Rod 2.0:Beta

Senate Ethics Committee Says Larry Craig Acted Improperly

The Senate Ethics Committee publicly admonishes Larry Craig, the de-closeted right-wing, anti-gay Idaho for acting "improperly" in connection with a men's room sex sting last year. From The Hill:

The public letter of admonition signed by all six panel members also criticized Craig for attempting to withdraw his guilty plea. They said Craig seemed to be calculating that by pleading guilty, he would avoid public disclosure and adverse public reaction to his arrest.

The Ethics Committee also admonished the outed bathroom cruiser for "improper conduct which has reflected discreditably on the Senate" and criticized Craig "for showing the arresting officer a business card that identified him as a U.S. senator."

Craig has denied he is gay or has had sexual relations with men, although reports suggest Senate Republican leadership " knew" Larry Craig was "in the closet" with a "weird problem" but "didn't do anything about it."  In December, the Idaho Statesman published five damning reports by gay men who described having sex, or, being propositioned by Sen. Larry Craig,

Republicans in Idaho and in Washington are outraged after Craig's promise to serve out the remaining 15 months of his term, despite a court ruling that left intact his guilty plea in the sex sting.

The Senate Ethics Committee is chaired by California's Barbara Boxer. Just as an fyi, weeks after his arrest, Craig began taking partisan swipes at Boxer and her proposed global warming legislation. What goes around, comes around ...

Craig Admonished By Ethics Panel [The Hill]
Panel Says Craig Acted Improperly [365 Gay]

More LARRY CRAIG.
More REPUBLICANS

Some Background ...
A Tale of Two Cities [Advocate]
"Romney Threw Me Under the Bus" [R20]
Craig Inducted into Idaho Hall of Fame [R20]
5 Gay Men Describe Sexual Encounters with Craig [R20]
Senate Republicans Knew About "Closeted" Larry Craig's "Weird Problem" [R20]
Larry Craig Vows to Remain in Office [R20]
Larry Craig Pays a Surprise Visit to Senate [R20]
News: Larry Craig Latest, David Vitter [R20]
Larry Craig Latest: "Not Guilty!" [R20]
Craig Latest: Wasn't Going to Run for Re-Election [R20]
Craig Latest: Maybe I Won't Resign After All [R20]
Craig Resigns Senate Seat [R20]
RNC to Larry Craig: Resign or Else [R20]
NY Post Runs "Are You a Gay Senator?" Quiz [R20]
Idaho's Largest Paper Calls for Craig's Resignation [R20]

Republican Sen. Vitter Subpoenaed Regarding Hiring of Prostitutes

The Republican sex scandal hit parade keeps growing stronger. David Vitter, the Louisiana senator who was implicated but never charged in connection with the "DC Madam" scandal, has now been subpoenaed as part of the federal investigation. The Huffington Post reports the subpoena "calls on the freshman senator to testify at a federal court hearing Nov. 28 looking into the business operations of the $2 million escort service Deborah Jeane Palfrey operated in the nation's capital for 13 years."

This news is simply delicious. The anti-gay, "family values" Vitter acknowledges being a client of Palfrey's escort service but refuses to comment upon his relationship with other prostitutes. (Possibly because the call girls have publicly mocked Vitter's small pee-pee?) Earlier this week, The Hill reported the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force formally wrote a "strongly worded letter" to Ethics Committee Chair Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Ranking Member Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX), criticizing their investigation of closeted latrine queen Sen. Larry Craig (R-Minneapolis Airport) because "he allegedly solicited gay sex but has ignored allegations of impropriety involving Sen. David Vitter because Vitter’s alleged behavior was heterosexual."

There certainly is a double standard in the treatment of the well-publicized extra-curricular activities of the sleazy senators—we essayed this same topic in our new column—but the (stalled) investigation into Larry Craig was launched by his former friends in the Senate Republican caucus. They can initiate an investigation into Vitter or drop the probe that was launched of Craig. It's not our problem. But the thought of Vitter testifying under oath about hiring prostitutes ... that's precious.

More POLITICS.
More REPUBLICAN PARTY.

You May Have Missed ....
A Tale of Two Cities [Advocate]
News: Larry Craig Latest, David Vitter [R20]
Anti-Gay Sen. Vitter on DC Madam's Client List [R20]
Report: Anti-Gay Senator Patronized Brothel [R20]

Larry Craig Takes a "Wide Stance" Against Hillary and Global Warming

The anti-gay and de-closeted right wing Sen. Larry Craig (R-Minneapolis Airport) returns from self-imposed exile to toe-tap his way back into partisan politics. The outed bathroom cruiser takes a "wide-stance" with familiar conservative broadsides against global warming legislation and Senate Energy Committee Chair Barbara Boxer.

Sam Stein at the Huffington Post:

"We need to perform a fair and responsible vetting of all the climate change alternatives before us," Craig said. "My position is perfectly clear: a cap and trade system is obsolete in its approach to green house gas reductions, it has not worked, and I do not see it working."

Later in the statement, Craig offered back-handed praise to Hillary Clinton for what he says is her similar approach to global warming. Noting his support for a "sector by sector trading approach," Craig said, "I was pleased to see that Senator Clinton supports a similar approach, albeit on the unrealistic side given her political realities."

Boxer and Hillary Clinton are familiar right-wing piñatas and, normally, juicy red meat for the base. Apparently, none of Larry Craig's Republican colleagues are interested in joining his virtual gangbang. Wonder why. In the words of Craig's arresting officer: "Embarrassing, embarrassing. No wonder why we're going down the tubes!"

Some Background ...
A Tale of Two Cities [Advocate]
"Mitt Romney Threw Me Under the Bus, Ran Me Over Twice" [R20]
Craig Inducted into Idaho Hall of Fame [R20]
Senate Republicans Knew About "Closeted" Larry Craig's "Weird Problem" [R20]
Larry Craig Vows to Remain in Office [R20]
Larry Craig Pays a Surprise Visit to Senate [R20]
News: Larry Craig Latest, David Vitter [R20]
Larry Craig Latest: "Not Guilty!" [R20]
Craig Latest: Wasn't Going to Run for Re-Election [R20]
Craig Latest: Maybe I Won't Resign After All [R20]
Craig Resigns Senate Seat [R20]
RNC to Larry Craig: Resign or Else [R20]
NY Post Runs "Are You a Gay Senator?" Quiz [R20]
Idaho's Largest Paper Calls for Craig's Resignation [R20]