August 28, 2007

ID SEN: Alberto Who?

Conservative reaction to news of Sen. Larry Craig's (R-ID) conviction for lewd conduct was swift and unforgiving. Townhall's Hugh Hewitt urged readers to read the arresting officers report and concluded: "Senator Craig Should Resign. Today."

Some tried to find humor in the situation. Captain's Quarters asked: "How long before Craig checks himself into rehab or finds Jesus?" The Corner's Jonah Goldberg poked fun at Craig's "he said/he said" denial of wrongdoing: "Call me crazy, but I would have thought that it's press flacking 101 not to further sexualize a controversy in which you are denying that sex had anything to do with it. Other great denials might be ... 'This is all a terrible misunderstanding. The Senator is a bus station man.'"

Others took the opportunity to grind axes. RedState's Erick Erickson equated Craig's misdeeds with Rep. Ken Calvert's (R-CA) ethical troubles and blogs: "If we do not clean our own house, the voters will do it for us." Hot Air's Allahpundit noted that Craig "voted yes on shamnesty cloture. Fare thee well, Larry."

Boise, ID, native mcjoan from Daily Kos breaks down the succession possibilities should Craig resign: "The order of succession in Idaho GOP politics would pretty much require that Gov. Butch Otter name his Lt. Gov. Jim Risch, who's been practically foaming at the mouth for this seat in what many Idahoans considered a rather unseemly display. Otter, however, hates Risch, and the two are currently at contretemps that threaten to engulf the whole state party." Mcjoan predicts Rep. Bill Sali (R-ID) will make a move for the seat.

In other Craig fall out, AMERICAblog's Pam Spaulding tracks Mitt Romneys video scrubbing of Craig's presence in the Romney campaign. Also, Talking Points Memo unearths ABC News video from '82 page sex scandal that includes Craig's denial of any involvement."

Posted by Conn Carroll at August 28, 2007 01:02 PM