July 28th, 2013
09:57 AM ET
10 years ago

More bad news for Weiner: Campaign manager quits

(CNN) - Days after Anthony Weiner admitted to lewd chats with women online, his campaign manager quit, Weiner and his campaign said Sunday.

Danny Kedem's departure is the latest sign Weiner's New York City mayoral bid is struggling amid allegations of online sexual impropriety. After the chats and photographs became public Tuesday, a poll showed him dropping to second place among Democratic candidates for mayor and his favorable numbers plummeting.

"Danny has left the campaign," Weiner told CNN affiliate NY1. "He did a remarkable job."

Praising the "excellent staff" remaining in his organization, Weiner said more volunteers had flocked to his bid in the last few days than at any point since his campaign began.

"This isn't about the people working on the campaign, it's about the people that we're working for," he said.

Kedem, a 31-year-old operative who previously worked for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, declined comment in an e-mail to CNN.

Weiner first acknowledged Tuesday that he did not stop sending raunchy online chats to women when he left Congress in 2011. That resignation was prompted by allegations from several women that Weiner had sent them lewd photographs of himself.

Speaking at a news conference Thursday, the Democrat said he couldn't say for sure how many more women might come forward.

"There are a few. I don't have a specific number for you," Weiner said.

Pressed to provide a guess as to how many online relationships occurred after his resignation, Weiner said, "I don't believe I had any more than three."

He has resisted calls from his rivals to withdraw from the mayor's race, saying the decision of whether he's trustworthy enough for the job should be up to voters.

His chief rival for the Democratic nomination, City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, stopped short of calling for his withdrawal from the mayor's race Sunday but lambasted his actions as generating further distrust in government.

"I think it's become very clear that former Congress member Weiner has a pattern of reckless behavior, an inability to tell the truth and a real lack of maturity and responsibility," Quinn said on NBC's "Meet the Press." "I don't think he should be mayor, and I think voters, if he stays in the race, will make that very clear."

On Friday, Weiner indicated he may stop answering questions altogether about his online relationships.

"There's going to reach a point fairly soon that I'm going to say I think I've said enough about it, and I'm going to keep just talking about other things," he told reporters on Staten Island.

CNN's Chris Kokenes and Ashley Killough contributed to this report.


Filed under: Anthony Weiner • New York
soundoff (289 Responses)
  1. J dub ya

    Weiner is scum pure & simple.
    I have two daughters and will do everything in my power to keep them safe from sexual predators and perverts like
    this very sad excuse for a man.
    Don't try to sprinkle sugar on this (Paul) !
    It is sickening that this cretin is even considering public office when he clearly has no dignity, no sense of judgement,
    no guilt (this is a repeat offender) and an ego larger than his nose !
    Hope his wife leaves him – stupid no to – and his daughter should be removed from his care as who know what a warped man of zero morals may do to her ?

    July 28, 2013 12:46 pm at 12:46 pm |
  2. Carolos Danger

    Literally do not understand the people who support this man. Yes I understand the argument "in the privacy of his home" but this is not private and that is the point! If a politician can not keep a bond and trust between his wife.....as a voter I am allowed to question his ethics and morality when it comes to elected office. This is a distraction and because it is a distraction it is pertinent and applicable when thinking about voting for him. I cannot stand how people feel that this is ok and how people feel that this should be ignored because it is private. It is not private when running for elected office. How is it so acceptable to elect people!

    July 28, 2013 12:47 pm at 12:47 pm |
  3. Larry

    Wiener is a distraction and he needs to go. But at the same time, America needs to stop caring so much about the personal lives of its politicians. If our employers scrutinized our personal lives in the same way, the majority of us wouldn't have jobs.

    July 28, 2013 12:50 pm at 12:50 pm |
  4. mork

    If Weiner is a viable candidate with his sins exposed, then all who hold public office cannot be removed for conducting the same behavior. It is approval by consent.

    July 28, 2013 12:50 pm at 12:50 pm |
  5. mork

    Wouldn't it be neat if you knew the judge presiding over your trial for lewd behavior was sexting in the evenings, knowing it was perfectly OK?

    July 28, 2013 12:51 pm at 12:51 pm |
  6. John Hanson

    Paul why do you think is ideas.are right for" The Naked City". Oh thay's right he's a Democrat. Isn't that right "Bonechips"

    July 28, 2013 12:51 pm at 12:51 pm |
  7. darknesscrown

    This really is a stupid scandal. The ONLY reason guys like Weiner lie about it is likely because their wives don't approve of their behavior. The voter's opinion actually means nothing. Overwhelming numbers of married people fool around with people other than their spouse at some point in their marriage. You know why? Because people aren't wired to be so. There's a difference between sex and love. Someone who cheats on their spouse can still love them deeply, but may need a physical or psychological release. The REAL wrongdoing is not being honest with their partner. If you are a person who needs a lot of sexual stimulation (in whatever form) it is your responsibility to tell your partner so they can choose to stay with you and accept it, or move on. That's the right thing to do. There is NOTHING WRONG with being married and sleeping/fooling around with other people IF you are open and honest about it with your committed partner. Clearly, Weiner was not...and that's why he lied about it.

