08/28/2007
GOP Senator Larry Craig: I am Not Gay and Never Have Been
Idaho GOP Senator Larry Craig, whose arrest by a plainclothes police officer investigating lewd conduct complaints in a public men's restroom in Minneapolis was brought to light yesterday, made the following statement to reporters this afternoon:
"First, please let me apologize to my family, friends, staff, and fellow Idahoans for the cloud placed over Idaho. I did nothing wrong at the Minneapolis airport. I regret my decision to plead guilty and the sadness that decision has brought to my wife, family, friends, staff, and fellow Idahoans. For that I apologize.
"In June, I overreacted and made a poor decision. While I was not involved in any inappropriate conduct at the Minneapolis airport or anywhere else, I chose to plead guilty to a lesser charge in the hope of making it go away. I did not seek any counsel, either from an attorney, staff, friends, or family. That was a mistake, and I deeply regret it. Because of that, I have now retained counsel and I am asking my counsel to review this matter and to advise me on how to proceed.
"For a moment, I want to put my state of mind into context on June 11. For 8 months leading up to June, my family and I had been relentlessly and viciously harassed by the Idaho Statesman. If you’ve seen today’s paper, you know why. Let me be clear: I am not gay and never have been.
"Still, without a shred of truth or evidence to the contrary, the Statesman has engaged in this witch hunt. In pleading guilty, I overreacted in Minneapolis, because of the stress of the Idaho Statesman’s investigation and the rumors it has fueled around Idaho. Again, that overreaction was a mistake, and I apologize for my misjudgment. Furthermore, I should not have kept this arrest to myself, and should have told my family and friends about it. I wasn’t eager to share this failure, but I should have done so anyway.
"I love my wife, family, friends, staff, and Idaho. I love serving Idaho in Congress. Over the years, I have accomplished a lot for Idaho, and I hope Idahoans will allow me to continue to do that. There are still goals I would like to accomplish, and I believe I can still be an effective leader for Idaho. Next month, I will announce, as planned, whether or not I will seek reelection.
"As an elected official, I fully realize that my life is open for public criticism and scrutiny, and I take full responsibility for the mistake in judgment I made in attempting to handle this matter myself.
"It is clear, though, that through my actions I have brought a cloud over Idaho. For that, I ask the people of Idaho for their forgiveness.
"As I mentioned earlier, I have now retained counsel to examine this matter and I will make no further comment."
Senate Republican leaders this afternoon called for an ethics probe of the Idaho lawmaker. Mitt Romney, for whom Craig had served as senate campaign co-chair, called Craig's actions "disgusting".
Background
Idaho Senator Larry Craig's Arrest Report, Plus Statesman Probe [tr]
Larry Craig Releases Statement, Steps Down from Romney Campaign [tr]
GOP Idaho Senator Larry Craig in Lewd Conduct Men's Room Arrest [tr]
Blogger: Idaho Senator Larry Craig Had Gay Encounters [tr]
Posted 4:49 PM EST by Andy Towle in I'm Not Gay, Idaho, Larry Craig, News, Republican Party | Permalink
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mother of god, these republicans are truly such douchebags and LIARS! is there no end to it? Knock 3 times on the stall if you want me, twice on the pipes, if the answer is NO! Well, I say this is COSMIC JUSTICE, the karmic wheel ever SPINNING, dealing out divine retribution to those assholes who would make our lives miserable and render us second class citizens.
Posted by: the queen | Aug 28, 2007 5:26:00 PM
Thirty-eight years of gay history in this country since Stonewall, and apparently somehow this man missed it. Somebody buy the senator a newspaper...
Posted by: Gianpiero | Aug 28, 2007 5:26:01 PM
When I first read about the foot tapping, I thought that there was a slim chance he would be able to fight this. But the report also mentions that the following happened beforehand:
"The officer saw Craig gazing into his stall through the crack between the stall door and the frame, fidgeted with his fingers and returned to gazing through the stall for about another two minutes."
TWO MINUTES??? That is super creepy. Still, I'm amazed he pled guilty, and even more amazed he thought this wouldn't come to light. How cruel to his wife (who certainly already knows she's married to a queen) and the rest of his family. To answer RP's question, the wife puts up with it because she likes being married to a senator. And for all we know, she stays in Idaho while he's in D.C.
