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Judge: Sen. Craig Can't Take Back Plea

A Minnesota judge has ruled that Idaho Republican Sen. Larry Craig can't withdraw his guilty plea to disorderly conduct in an airport men's restroom.

Craig has said that he might stay in the Senate if he could clear his name, but now that the guilty plea is sticking, he may step down. However, he can still appeal.

Craig's lawyers had argued that he panicked under stress and pleaded guilty to make the charge "go away." He was arrested by an undercover officer in a Minneapolis airport men's room in June as part of a sex sting. Craig contends the officer misconstrued his actions.

(Update: Craig says he will stay in the Senate and finish his term.)

- Erica Ryan

 

Comments

Good Ridance... it's about time people in our government start to realize that the american people are not stupid... His whole explanation was an insult to our intelligence.

Sent by Jay Aquino | 2:21 PM ET | 10-04-2007

The problem is that being in power for long periods of time, gives those people
a sense of entitlement. They feel that they are above the law and that the laws
that we the American people live by, do not apply to them. When held accountable
for their actions, they act surprised and astonished, like they have done nothing wrong. I, say, good for the judge who has not bent down and worshipped at the feet of Sen. Larry Craig, who needs to acknowledge the crime and who will pay the price just like everyone else.

Sent by Nelson Robison | 2:56 PM ET | 10-04-2007

Sure, take the plea back.. haha. But there are plenty like him everywhere, in the bathrooms, planes and chat rooms: from Senators, Scientists and more.
By trying to get the plea back he will make more of us talk about him. Doesn't he realize that.

Sent by Maniakos Mitsos | 4:29 PM ET | 10-04-2007

Senator Craig and the rest of the people who cry innocent should follow Michael Vick's lead and own up to their misdeeds.

Sent by lanny wagner | 4:39 PM ET | 10-04-2007

Sen. Larry Craig is like a 5 year old. When caught with his hand in the "cookie jar" he admits it when confronted by one parent (the judge) but runs to the other parent and says, "I didn't do that". Does he not realize that we are living in a time when everything we do is public knowledge, and he should be respectful of his office and the voting masses in this country by owning up to his situation? We won't forget what he or other Republicans continue to do. Insult our intelligence and then deny, deny deny. Well, I say go ahead, and Sen. Craig and others like him will be responsible for the dissolve of the Republican Party. What a shame ??? Grow up ex-Senator Craig.

Sent by Greg | 5:51 PM ET | 10-04-2007

Yes I agree with you Greg. Grow up and admit it to your wife and the children that you are gay and move on. The worst people are people like him who don't know where they belong-or they do know but are afraid to admit their sexuality.

Sent by Maniakos Mitsos | 7:43 PM ET | 10-04-2007

For every gay senator in the GOP, there is a gay senator among the Democrats. Particularly Barnie Frank as poster child for the gay politicians.

When the voter goes into the voting booth in '08, it all evens out in the wash.

What the voter will be wondering is not about gays, but about women and blacks.

Now, if someone can get photos of either Hillary of Barack in compromising photos, ala J. Edgar Hoover, then you got a story that will last through election day.

Otherwise, come election day, none of the voters will even remember Senator What's-His-Names' name.

Quick. What was the name of the gay evangelist who made headlines last year?

See. You can't even remember Ted Haggard's name already.

fred call

Sent by fred call | 9:20 AM ET | 10-05-2007

For every tit, there is a tat. Rat-a-tat-tat-tat and badabing!

Sent by John R. Otten | 1:42 PM ET | 10-11-2007



   
   
   
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