BREAKING NEWS: Sen. Craig denies being gay

"I am not gay," Sen. Larry Craig said twice during a 10-minute statement today following news that he had pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct after being arrested at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport on suspicion of lewd behavior in a men's restroom in June.

"I did nothing wrong at the Minneapolis airport and I regret the decision to plead guilty," the Idaho Republican added. He said he had "overreacted" to the stress of the moment and did not consult with family or an attorney. The revelations of the arrest and guilty plea, first made by John McArdle in the Roll Call newspaper yesterday, threw the conservative world of Idaho politics into turmoil.

The 27-year veteran of Washington said the stress was compounded by the Idaho Statesman newspaper, which he said had for eight months "relentlessly and viciously harassed" him and his family. He apologized to his family and the people of Idaho.

The 62-year-old Craig is up for reelection next year, but his political future seems clouded now in what has been a safe Republican Senate seat since the days of Ronald Reagan. Even conservative bloggers such as Hugh Hewitt were urging Craig to give up his seat today and allow another Republican to salvage it in a political year when the GOP already must defend more congressional seats than the Democrats.

In Washington, Senate Republican leaders called for an investigation by the ethics...

committee. "This is a serious matter," according to a statement by the leadership, which includes Sens. Mitch McConnell, Trent Lott, Jon Kyl, John Ensign and Kay Bailey Hutchinson. They also said they would investigate to determine if further action was warranted.

Monday night Craig resigned from supporting the campaign of Mitt Romney. Today, Romney's son Josh cancelled a trip to Idaho and the former governor had some harsh words for his former supporter. He called the senator's conduct as reported by airport police "very disappointing."

And Romney added, "Once again, we've found people in Washington have not lived up to the level of respect and dignity that we would expect for somebody that gets elected to a position of high influence. He's no longer associated with my campaign, as you can imagine...I'm sorry to see he has fallen short."

Craig has earned top ratings in recent years from socially conservative groups such as the American Family Assn. and the Family Research Council. He has earned a zero rating from the Human Rights Campaign, a prominent gay rights group, based on his votes on seven issues, including voting to add the Federal Marriage Amendment to the Constitution, defining marriage as a union between a man and a woman.

"While he's reflecting on his latest actions," said Joe Solomonese, campaign president, "maybe he'll finally realize that standing in the way of equality and being hypocritical with his politics is wrong for the country."

If Craig resigned, a Republican governor, C.L. "Butch" Otter, would appoint his successor, probably a Republican. Larry LaRocco, a former Democratic congressman, is already campaigning for his party's senate nomination.

The Statesman's investigation of Craig's sexual orientation, Craig said, is "a witch hunt" and has fueled unfounded rumors. The newspaper has recalled Craig's denials in 1982 of being involved in a congressional page scandal and he denied statements last fall on a gay website that he was a homosexual, calling it "completely ridiculous."

In another story today Roll Call's McArdle noted that under Minnesota law Craig could file a motion requesting to withdraw his guilty plea. The senator said he had retained an attorney to study his options. Experts noted there is a high level of proof required for a plea withdrawal and it might backfire because as part of the plea to disorderly conduct a more serious charge of interference with privacy was dismissed.

The Times' Richard Simon has the complete story on this website here and in Wednesday's print editions.

-- Andrew Malcolm

Comments

[Greg brandt]

So what that he's gay.

[Mike]

Dear Senator Craig,

Your Michael Vick before his plea agreement impression was not effective.

Resign today so that Israel is not nuked by Iran by the ascension of another weak on Defense Democrat to the US Senate.

Mike in Reno

[Madison]

The fact that he has to deny it should tell you something?

[Pam, Long Beach, California]

Who cares if he's gay or not?! He's a hypocrite! I now take it for granted that when a right-wing wacko wants to deny people their rights and takes a stand that we need an amendment to the constitution to make sure gays don't marry, well, I now just assume that that person is just a self-hating gay person. Maybe because I'm from L.A. and have always known gay people, I don't get the whole prejudice against them. Who cares? I would hate to be in a world without gay guys! I don't think it's an accident...I think that if there's a God, gays were one of his best ideas! By the way, I'm a straight women, married (yes, to a man) for 30 years. I guess I just don't get the whole "hate homosexuals" thing. How stupid!

