Conservative blogs not defending Craig

Posted: Tuesday, August 28, 2007 11:33 AM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: Congress, Republicans

From NBC's Mark Murray
A quick scan of some of the more prominent conservative blogs shows that these bloggers aren't defending Idaho Sen. Larry Craig (R), after Roll Call reported yesterday that Craig was arrested in June for lewd behavior in a men's bathroom. In fact, there are plenty of calls for his resignation.

Hugh Hewitt: "I realize that I did not say this about Senator Vitter, but Craig's behavior is so reckless and repulsive that an immediate exit is required."

Erick Erickson at Red State: "I can only say he must resign. Then I must say I told you so. If we do not clean our own house, the voters will do it for us."

National Review Online's Jonah Goldberg: "I don't know what Larry Craig's been doing in men's rooms. And it sure sounds like I don't wanna know either. But, whatever the facts turn out to be, I just love his office's initial statement (calling it a 'he said/he said misunderstanding')."

Patrick Ruffini: "All that seems clear right now is that Senator Larry Craig will not be invited back for another six years in Washington, be that through resignation ..., retirement, or defeat at the ballot box next November (or in the primary).

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Comments

Surely the Liberals will come to his defense????
A lonely man just trying a little of the low down...
Why aren't the libs standing up for his right to go down....
Isn't that what you do? Stand up for the little man...

RH Oregon (Sent Tuesday, August 28, 2007 11:40 AM)

I want to hear this from the radio and TV pundits. Never mind the bloggers - most people listen to the radio or watch the Sunday shows and if the Right is sincere in its non-defense of Craig then the message needs to be spread over the airwaves. Otherwise, this is all just a pile of manure.

Think Rush or Sean have the balls to come out and condemn Craig (and Foley et al)? I won't bet on it.

M. Boley (Sent Tuesday, August 28, 2007 11:44 AM)

To their credit.

Gary Schear Bozeman Montana (Sent Tuesday, August 28, 2007 11:44 AM)

We can just sit back and watch the republicans destroy themselves. This is great!!!!

Ron, St. Louis. Mo. (Sent Tuesday, August 28, 2007 11:44 AM)

You can probably surmise that the most vehement Conservative attacks on Senator Craig, will resemble his Conservatism, in more ways than one.

Steve Turner Cedar Falls Iowa (Sent Tuesday, August 28, 2007 11:44 AM)

Think the main lesson here for straight men is if you walk around with an ipod on don't tap your toe to music in public restrooms.

Dave, Tn (Sent Tuesday, August 28, 2007 11:44 AM)

Another HYPOCRIT bites the dust, Hey, hey!!!!!!!!!!Family values my butt. How much longer will the people of America be fooled by these Christian Hypocrits?

rick,ky (Sent Tuesday, August 28, 2007 11:46 AM)

Gee, I wonder where all of these people have been for the last 20 years during which they knew of his behavior but tolerated it as long as he was discreet.

John B, Des Moines, IA (Sent Tuesday, August 28, 2007 11:49 AM)

It's nice to see conservatives in hypocrisy fatigue! Not that anything has changed since January 20, 1981 . . .

Gary,Franklin, WI (Sent Tuesday, August 28, 2007 12:00 PM)

Kind of hard to defend when you are caught with your pants down (tongue in cheek). Still it is a he said/he said type of thing. I'd like to see the evidence before making a judgement.

jerry/corpus christi texas (Sent Tuesday, August 28, 2007 12:02 PM)

To Erickson: Not to worry, we the voters will be glad to clean house for them.

Chuck, Potrtland, Or (Sent Tuesday, August 28, 2007 12:08 PM)

Well, I guess it is official. If you are a conservative republican who is against same sex marriage, then you are gay. Better to admit to yourself now, than to a grand jury in the future. I feel bad for Larry Craig. Obviously he was not comfortable with his homosexual feelings, so he was forced to go underground. And now his career is destroyed. He is a victim of the right-wing homophobic ideology he represents.

