply that he was given special favors (ability to withdrawal plea) because of his public profile is incorrect.

BTW, I sort of hope Craig stays in office because this could help the Dems in the long run. Think about it this way, if he resigns, another GOP person fills his seat (governor appointment). This will give the GOP a boost in the 2008 Idaho senate regular election, the new appointee can claim that he/she is experienced in office, etc. Whereas when Craig leaves office when his term expires, then this will be an open seat, with a slim possibility for a Dem senator.

HOORAY!!! Three cheers for Judge Porter!

Hopefully, Craig's last act as senator now will be to keep his promise and resign from the senate. I pray his successor is a Democrat – We REALLY need way more Democrats on capitol hill to override Bush's follies.

And who was Craig to make a guilty plea and then turn around and fight it? This is just more of the arrogance displayed by the Republican party at large. Thank God almighty I'm a liberal Democrat.

This is a US Senator he has access to the best legal minds in America. If it had been some 17 kid I would understand. This man has huge resources and he plead guilty get over it. Tea

The judge was right to make that decision because there was no way that Sen. Craig could overturn his guilty & he has to pay for it just like Fmr. Conressman Mark Foley(R-FL) & the other crooked politicians!
So I say Sen Craig! "CRY ME A RIVER"!
There are many other politicians that are under suspiscion from both parties like Rep. John Doolittle(R-CA) , Sen. Ted Stevens(R-AK), Rep. Don Young(R-AK), & Bob Filner(D-CA)! THERE WILL BE A THIRD PARTY MAJORITY & A MAJOR PARTY MINORITY!

Actually, I hope that Craig remains in office until the end of his term, and that he takes up where Alberto Gonzales left off. I'd like nothing more than to hear months and months of charges and counter-charges and hour after hour of accusations and denials – all on prime time, of course – as Craig attempts to 'clear his name.' At least he's not Paris Hilton, and besides, there so much Craig can still contribute to the welfare to the country as he assists the Republican Party in committing the suicide that it seems so intent on accomplishing.

I do not believe that Mr. Craig's offense, such as it was, rose to the level of a crime. Yes, he appears to have solicited sex from another man in a public restroom, and sex in such a location has been criminalized. However, considering that there were no complainants (i.e. no victims), and that he was enticed into committing his "crime" by a police officer, I see Mr. Craig as a victim of anti-gay entrapment of a sort that, while once commonplace, is thankfully becoming less so. A cop who makes himself available for sex with another man cannot arrest that man in the name of justice, only in the name of discrimination against gays.

The solution to the "problem" of men's room sex is exactly what the Airport where this occurred has subsequently done: cover the gap between the stalls that created the conditions for the sex play in the first place. Now they should also end the practice of entrapping men seeking gay sex.

By the way, should someone have been injured by Mr. Craig's behavior, such as a child or even unwilling adult being exposed to it, that WOULD legitimately be called a crime and should be punished. That did not happen in this case.

One more thing: Mr. Craig has demonstrated the ultimate in hypocrisy by blaming the gay rights movement for his difficulty with the law. This position caps his long career of opposition to gay rights with an ironic, and sad, demonstration of his self-destructive sexual confusion and willingness to demagogue the issue.

What a typical Republican. I suppose the Democrats dropped that paper over the stall wall so Craig would have to pick it up.

Heh. Uh-Oh! Naughty, naughty; Mr. Craig!
Idaho? No! Udaho!!

Well, he did plead guilty. That was a mistake he made, and he shouldn't have done it if he didn't want to.

Regardless of whether or not he's guilty, I think it's tragic the intolerance, misinformation, and taboo of being gay is so out of whack in this country that people would be so afraid to admit what (not who, but what) they are that they would resort to bathrooms to "secretly" engage in such activities. Hopefully our culture will become more accepting of what people are, so they don't have to be so afraid they hide the truth from the world, so stuff like this becomes much rarer.

What did you think was going to happen Senator Craig, most of us Republicans and Democrats alike simple just want you to go away.

Thank god this was not one of those 'activist judges' who would've created new precedent out of whole cloth and instead stuck to the centries-old precedent, and found the man's plea irreversible.

Another proud day for the GOP. His wife and family must be so proud. He is such a hypocrit that I doubt anyone comes to his defense. But seriously, thanks for the laughs and your timing is impecable.

Senator Craig is a naughty boy… in fact I would even go so far as to say that he is a nasty- naughty boy…

It's good to see the judge took a "wide stance" on this issue and denied his request to withdraw his guilty plea. Now go pick up that last piece of paper on the bathroom floor and leave already, Larry.

