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Weiner Won't Go Even Though People Keep Telling Him To

Garth Johnston

Published Jun 10, 2011

Modified Jun 10, 2011

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Garth Johnston

Published Jun 10, 2011

Modified Jun 10, 2011

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The calls for Anthony Weiner to pack it in continue. No less than former Florida Rep. and fan of high school-age pages Mark Foley thinks embattled Congressman Anthony Weiner should resign. And Foley isn't the only Republican speaking out against the randy Rep from the 9th District. Mike Huckabee thinks the he needs to go, too. But at the same time a number of people are starting to defend Weiner's right to stay in office (if not his sextracurricular activities).

Speaking from his own experience, Foley told Fox News yesterday that when he was "confronted with the charges...I didn't sit there and try to run the clock out. I said, this was wrong, and I resigned." He also said Weiner's issues couldn't be solved while he was working. "In my heart, you cannot fix this inside that building. You cannot fix your problem...He's not going to get better going back into the building."

Huckabee, meanwhile, put out a release arguing that "Even if you can ever look at Anthony Weiner again without thinking of underpants, can you ever hear him again and be remotely certain that even one word he's saying is true? When you become too big a liar even to be a Congressman, then it's time for you to go."

But at the same time others are coming out of the woodwork to tell the Democrats to leave Weiner alone. Like MSNBC host Cenk Uygur, who fumes that "Democrats never stick up for their own, and that's why they get rolled by the Republicans on a consistent basis."

And the Times' Jim Dwyer today argues against that it really isn't the Democratic party's decision if Weiner stays or goes:

it ought to be noted that Mr. Weiner is employed by the people of the Ninth District in Queens and Brooklyn, and not by Ms. Pelosi or Harry Reid, the leader of the Democrats in the Senate. Those people have voted him into office seven times. They may never vote for him again, but that’s their call. Elections should not be undone by a press release from Allyson Schwartz.

Even Barbara Walters is supporting Weiner (and she thinks his junk is nothing to be ashamed of). Yesterday on The View the journalist, who has worked her fair share of sex scandals, said she doesn't think he should quit unless his voters want him to (and they don't). "He's been, if you've followed him, a very effective, outspoken, sometimes angry, certainly passionate congressman," she said. "The personal stuff is between him and his wife."

Interestingly quiet on the whole affair? Weiner's mentor, the famously camera shy Senator Chuck Schumer, who has remained relatively mum on the debacle.

Finally, the Post brings up an interesting point about the push for Weiner to step down. With no masters or law degree to fall back on, Weiner may not have enough money to live in the lifestyle he is now accustomed to without his title (he made $156,117 in 2010, according to his tax returns). At least his campaign war chest is flush?

Tagged

anthony weiner

resignation

weinergate

Garth Johnston

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