Nate, Hermosa Beach, CA (Sent Tuesday, August 28, 2007 12:08 PM)

just do a group outing---get it over with---no more drip-drip-drip

HMT-MI (Sent Tuesday, August 28, 2007 12:11 PM)

Another example of the long list of hypocrites Rove based his "permanent majority" on. It was always doomed.

John Doe, Seattle, Wash (Sent Tuesday, August 28, 2007 12:12 PM)

These so-called conservatives sure seem a queer lot to me. Perhaps they are really those old southern and midwestern types that deserted the democratic party when the blacks, the ivy league women and their wimpy men, and their associates deserted that party, and miraculously reappeared as conservative republicans.

Methinks the only thing they are conserving is their sex practises.

dirk dominick (Sent Tuesday, August 28, 2007 12:33 PM)

Its ironic that the republican closet homosexuals are sponsors of "morality" bills and want to legislate morality on the rest of Americans.

Michael Shramowiat , Vienna, Wv (Sent Tuesday, August 28, 2007 12:35 PM)

Now I know why Republicans came down so hard on Bill Clinton. He liked WOMEN!! Is this the party of family values, morality, God's chosen people, etc., etc., that "Christians" chose to run this country?

Jerry Falwell threatened Hillary Clinton with all the power of the Religious Right. He's 6 ft. under. Is God trying to tell them something? Makes me want to cancel my Baptismal certificate.

Hillary will never be President. She is too intelligent. The people of this country seem to have an aversion to educated, articulate people in the White House. The whole world is laughing!

Patsy Berryman (Sent Tuesday, August 28, 2007 12:43 PM)

I find it amusing that elected officials, tele-evangelists and clergy, or so-called ‘conservative’ high-profile individuals, who advocate family values and promote ‘gay bashing’ are themselves caught in the cross-fire. Intolerance is despicable and very un-American no matter who proclaims it. What some folks won’t do or say for votes or financial rewards. I’m glad Craig got caught with his hand in the cookie jar. Get rid of him!! They're all sick individuals for their hatred.

William in Houston (Sent Tuesday, August 28, 2007 12:49 PM)

That's because there really isn't any defense of him. Not for the gay angle, but for the trolling for public sex angle. At least Barney Frank had his pickups come to his house.

Bruce, NV (Sent Tuesday, August 28, 2007 12:52 PM)

Why does Mr. Hewitt view Mr. Vitter's conduct as less offensive when he was an apparent habitual customer of two whorehouses. How could that be less culpable than the single incident with Senator Craig? Is it because Craig's solicitation involved homosexuality?

Charles Lewis Austin, Texas (Sent Tuesday, August 28, 2007 12:52 PM)

Am I missing something? I read only that he "tapped" his foot in the men's bathroom, which supposedly indicates interest in a homosexual soire (I certainly won't be tapping my foot on the toilet). Is that enough to condemn? One term is enough anyway. These carreer politicians become corrupt (what would Kennedy do?).

Fred Durst, Seattle, Wash (Sent Tuesday, August 28, 2007 12:53 PM)

wasn't his participation in trent lott and ashcrofts barber shop quartet a dead give away he is gay?

repubs are hypocrits (Sent Tuesday, August 28, 2007 12:54 PM)

The you jhave it again folks. The do as I say not as I do republican anthem.

John,Massachusetts (Sent Tuesday, August 28, 2007 12:59 PM)

Mr. Craig,
You have embarrased the State of Idaho and should resign today! No one gets accused of lewd behavior in a bathroom if you didn't do it.

Debbie, Boise ID (Sent Tuesday, August 28, 2007 1:00 PM)

jerry we are waiting for you to defend Craig by talking about Clinton.

nuanced (Sent Tuesday, August 28, 2007 1:03 PM)

What I want to know is if he wanted to be the giver or the reciever. Oh Yuck!

AOwaytogoOhio (Sent Tuesday, August 28, 2007 1:06 PM)

There you have it again folks. The do as I say not as I do republican anthem.

