September 18, 2007

Craig Returns To The Capitol

Sen. Larry Craig is back on the job today for the first time since news of his bathroom sex sting broke, leading to a back-and-forth struggle over whether he will retire next year. For now, Craig is attempting to withdraw his guilty plea to disorderly conduct charges in a Minnesota court. He's already resigned from his committee posts, and says he will stick to his original plan to retire on Sept. 30.

Late-night talk show hosts and political pundits are having fun [fast-forward to 1:48] at the Idaho Republican's expense. But, today Craig reminded reporters that "I'm a serving United States senator from Idaho" who is back to do his job.

Following news of Craig's guilty plea, his GOP colleagues quickly distanced themselves from the accused philanderer. Today, most ducked questions about the prodigal senator, although one, John Thune, remarked that Craig was showing "moxie." Craig attended the GOP lunch today, putting to bed earlier reports indicating he might be shut out.

Yesterday, Craig found support in an unexpected source: the American Civil Liberties Union. The ACLU filed a brief with the Minnesota 4th District Court arguing that Craig should be allowed to withdraw his guilty plea. The group contends that Craig's toe-tapping, wide-stance sitting does not prove that he was soliciting sex in the men's room of a Minnesota airport.

"Sen. Craig has not always been a great friend of civil liberties, but you shouldn't have to endorse the civil liberties of others to keep your own," ACLU Executive Director Anthony Romero told CNN.

Back in Minneapolis, the stall where Craig's allegedly lewd conduct took place is getting plenty of attention as well. "Just 15 minutes into her shift at the airport Friday," one airport worker "said she had been asked directions to the new tourist attraction four times," USA Today reports. Another employee bragged that he "might've actually been here" the day Craig was arrested.

If Craig resigns as expected at the end of the month, it falls to Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter to select a successor, and so far the list of those interested in replacing Craig is extensive. The Idaho Statesman has a detailed play-by-play of the Craig investigation.

National Journal's Brian Friel contributed to this report.

Posted at 4:11 PM
Posted to: Congress, Crime, Larry Craig, Senate
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