To the chagrin of many Republicans and the joy of Democrats, Larry Craig has committed to stay in his Senate seat as a "representative" of Idaho. I couldn't be happier frankly. The longer he hangs in there, the longer the story goes on. Tourist business at the Minneapolis Int'l Airport will remain brisk and Republicans will be glued to the stigma of corruption for just a little longer (in relation to this story only, the other corrupted Republicans not included).
From The Huffington Post:
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Idaho Senator Larry Craig issued the following statement in reaction to today's ruling by the State of Minnesota District Court Fourth Judicial District allowing the guilty plea to stand:
"I am extremely disappointed with the ruling issued today. I am innocent of the charges against me. I continue to work with my legal team to explore my additional legal options.
"I will continue to serve Idaho in the United States Senate, and there are several reasons for that. As I continued to work for Idaho over the past three weeks here in the Senate, I have seen that it is possible for me to work here effectively.
"Over the course of my three terms in the Senate and five terms in the House, I have accumulated seniority and important committee assignments that are valuable to Idaho, not the least of which are my seats on the Appropriations Committee, the Energy and Natural Resources Committee and the Veterans' Affairs Committee. A replacement would be highly unlikely to obtain these posts.
"In addition, I will continue my effort to clear my name in the Senate Ethics Committee - something that is not possible if I am not serving in the Senate.
"When my term has expired, I will retire and not seek reelection. I hope this provides the certainty Idaho needs and deserves."
This is definitely NOT something Idaho needs and deserves. He only brings shame and ridicule to the Gem State. At least for them he'll be gone in a little over a year, but until then he will be an embarrassment to himself, Idaho and the U.S. Senate. His guilty plea signifies actions unbecoming of a Senator and initially he was right to resign. Unfortunately he will continue to disgrace Washington in his own unique way.
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