I'm glad that the judge didn't change his stance. Craig is an asset to the Republican Party in my book.

I do feel for the guy, most gay people in the public eye have to hide the fact they're gay, and thats sad, but still what a dumba**, he still shouldnt be forced to resign. why arent more gay people defending him, i thought libs were more compasionate.

IT SEEMS THAT SENATOR CRAIG, WAS CERTAINLY IN THE WRONG PLACE AT THE WRONG TIME!!!!!!!!!! EVEN THOUGH THIS WASN'T OVERTURNED, I STILL BELIEVE THAT SENATOR CRAIG SHOULD HAVE HIS ATTORNEY PRESS CHARGES AGAINST THE POLICE OFFICER WHO WAS IN THE RESTROOM AND THE ONE WHO ARRESTED SENATOR CRAIG. LISTENING TO THOSE TAPE RECORDINGS, IT SEEMS TO ME, THAT SENATOR CRAIG WAS BEING YELLED AT, AND EVEN SPOKEN IN A VERY HARSH MANNER. THIS ISN'T RESPECTFUL TO SENATOR CRAIG, AND SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED. WHY SHOULD SOMEONE TREAT A HUMAN BEING, WHO IS NOT ON ANYTHING, NOR DOES HE HAVE A RECORD, SHOWN DISRESPECT FROM ANOTHE HUMAN BEING?????
ITS SAD TO BELIEVE THAT NOW, WE AMERICANS HAVE TO HAVE SECOND THOUGHTS ABOUT ENTERING A "PUBLIC RESTROOM"!!!!!
MY LORD, WHAT WILL THEY THINK OF NEXT?????? ALSO, I QUESTION THIS OFFICER, AS TO WHY HE FOUND SENATOR CRAIG TO BE GUILTY BEFORE SENATOR CRAIG EVEN HAD A TRIAL. SENATOR CRAIG SHOULD NOT OF SIGNED ANYTHING, AND SHOULD OF DEMANDED HE BE ABLE TO CONTACT HIS PERSONAL ATTORNEY.

Well looking in from the outside and getting my shield ready for the stones -

I have to say this – It is Larry Craig's word versus the airport police
officer's. So those who find Larry guilty as charged are basing that finding on the officer's story. There are no witnesses or video on what happened in the washroom. Just Saying…Fair is Fair.

If it was someone other than Senator Craig would people haven just taken the officer's word and version of what happened? I don't think so. Somebody would be screaming foul and asking where the evidence was.

I just think like the Jenna Case all should be treated fairly under the law and Justice System. And the only two people who really know what went on in that washroom is Senator Craig and the Airport Police Officer…Making it a He said – He said case.

He should stay, then the republicans will lose a seat next year. Please, please, please, STAY!

I hope Larry Craig stays around and fights for his innocence!! If he IS innocent, his case showcases the shallow spinelessness of his Congressional colleagues in dumping him before he got a chance to defend himself in the Ethics Committee. If he is guilty, well this is just another Neo-con hypocrite exposed, while family values champion, David Vitter, gets a free pass to his house of prostitution.

Larry Crain is the poster child for utter moral bankruptcy of the Republican Party.

"You are a pimple on the GOP's butt."

Posted By Bubba, Swainsboro GA : October 4, 2007 2:27 pm

Since they've taken care of the acne, isn't it about time they did something about the rest of that cancer-ridden body?

Senator, you said that you would resign at the end of September.

It is now October. Kindly do what you said you would do.

I hope he stays!I hope he stays!I hope he stays!I hope he stays!I hope he stays!I hope he stays!I hope he stays!I hope he stays!I hope he stays!I hope he stays!I hope he stays!I hope he stays!I hope he stays!I hope he stays!I hope he stays!I hope he stays!I hope he stays!I hope he stays!!!!!!! GO DEMS!

And now we'll say good bye to you. Remember what you said? You're not a liar about resigning are you? I'm thinking you'll appeal about 10 times to try everything to hang on to your identity, no, I mean your ego, opps I mean your "job." Does Idaho deserve you as their representative? Let's ask them to speak up.

Senator Craig's repeated displays of lack of judgment and common sense are astonishing.

In these foul days of fear and loathing, it is heartening to see that John Adams' famous words have not been forgotten:
"to the end it may be a government of laws and not of men." This phrase has been quoted with approval by the U.S. Supreme Court and every state supreme court in the United States.

One would think a sitting United States Senator would have the cojones to stand by his word – both as to the guilty plea and commitment to leave the Senate.

