Craig Resignation Revisited

As I posted on 30 August 2007, Sen. Larry Craig (R-ID) got himself caught up in a (gay) sex scandal. He later announced his resignation as of the end of this month. Now, it seems that the "good" Senator may be rethinking his decision.

Craig plead guilty to a misdemeanor charge of disturbing the peace -- a reduced charge from the offense of which the arresting officer believed him to be guilty -- via a form commonly used in such instances. He waived his right to counsel and noted that he understood his rights in this entire process. There has been some debate -- as you might imagine -- regarding whether or not he has any chance of withdrawing the guilty plea. One attorney believes that he stands a good chance. Two others believe that he does not. I personally believe that the latter opinion is the stronger case. Craig is a US Senator, a person supposedly of power, knowledge, and general capability, not a minority immigrant who doesn't speak English (for example) who might have thus been railroaded into a guilty plea.

Regardless of how this turns out, it is good theater. Republicans are squirming to be sure. At a time when the party wants to find a way to get disenchanted social conservatives enthused about the upcoming national elections, this will only turn them off all the more. It also stands to compete for media attention with the mis-named "Petraeus Report" (see post of 15 August 2007) that the White House will soon release. What is more, Senate Republicans fell all over themselves to call for a Senate Ethics investigation of Craig. Even if he is able to withdraw his guilty plea, it will be hard for them to simply call it quits, keeping the whole thing in the public eye even longer. And finally, should Craig ever run again for his Senate seat, Republicans will have to decide whether or not to challenge him in a primary campaign -- always messy within a party -- or risk the unthinkable (in Idaho!) loss of the seat to a Democrat.

Finally, Craig is taking a risk even if is able to withdraw the plea. There is the real chance that the DA in the case would choose to bring greater charges against him instead of the misdemeanor charge to which he has plead guilty. Thus, if he ultimately lost his case, the legal -- as apposed to the political -- consequences could be much more severe.

6 September 2007