Posted by: Paul | Aug 28, 2007 5:28:58 PM
He was arrested for joining the "Tiled High Club" not for being gay!
Posted by: Rucka | Aug 28, 2007 5:36:43 PM
okay, he pleads guilty for a crime he says he did not committ, with no counsel. Probably not the best idea, right ? Yet he is allowed to represent and make decisions for the State of Idaho in the US Senate ! scary, and if I was an Idahoin (sp) I would ask for his resignation now. He obviuosly is not of sound mind and body.
Posted by: sftom | Aug 28, 2007 5:53:30 PM
Isn't Craig about the right age to be involved in the Boys of Boise (1955-57) events? I wonder what type of cover-up will be made for Craig? Has anyone read that book in a while?
Posted by: Paul | Aug 28, 2007 6:33:59 PM
Yeah...I'm not gay, that erect penis attacked me from underneath the stall door.
Posted by: Tony | Aug 28, 2007 7:05:47 PM
for pic of arresting officer go to this unrelated story ... 2:27 into the featured video on airport cart accidents (look for Officer Dave Karsnia) ...
http://wcco.com/iteam/local_story_041094719.html
Posted by: johnolive | Aug 28, 2007 7:18:06 PM
Hmmm...now the guy is extra-douchey this is true, and I must admit to feeling a little "ha-ha you stupid bastard you got what you deserved" but I am not sure there was actually a crime committed here. It isn't like he, you know, whipped it out or anything. He tapped his feet and waggled his fingers - he could have been practicing a teletubbies routine and no one ever thought those creatures were ga...nvm. Anyway. The most idiotic thing (and the most damning) was pleading to this. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that had he given his ridiculous "wide-stance, high-carbs diet" excuse with a plea of not guilty (okay i made up the high carb diet part) this would have gone COMPLETELY away. If they had done their foot tapping finger waggling come-ons in the skybar it would have been called flirting and would have been fine (or cabaret and no one wants that). I don't think propositioning someone should be a crime unless there is, you know, criminal activity along with it. This sad stupid old man did himself in. Maybe deep down he wanted to. But seriously 30 damn years in the government and you don't know to call a lawyer to make this go away? How inept is Idaho?
I am not, however, comfortable with what the cops did here--it seems very wrong and unlikely to have withstood any serious legal scrutiny. Yeah karma is kind of fun in this instance, but still I am not getting a lasting good feeling from this "homosexuals are disgusting pervs who lurk in bathrooms" spin.
Posted by: Chris | Aug 28, 2007 7:19:26 PM
Isn't it rich, isn't it queer
Losing my timing this late in my career
And where are the clowns
Quick send in the clowns
Don't bother, they're here.
Posted by: Jon-Marc | Aug 28, 2007 5:02:22 PM
Too funny.
Wasn't the line from Roy Cohn in Angels in America "I'm not gay, I just fuck men"
How do these wives stay with them??
Posted by: patrick nyc | Aug 28, 2007 7:28:19 PM
Yup, not gay and not attractive either from the mug shot, give me a break, that shrill, ridiculous speech was too much, and I loved it when he tried to grab his old lady's hand and she rebuffed him, even she knows he's telling a fib. I wonder how his 3 adoptive adult kids are taking it?
I don't care if this chump is gay or not, I don't like his gay bashing to the GOP's core haters, but, that's the whole GOP isn't it now.
Posted by: Cory | Aug 28, 2007 7:42:14 PM
He is really stupid or he would know there is a reason that jeebus created glory holes.
This man is up for re erection (sorry)
jack jett
www.YabbaDabbaHubbaDo.com
Posted by: Jack Jett | Aug 28, 2007 7:44:22 PM
Dirty Bird!!!
Posted by: Blair Mason | Aug 28, 2007 8:02:37 PM
The excuses these pillars of the nation, these exalted leaders, use when caught red-handed remind me of grammar school kids. Its disgraceful. They should come out and be done with it. Most would look up to them for that at least. These stupid excuses make them look worse.
Posted by: Vi Agara | Aug 28, 2007 8:04:47 PM
A letter to CNN TV:
Dear Rick Sanchez and CNN Team:
I am extremely frustrated and upset at the TV heading of your story on the atrocious alleged behavior of Senator Craig tonight on CNN around 8:15 pm. Your tagline was "Gay culture & men's room hookups". WTF?!? As a young gay man just trying to be a good role model in the world, that heading deeply offends me.
