The Daily Background

Larry Craig, the Senatorial gift to late night comedians and Democrats alike, has decided to, well, keep on giving.

On the same day that a judge has ruled his guilty plea cannot be retracted since “[his] conviction is supported by the evidence,” Craig has withdrawn his promise to leave the Senate if his name was not cleared. So, with the conviction in place, he will continue to serve out his term until 2008.

Comments Minipundit, “I’m not sure he’ll still be able to work effectively, but I think I speak for all Democrats in saying that he’s doing a great job of helping our candidates campaign effectively in 2008. Thanks, Larry.”

Craig released a statement which said, in part:

I am extremely disappointed with the ruling issued today. I am innocent of the charges against me. I continue to work with my legal team to explore my additional legal options.

I will continue to serve Idaho in the United States Senate, and there are several reasons for that. As I continued to work for Idaho over the past three weeks here in the Senate, I have seen that it is possible for me to work here effectively.
[…]
When my term has expired, I will retire and not seek reelection. I hope this provides the certainty Idaho needs and deserves.

So, let’s review the order in which things have happened:

1. Craig gets arrested, pleads guilty and keeps it a secret from his constituents
2. Craig’s arrest gets reported
3. Republicans threaten to force Craig out he doesn’t resign first
4. Craig announces his resignation
5. Craig withdraws his resignation, says he’ll fight to withdraw his guilty plea and says he won’t resign unless a judge finds him guilty a second time
6. A judge finds him guilty a second time
7. Craig vows to continue fighting, withdraws his resignation a second time

Wow. It’s been quite a couple of months for Larry.

Filed under: Z-TDB Blog