Well, well, well. When Senator Larry wide stance Craig announced his resignation on Saturday, he had his fingers crossed. That's now evident from his misplaced phone call to what he apparently thought was his lawyer.
I wasn't aware that resignations could be "non-binding" but apparently that's what Craig did. He intends to resign only if he's not cleared of charges to which he's already pleaded guilty.
So Craig says when he went into a men's room stall he didn't intend to solicit sex from an undercover officer. When he pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct he didn't intend to imply that he was guilty of disorderly conduct. When he held a press conference announcing his resignation he didn't intend to actually resign.
What other statements by Larry Craig are non-binding? How many times does a Senator get do-overs? Can Idahoans really believe anything that comes out of his mouth?
Update: PrideDEPOT puts the recent news surrounding Senator Larry Craig's non-binding resignation into their pic of the day. Go check it out.
Update: As noted in the comments, a couple of interesting developments today. First of all, the Senate Ethics Committee rejected a request from Craig's attorney to set aside the complaint. This eliminates one of the conditions that Craig was using to justify reconsidering his resignation. The other condition was the possibility that his lawyers may be able to withdraw his guilty plea.
The other development was Otter's short list of possible candidates for Craig's replacement. They include:
- Lt. Gov. Jim Risch
- Rep. Mike Simpson
- Attorney General Lawrence Wasden
- Former Attorney General David Leroy
- Former Idaho Sen. Dane Watkins of Idaho Falls
Right and NOW according to the Statesman, Gov. Otter is saying:
But Craig's reconsideration Tuesday of his intent to resign complicates the issue.
"If there is no vacancy, there is no appointment," Otter said.
How many people does Craig believe he has the right to hold hostage, while he sorts through coming to terms with what is his present time life?
From my count, his wife Suzanne, his kids, his friends and family, his party, his constituents.
NONE of that sounds to me like a person that puts Idaho at the top of his work, his agenda.
t
Posted by: theresa | September 05, 2007 at 11:26 AM
Yeah, you can also read more about Otter's dilemma and get some insight to where he's looking should the resignation actually becoming binding at Eye on Boise here:
http://www.spokesmanreview.com/blogs/boise/archive.asp?postID=6130
Posted by: MountainGoat | September 05, 2007 at 11:40 AM
Only in Idaho can an arrogant fool like Larry "Wide Stance" Craig get away with this behavior. Because of the overwhelming majority that the GOP holds on this state, "WS" feels he can fight the good fight and win his seat next year. Makes me want to scream and pull what is left of my hair out.
Posted by: Mark | September 05, 2007 at 12:07 PM
Breaking News from KTVB -
Idaho Governor CL Butch Otter is looking at potential replacements.
Along with Lieutenant Governor Jim Risch and Representative Mike Simpson, Otter has a few other names he's looking at.
Those include attorney general Lawrence Wasden, Bonneville County Prosecuting Attorney Dane Watkins, and Boise attorney David Leroy.
t
Posted by: theresa | September 05, 2007 at 02:09 PM
from the AP feed just now ...
WASHINGTON — Senate Ethics committee rejects Sen. Larry Craig’s request, says it will review complaint against him pending any resignation.
t
Posted by: theresa | September 05, 2007 at 04:20 PM
Thanks for keeping us updated on this throughout the day, Theresa.
Another good point was made at Boise Guardian this afternoon concerning part of Craig's speech from Saturday, the part where he said this:
"There are many challenges facing Idaho that I am currently involved in. And the people of Idaho deserve a senator who can devote 100 percent of his time and effort to the critical issues of our state and of our nation."
I guess he never really meant that either. Read the Guardian's whole post here:
http://www.boiseguardian.com/2007/09/05/craig_goes_back_on_his_word.html
Posted by: MountainGoat | September 05, 2007 at 05:15 PM
Was happy to, frankly it annoys me so I felt a bit better sharing :)
Yes I just posted over there, that it is time for him to grow up.