When Senator David Vitter was busted visiting prostitutes, did you run a headline saying "Straight culture and hooking up with prostitutes"? Of course not. Then why the double standard for gay men and women who are already discriminated against in their lives. You could have easily headlined it "Men's room hookups", but you chose not to. You chose to link it inextricably with all gay culture and thus gay people in general.
That was a seriously careless error at best and a slanderous charge at best. When 0.000001% of the gay population identifies with those actions, why would you juxtapose both of those phrases together like they go together like peanut butter and jelly?
I used to think, Mr. Sanchez, that you were a quality reporter. I used to watch your show and CNN. But now it seems you're more like Fox News in your penchant for ignorance and reporting propoganda. I'll not watch CNN anymore. Thankfully we have MSNBC.
Take care. I hope you can realize what an unfortunate action you took today by running that headline on your show. I don't believe in your truthfulness, authenticity, or desire to help all people see the truth anymore.
Take care. Your headline just made me sad. More kids will be seen with the stereotype now and have to battle against this type of thinking that your segment helped to propogate.
Sincerely,
A CNN viewer
Posted by: CNN Viewer | Aug 28, 2007 8:36:07 PM
here's the video that Romney yanked off his site:
Craig endorsing family values:
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/051710.php
Posted by: the queen | Aug 28, 2007 8:45:53 PM
I've read all of the documentation on this case and Craig's story is both desperate and sad.
If you read the entire police report on Smoking Gun, you can see, without question, that there was no mistake. The police officer records every moment carefully. First, Craig stood outside the stall door and looked through the crack. Then he tapped his foot and slid it over to touch the officer's foot. Then, he reached under the stall. The officer notes that there was no paper on the ground and nothing was picked up, as Craig has suggested.
In today's announcement, Craig said that he didn't have legal counsel. But the Police record contradicts this. On 6/22, Craig
contacted the Police to determine the status of the case. He said he, "needs a contact so his lawyer can speak to someone."
So, he had spoken to counsel before he put in a guilty plea.
I hope this will be like Ted Haggard and that there will be more
evidence of Craig's past behavior. I am more offended by his
efforts to lie his way through this than by the bathroom incident itself.
Posted by: gr8guyca | Aug 28, 2007 9:01:22 PM
Wow, I actually agree with Mitt Romney on one issue:
Sex with Larry Craig is "disgusting"!
Posted by: Gregg | Aug 28, 2007 9:08:30 PM
Im not gay and neither is my boyfriend!
Posted by: Himbo with highlights | Aug 28, 2007 9:25:19 PM
First of all, I did nothing wrong!!!
Secondly, er, I'm sorry!!!!!
Posted by: Anon1 | Aug 28, 2007 11:04:51 PM
If only I had been Republican during the 80's. All the dick I could get and a ticket to heaven to boot. Lol! These christian universities must be nothing more than orgy bins. Wonder if Falcon Studios is on the GOP payroll.
Posted by: mattelboy | Aug 28, 2007 11:48:49 PM
You hear about guys being caught taking a piss in a park and ending up with sex offender labels. Does this mean that senator craig has to register as a sex offender? I'd really like to know.
Posted by: Scot | Aug 29, 2007 12:39:20 AM
Anyone else tired of the wording of these stories (not here, but elsewhere)? I'm perfectly fine with this slimeball being "accused" of a crime, but "accused of being gay"? It's like when a celebrity comes out... they "confess to being gay" or "admit to being gay".
Hey, GLAAD, aren't we past the time when announcing that you're gay is the same as admitting guilt?????
Posted by: Dean | Aug 29, 2007 1:22:32 AM
Another hypocritical Republican shithouse cocksucker bites the dust (instead of his intended target). How delicious! Can't wait for more of these "family values" closeted homosexuals (as opposed to gay) get arrested trying to cover their asses while furtively sucking dick in public restrooms.
Posted by: paul the cynic | Aug 29, 2007 2:19:46 AM
Can I just say how much I abhor his clear contention that being gay is the opposite of responsibility, community spirit and accomplishment?
Posted by: FASTLAD | Aug 29, 2007 8:24:28 AM