Craig quits Romney campaign post, removed from site
The Romney camp removed a video of Craig endorsing the former governor for president. It has since been posted by other users.
WASHINGTON (CNN) - Sen. Larry Craig, the Idaho Republican who pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct, has stepped down from his role as a co-Senate liaison for former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney's White House bid, the campaign said Monday.
"He did not want to be a distraction and we accept his decision," Matt Rhoades, Romney's Communication's director said.
The Romney campaign has also pulled a video of Craig from its YouTube channel, first reported by the online Web site "The Politico," and confirmed by CNN
The video, a clip of Craig praising Romney for his "strong family values," was changed to a "private" video shortly after the news surfaced of the arrest, The Politico reports.
A senior Romney aide tells CNN's John King: "Once there was information about his resignation being imminent, there was no reason to have his prior testimonial still present on the site. Our communications shop removed it. We add and edit content all day long on our sites."
Craig's position with the campaign was announced earlier this year when the Idaho Republican praised Romney as a "proven leader."
UPDATE: Josh Romney, one of the candidate's five sons, has canceled his trip to Boise, Idaho Tuesday because of "a last minute schedule change," the Romney campaign tells CNN's Sasha Johnson.
- CNN Ticker Producer Alexander Mooney
WOW – If Larry Craig endorsed Mitt for their shared family values "WATCH OUT AMERICA"
Posted By Tricia M Charlottetown PEI: "What would you deduce from these actions if you had been the officer? Might I add, an officer that was working under cover due to many reports of lewd acts being carried out in the same public washroom."
That's the rub now isn't it? If the officer were undercover for alleged drug trafficing in this public restroom and the officer thought foot tapping was a dealer's high sign would Craig be facing drug charges instead?
Craig was arrested based on the officer's interpretation of Craig's actions. The officer made an assumption based on a tapping foot and a waving hand that Craig wished to engage in lewd acts. Craig was not arrested for engaging in lewd acts. He was arrested for tapping his foot. Last I checked tapping your foot in a public area is not illegal. Placing your foot adjacent to another person's foot, albeit weird, is not illegal either.
A half witted lawyer could have had Craig's case dismissed.
Craig said he plead guilty to misdemeanor disorderly conduct charges to make a quick end to the court proceedings. He did so to avoid a witch hunt. Whether or not this is true is between Craig and his own conscience.
I am not saying Craig is innocent or guilty. I'm not legal council nor a judge. This blog is not a court of law. I will say I am not willing to crucify the man because he tapped his foot in public. I'm tapping my foot right now. Should I be arrested?
Police officers are human and prone to make mistakes just like any other human. Craig was arrested based on an assumption and the general public seems more than happy to condemn the man. This whole situation does have overtones of a witch hunt.
Poor the "little woman". Each time one of these public officials gets caught with their pants down, he parades his little woman to camera: "see folks: my wife is here and she believes me..."
Wouldn't it be funny, if his wife came out and surprised him saying this in front of many cameras: " Craig! Stop lying to people. I had it. Don't parade me any more, and I will take everything you have for humiliate me all these years. Enough is enough".
It’s typical Mitt Romney that he turns on a friend who might hurt his chances. Senator Craig is still (pathetically) denying any wrong-doing, but Romney is comparing him to Clinton and Foley. Craig has been a loyal Romney supporter, but Romney’s loyalties (to friends or policy positions) extend only as far as the next election.
Meanwhile, here’s a priceless video of Larry Craig on Meet the Press calling Bill Clinton a naughty boy:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lvMYgIAAkk
To David in Salinas:
While I can appreciate your sentiments, I respectfully diagree. I think that this article/situation represents the hypocrisy of one man. Period. I think that it is a mistake to make blanket statements about one party or another based on the actions of any one representative–and I say this also to Republicans. I am in favor of healthy and open political debate, but I do get tired of BOTH parties getting lost in the forest for the trees.
Thank you for the correction about the Filner article. (Seriously.) I thought I had done my research, but I missed it. Touche!
I would ask, though, that you not presume to know the feelings of every Republican on issues of homosexuality...or any other issue for that matter. That is one of the wonderful things about living in a free-thinking society.
To Cara of Harrisonburg VA:
Touche back to you. You’re right. I shouldn’t have spoken as if all Republicans are of the same cloth. There are fine people, (and hypocrites) in both parties.
Thank you for correcting my position and for elevating the dialogue on this board.