[Fred]

I am a democrat and I dont care whether he is gay or not (yeah it is a bit illegal and he probably is a hypocrite but dammit, as much as I want to see another republican tossed, I want any politician who actually can do a kickass job of leading his state [I have no idea if this guy is good or bad, I never heard of him]). We are desparate for real leaders and I dont care what they are doing in their personal life.

[Shag]

This just a shame. When all else fails, hold on to the seat, forget integrity.

[Inquirer]

Just another sanctimonious dirty old man in the Republican fold.

Next?

[R.Burt]

Good grief, this man is quite simply a hypocrite. Unfortunately, in exercising his sexual proclivities, he has given gay men a bad rap. This, in addition to what he does to denigrate the gay population thru his politics. Personally I don't believe his behavior was so much about being gay as it was about being predatory and controlling (i.e. handing the officer his business card as if this was an entitled "get out of jail card"). Gee senator, what does it feel like to be at the other end of a gay witch hunt? Honey, you're just some kind of mess.

[Kevin Norte]

I'm not making light of this but when someone in the next stall taps their foot (either right or left depending on what stall I'm in) and sticks their hand under, I always give them toilet paper.

I never knew until Senator Larry Craig's "story" was plastered all over the place that it meant something more.

I would rather not have known this.

Why didn't Craig just say he needed toilet paper (at the press conference or when arrested)?

[Kathy]

I remember when Larry Craig was elected with Reagan in 1980. He has practiced a politics of hate since he got in office. He doesn't care about the environment and during his tenure in office look what has gone on in Idaho. It has become a state that is a refuge for neoNazis and whackos of all sorts. I moved from there because I was afraid to live there, even though it was beautiful and I loved it. As a lesbian, I couldn't take a chance. I loved to camp and travel the state, but couldn't take the risks.

Gay or straight, it doesn't matter to me. His guilty pleas tells me he thought he was caught dead to writes on lewd conduct in a public restroom. It's illegal, it's a lapse of judgment, and it's disgusting. What if the person in the next stall had not been a cop but a 16-year-old?

[Anthony]

An old saying says that gaybashers turn out to be gay themselves in a lot of cases. Has to do with sexual frustration. This case seems to be yet another example of that statement.

The hypocrisy is gigantic of course althoug it is a personal drama. The good man has had no life by supressing his sexual prefference.

When is America waking up and doesn't make an issue anymore if politicians are gay or not.

[sixtypercent]

Craig??? Naw, He ain't GAY, he GOP.

[J. Baker]

He denies being gay, as if it is a "sickness", but yet he is in a restroom looking for sex, that is "sick". "Straight men" that want to have sex with a man (they do exsist) have to look for sex in discreet , perverted ways like this. Respectable gay men do not need to seek out restroom sex.

[andrew]

The fact that he has to deny it should tell you something?

-Ya it tells you that people are accusing him of being something he is not. The media is such bull. One police officers statements just ruined this guys political career and his life.

Since when is touching a stall or putting your luggage in a stall a crime? give the man a damn break. This gay witch hunt, just proves the governments collective stance on gays, they hate them and punish them just like they did to the blacks after they abolished slavery. Segregation ring a bell? No blacks in the gov't, and no gays either if they have it their way.

[asdfa]

sooo wa if he is gay ! ! if his views are just then so wa about his personal prefferences..

[Derek]

Nobody cares if he's gay, or if he tried to picked up some gay tail in a restroom. People are making such a big deal out of nothing, when we have much more important things to deal with. Iraq, the war on drugs, Bush's self fulfilling prophecy of war with Iran, the ridiculous gap between rich and poor... but yea, lets focus on some guy trying to get laid. That's really the way to prosperity.