This grasping at straws, and non sense is not serving anyone, and it seems he just really still has zero concept that folks at home know, and are not behind him; folks in DC know and are not behind him, his party also not behind him and frankly he has pled guilty the one thing that is behind him is the judgment of the court.
t
Posted by: theresa | September 05, 2007 at 06:07 PM
What is the word on the street about Leroy? I have had personal experience with him as an attorney and found him to be a pretty nice and seemingly fair guy. I came to Boise after he was AG so I do not know much about his political record. He strikes me as a Lincoln republican. Anyone care to fill me in?
Posted by: Jody | September 06, 2007 at 01:55 AM
Sen. Craig's supporters are speaking out: http://www.landrights.org/id/SenLarryCraig.htm
Funny how none of the supporters mention that to get to the restroom he had to go so far out of his way that he was outside the security area...
Posted by: Bubblehead | September 06, 2007 at 08:02 AM
Bubblehead - Where did you hear the news about the bathroom location? I've been wondering about that but so far haven't seen anything...
Posted by: spark | September 06, 2007 at 09:26 AM
Jody, I think Lincoln Republican would be a good description for Leroy. He also served as Lt. Gov under Dem. Gov. John Evans. I was out of the state for much of his time in elected office, but I believe he's fairly widely respected. Maybe someone else could help clarify.
Posted by: MountainGoat | September 06, 2007 at 09:51 AM
I meant to add that it's great news that Otter is considering IDP Ex. Dir. John Foster's suggestion of nominating a statesman to fill the seat until the 2008 election, although we're guaranteed it won't be Andrus or any other Dem...too bad.
Posted by: MountainGoat | September 06, 2007 at 10:01 AM
I wouldn't read too much into that group of people that Otter mentioned at the presser. Otter seemed more concerned about re-establishing seniority and the 15 months jump his appointee would have over next year's freshmen. I believe its just window dressing on a selection process already determined. Hope I'm wrong.
And please Dane Watkins? Like he has a snowball's chance. And Leroy has just been hanging on, he has no constituency anymore. I don't think he's considered a serious candidate. He hasn't run for office since Chenoweth thumped him in the primary many years ago. But he's definitely not a member of the right wing of the party.
Posted by: Sisyphus | September 06, 2007 at 10:49 AM
Surprisingly, Bryan Fischer at the Idaho Values Alliance is the one putting out the bathroom location; although I normally don't believe a word he says, Clayton Cramer has some more information, including a map of the airport ( http://www.claytoncramer.com/weblog/2007_09_02_archive.html#4413470842591089054 ).
I've also heard that he never took his pants down in the bathroom, which would explain his ability to adopt the "wide stance"; it's hard to get very wide with your pants around your ankles, and having a wide stance with your pants around your knees just doesn't make sense.
Posted by: Bubblehead | September 06, 2007 at 10:59 AM
I liked your comment that the Statesman picked up, MG -- "Can Idahoans really believe anything that comes out of his mouth?"
Posted by: Tom von Alten | September 06, 2007 at 02:59 PM
Simpson's out of the running. http://idahostatesman.com/newsupdates/story/151586.html
Posted by: Sisyphus | September 06, 2007 at 03:34 PM
Thanks Tom, I hadn't really had a chance to look at the Statesman today until just now. I noticed they picked up one of yours that gave me a chuckle last night as well.
Posted by: MountainGoat | September 06, 2007 at 04:00 PM
Sys, thanks for the heads up on that news.
I think that's a good move by Simpson and I'm not really reading anything more into it than what he said (appropriations important for Idaho) yet. At least on the surface it seems someone is looking out for Idahoans' interests.
Makes the nod to Risch look more likely.
Posted by: MountainGoat | September 06, 2007 at 04:04 PM
I've been of the opinion the decision has been made since at least Craig's announcement last Saturday and everything else is just window dressing. This announcement by Mike now makes me believe the appointment will be announced soon. It takes any potential heat for making a choice between Risch and Simpson off the Governor.
Also I chatted with folks in Risch's office yesterday. They made no overt pronouncements but it is clear they are making plans consistent with a Risch appointment. If he didn't have a lock we'd be hearing alot more from that corner right now. God help us.
My predictions remain Risch with Brad Little replacing him as Lt. We'll know soon I think, depending on Larry's mania.
Posted by: Sisyphus | September 06, 2007 at 04:18 PM