Two big stories out of the Senate today.
First, John Warner (R-VA) is retiring, putting another Republican seat in play, with Mark Warner (D-Incredibly Popular Former Governor) looking at the seat this may well be a Democratic pick up.
But, it’s sad to see a guy like John Warner go. He is a class act, and a truly admirable public servant. Before some of our readers go great guns wishing him a fond farewell, it should be remembered that if it weren’t for John Warner, Oliver North would probably be a Senator from Virginia right now. He supported and campaigned for the independent candidate, who acted as a spoiler.
Secondly Larry Craig (Totally Not Gay-ID) looks like he’ll be resigning either today or this weekend. As some of you may recall, our esteemed, totally ethical Senator called for Craig’s resignation, he was strangely silent on David Vitter using prostitutes. Contact Norm now and tell him to show the same courage and call for David Vitter’s resignation.
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Sean,
I am waiting for every mainstream media reporter and cable talking opinionator to ask this one question only until they get a clear, non-spin answer. That question is: “Is it acceptable to ask for a US Senator to resign who attempts to solicit for free sex in a semi-public place while not asking the same from a US Senator who solicits and pays for sex with a prostitute and admits this sin? A follow-up question would be this: “If Louisana were as reliably Republican as Idaho, would the request to resign be even-handed?”
For all over the poltical hypocrisy map Norm Coleman the question is: “Why is acceptable to give Sen. Vitter a standing ovation for his actions, but ask Sen. Craig to resign?”
As a follow-up to an earlier post about DFL Precinct Caucus date change — as the author of the Executive Committee resolution that started this effort, I applaud the DFL State Central Committee for agreeing. I have been working for over 20 years to get our historical caucus month back and where MNsotans even minimally more impact on picking our party’s presidential nominee, and even more importantly, the opportunity this presents the insitutional party to bring into its’ process more citizens who want change in this state and country!!!!
Thanks for commenting Rick!
For those that don’t know Rick is a former state DFL party chair and he is a current representative to the DNC and the Dean of Minnesota’s delegation. Sean
We need to be very clear about this. The republican response to Craig is not homophobia. That would require moral underpinnings and core beliefs. Craig is being thrown under the bus to end this story as quickly as possible and to allow the govenor of Idaho to appoint a candidate that can win the election in ‘08. Vitter would’ve been replaced by a Democrat and that Democrat would’ve had months of sitting in the bully pulpit leading up to the election. A huge advantage. Republicans are trying to minimize damage and retain some semblence of respectability. Good luck with that.
While electoral politics clearly played a role in the very different reactions by Republicans to the Vitter and Craig situations. the situations were, in fact, very different. Part of the difference is the fact that Craig was arrested and plead guilty to a criminal charge. Sadly,though, the biggest difference is that the Craig situation involved gay sex, which for the Republicans, is the absolute worst thing in the whole wide world.
When Craig came out and said “I am not gay,” I thought to myself that being gay is about the last thing he should be worried about. Being gay is not a problem. Getting arested for solciticing anonymous sex in a public toilet? Now, that’s a problem. But for the Republicans, its all about being gay. If Craig got caught having sex with a woman in a public bathroom, he’d probably be running for re-election next year. And if Vitter had been with a male prostitute, he would be long gone.
I will miss John Warner. He was my Senator for 6 years, and he was a pretty good one, overall. And this from a dedicated Democrat!
But Warner was an adult, as we used to say over at the Pentagon. If you gave if straight info, he’d act on it for the best interests of the country. He stepped up an supported a tax increase in VA because he knew it was the only chance to deal with some of the massive transportation problems NoVa had. He didn’t demonize people for disagreeing with him.
I diasgreed with him on a lot of things, but Warner was someone who would always listen and treat people with respect, even when he disagreed. That’s a good thing to have.
Mark Warner instantly becomes the front-runner. Gilmore, Tom Davis, and possibly another candidate or two will battle it out for the GOP nomination. Mark Warner will win the Deomcratic nod with ease, and I expect him to win the general as well.
