Frustration with Weiner grows among House Democrats
Washington (CNN) - When fed up House Democratic leaders called on Anthony Weiner to resign last weekend, they were hoping to keep what they consider a disruptive political distraction from entering a third week.
But Weiner did not step down, and Tuesday outside the House Democrats first meeting since Weiner admitted to sending lewd Twitter messages, frustration among some of his colleagues was palpable.
"It is taking away from all the issues we are fighting for. It's been what two weeks? It's been a very long two weeks," said Weiner's Democratic colleague from New York, Rep. Carolyn McCarthy.
McCarthy told reporters "we're hearing that he might resign in a couple of days," but did not say where she was hearing that.
While McCarthy stopped short of saying Weiner should leave Congress, others did not.
Rep. Zoe Lofgren, who chaired the House Ethics Committee through the end of last year, said "I think he should resign."
So does Rep. Sander Levin of Michigan, who said it is important to send a "strong message to him that he should resign."
"The more of us who say it, the more telling it will be," said Levin.
If Weiner does not resign, fellow Democrats could take other punitive steps such as voting to strip him of his committee assignments or even vote to expel him from the Democratic caucus.
But multiple lawmakers said House Democrats did not discuss those options in Tuesday's meeting, and said the discussion about Weiner was limited to House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi repeating to colleagues what she said publicly over the weekend.
Afterwards, she reiterated that to reporters.
"I wanted to be sure that they knew why I came to the conclusion that with the love of his family and confidence of his constituents and the need for help that Congressman Weiner should resign from the Congress. I'm never prouder of my colleagues than in times of challenge like this," said Pelosi.
Behind the scenes, Pelosi is expressing confidence Weiner will heed the call from his colleagues to step down.
A source inside Tuesday morning's House Democratic meeting tells CNN that one lawmaker did ask Pelosi about the possibility of stripping Weiner's committee assignments, and that she replied "he won't have any when he resigns."
Weiner has made clear to colleagues and friends that he is waiting to make a decision until his wife, Huma Adebin, returns from a trip abroad with her boss, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
One Democratic source who spoke with Weiner Saturday tells CNN he said he wants to "look her in the eye" and talk to her about whether to resign, because he has hurt her enough.
Abedin could be back as early as Wednesday morning, and multiple House Democrats have told CNN they are hoping he will announce soon after that he will resign.
Steve Israel, one of the Democratic leaders who issued coordinated statements calling on Weiner to step down, said Monday that "he's awaiting the arrival of his wife, having a conversation with his wife. I hope he makes the judgment that he should resign."
Weiner announced Saturday he was entering an undisclosed treatment center, and on Monday, was granted a two-week leave of absence from the House.
House Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer stopped short of saying Weiner should resign, but made clear he thinks that would be the best decision, telling reporters it would be "very difficult for him to proceed given the circumstances."
Hoyer added, "I hope he's seriously considering taking a course that will take him out of this context, and deal with this personal life and not be burdened by being a member."
To be sure, some of Weiner's colleagues say it's not their place to pressure him to resign.
"He was duly elected by his constituents I think that's a decision for him to make," said Rob Andrews, D-New Jersey.
As for Republicans, House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, joined other GOP colleagues Tuesday in saying he thinks Weiner should resign
–CNN's Paul Courson contributed to this story
don't cave to these sefish Dems Tony......you hang in there, stand up for yourself, and keep giving us more campaign ammo. StayTony Stay
Oh come on Democrats. Why bother resigning? The American people already know how sleazy and corrupt you all are anyways.
I am think Bill Clinton did far more than Weiner has, but I don't recall the democrats calling for him to resign...
Why is Weiner being such a hard head?
If his own wife is telling him not to resign who's he going for. The President or his wife. After what he supposedly did to his wife, I'd be letting her order him around anytime. And resign for what. Democratically elected but Democrats not acting like Democrats. o_O People have stayed in congress for far worse and illegal things. Anthony has done neither. It's the Dems making a big freaking issue out of this. I wish they would stop forcing his hand.
Only the Democrats can drag something like this out. It is obvious that they condone this kind of behavior until a person gets caught.
I don't think the guy should resign! I think he should spit in their faces for judging him in the wake of all their own indiscretions! Let's be honest, whatever he has done on his twitter does not, a bad job in the house make. It's his personal life! No one tells me that because I got plowed over the weekend and took my shirt off in the middle of the bar that I should quit my job. Likewise, if his constituents like him (which they do) He should stay! Let them determine if he is doing a good job or not.
It sounds like there's a lot of angry with Weiner, who isn't performing as expected. I think Viagra can help that condition.
"It is taking away from all the issues we are fighting for. It's been what two weeks? It's been a very long two weeks,"
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Then SHUT UP shutting up about it!
You keep adding wood to the fire and then wonder why the fire won't burn itself out.
I think my favorite headline on this story is; BOEHNER CALLS FOR WIENER RESIGNATION.
another bad day for anthony,,, but i could be worse,,, he could of play with the miami heat ...
Where was everyone complaining when Clinton did it in the White House. Obama and the rest of the Democratic party is applying a double standard. Clinton embarassed the whole country yet Obama and the rest of the Democatics didnt say that Clinton should resign. What a joke this whole thing is and I am sure the whole world is laughing at us.
The House Democrats are keeping it in the forefront, nobody else. Lets get on with the business of the people. The Representatives get distracted so easily.
look up 'hubris' in the dictionary. you find Wiener's face, along with other magalomaniac "masters of universe'.
Once in awhile even Dems get frustrated with their weiner
This is an important distraction from actual issues. Kick him out and start working for the people.
The fact that they are letting the issue get in the way of running the country is honestly more concerning then what Weiner did.
Sorry we just can't run the country anymore... someone show someone their willie and we haven't been able to talk about anything else for 2 weeks, now 3.
Your grown ups right. You know when kids do something that annoys you and you pay no attention to it. Try it.
Of course everyone thinks he should resign – that's the only PC answer a politician can give. He definitely needs to take a leave and figure out why he suddenly lost all control. He is the only one that can decide if he is still fit for the job – I'm confident he will make the right decision if everyone could just leave him and his wife alone to think and talk about it.
Considering all of the scandals, crimes, and other problems the libs have covered up, or approved of, over the last few years–from buying senate seats to sex crimes to taking bribes to demanding luxury jets and such, it is amazing how they focus on Weiner. He must have a conservative streak in him, or else they want to sell his position for cash or favors.