Anthony Weiner should stay in office, New Yorkers say

Anthony Weiner may have embarrassed himself when lewd photos and conversations surfaced recently. The lawmaker may have dug himself in a deeper hole when he originally lied about the matter. But now that the Democrat has come clean about the scandal, his New York constituents seem to want to "fuhgeddaboudit."

According to a poll released Thursday by New York 1 and Marist College, 56% of registered voters in  New York’s 9th Congressional District think their congressman should stay.

Despite the lies and sexual nature of the drama, only 1/3 of those polled think Weiner should step down while 12% are undecided, despite the fact that 60% said that what he did by exchanging lewd photos is cheating on his wife.

In fact, of those surveyed, half say "they would not forgive their partner if he or she sent sexually charged photos of themselves to someone over the Internet," according to the poll.

Perhaps this is the reason the embattled congressman seemed so affable to a New York Post reporter this morning when he told the journalist on video that he would not resign.

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-- Tony Pierce
Twitter.com/busblog

Photo: Rep. Anthony Weiner waits on an elevator after leaving his office in the Rayburn House Office Building on Capitol Hill. Credit: Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images

Comments

[David Kriner]

Although we should not be surprised that influential men take advantage of their positions, thinking they can get away with all kinds of reprehensible behavior, we should place those who live at taxpayers expense at least to the same standards of conduct as everyone else. His attitude of defiance and rationalization shows that he is not a man of integrity. He should resign immediately.

[Mike]

If you're fine with loose morals, like Weiner, then you need to look within yourself.

[Ironweed]

The standards of a dying nation slip a bit further...

[jgny]

no surprise, the lefties in that area have the same values as this clown. In the majority, the people who support this jerk would re elect him just like they did for Rangel.

[Robert Henning __________]

California and newyork should make their own country

They have the same morals!what great standards
.

[wtobias]

the people in his districts have every right of keeping someone who is a lying cheating pervert representing then in dc

[Jerry Sparks]

He is a sic idiot and I think since ney yorkers want him they should have him he fits right in with them

[Michael]

Ok he is their representative so they should decide. Hey, Vintner stayed and got re elected so why should this be different,?

[David]

Republicans have a married senator who has admitted he visited prostitutes (which is illegal unless he was in Nevada at that time). They have presendential candidates who had affairs while married and then dumped their wives while they were in hospital. There is really no need for Weiner to resign - though that will let the media report on more important things like the unemployment problem.

[DavidPun]

I don't think he should resign. he was not elected to be a moral leader and what pictures he chooses to send of himself in a private forum is between him and the the recipients of his pictures and his family. He was elected to do a job as a public servant and if he has done that well and diligently , as he has and if he is capable of continuing to do that then he absolutely should not resign over this, but should tell the American public and the obnoxious hypocrites in Congress to mind their own business. If his constituents don't want him, then they have to wait for the next election. It really is that simple. This whole blown up affair is pure hypocrisy and typical media hype.
And God almighty, where did he get those pecks?

[aclineo]

what he did was asinine but it has no effect on his ability to do his job. i say let him stay in office.

[Rev. Stephanie Sorensen]

Anyone who seeks "reinforcement" about his self-worth and value to the world that comes from outside himself -- whether it is about his virility and sexual prowess or validation from "big money" and lobbyists -- is exposed and vulnerable to ALL opinion outside of himself, i.e., the good, the bad, and the ugly. Someone who can truly make a difference wherever he is, is the person whose self-empowerment is based on internal values, commitment to integrity of deep-held principles no matter what others might say, and a kept promise to his constituents regardless of their ability to enhance him financially.

I truly believe in what Anthony Weiner has to offer in his professional capacity. Perhaps, we can all allow him the space to find his private capacity as well. And, especially in Washington, perhaps all should put their stones down and give the man a break.

[Mark Yarbrough]

argumentum ad hominem, is an effective rhetorical tactic appealing to feelings rather than intellect, of directed against an opponent's character rather than the subject under discussion.
Anthony Weiner should stay in office, the man is a great politician and needs to be heard.

[Phil]

Pierce writes: "But now that the Democrat has come clean about the scandal..."

And I ask, given Weiner's character, "How do you know?"

More likely, he's still lying, relating just enough of the facts now in the hopes it will blow over, tailoring his message just like he always has.

He's come clean? How do you know?

[glenbek]

why does it look like 7 of the first 8 comments were written by the same bitter teaboy?

[patton]

New Yorkers want him gone yesterday...he is the definition of a creep and he has violated House ethics rules...by..bye!

[Robert]

Weiner committed perverted acts; played the victim card, blamed others for conspiring against him, even asked a porn star to lie for him.
How any sane person thinks he should keep his job as Congressman is a mystery to me.

[chiefbuffalo]

The Weiner was elected by New Yorkers to represent them and he has done a great job of representing them. He amply displays the true low self esteem of all those who elected them and they deserve what embarrassment this man has brought upon them. The only problem is that his votes and his judgement is also shared by the rest of the Nation. He is a disgrace to the office that he holds. New Yorkers as well as the rest of the Nation should demand more from their representatives, senators and the president. A lousy example to our children, who are taught to expect more from their government.

[Eric G]

If Anthony Weiner was single, there would be no controversy. In most extramarital affairs the public doesn't see the tree fall in the forest. Besides when Carl Paladino's hard pornographic and racist email became public, he still won the Republican Primary for Governor of New York. As for Ed Schultz, who is on his second marriage, he has no right to ask for Anthony Weiner's resignation.

Weiner's truthfulness is only a problem when it comes to hiding his infidelity. Weiner is more fit for Congress than David Witter because of his prostitution past. On top of that, Michele Bachmann, Virginia Foxx, Wally Herger, and Rand Paul are totally mental Congresspeople.