Sounds like Warner is an “old school Republican”. Back when the party had some credibility.
Still waiting to hear RTs defense of Craig. Remember this guy? This was printed in the Star Tribune.
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There are a number of unanswered questions in this morning’s story about
Steve Bosaker in the Star Tribune, but there are two very troubling issues
to me…both involving boundaries.
1. Why is the Star Tribune giving front page treatment to an alleged
incident involving a person who in their own story is reported to be the
lowest profile chief of staff ever. If this needs to be in the paper, so be
it, but this is far, far out of proportion. In all the time Bosacker has
been in Ventura’s office I cannot think of a single time when he has been
anything other than the consummate behind the scenes implementer. He has
never sought the limelight, his personality has never been an issue one way
or the other, and there is no reason why he should be considered so public a
figure today. Jesse has no boundaries. Steve does.
2. As the facts behind this alleged incident come out, it is important to
quesion the role of using police undercover agents to entrap Minneapolis
residents. I’m not a cop and their jobs are hard enough. But in the late
70s and early 80s there was a great debate in this town about police raids
on gay bath houses. My recollection of those debates was that eventually
there was a clear consensus that the best way to address issues of vice was
for the police to deal with straight forward enforcement.
I hesitate to post this because, as I said earlier, I feel this incident was
WAY overplayed in this morning’s paper. But there are serious personal and
policy questions that should be considered here. And I feel one of the most
decent people in Minnesota public life is being hung out to dry this
morning.
R.T. Rybak
East Harriet
purpleblogdog — Three unanswered questions for you:
1. How long ago was Mr. Bosaker arrested?
2. Is he a current governmental official?
3. Does this somehow diminish Senator Craig’s offense?
Distraction and division. That’s all the GOP’ers have left. They can’t run on God, guns and gays anymore. That would be more hypocrisy then even they can take. But maybe not, I mean after all Bush the lesser shows up in New Orleans and tells them better days are ahead. The guy’s a criminal and a moron but he’s right on that point. After he’s out of office and the Democratic party is firmly in control of both houses of congress, better days do lay ahead.
I still don’t think Mark Warner is a sure thing to run for the seat. He might decide that he’s got a decent shot at VP and not run, or he might wait until 2009 to run for Governor, a job he really enjoyed. And it’s too bad about John Warner retiring. Mark Warner would make a good Senator, but it’s too bad to lose someone like Warner from the other side of the aisle. It’s one less reasonable Republican to work with, and like it or not it is essential that Democrats work with Republicans.
Randy,
Fair points all. It is interesting that Rybak was on record as being against using the police in such a manner as to in his words “entrap” people. Just wondering where he is on the issue today and if he had commented on the Craig situation.
The post itself seeks to connect this case with another (Vitter). Hardly a distraction given the post to which we are both commenting.
I also find correlation between Craig and Bosacker. Both disgusting and criminal. But also ironic that Bosacker is sooooo supported by the left, and it should have nothing to do with his preferences, but that he commiited a crime and was found GUILTY. Why is he still holding a government position. WAKE UP and quit being hypocrits on BOTH sides.
And to Ryback DECENT People don’t send signals to get their johnson blown, don’t pay for sex, and don’t do in public places where children are around…the airport, the Y, etc… Those people are indecent and criminals.
That statement by Rybak in support of Bosack makes me sick. That Coleman doesn’t ask for Vitter’s resignation makes me sick. It is you guys that let them both get away with it.
Clearly no one did or will hold Rybak/Bosacker accountable. You just let it go. I hope you don’t let it go with Coleman about supporting Vitter.
Purpleblogdog,
I’ve never seen a letter in the Star Tribune identify an author by his neighborhood. I checked out its database and it never had Rybak saying those things. I’m not going to call you a liar … yet. Can you give more information on where you pulled up that Rybak quote?
http://www.mail-archive.com/mpls-issues@freedom2.mtn.org/msg00822.html
Stand corrected. Actually it was posted MN-Issues regarding the Strib. Same author though.
Why would I apologize? You got your facts wrong. But I will say that you weren’t lying.