Larry Craig, Homosexual Hypocrocy?

Scandal can be detrimental to a political career. Politicians are supposed to represent Americans, and when one of them does anything that is less than pristine, it is usually exposed. There have been numerous political scandals, everything from Watergate, to Monica Lewinsky. So it really isn't a shocker when a scandal erupts in Washington D.C. It does present the American public, and fellow Washington insiders with a difficult decision to make. Prime example of this would be the Larry Craig sex scandal. It is the newest sex scandal to hit Washington. Larry Craig was a highly respected, conservative U.S. senator, whose career suffered a beating after being accused of making sexual advances in a men's restroom. He pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor in June of this year. Once this case arose, so did one question, Should Senator Craig resign? When addressing whether or not Craig should have resigned, one has to analyze why Craig should have resigned, why he shouldn't have, and what is best for American politics.

The Story begins with Republican Senator Larry Craig being arrested in a Minneapolis airport. Craig was charged with disorderly conduct after making advances at an undercover police officer in a men's room. This is a serious charge against someone who is supposed to represent millions of constituents. There are many aspects of this story that has it in the headlines. Craig is notorious for speaking out against homosexuality. Craig pleaded guilty in early August, but claims innocence. (Tizan, 2007)

Larry Craig has a reputation for being an ultra-conservative politician who based his political campaigns on issues such as "family values". He even supports presidential candidate Mitt Romney, and stated, "He has very strong family values" (Alter, 2007). If the accusations against Craig are true, then there is a certain level of hypocrisy with his "values". Many politicians and members of the media have pointed this out. Politicians Like Republican John McCain believe that Senator Craig should resign because pleading guilty to the misdemeanor strays away from those core family values that Craig is suppose to represent. Senator Craig has historically been against gay rights, so if he is found guilty of the crime he is accused of, then there should definitely be repercussions. There should be repercussions simply for the hypocrisy. For a politician to engage in gay sex, and be firmly against gay rights is absolutely ridiculous. The gay spin makes it even more difficult to state whether or not Craig should resign. Do Conservatives want him to resign because they want to separate themselves from homosexuality, or do they want him to resign because he pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor? It is most likely both. Some would argue that Craig was right in resigning because politicians are supposed to be leaders. They aren't supposed to be engaged in any activity that strays away from the values they represent, or the laws of the nation.

One should also consider the 2008 Presidential election In the Craig scandal. The Republican Party has a lot of work to do in the 2008 election. Senator Craig has an obligation to his party, and he should have considered the effect that his actions will have on his party. However this scandal, itself, will most likely not affect the 2008 election in any shape or form because it is more than a year away. The Republicans are divided on Craig's resignation. According to the LA Times, Some republicans don't support Craig but are silent about it, some support him, and some are against him (Tizan, 2007).The Republican Party, overall, has an image to maintain. Several senators, including Pete Hoekstra, believe he should step down because Craig has an obligation to the party (Bash, 2007). Senator Craig was stripped from all his committees prior to his resignation, but should he have been. What exactly did he do wrong? Yes he was convicted of a misdemeanor, but he claims innocence. Should he be given a chance to show his innocence? These are all difficult questions to answer.

Democrats have taken an interesting stance on the issue. According to several sources, Including the Seattle Post, they have decided to stay silent on the issue. Perhaps they have decided to give him a fare shot to prove his innocence, or they have decided to stay silent in order to keep their distance away from the scandal.

News sources like CNN have presented several politicians like John McCain, who have expressed outrage, but Some people, like Craig's long time supporters, think he just be given a fair shot to prove his innocence (Bash, 2007). This is America. If a man isn't given the opportunity to prove his innocence here, where can he? C.L. Otter governor of Idaho argues that people make mistakes and should be given second chances. Yes politicians are held to a higher standard, but shouldn't they also be allowed to make some mistakes. Craig has also been a well respected Politician for the last 27 years(Dvorak, 2007). His track record and dedication to his party are undeniable.

When politicians are forced to make decisions the way Craig was, they should consider what is best for the American public. They are the ones who put him in that position and he has an obligation to them. It is far more important to focus on issues that directly affect Americans. However, scandal and controversy take attention away from this. Perhaps Craig made his decision so Republican can focus more on issues that affect their constituents as oppose to scandal clean-up.

Overall, it is very difficult to decide whether or not Craig should have resigned, because there are several reasons for why he resigned. At the end of the day, it is a personal choice. He could have stayed and dealt with the criticism, or he could have move on. He decided to move on. According to Craig himself, he is innocent. In political scandals, it is very easy for media outlets, politicians, and citizens to get caught up. Sometimes they even forget the facts or the lack there of. No one, except Craig himself, knows what went on in that men's room earlier this year. Therefore, what's right, what's wrong, what he should do, and what he shouldn't do are all unclear.

Alter, Jonathan. "Last Stop on The 'V'-Train." Newsweek 10 Sep 2007 33. 05 Sep 2007 .

"Sex Scandal Prompts Sen. Larry Craig to Resign." Weekend All Things Considered 1 Sep 2007 . 7 Sep 2007 .

Bash, Dana. "Craig stripped of party leadership on Senate committees ." CNN. 29 Aug 2007. CNN. 9 Sep 2007 .

Dvorak, Todd. "Idaho Republicans: content to wait and see on Craig scandal." Associated Press 29 Aug 2007 29 Aug 2007 .Tizan, Tomas. "Idaho sees red over Craig." Latimes 30 Aug 2007 30 Aug 2007