[Whiteshark8]

The senator's hypocrisy notwithstanding, Im not sure what it is he did wrong. He wiggled his fingers, tapped his shoe on the ground, and placed his bag against the stall door at an airport. Where is the crime? These "sting" operations are BS. The police in thic country can, apparently, now arrest you for considering acting out a fantasy. If intent of lewd behavior is a crime and you can be arrested for considering it end not for doing anything, shouldnt we arrest every single girl in Vegas right now who is putting on a short skirt and makeup to go hit the clubs tonight? I dont get what crime he committed. The police need to be investigated, not this hypocritical old gay man.

[Andy D]

To the person who said all he has done is give gays a bad name, when did they have a good one?

[Fima Fimovich]

Will Minnesota put him on sex offender register. This is sexual predatory conduct and our children must be protected from predators

[Michael]

I am retired Navy. Everyone who has served in the Navy knows what the "foot tapping" in the mens room stalls means, often there are written instructions on the stall wall. No, Craig is not gay, I guess he just thought he was in the Women's restroom.
As for 'Mike in Reno"; you need help son. For the record, our policy of supporting Israel militarily and financially in their efforts to expand into other people's lands, throw them out of their homes, kill their men, women ,and children, much like the Nazis did to them, is why crazed people fly planes into our buildings. Also for the record, we gave Israel nuclear Pershing 1 and Pershing 2 missiles many years ago (Jericho Missiles). Israel has in fact threatened to use them on Egypt once before.
With people like Craig running the Committee on Veterans Affairs
it is no wonder the Department of Veteran's Affairs (VA) is so messed up! Veterans deserve better!

Signed: Veteran from Pennsylvania

[Susan in Los Angeles]

Lewd act in a men's bathroom...like George Michael?

I wonder if he can find a new job on Craigslist.

[joell]

The line that he just tapped his foot is being pushed by his defense - the police report also says he peered into the cubicle the plainsclothes cop was in for about 2 minutes, then entered the next cubicle and did the foot tapping, stretching, rubbing part.

mind you, if he wasn't an anti-gay hypocrite and a liar I'd feel a little sorry for him

[Jason Larsen]

Sen. Craig is only a hypocrite if he refuses to pass laws to permit gay sex in sleezy bathrooms. Even someone who has gay sex in sleezy bathrooms can be opposed to passing laws to expand the definition of the sacrament of marriage.

[Larrys Lover]

Its not gave if you give it only if you recive I hear

[RJ]

Just another closeted self-rightous, holier than though Republican who got with his hand in the cookie jar. People in glass houses........

[Rick Vila]

It's sad that Mr. Craig has felt compelled to repress his homosexuality all these years, lilkely because of the conservative and backward culture he grew up in and that is still prevalent in Idaho. While I think Mr. Craig is nothing less than a hypocrite, the outcome I'd like to see is that he come out of the closet, embrace his sexuality, and continue to serve the people of Idaho as an out gay man. I don't think Mr. Craig did anything wrong at the Minneapolis airport. Gay men have cruised each other in bathrooms for time immemorial and so what? As long as they are not pursuing minors, what's the big deal. An adult can simply not respond or firmly say NO. Mr. Craig's criminality is not about what he did at the Minneapolis airport men's room. It is about his voting record, over and over against the civil rights of gay men and women, and his two-faced stance with his family and constituents. Mr. Craig, embrace your gay self - it is a gift from God. Nothing is more wonderful than the love between two men.

[Not important like most news you read]

BREAKING NEWS! I got soup on the stove! emmmm

[Trish]

They say, that the people who persecute, hate and are most homophobic, due it out of fear that they think that they are gay to, therfore, they must hate to the extreem. It is interesting that there has been a few Rebulicans who have been "outed" lately for indecent homosexual behavior and it is sad that they can not feel comfortable enough with themselves to embrace who they are. There is absolutely nothing wrong with being gay. I am a straight female from San Fransico and I know plenty of gay people and they are normal people who deserve all the same rights and prevligages as the rest of us.

[Seer]

This claim fits the now-historic denial pattern: I didn't inhale, there wasn't anyone under my desk, I am not a crook, blah, blah, blah. (Anyone remember "I am not a crook"?) By the time a denial is necessary, everyone else seems to know that what's being denied is the truth.