John,Massachusetts (Sent Tuesday, August 28, 2007 1:07 PM)

No quick talking points and/or rationalization coming from the right wing news speak. I wonder why? The Republican sleaze machine keeps on ticking which only will guarantee a even bigger wipe-out for them come 09.

juan,ft lauderdale,fl (Sent Tuesday, August 28, 2007 1:11 PM)

Senator Craig: Yet another "outing" of yet another right-wing, hypocritcal, Republican, white-collar thug! Life is good! Keep 'em coming.

Dan Salotti, Oak Park, Illinois (Sent Tuesday, August 28, 2007 1:33 PM)

I am an unabashed conservative Republican. I would prefer an honest Democrat to hold that seat than someone of Craig's perverted inclinations. His willingness to acknowledge his guilt initially while parsing his words after-the-fact is endemic of the very worst behavior of the political class. I thoroughly support removing this confessed criminal from office.

Justin, Philadelphia, PA (Sent Tuesday, August 28, 2007 1:37 PM)

Why is it that we are all so surprised when Republicans are caught in these situations? Is it because they tend to make themselves 'Holier Than Thou'? Talk about hypocritical!

Kenchick, Baltimore, MD (Sent Tuesday, August 28, 2007 1:37 PM)

Can't wait to hear what pudge face bush kissing hannity has to say about this.

Blue state baby (Sent Tuesday, August 28, 2007 1:40 PM)

it is ironic that all the holier than everyone else are always repugnant repubs. they vote against all gay rights issues, and yet they are on the internet cruising for young boys, or in dirty mens room cruising for anything that plops down next to them. get that dirty old man out of the senate, and let him stake out mens rooms on his own time.

e cullman (Sent Tuesday, August 28, 2007 1:40 PM)

e cullman (Sent Tuesday, August 28, 2007 1:41 PM)

No media references as to whether he is married with children.

That's the scandal that remains long after he is no longer in politics.

Charlie Bado Fort Lauderdale FL (Sent Tuesday, August 28, 2007 1:41 PM)

MARK FOLEY, WHERE ARE YOU ?

ADAM S.,SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA (Sent Tuesday, August 28, 2007 1:42 PM)

BETWEEN GEORGE BUSH AND THE REST OF THEASE REPUBLICAN CLOWNS. THERE MAKING IT TO EASY. THANKS AS ALWAYS G.W. !

Henry Wilder, Arcadia, Fl. (Sent Tuesday, August 28, 2007 1:45 PM)

Isn't interesting that not one of the conservative bloggers cited mentioned the hypocrisy of the Republican party which pretends to have the moral high road, yet whose members again and again have gotten in trouble for the acts that their party condemns. This is not to say that the Democrats have not had "moral scandals" in the past, but I would like to see one Republican start asking if their party needs to re-examine its smug position of "moral superiority."

Tim, Columbus, OH (Sent Tuesday, August 28, 2007 1:45 PM)

haggard---vitter---craig in just the past few months. come on you god loving/fearing family value gladiators--battle the evil liberals with your bible-thumpin, flag waving hypocrical rhetoric. it doesn't matter what's in your character, god is on your side.

george jacobs indio ca. (Sent Tuesday, August 28, 2007 1:46 PM)

Another example of Hipocracy in Washington. Is not right to allow men to marry another man but is ok to have lewd behavior in the men's restroom. Way to go Graig!

Washington (Sent Tuesday, August 28, 2007 1:46 PM)

let's see. mark foley, ted haggard, bob allen, lukens, vitter, and now larry craig. repressed republicans and values guys one and all. GOP: gay ol' perverts?

buzz from frenchtown, mt (Sent Tuesday, August 28, 2007 1:47 PM)

Only reason Hewitt didn't come down on Vitter is because Vitter isn't GAY. I guess for Repubs it's okay to cheat on your spouse... as long as you're straight.

Jack Pinto (Sent Tuesday, August 28, 2007 1:48 PM)

There should be no wasted Senate investigation. Senator Craig has failed to uphold ethical standards of personal conduct and should be removed from office as soon as today.

I'm so tired of seeing these men and women who are elected to serve and defend us conduct themselves like whores, thieves, and merchant sailors.

