No, Anthony Weiner’s resignation wasn’t inevitable.
A majority of general election voters polled in his district didn’t want him to resign, and so he probably could’ve survived the primary, unless further damaging revelations came to light.
Was it “fair” that party leaders pushed him to resign? Depends what the definition of “fair” is. First, Weiner’s trailblazing hurt him. Cheating? So passe. Cheating with best friend’s wife (as an evangelical Christian pol)? Cheating with hookers (as an evangelical Christian pol)? Foot tapping in airport restrooms? Dirty IMs with 16 year-old House pages? It all feels so ’00s.
But DM-ing crotch-shots! Now there’s something new! Appalling!
The fact is that Anthony Weiner wasn’t pushed out so much for the sexts. Barney Frank used a male prostitute who then ran an escort service out of Frank’s apartment. Frank survived because his colleagues respected his intellect, work ethic, and legislative prowess.
And of course, most Democrats staunchly defended President Clinton during impeachment because of his policy and political brilliance, the depth of his relationships, and consistently strong job approval ratings with the public.
Weiner, however, was the prototypical show horse — first in line and quick with a quip when there was a camera around, but essentially absent from the legislative process. Many of his colleagues found him insufferable. More than anything, I think that explains his lack of defenders in recent days — a lack of support that led to his resignation.
O Lord, deliver me from the man of excellent intention and impure heart: for the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked.
T.S. Eliot
Until the news conference of Congressman Anthony Weiner on June 6, 2011, I had not followed the story concerning his twitter account closely. As I watched Congressman Weiner explain his personal failings, I was struck by how many times he was asked by the media why he had done what he had done. To his credit, Congressman Weiner did not blame anyone else and made clear that his conduct was a result of his own poor personal choices. He must have been asked why he had done what he done at least five times.
The question seemed extraordinarily silly to me. From my perspective, the answer of why Congressman Weiner did what he did is very simple –the body of sin. There can be no “rational” reason why a person in Congressman Weiner’s position would take such reckless actions.
The same lack of “rational” reasoning applies to John Edwards’ actions. How could have either man done something so stupid? Quite simply, man is a depraved sinner.
The conduct of these men goes a long way in proving that their own liberal philosophy is built upon sinking sand. A philosophy that eschews tradition and God and instead looks to the “reasoning” of men is doomed. Man is far from perfect and we are not quite as smart as we think we are. When a society throws tradition and God aside and takes its cue from man’s “enlightened” views, society ends up where Congressman Weiner finds himself today: lost, shattered and embarrassed. I find it bewildering that liberals and many so-called conservatives fail to learn this obvious lesson when man’s shortcomings are on full display.
Read the rest of… John Roach: Anthony Weiner & The Depravity of Man
Our newest contributing recovering politician was a Secretary of State, two-term Governor, two-term Senator, and on the short-list of potential Vice Presidential nominees three times. So Evan Bayh needs little introduction. Suffice it to say that the centrist Democrat is one of the most well-known and well-respected recovering politicians in the country.
In this week’s edition of RPTV’s Fifteen Minutes of Fame, Bayh shares his thoughts about political retirement, the virtue of public service, and the fiscal course our nation faces. Enjoy this interview as the RP welcomes Bayh to The Recovering Politician:
By Grant Smith, RP Staff, on Thu May 26, 2011 at 10:00 AM ET
The Politics of Fame
The toast heard ’round the world: read more about it hear. [Politico]
The Department of Justice gives the go-ahead for an investigation into John Edwards for potential campaign finance violations connected to the cover-up of his affair. [ABC News]
NYC Judge allows lawsuit against Huffington Post to continue: details here. [Associated Press]
Now you definitely have more free-time to read The RP: Oprah Winfrey hosts final show. [Hollywood Reporter]
Popeye vs. Mickey Mouse: The Navy is challenging Disney’s attempt to trademark the name “Seal Team Six.” [Fox News]
Beloved CNBC anchor Mark Haines passes away at the age of 65. [Market Watch]
Bill Gates proposes changes to the American educational system, but some argue that his “fixes” will only make things worse. [The Daily Beast]
By Grant Smith, RP Staff, on Thu May 19, 2011 at 10:00 AM ET
The Politics of Fame
Help wanted: major political party seeks candidate to run against President Obama. Send all applications to RNC headquarters with current resume and three professional references. [US News]
“I’ll [most likely NOT] be back.” The end of Arnold. [Politico]
Gingrich campaign raises eyebrows from the get-go: details here. [Washington Post]
THIS JUST IN: Latest polling data shows Huckabee’s exit boosts Romney. [Wall Street Journal]
FINAL TRUMP WATCH: The unbearable lightness of being The Donald. [Forbes]
By Jonathan Miller, on Tue May 17, 2011 at 12:30 PM ET
Last week, I opined that the mainstream media should leave Arnold Schwartzenegger and Maria Shriver alone as they went through the very painful personal process of a separation and potential divorce.
I am sticking to my guns (semi-automatic weapons, in tribute to the Governator.). Whatever you think of the morality of Arnold’s behavior, unless you are a family member or close friend of any of the parties involved, it is None of Your Freaking Business. (NYFB)
By Jonathan Miller, on Thu May 12, 2011 at 2:15 PM ET
The political blogosphere is abuzz with the news of family strife within a bi-partisan family dynasty: the separation of former California Governator Arnold Schwartzenegger and Kennedy scion Maria Shriver.
The mainstream news and political media want to know why, and they’re making their best guesses: Read here and here and here and here.
My response?
It’s None of Your Freaking Business!
Yes, he’s an international movie star who served two terms as Governor of our nation’s most populous state. Sure, she was a national news broadcaster, and a member of the most influential and popular modern American political dynasty. Of course, a long time ago, they both voluntarily submitted themselves to public scrutiny.
But as I argued a few weeks ago concerning three-year-old Trigg Palin, I believe that every one of us — even the richest, most powerful, and most famous — have a discrete zone of privacy which the responsible press should not disturb. And as long as their separation did not involve actions that were criminal or a violation of the public trust while Arnold was in office, the mainstream media should leave them and their family alone.
Of course, I am a passionate First Amendment advocate, and I certainly don’t believe in laws to restrict such reporting. But I believe that the Fourth Estate bears a special responsibility to the public to draw ethical lines every so often and not cross them. This is one of those occasions.
No, Anthony Weiner’s resignation wasn’t inevitable.