    Voters need to get a life. Based on what we know, this guy's only crime here is being dishonest about extramarital relationships/interactions. Mark Sanford in South Carolina stole tax payer money AND cheated on his wife...lied about both...resigned to avoid prosecution, then got elected to Congress by the same people he stole from because he played on their Christian values. So clearly, voters have very short memories...or they're just so hyperpartisan now that they'd rather have a theif and a criminal represent them than allowing someone of the opposition party to occupy their seat.

    July 28, 2013 12:56 pm at 12:56 pm |
  8. Randy, San Francisco

    Redemption is premature. Weiner should drop out gracefully and endure political exile a little longer.

    July 28, 2013 12:57 pm at 12:57 pm |
  9. si ve

    Weiner is done. He did it to himself.

    July 28, 2013 12:59 pm at 12:59 pm |
  10. grafixer

    Weiner's situation is a marketing nightmare. No one that wants a future in campaign work can help him. He's done.

    July 28, 2013 01:02 pm at 1:02 pm |
  11. S1N

    You people are morons. Who cares who he sleeps with? Here's a news flash for you! Politicians don't need to have "moral character". They need to be competent at their jobs. His ability to manage a city has absolutely nothing to do with who he sends inappropriate texts to at night. Hell, Bill Clinton was sleeping with half the population of Washington, D.C. and still managed to do a decent job as president.

    July 28, 2013 01:05 pm at 1:05 pm |
  12. Awesome

    Weiner was exploited by NSA evesdropping on his calls, texts and emails and selling the information to opponents to attack him. Why do you think the timing of these year old chats are coming out now? It was a cheap set up by opposition party, NSA and their hired reps who led Weiner to chat with him, he shouldnt have even appologized. You cant mix personal stuff with business or politics. You cant blame him for lying because he has a right to lie to protect his privacy if NSA has lied about spying and is spying on his personal chats illegaly. That too he just chatted, who care about a chat. His political ideas are amazing if he does action on those. Weiner, get your game face on and win this race.

    July 28, 2013 01:05 pm at 1:05 pm |
  13. Safia Khokhar

    For Huma this proverb should be enough ;fool me once shame on u ,fool me twice shame on me'.

    July 28, 2013 01:10 pm at 1:10 pm |
  14. Robert

    Mr. Werner, You are not the caliber of person we need in public office at this point. True Americans deserve candidates with unblemished records, high integrity and moral character, and high standards. You are nowhere close to that. Please drop out.

    July 28, 2013 01:17 pm at 1:17 pm |
  15. Mulehead

    Clearly this guy is amoral, self-centered and delusional if he believes he has a chance at all in the election. What's more disturbing is that 16% of the people would still vote for him. What a crock...

    July 28, 2013 01:18 pm at 1:18 pm |
  16. bellenoitr

    I don't care what great ideas he has. I don't care about what he lies about. Doesn't matter if he lies on his tax returns or lies to his wife. The only thing that matters is that he is a liar.

    July 28, 2013 01:20 pm at 1:20 pm |
  17. Sherri

    I applaud Mr. Kedem's decision. Mr. Weiner does not seem to learn his lessons. He did this once, was disgraced, and now has done it again. When will he learn? We don't need a leader who is morally bankrupt. He dishonors his marriage vows and his wife by his actions. She should leave him also. But it is her decision to make, I realize that. But for Mr. Kedem, why try to sell a product (Mr. Weiner) when it is clear it is a bad product. Weiner needs to work on his character and problems before he tries to become leader of one of our largest cities.

    July 28, 2013 01:22 pm at 1:22 pm |
  18. alan

    How much more will his wife take?

    July 28, 2013 01:24 pm at 1:24 pm |
  19. B4Cons

    Everyone deserves a second chance ....... he got his blew it.

    July 28, 2013 01:34 pm at 1:34 pm |
  20. Concerned Mom

    PTAs, NOW-NYC, Parenting groups of New York City, is Mr. Weiner the model politician for your children? Usually so vociferous, now mute?

    July 28, 2013 01:40 pm at 1:40 pm |
  21. jeff

    and the DEMOCRATS continue the "WAR ON WOMEN"

    July 28, 2013 01:42 pm at 1:42 pm |
  22. Damon Ogden

    The Anthony Weiners and David Vitters of the world should not be in politics. These dicks need to be elminated. But sadly the voters let themselves down over and over again.

    July 28, 2013 01:44 pm at 1:44 pm |
  23. TLORop

    Weiner needs to man up, Admit that he is a sexual deviant, drop out of politics and seek counseling.

    July 28, 2013 01:50 pm at 1:50 pm |
  24. Fubarack

    Not even the manager can control Weiner.

    July 28, 2013 01:50 pm at 1:50 pm |
  25. Capybara91

    He's not even in the Ball Park. Frank-ly, the voters' response has been downright chili.

    July 28, 2013 01:53 pm at 1:53 pm |
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