Regarding the future of Anthony Wiener my opinions demonstrate Harry Truman’s stated preference for one armed lawyers. On one hand, to our knowledge no laws have been broken and nobody, with the exception of his wife, has been hurt. If unconventional sexual proclivities diminish one’s ability as a legislator we are in even worse shape than I think. There are those now serving in major elected public positions known to have committed acts at least as egregious as Mr. Wiener’s. At this point I see nothing he has done that would mandate a Congressman’s removal from office and believe he can probably be reelected.
On the other hand Mr. Wiener is not just another Congressman. He has become the unofficial House media spokesman for causes in which many of us believe strongly. He has actively pursued that role to the exclusion of others. I consider this a matter of bad faith in view of the skeletons he knew were in his closet and the chance that they might come out.
Unlike my opinions, my conclusion is unequivocal. I’m no admirer of Newt Gingrich. But in the wake of his party’s losses in the 1998 as a consequence of his leading the Clinton impeachment, he resigned as Speaker of the House, a position two steps removed from the presidency. For Wiener much more is at stake than his job. If he truly believes in the causes he has eloquently articulated he should resign ASAP. His continued presence in public office, like Gingrich’s, can only diminish them.
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