Michael E, Santa Barbara, CA (Sent Tuesday, August 28, 2007 1:55 PM)

Today is a sad day for the people of Idaho. Though I do not typically support Larry Craig, he does have seniority and a position of great influence for Idaho. I am embarrassed, as is every Idahoan, no matter what their political affiliation. It is amazing that in a State where everything wild is on fire, what little spark of political positiveness that existed has been extinguished by the tears of those whose only expectation was leadership.

Joseph Samer, Boise, Idaho (Sent Tuesday, August 28, 2007 1:55 PM)

The conservatives bloggers aren't defending him because they're probably hiding their own homosexuality by throwing him under the bus.

JeanneGA (Sent Tuesday, August 28, 2007 1:55 PM)

Senator Craigs misbehavior is another instance of Republican hypocrisy piled onto so mamy other examples, particularly gay examples, that it is a dizzying, nauseating deja vu, no? The massive 30% of Americans still supporting the Republican party must be so enamored of belonging to the party of power and priveledge, the white party, the ( ????) straight party, that they have no inkling of the international opprobrium and cackling directed at us by our enemies and, sadly, by even some countries that owe us big. How could you stay with this axis of superstition , ignorance and hypocrisy when they are / have been destroying our nation these past six years ( and maybe, mostly, back to 1980). The cheap demogogues that have these servile peasants minds in thrall are owed much of the blame. The post-neighborhood, suburban, rootlessness has led so many to find a community of believers in mega-churches and as a base for what passses for coomentary on the radio ; rascism (without Sen Lotts subtlety), proto-fascist war-mongering and support for torture, murder and the Executive ( SEIG HEIL!) Presidency.
The splitting of the Republican Party into a far right rascist anti-immigrant core and a party representing corporate, anti-environmentalist interests means a near permanent state of powerlessness for this coalition. The future belongs to science and reason and a new democratic party!

Joe Bergin, Cambridge <,MA (Sent Tuesday, August 28, 2007 1:57 PM)

Don't try to shift the subject to liberals without even addressing the facts. RH Oregon. This isn't a conservative issue, a liberal issue nor an independent issue.

JO (Sent Tuesday, August 28, 2007 2:00 PM)

We can just sit back and let the republicans destroy themselves. This is great!

Ron, St. Louis, Mo. (Sent Tuesday, August 28, 2007 2:00 PM)

In pain, you have to laugh…

Every single thing the Republicans claim to be against and rail about in the behavior of others… is exactly what they are constantly guilty of;
Homosexuality; how many Republicans or their right wing Christian coalition supporters have been guilty?
Corruption; how many senators were implicated in the Abramof corruption scandal?
Out right lying; Too many to count.
Small Government; The Democrats reduced the federal government with Al Gore, as VP, himself reducing it by over 300k (non-military) jobs while the Republicans have created the largest Government in US History!
Flat Taxes; an original Liberal idea, the Republicans pay lip service to while merely reducing taxes for those who don’t need it.
Public Schools; since when is the Republican US Government supposed to be most concerned with private not public schools which is their function?
Terrorism; besides all the red herrings, cherry picked intelligence and out right lying the scare mongerers have done on this issue, to add insult to injury, we are now supporting Sunni not Shia tribes! Sunni tribes are exactly what Bin Laden IS, and most Sunni tribes including those were paying now, support him. We ARE paying and supporting our enemies, while if we had a brain we would have supported Saddam’s enemies the Shia, Iraq’s dominate population, and alienated Iran’s influence I the area at the same time in doing so.
The war on intelligence, science or reason this administration has conducted for the last 7 years has set social development back in America by 50 years.

Has America ever been run by such a corrupt bunch of incompetents?

Signed,

A sad American

Steve San Diego CA (Sent Tuesday, August 28, 2007 2:00 PM)

How many more crusading Republicans who spend their days "Defending Traditional Marriage" will turn out to be seeking extramarital fun after hours? If they'd shut up about how other people should live their sex lives, maybe this wouldn't attract so much attention. But as it stands, with their "Holier Sex Life Than Thou" preening, it's not getting ENOUGH attention.

JP, .Atlanta, GA (Sent Tuesday, August 28, 2007 2:01 PM)

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