[Catherine]

The reality is that he is one of hundreds, if not thousand of guys, who get busted on a weekly basis by their wives, girlfriends, significant others for the same behaviors. In my profession, it doesn't matter if the guy is civilian or an active duty service member, they get a "high" from sending pics, and communicating with some other woman, no matter what they promised. Weiner, is a guy and even though not EVERY man acts out their fantasies this way, let's be adult here and admit, that this is a national problem and...pornography is the drug of the 21st century....same effects on the brain as cocaine.

[Ed@aol.com]

He lied, blamed others, smeared Andrew Breitbart and then, lo and behold, Weiner admitted he did the deeds. Is shameless friggin lowlife the new synonym for Democrap?

[Joe]

When will this loudmouth rude arrogant idiot finally resign?
Who cares what he did on line - that's between he and his wife.

He should resign for his unprofessional past behavior on the floor and
his disgusting behavior with the press.

Does NY really want this guy to represent them as Mayor or Congressmen?
Replacing Bloomberg.....give me a break.

That's like saying we should replace President Obama with Flava Flav.

[pete]

While I don't like his actions, they aren't illegal. I'm getting very tired of the scarlet letter syndrome where anybody like this is forced to leave their job. All it takes these days is a slip of the tongue (no pun intended) and you're out. It smacks of a moral majority (minority?) who think the know what's best for everybody. I also blame the media for getting on their high horse every time stuff like this happens. Clinton stayed in office. There are many more in office who we don't know about. I don't condone it, but sounds to me like it's a lot of consenting adults, not victims.

[Bob]

"He should resign for his unprofessional past behavior on the floor"

Thanks, that's exactly what this all comes down to. Politics. Tea Party conservatives just want him gone because he threatens him. Which is exactly why I want him to stay. :D

[Robert A]

Today (Friday) would be a good day for Weiner to step down. He might want to share a one-way ticket out of DC with Newt G. According to the NY Times, and other sources, Weiner's district may go away due to re-districting anyway. NY State needs to down-size by two congressional districts due to population decreases. Weiner has given them a perfect excuse to target his district. They'll both (Weiner & Newt) will wind up as talking heads on some cable network.

[Peter]

Anthony Weiner shoud remain in the House of Representatives, he did far less than others have done, namely Senatardican John Ensign. What Weiner did was not physical sex, like Ensign, it was done mostly before he was married, and his wife seemt to have forgiven him. But, in what way, has his "personal actions" affected his job? It hasn't. Do any of you think that there isn't a single other congressman or Senator who currently is doing the same thing? Are you really that dumb? The difference is, Weiner got caught. I'd bet, Anthony Weiner know of some of his colleagues doing the same thing, only the man has couth, and he won't bring them out. Time to grow up, America!

[Mark Thompson]

Liberal elitism art its finest. From Boxer,Clinton,Pelosi,&Dianne Feinstein, they are all better & smarter than us. Their double standard luxurious lives give them licenses to screw us all while ignoring their own imperfections. Remember 2012 and socialism!

[Julia]

People need to be more careful with what kind of information they put on the web. Once it's out there, you can't get it back. This article on social media security offers some good tips
Preventing Weinergate-7 Golden Rules for Facebook and Twitter Security

[lynn]

I would really question how accurate that poll is. What was the exact wording of the questions and how accurate where the people taking the poll. these "polls" are so easy to manipulate. Every other site where people are making comments are just the opposite so I find it hard to beleive that the people he represents are that far off the mark in the complete opposite direction of every one else in the whole country.

[Teddy]

Date A Dem!!!!!

Want to treat your significant other like dirt and have them stay with you while others defend and excuse your actions? DATE A DEM. Yes, you to can treat your significant other like garbage and have people like Barbera Walters, Pelosi, Whoopi or Chris Mathews defend you and your actions. Find out what Bill Clinton has always known. Date a Dem and live like a Weiner!

[Teddy]

Date A Dem!!!!!

Want to treat your significant other like dirt and have them stay with you while others defend and excuse your actions? DATE A DEM. Yes, you to can treat your significant other like garbage and have people like Barbera Walters, Pelosi, Whoopi or Chris Mathews defend you and your actions. Find out what Bill Clinton has always known. Date a Dem and live like a Weiner!

[RaucusCaucus]

He has broken no laws. He was not found paying anyone for sex, he was not found attempting a sexual act in a public place and he was not found to be sending these messages to people he knew to be minors.

He has not and does not run on 'family 'values', extolling himself as a model of virtue and righteousness up to which we all should look and fashion our own lives.

Finally, most importantly and regardless of party, elected officials are put into office for a set term by the voters. Unless there has been law breaking, the decision of whether they remain in office should remain with the voters.

If the majority wish for him to leave office prior to the end of his term, then they should avail themselves of any recall/impeachment protections they may have in their state law books. Should they find themselves like the majority of states, without such protections, they should petition the leadership with a Letter of No Confidence forcing resignation.

In this vein, the decision remains where it belongs... with the people that official actually serves and not their colleagues who are concerned with nothing ther than their own political futures.

[Brit]

Anthony Weiner is a GREAT Congressman who fights to help people every single day and he should be forgiven and should stay in office. Don't quit Mr. Weiner!! You can get over this and get your good reputation back, but if you quit you will forever regret it. What you did was not illegal and millions of people talk flirty with people of the opposite sex on and offline between girlfriends, boyfriends, and spouses. In your case being a politician and the fact that you are such a good one makes you a target by Republicans who would do and say anything to destroy you. Keep in mind America that this is a sex scandal without sex. If you want to read about sex scandals with sex where politicians even stay in power and protect their own, check out the Republican record.