The bigger question is, why the desperate need to deny that he's gay? And the endless crusade against gay people? What is it about this country that we feel we can't be whole and believe in ourselves unless we have someone to demonize and persecute? Who would Jesus have persecuted, anyway?

[ThamasD]

This is NOT "Breaking News".

Give me a break.

It would be Breaking News if suddenly people came forward to gather together to fix houses in New Orleans; not this mundane-who-really-cares-how-is-this-supposed-to-affect-me.

Peace,

ThamasD

[Bemusedbyitall]

The complete lack of wisdom in American politics is such a shame. Who CARES if this guy is/is not gay? What does it have to do with the price of bread (or gasoline)? He is certainly a good obfuscator. Have people forgotten that the reason the country came to be was to shove-off the yoke of religion in state affairs, as well as to cease being in thrall to monarchs ("big business" in the modern era)? How 'bout elected representatives get down to real business and help real, everyday people realize their potential, rather than seeking to perpetuate a rotten status-quo for their own special interests...

[The_Piano_man]

This guy, Craig, is obviously a right-wing radical (of which we now have far too many influencing our system of government). . . but that is another story of far more importance. In this country; if he is not breaking any laws, he has the right to his opinion no matter how repulsive it is to some people. However before he is tried, convicted and sentenced by those who don't have all the facts about the incident there needs to be a formal trial and ALL the facts about the supposed incident must be known or everyone's statements and rants about this situation are nothing more than homophobic gossip. For example what was the "under cover officer" doing in that restroom - did he do anything to provoke the incident? Did he know this politician was in the restroom? We don't know that. If someone lies about being gay, is that a crime? (I hope not; unless one is under oath at the time) Let us put EVERYONE involved in the incident under oath to get at the truth about this. If Craig is gay and has lied about it outside of the courtroom - out of concern for the greater good he should remove himself from public office. Lets get the truth before we condemn him; just because the news media publishes something does not automatically make it gospel truth. Please; the place for a trial is in the courtroom.

[rufyman]

Golly jeez batman......... It's so nice to see another Republican taking such a "Wide-Stance" on Family Value matters. With all these fearless war hero, moral-crusders types like Sen. Craig and bush/cheney, we might as well retire!

[bob]

Going from bad to worse
What does he mean he s not gay?
The way he makes it sounds now is that every gay is a public bathroom exhibitionist outrageous.
Enough of this far right Christian bull ...
He got busted hope he gets the max...

[Weber Gilmore]

Anyone who has any doubts as to what Craig was up to should read the actual police report.

[Ed]

I dont care what they say--the world is flat!

[geral sosbee]

no crime here, no victim, no complaining witness (except the corrupt and predatory cop paid to hang out and peek into men's stalls); the fascist uSA again seeks to destroy a man's life in reality for an imaginary and non existing alleged victim.The cop should get a life and apologize for his dirty mind.

[Brent Johnson]

Can I remind everyone he is from Idaho! Because of this fact, the entire incident calls for a big - WHO CARES? So what if his political career is over. That just means the other guy that lives in Idaho gets a chance to be a politician.

[Verelse]

Let's see, his last revealed lewdness came in 1982 when it was disclosed that he was providing drugs and alcohol to underage pages (children) in exchange for homosexual acts. The "honorable" Senators, many of whom rely on the page program for their sexual gratification, swept it under the rug lest the scandal reveal the ugly truth about Washington.
This newspaper and every other major paper in the country, has become a laughable, lamentable propaganda tool for Washington, only "breaking" stories for scandal effect, never really doing any undercover work. Today's reporters are pwnd by the people they are supposed to be watching, trading favors for money, sex and prestige.
Edward Murrow would bitch slap every one of you if he were alive. Get to the real story, explain how and why the page-as-sex-slave story is so well hidden. Explain how a senator can sneak around having bathroom floor gay sex and you guys failed to report it (I know you knew).

[Bob]

Well, let's give him the benefit of the doubt - assume he didn't lie when he said he's not gay.

He didn't say he wasn't bi, did he?

[d0d0ng]

Being gay does not matter?
Excuse you! For conservative voters who elected him into office, it spell a huge difference.

