Reply #2: GOP Sen. Larry Craig to stay in office pending ruling in bathroom sex sting case

[Purveyor]

Source: Associated Press

WASHINGTON - Sen. Larry Craig said Wednesday he will remain in office while a Minnesota judge considers his bid to withdraw a guilty plea, overturning the senator's previous statements of intent to resign by Sunday.

The Idaho Republican said he will stay in office "for now," but people close to him said he will remain until the judge rules. Hennepin County Judge Charles Porter said he probably won't rule on the request until next month.

Craig, who originally had planned to seek a third term next year, pleaded guilty in August to disorderly conduct following a June 11 sting operation in a men's room at the Minneapolis airport.

Craig's comments Wednesday were greeted with chilly silence from Senate Republican leaders who have made clear they wish he would step down and let Idaho's GOP governor name a replacement. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., told reporters he had nothing to add to previous statements in which he said he thought Craig made the proper decision on Sept. 1, when he announced his intention to resign by the month's end.


Read more: http://www.magicvalley.com/articles/2007/09/26/ap-state-id/d8rte2l00.txt