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October 04, 2007
God bless Larry Craig!
For Democrats, it looks as if he's going to be the gift that keeps on giving. Anyway, we can all use a good laugh right about now.
If the Senate Ethics Committee decides to hold hearings, I hope some Senator will have the nerve and the class to object to taking any testimony as to Sen. Craig's amatory activities, either the ones leading to his Minneapolis arrest or any previous ones. They have nothing to do with his official duties. Yes, he pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor. Does anyone really believe that a Senator convicted of, let's say, drunk and disorderly conduct ought to have to give up his seat as a result? If not, what's all the shootin' fer?
On the other hand, were Craig expelled for trying to use his official position to intimidate a police officer, I'd be all for it. Again, I doubt that's a precedent his colleagues really want to live with, but I number that unwillingness among their faults, not among their virtues.
Footnote Of course, if testimony is taken about the Senator's toe-tapping he will no doubt lie, and the lie will then become a legitimate basis for his expulsion. But that doesn't justify asking the irrelevant question in the first place.
Second footnote Jonathan Zasloff argues that Craig's public gay-baiting makes his private conduct a legitimate public issue. I'm not persuaded, but you might be.