[Amused]

This is funny. The man is a hypocrite. Sure, he's "not gay" but he evidently has some perversions about doing things with strange guys in the airport mens.

[THE BIG CHUCQUITA]

First off straight guys don't peek though the crack in the stall door for two minutes. Even gay people would tell you how GAY that is. And how is it that a Idaho news paper makes you plead guilty to the charges that your up on maybe the reason you pleaded guilty is because YOU ARE GUILTY. And when he says he's not gay that's probably because he's BI SEXUAL.

[Power]

Okay, to the woman who is calling Craig a hypocrite, please. If this argument is in the realm or spectrum of homosexuality (which it isn't), a straight person, as you claim you are, wouldn't in any perspective, have an opinion on the occurences at the Minnessota airport. Even if the acts occured, any homosexual would agree that they were inappropriate and perverse. That's the main issue here. It isn't political just because it involves a politician!

[ed cookman]

I agree with the senator, he isn't gay... I associate "gay-ness" with the ability to love another man, and NOT with public bathrooms. He got it right the first time by pleading guilty. Do I want to trust a STRAIGHT man who is guilty of lewd behavior in a public restroom or any other public place? Please pass the toilet paper.

[Bevery from Idaho]

I've never had a nice word to say about this man.

This is like the Seinfeld episode... "I'm not gay!"... "Not that there's anything wrong with it" . . . "No of course not" - - -Excpet, Larry and his republician cronies are first in line to critize, insult, put down and so much more our homosexual community members. Takes me back to herion and male prostitue addicted Reverend and so many more like them. If they were understanding of others likes, dislikes and lifestyles, this wouldn't be such a story.

I don't think Larry is gay. Larry just Likes Gay Sex.

[Steve]

Senator Craig is not gay and we are winning the war in Iraq. Denial, Denial, Denial.....Sounds like Nixon's I am not a crook speech!

[chris]

its not that hes gay thats the issue. he got BUSTED by undercovers trying to solicit gay sex in a public place.

[Keith Richard Radford Jr]

This small group/s who has taken the power of our country and turned its wrath on its people for the consolidation of money needs to be stopped. I am sure this has not been the 1st time

but its is finding them with their pants down not me.

Anyway I feel that the Republican vote can be expected by those that would harm our country without though, so not all are guilty, but now the singling out of Dem's that would corrupt democracy is more telling by far. Point being the real battle for right is not in my humble opinion a battle of any military anywhere on the planet. By allowing peace we allow those with views who say the little girl is in the well, to noticed she was just trying to get out of bible study and is now living in Clevland,{Metaphorically speaking}.

[Tannim]

Senutor Craig is not gay.

Just like Ted Haggard?

Yeah, right. Sure. Whatever.

Gay or gay, he's a hypocrite for putting out homophobic comments and legislation to stay elected by pacifying his base, the Cour de Lane KooKKs. He should just come out of the closet and admit it, and also admit that he was stupid and accept responsibility for his actions instead of blaming everybody else. Then he should resign in disgrace, not for being gay or finally admiting it, but because his behavior has been embarassing and unfit for a United States Senator.

That and he gave new defintion to what a "layover at the airport" means...

[Mike]

Anyone who has a plan for getting us out of Iraq can sleep with whoever they want in any publc restroom they choose.

[John]

Perhaps he is not gay, but rather bi-sexual.

[Chris]

Maybe the interesting story isn't about Craig but that so many people in this chain appear to be so dumb. The reason this is news isn't because he's gay or likes a little gay action or whatever. All you "so what if he's gay" people are missing the point. The reason this is news is that he is a HATE MONGERING RIGHT WING CHRISTIAN CONSERVATIVE that has made a life out of discriminating against gays and a multitude of other groups, yet, despite all that, it turns out he's gay!! If you don't see why that is an issue and a problem for this guy then you need to just stop and think about it.

By the way, I'm a straight 36 yo married white catholic male attorney.

[Mark Dowie]

With real crimes being commited on the streets of Minneapolis, what on earth are the police doing patroling a men's bathroom in search of adults seeking a little concensual anonymous pleasure?

And why does Governor Romney even care if Craig is gay? He's not, Mitt, he's bi.

