by John M. Curtis
(310) 204-8700

Copyright August 29, 2007
All Rights Reserved.

hen three-term U.S. Sen. Larry Craig (R-Id.) was caught with his pants down in June 11 in the men's room of the Minneapolis airport, mum was the word. No one picked up on the blockbuster news story about a conservative, family-values senator caught soliciting a sex act from a male vice officer. Craig might have been entrapped by a clever vice officer, known to prey on gays in bathrooms of public parks and elsewhere. Craig entered a guilty plea Aug. 1 and paid a $575 fine for "disorderly conduct," a lesser charge than sexual solicitation. “I'm not gay. I never have been gay,” said Craig, reacting to the media feeding frenzy related to word of his guilty plea. While denying “he's gay,” Craig didn't rule out bisexuality, a fashionable trend among homosexuals unwilling to risk coming out of closet. Instead of remaining quiet and letting his lawyer talk, Craig defended himself.

      After former Rep. Mark Foley (R-Fla.) resigned Sept. 29, 2006 for sexual encounters with underage Congressional pages, the GOP reacted harshly to revelations about Craig. “My opinion is that when you plead guilty to a crime, you shouldn't serve. That's not a moral stand. That's not holier-than-thou. It's just a factual situation,” said Sen. John McCain, calling for Craig to go. Rep. Pete Hoekstra (R-Mich.) viewed Craig's behavior as effrontery to the Republican Party, also calling for Craig to step aside. After pleading guilty and paying the fine, Craig said he jumped the gun to end the controversy quickly. “While I wasn't not involved in any inappropriate conduct in the Minneapolis airport or anywhere else, I chose to plead guilty to a lesser charge in hope of making it go away,” said Craig, recanting his guilty plea and making public statements that could easily backfire.

      Craig, who served 20 years in Congress before moving to the Senate, is a savvy politician who knows the repercussions of pleading guilty. While he said nothing “inappropriate” went down, he's not categorically refuting the police report that he made sexual overtures to the undercover officer. “This is hypocrisy—it's to deny legal equality to gay people, but then to engage in gay behavior,” said Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.) an openly gay member of the House, not calling for Craig's resignation. “He disappointed the American public,” said former Massachusetts governor and Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney on CNBC's “Kudlow & Co.” “Yeah. I think it reminds me of Mark Foley and Bill Clinton,” said Romney, proving, if nothing else, he doesn't know the difference between consensual sex and blatant misconduct. Dredging up Clinton plays well to Romney's base of Clinton-haters.

      Heading into the '08 elections, the GOP can't afford another embarrassing scandal. Less that a year ago, the Republican Party couldn't shake scandals of former House Speaker Tom Delay (R-Texas) and lobbyist Jack Abramoff, both giving the Party a black eye. Craig would not have pled guilty to anything unless he was caught red-handed. Detailed police reports had Craig moving a roller bag close to a stall in which Minneapolis vice cop Sgt Dave Karsnia sat behind a closed door. Craig reportedly ran his hand palms up under the divider three times, in what Karsnia believed to be a solicitation. With such arcane hand-signals, it's not inconceivable to argue that Craig did nothing inappropriate. Vice officers routinely entrap gays by making sexually explicit gestures in public restrooms. Choosing to represent himself and enter a guilty plea, Craig cooked his own goose.

      Craig's bathroom adventure torpedoed an otherwise distinguished career. “Over the years, I have accomplished a lot for Idaho, and I hope Idahoans will allow me to continue to do that,” said Craig, in denial about how he upended his career. Pleading guilty to any crime would have catastrophic consequences to any elected official, let alone sex-related crime. Reducing the charge to “disorderly conduct” doesn't undo the circumstances under which Craig got busted. Whether Craig is gay is anyone's guess. But it's not speculation that he pled guilty to “disorderly conduct” occurring in a public men's room. “We at least ought to hear his side of the story,” said Sen. and presidential candidate Christopher Dodd (D-Conn.), inviting Craig to heap more damage on a wobbly Republican Party. Sen. Sam Brownback (R-Kan.), a GOP presidential candidate also urged restraint.

      Craig's arrest and conviction for “disorderly conduct” ends an otherwise distinguished 36-year career in government service. Craig's g impulsive behavior earned him an early retirement from the U.S. Senate. No presidential party can afford the baggage heading into next year's presidential election. “I think it's important for Republicans to step out right now and say, ‘No this behavior is not going to be tolerated,'” said Hoekastra, calling for Craig's immediate resignation. After watching President George W. Bush's chief strategist Karl Rove and Atty. Gen. Alberto Gonzales resign, the White House can ill-afford more controversy heading into the '08 presidential elections. Whether or not Craig can explain away that infamous June 11 night in Minneapolis, his actions speak louder than words calling for his immediate and unequivocal retirement.

About the Author

John M. Curtis writes politically neutral commentary analyzing spin in national and global news. He's editor of OnlineColumnist.com and author of Dodging The Bullet and Operation Charisma.

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