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Were Weiner's Gym Photos Unethical?
By
Garth Johnston
Published Jun 13, 2011
Modified Jun 13, 2011
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By
Garth Johnston
Published Jun 13, 2011
Modified Jun 13, 2011
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Thanks to TMZ's release this weekend of his gym photo shoot, the already intense pressure for randy Rep. Anthony Weiner to resign just keeps building to a climax. But while Weiner may now be considering stepping down (while in "treatment"), there is some concern that the Congressman's post-pumping iron pics may be the smoking gun needed to smack him with an ethics violation.
The issue with the towel shots is that, having been taken in the House gym, they may have violated the House Code of Official Conduct's so-called "golden rule." That rule calls on members to "behave at all times in a manner that shall reflect creditably on the House," according to former House historian Ray Smock.
Ethical violation or not, according to sources the latest photo dump may be pushing the currently sequestered Weiner over the edge towards resigning. But before he will do that sources say he is waiting for his pregnant wife, Huma Abedin, to return from a trip with her boss, Secretary of State Clinton. He is also taking advice from his mentor, Chuck Schumer, very seriously and as yet the senior Senator from New York has "stopped short of telling him to quit."
On Saturday Schumer issued a statement on the affair, saying it has left him "heartbroken" and that “It’s clear [Weiner] needs professional help, and I am glad he is seeking it.”
Oh, and in case you were curious? President Obama says that Weiner's junk has been a "distraction" but won't go so far as to call for him to resign.
Anyway, while Weiner weighs his options he can take solace in the fact that he still has the support of, uh, Janeane Garofalo. And he's got his own action figure!
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anthony weiner
congressional ethics
ethics
house gym
weinergate
Garth Johnston
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