[Tannim]

Everybody's bisexual, according to Freud, it's just a matter of precentages.

Are you 100% straight and 0% gay ("straight"), 100% gay and 0% straight ("gay"), or somewhere in the middle? To each their own, and live and let live.

It's not that Craig is gay or bisexual. It's that he's a hypocrite and got caught and made a fool of himself when all he had to do was own up to it, take responsibility, and ask forgiveness.

[cardsharky]

He should resign because he is stupid. Whether he did it or not I don't care. But pleading guilty (without coercion) and then weeks later saying you are not guilty clearly shows his stupidty. Idaho desrves better.

If you read the police report you can see the Dishonorable Senator from Idaho is GUILTY. Am I jumping to judgment? NOPE. He already pleaded guilty!

And I am happy to see the Republicans have learned their lesson and have asked for an investigation.

[drtmuir]

Didn't anyone else find anything funny about the name "C.L. 'Butch' Otter"?

[Brett]

This is no doubt the biggest scandal to hit the state of Idaho since Uncle Rico ruined everybody's lives and ate all their steak.

[David]

This has nothing to do with the Senator being Gay. Being Gay has nothing to do with his inappropriate behavior. Lots of heterosexual people try to fondle one another and the action is called "lewd conduct". Being Gay doesn't make you go into a bathroom and solicit sex...being a pervert does. I wish people would stop playing the gay card showing their underlying stereotype of homosexuals as somewhat sexual deviant. Yes, he is a hypocrite but his actions are a result of a moral deficiency not a sexual identity. Stop making this a gay thing!

[Chet Bowen]

Ya know, this is a sting in the face of justice when our judicial system has been reduced to the ONLY evidence that this senator may have or may have NOT been guilty of by tapping of the shoes to indicate sex? Does this mean I have to be careful not to tap a shoe though when I'm sitting on a toilet I tap a shoe out of impatience? If such a case went before a judge here it would have been thrown out and likely a police officer standing in the judge's chamber getting his behind chewed off.

I have participated in many stings and the general rule was to make sure the intended target could be proven guilty beyond a shadow of doubt and the target to actually do something that would give the target reasonable grounds to know what they are doing is unlawful. I just can't see where tapping of a shoe could be used to present as evidence that a crime has been committed. After all, all he did was tap his shoe and......BINGO he is arrested.

ie: I play the part of a bad guy. Bad guy sells me a bag of weed. I arrest the bad guy and go to court with the weed as evidence. Bad guy is found guilty. As simplistic as this may seem it's basically about the way it goes. If I went to court with ONLY tapping of the shoe that the bad guy wanted to sell me marijuana then it's not only going to get thrown out but very likely I am about to get sued into desolation. I really wonder if this whole charade was fabricated to target this senator. He very well may have been guilty of looking for sex in a bathroom stall but the evidence of tapping one's shoe is hardly a case I would want to present to a judge or jury.

Capt. C. Bowen (Retired Police)

[uffdaron]

The last time a story about a politician in a bathroom stall as this story starts, it was LBJ looking for toilet paper. The guy in the next stall said he was out and then LBJ asked if he had 2-5's for a ten.

stories change with the times....still a good laugh. peace

[Wilfred]

Suppose he went into the ladies bathroom and did this? What would that be called?

[Stefan]

He's not gay!! He's a pervert, a liar and a hypocrite!! Like most self rightous Republicans!!

[betty wegman]

Our fine governor in Idaho has chosen to stand beside Larry during this difficult time. I think that's fine, but just don't stand in front of him...

[Harriet Lang]

What I can't figure out is, WHO would want to have sex with an OOGY OLD MAN like that anyways???

[Tom E]

Secret Code My Foot: * * * When I was in the fourth grade, I got in trouble for "thumbing my nose" at the teacher. Nobody would tell me what that meant or how to avoid doing it again. * * * At an auction, don't scratch your ear or you might be placing the winning bid on a really ugly lamp you don't want. * * * Where do you put your roll-on luggage if not against the stall door> * * * I'm sure my foot has strayed under the partition more than once while adjusting my diaper before or after a long flight.