Democrashield.com

From CNN:

Embattled Republican Sen. Larry Craig will announce his resignation from the Senate Saturday, a GOP source in Idaho said Friday.

[...]

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell on Friday called Craig’s conduct “unforgivable” and acknowledged that many in his caucus believe Craig should resign.

[...]

Sen. John McCain, a GOP presidential candidate, has called Craig’s case “disgraceful.” Another Republican senator, Norm Coleman of Minnesota, has said Craig pleaded guilty to “a crime involving conduct unbecoming a senator.”

I find Craig’s treatment by his fellow Republicans extraordinarily interesting. He has been attacked, criticized, thrown under the bus and told to resign, all because of what amounts to a relatively minor misdemeanor charge.

As I wrote before, Republicans who did far worse things have been coddled by the GOP, staunchly defended and protected by the highest echelons of Republican power. Just look atDavid Vitter and his hookers, or Ted Stevens’ corruption probe.
Yet, Larry Craig–hypocrite that he is–gets thrown under the bus for a comparatively minor charge. The reason why is clear–Craig is gay. He got caught trying to pick up men, and the GOP panicked–they know their radical right-wing agenda can’t tolerate homosexuality. Infidelity, corruption, dishonesty, lawbreaking–all of those are fine, homosexuality is not.

In the end, Craig has become a victim of the same anti-gay culture he helped perpetuate. There is some poetic justice in that. But I still think it’s sad that a man would have to live a lie, lest he lose his career simply for being who he is.

UPDATE: Mcjoan at Daily Kos has an excellent rundown of Craig’s potential replacements.  Sources are saying that Idaho Governor Butch Otter will probably pick his Lieutenant Governor, Jim Risch, to fill the seat.

Otter and Risch are political rivals, but in this context the appointment makes sense–Risch gets to move out of the thankless, low-profile Lieutenant Governorship, while Otter pre-empts a future political battle by giving Risch a prime position and buying his loyalty.

Still, there’s always the potential for a political curveball to get thrown our way.