New York (CNN) – The now-immortalized final moment of Anthony Weiner's failed New York mayoral campaign was the candidate's middle finger directed at a reporter curbside as his car drove away Tuesday night.
CNN affiliate NY-1 captured Weiner flipping the bird on video as the candidate departed his primary election night party after delivering his concession speech, punctuating the end of his bizarre campaign and an odd evening.
Press, Weiner security scuffle. Reporter: "These are the type of people you surround yourself w/, who push us?" Cue: http://t.co/TAKCKz88xc—
Lindsey Christ (@LindseyChrist) September 11, 2013
If that wasn't enough drama, Weiner had trouble getting into his event as Sydney Leathers, the woman at the center of the sexting controversy that began the unraveling of his mayoral campaign, had shown up outside in what she admitted was a blatant play for media attention. Weiner's problem was there was only one entrance to Connolly's Pub and Restaurant, the election night headquarters for his campaign.
"I'm here to celebrate. I think he needs some sex therapy," explained Leathers, who is now embracing a career in the porn industry.
In Weiner's final days, more curiosity than serious candidate
Dressed in a skintight, red dress and platform black pumps, Leathers got what she was looking for as some of the press inside headed outside to interview the newly minted porn star. For about 30 minutes, it was a media frenzy outside. Leathers stuck around for several hours hoping Weiner would show up, even heading inside to the bar to drink a glass of white wine with a male friend.
"We went to his campaign headquarters today first, and he decided to rearrange his schedule because apparently he doesn't think he can handle confronting me or me being in his presence so I felt like it was only appropriate to make one last stop," she said.
Sydney Leathers outside New York City mayoral candidate Anthony Weiner's election night Tuesday, September 10, 2013. Photo by Laura Dolan.
She was right that campaign staff didn't want a scene out front as they spent a long time figuring out how to choreograph Weiner's arrival. When the candidate finally showed just before 11 p.m., he quickly bolted into a next door McDonald's restaurant. The press corps and Leathers gave chase – yes, this really happened – security pulled a blocking maneuver as Weiner ducked through a door that connected Connolly's and the Mickey D's.
Despite the antics, Weiner made no mention of the spectacle outside during his concession speech. But his mood may have been reflected by his departing gesture.
– CNN's Laura Dolan, Rosa Flores and Tim McCaughan contributed to this report.
From CNN Politics
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This woman has more cajones that Weiner. What an arrogant, self-centered thing to do. This woman is just as much a low-life as Weiner.
Typical behavior from a Democrat... the oddity was that most of it was captured on camera.
Hillary Clinton, Huma Weiner, and all of the other libs must be beaming with pride over this performance!
A fitting (happy) ending.
So, on his way out, Weiner shows everybody exactly why he should have never been elected in the first place. How very generous of him, and good for New York as well as our country.
Poor guy- but he should have known better than to stand up in the spot light once again. That's what you get for trusting a woman.
A fitting ending to a liberal-loon hedonist,
Who once had both Clintons at his wedding
to Her Trusted Aide. But NOT at his concession-speech party. When he needed support most. Please!
No, Tony: Clinton's getting away with assignations in the Oval Office
May have emboldened you to expose
yourself to strangers, now party-
crashers, Hill and Bill, the Bonnie and Clyde
of US politics? No show! Friends?
Weiner will get a show on CNN or MSNBC.
Pinkie Tuskadero: all of the other libs must be beaming with pride over this performance!
Actually, in case you missed it in the article as well as many articles on Weiner over the past few months, Democrats have been very adamant about criticizing Weiner. This is why 4 Democrats finished above Weiner in the nomination voting. To say that Democrats are proud of somebody they voted into last place is quite partisan and ignorant of the facts.
I declare my dodge on Weiner.
I still say she's a man.
this is just too funny. weiner is – well a GIANT WEINER. What did he expect would happen with his Mayoral campaign, and erection night party!??? LOVE that the future porn star showed up and beat him (!!!) to his own party.
YOU JUST CAN'T WRITE STUFF THIS FUNNY....... I cannot wait to see the movie.
and she is standing in front of her advertising poster!
What did he expect? I hope he did not expect to win? What a travesty!
I somehow end up crashing Wiener parties all the time...they're called Bars
"libs must be beaming with pride" Are you stupid? Nobody supports this guy. Larry Craig, who got caught trying to pick up in a men's room, got more support from his party than Carlos Danger, the Gaucho of Love. The few votes he got were from sadists wanting to watch him fall apart. Really, by now it's obviously a mental breakdown and not funny anymore.
Pinkie... like in commie pinko? Just like you must be beaming with pride over Pete Domenici, Larry Craig, Newt Gingrich, Dan Burton, Henry Hyde, Robert Livingston, Bob Barr, Steven LaTourette.
What a disgusting little man! How he could get more than 1 vote (his own) is beyond me.
Weiners wife should dump him How can she stand being a Weiner's wife. Hope he doesn't have any kids. They'll b callin them little Weiners
What man, other than Weiner would want to lay her? With all the makeover she's had done to her she looks terrible and ugnlier than before. She has no class whatsoever. This lady is a Republican and not a liberal Democrat; Demos have more class than this lady's actions. The Republicans must have put her up to embarrass the Demos.
This is a good lesson for anyone who tends to act compulsively and doesn't think something through what the consequences in the end may be. This is a hoot!
This is why Politicians need to be more professional and held to the highest standards, because no one wants to hear about this garbage drama! There is enough out there already – who wants to VOTE for it.
what a classy guy.
Her parents must be so proud!
whether Sydney Leathers is democrat or republican is moot – what is certain is that she is a tramp with silicone boobs trying like hell to extend her 15 minutes of fame.
She might want to use some of her media money to find a new plastic surgeon. Her boobage is atrocious.
This pig should go back to Teabagistan immediately.