Instead, he will no doubt vow to fight on – to the Supreme Court if necessary. What a pathetic display.

Poor Larry. He was probably hoping to get a trial and some jail time for a little jailhouse love.

I am glad the judge denied Craig's withdraw guilty plea. Why should it be okay for a high power official get special treatment? His circumstances are no different than what happens every day in the court system to regular people.

Hang in there Larry. Appeal that decision all the way to the Supreme Court. You didn't do anything wrong!!!

We need to keep this story alive.

Senator, the facts are clear. Guilty as charged. Now go away. You are a pimple on the GOP's butt.

I have two comments on this story. The first is that I am in awe that it would take 27 pages of leaglease to say "your request to overturn your guilty p[lea is denied". Wonder why the justice system is in the wicked shape it's in today – heck, almost akin to our lethargic Congress. Anyway, the second comment is this – to Senator Craig – now Sir it it time for you to admit what you did and take responsibility. You've wasted enough taxpayer time and embarrassed this country yet again as another loose lawmaker. You admitted to it, you most likely did it, you need to go.

Nuts.

I was hoping Larry would fight this to the end. He's a beacon of morality and virtue.

Regardless of whether the judge's decision was fair, Craig is getting a good strong taste of his own medicine and finding out first hand what political persecution and police indimidation is all about. Poetic justice.

I can just hear him now going waaa, waaa. What a whiner. He should just shut up to retain some dignity.

So, Senator…what do you plan to do now, you "bad, naughty boy!"

Just another Republican pervert trying to pull the wool over everyone's eyes. Too much smoke around the gay issue and this guy. He has a history of doing this and he has always gotten off. Not this time Larry.

Good bye, Larry. And take it easy. Thanks for the laughs.

YES!!!!

Now, Mr. Craig, please leave, aso you promise you will do…. Please do not backtrack, hide or re-interpret your comments ….

Just GO!!!! Stop embarassing your constituents….

Will Larry Craig now do what he said he would do a month ago and let the Senate get on with their business? Give the people of Idaho the opportunity to have a Senator represent their interests who is not a hypocrite – time to say bye bye Larry.

Now will Larry Craig finally leave office.

I am ashamed to say he is United States Senator and he does not know difference between pleading guilty and not-guilty. Shame for people who voted for this con man.

But… but… He's innocent! That's why he plead guilty. Oh, I mean, uh….

I'm sure it was an accident that he established eye contact with the cop while peering through the crack next to the door, AND soon thereafter brushed his foot up against the cop's, AND next caressed the bottom of the partition with his fingers. It's just a coincidence that those happen to be the same things guys do when cruising for a homosexual encounter, and that he did these things in a bathroom notorious as a rendezvous point for gay hookups.

Gee, I can't imagine why the judge didn't let him reverse his plea.

/SARCASM

It's not the gay thing. I couldn't care less about that. I just have a problem with hypocritical Republicans who try to impose a brand of morality upon others that they themselves do not adhere to.

Even the guilty plead innocent…why did he not plead innocent from the very start?

Maybe next time Craig wants male contact he will be more discreet and hire someone. He is gay and has been all of his life……….hopefully he will admit it and come to terms with who he is. I think Jim Mc Greevy should have a cocktail party and invite Craig. :-,)

The judge is right. It is silly of Craig and his supporters to think otherwise when he, as a highly educated lawmaker, vountarily signed a guilty plea saying that he was not innocent after thinking about it for about 7 weeks. The plea is a contract binding on both parties.

Craig: Just go away and retire, as you are embarrassing the republican party.

Big shock here. Glad the system worked for him like it would have for everyone else.

Excellent news!!!

Good to see that privilege and power do not always mean one gets to circumvent the rules that the rest of us must live by!

Hooray for our legal system. If this degenrate would have been allowed to reverse his plea how many other criminals would have been able to do the same thing citing "old droopy drawers" as a precedent?

Go figure. The Minnesota courts were the first ones to ban gay marriage in the 1970s. They're still backwards. He obviously never admitted to asking a police officer to have sex in public if you listen to the tape.

From a non-partisian legal stand point [fyi I'm an appeals lawyer], the decision was correct. From a totally partisian point of view [I'm a liberal democrat], Sen. Craig better keep to his promise and resign.

Oh Goodie – more news about Larry Craig! The good folks at CNN will have at least another 10 days of headlines and "critical evaluation" from this story alone!

Any word on Brittany's babies since we're covering all the REAL NEWS here at CNN?