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

[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...