John Nichols: GOP Plots to Gay-Bash Craig Out of Senate

[marmar]

from The Nation:



BLOG | Posted 10/03/2007 @ 11:37am
GOP Plots to Gay-Bash Craig Out of Senate


Idaho Senate Larry Craig is fast becoming the inconvenient truth of Capitol Hill. The senator who first said he would resign after pleading guilty to charges related to an alleged bathroom-sex solicitation and then said he was going to try and beat the rap and stay now seems to be intent upon remaining in the Senate indefinitely.

This creates a big political problem for Senate Republican leaders. Already facing the prospect of losing as many as a half dozen seats -- in Maine, New Hampshire, Minnesota, Virginia, Colorado and Alaska -- in a 2008 election cycle that is shaping up as their nightmare scenario, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and his compatriots are terrified that Craig will extend his stay for months.

Craig's refusal to relinquish his grip on the Idaho seat creates trouble in that state, as it prevents Republican Governor Butch Otter from filling the vacancy with a Republican who would be set up to claim the seat in 2008. The longer the delay, the harder it is for Idaho Republicans -- a notoriously contentious lot -- to get their affairs in order and secure a seat that ought not be vulnerable.

But Idaho is not McConnell's biggest concern. He and his aides are more worried that the sordid stories associated with Craig, as well as his continued presence in the GOP caucus, will further erode enthusiasm among evangelical Christians and social conservatives for the party's candidates. The fear a scenario similar to the one that played out when Florida Congressman Mark Foley's page-boy scandal highlighted hypocrisy in the GOP ranks shortly before the 2006 election. .....(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.thenation.com/blogs/thebeat?bid=1&pid=239539

[MadMaddie]

1. Craig please stay......because when they really start gay bashing

him...he is going to to get even with them and start airing some not so little secrets...:popcorn:

[rurallib]

5. OMG there are some great shows lining up for the winter spring & summer

Craig
W at the convention
GOOPers running like rabbits from W
No doubt some good congressional hearings
More outings by Flynt and that Rodgers guy
Limpboilonhisbutt versus 'real soldiers'
OLIELY and anyone of color
Triple popcorn here
:popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn:

[marmar]

7. I'll have mine with butter in the middle and on top, lightly salted, with a big-ass Mountain Dew....

:popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn:

[MadMaddie]

8. I can't wait....

Here's another

Blackwater...Where are they now?

Because it's going to be interesting to see who the 39 year old CEO is tied to in the Rethuglican party. How his company that had no true experience in protections services and other services manage to get $$$$$ in no bid contracts. And how did they get it written in the law that wouldn't be prosecuted by the US or Iraq?

I think I will have some more popcorn... :popcorn: :popcorn:

[lame54]

11. and the answer is

brother Jeb... heard he is an in-law on wife's side

[Demeter]

12. Well, the SBA and SCORE Were Very Helpful.....

We should all start businesses with the kind of government help and support that the Prince got....

[lame54]

13. need to correct

it's kind of a six degrees thing... the company's general cousel joseph smitz's brother is married to jeb's wife's sister lol. but he and his family have close ties and involvement going back to bush1

[Demeter]

14. As a Business Woman Whose Fledgling Enterprise Was Killed By

9/11 and W's intransigence, I was being sarcastic.

I should have gone into torture instead of lasagna.

[yellowcanine]

17. And don't forget Mitch being outed as a Queen. That would be the best show of all.

Is it evil of me to hope for that?

[MikeNearMcChord]

6. I would, I would quote chapter and verse on every last one of them.

Hell the ratings maybe better than Desperate Housewives. And if I had pictures, shoot I run to HBO and make a deal. Funny that the GOP may win the battle over Larry, but lose the war for governance. Enjoy the show. Can't wait for the movie(I would like the Farelly Brothers make it)

[muntrv]

2. All I gotta say is....

:popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn:

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

3. Sen. Moxie from Idaho.

Stay tuned!

:popcorn: MKJ

[Stuckinthebush]

4. I say we give the Senator much support

Let's all call his office and tell him not to back down, nosiree!

:D

[EST]

9. I am reluctant to admit it, but this takes guts--

especially for a reputed closet queen like McConnell. His own record of tawdry bathroom propositioning might well come to light if he manages to piss off the wrong people.

[yellowcanine]

16. For that to "come out" would be too much to hope for. Mitch "Queenie" McConnell. Has a nice ring

to it.

[C_U_L8R]

10. But diaper wearing prostitute buying GOP senators are OK ??

silly GOP

[yellowcanine]

15. Go for it Larry! Don't let McConnell push you around. The Idaho voters elected you, not

McConnell. Heh.