Anthony Weiner's resignation now sought by a growing list of people who were not sexted by him

There are at least three prominent Democrats out there who have not yet suggested that fellow Democrat Anthony Weiner should resign from the U.S. House of Representatives -- Barack Obama's White House, ex-Speaker Nancy Pelosi and CNN's Eliot Spitzer.

They all have good reasons to steer clear of the Weiner mess. Why would a president, even one out of the Chicago machine, want to touch such a thing? Pelosi needs all the Democrats she can hold in her minority caucus -- and anyway she's from California.

And as the notorious Client No. 9, Spitzer walked into his own public sex scandal for patronizing prostitutes after prosecuting them, moving from one political scandal in office to another of spouting DNC talking points on CNN with low ratings.

However, elsewhere, the $174,000 congressional salary of the New Yorker Weiner seems in distinct jeopardy since he suddenly became more famous for his underwear (briefs), for what they were covering or not, for what he was sexting while on duty and for lying and concocting a phony hacker plot when confronted with the distasteful news.

Tim Kaine, former chairman of the Democrat National Committee, Wednesday suggested Weiner's public lying was "unforgivable and he should resign."

Admittedly, Kaine is himself running for office again (albeit only the Senate). So he could hardly be expected to endorse or ignore behavior involving even consensual sexually explicit online messages.

Then, Wednesday afternoon, Rep. Allyson Schwartz, a senior official of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, said Weiner should go. This one is serious.

"Having the respect of your constituents is fundamental for a member of Congress," Weiner's House colleague suggested. "In light of Anthony Weiner’s offensive behavior online, he should resign."

As his opening ploy to avoid joining the unemployment line after 10 days of lying, the seven-term Weiner this week appeared tearful at a news conference admitting his falsehoods and the allegations and sexting. He did claim that the half a dozen or so ongoing online and telephone relationships with women across the country were virtual affairs, not physically consummated.

While not suggesting Weiner resign, the often-speaking authority on pop stuff Dr. Drew confessed to his CNN audience that he had serious concerns for Weiner. "My fear," the doctor said, "is when all this really rushes in those moments that you see him looking so overwhelmed and so ashamed, that he could develop a severe mood disturbance."

In previous pathetic political news, Republican Rep. Chris Lee, who also drinks New York water, immediately resigned merely for posting a shirtless bathroom photo of his amazing abs. Weiner, however, is from New York City, which makes him far more important than upstater Lee.

Reince Priebus, chairman of the Republican National Committee, suggested that Pelosi's response, a simple call for a House Ethics Committee investigation, was empty and silly. "Do we really need an investigation to determine if this guy's a creep or not," Priebus said.   

Priebus, whose party now controls the House and is in position to take over the Senate next year, may want to rethink this approach. If creepiness becomes a bipartisan disqualification for Congress, neither chamber would likely ever have a quorum.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, who represents Nevada, home to one of Weiner's more explicit virtual mistresses, candidly said he would like to defend Weiner.

But he could not.

RELATED:

News Shocker: Eliot Spitzer says he sympathizes with Anthony Weiner

Speaking of online, Twitter is having a hilarious time with Anthony Weinergate jokes

The advice Anthony Weiner gave Ben Aflleck about playing a crooked congressman on screen

-- Andrew Malcolm

Don't forget to follow the Ticket via Twitter alerts of each new Ticket item. Or click this: @latimestot. Our Facebook Like page is over here. We're also available on Kindle. Use the ReTweet buttons above to share any item with family and friends.

Top photo: Anthony Weiner holds a sign to verify his identity in a photo sent to Meagan Broussard. Credit: ABC News. Bottom photo: Spitzer. Credit: Associated Press

Comments

[GOOD!]

Weiner has always been such a Weiner

[Ronnell D. Porter]

It's times like this when I wish that there was a way to speak out in support of someone beyond a comment window. Anthony is a man, and he made mistakes. I don't care what he does in his personal life as it hasn't affected his job, and he's been doing a pretty damn good one at that in my opinion. I sincerely hope that Anthony can overcome the bullying to resign (from our own president, no doubt) and stay strong. I feel that he has too many great things to accomplish yet in his years to come.

[scallywag]

In the end what can one say, just another disagreeable inconvenience that will be forgotten by the next long weekend and if we’re lucky Weiner will be offered a reality show called- ‘How to offend and lie with aplomb until you are eventually forced to break down in public. Smile you’re on reality camera!’

Anyway Anthony, you’re a brave man- just a shame about all the world doing you in, but then again you started this joyride.

http://scallywagandvagabond.com/2011/06/anthony-weiner-finally-wants-to-show-you-his-erection/

[annie]

Ronnell D. Porter

I haven't heard anything about Obama wanting him to resign ("from our own president, no doubt.")

Haha nice jab at Obama. Has anyone heard Obama say anything about this non issue?!?

[annie]

What does "Barak Obama's White House" mean?! Does that mean him personally?!?

[Barry Hussein]

If Weiner wasn't such a sanctimonious piece of dog feces, it might be easier to feel sympathetic for his pathetic little peep show. Instead it simply comes across as surreal comedy and provides endless fun to watch the rapid unravelling of his political life because of his total inability to tell the truth in public.

[Bill Schmalfeldt]

The moment when this story jumped the shark was when Fox News interviewed serial adulterer Donald Trump about Anthony Weiner's ethics. Good night, nurse!

Another Faux News Exclusive here... SHOCK! HUMAN MALE AROUSED BY SEXY WOMEN! Read the filthy details at http://bit.ly/lOmWNA

[Roedy Green]

Democrats are overreacting. This is a micro scandal. Many, much larger scandals involving crimes, unprotected sex, misuse of public funds, bribes... are all forgotten. Clinton survived a much larger scandal. Today, Clinton is a major campaign asset. Weiner could do the same thing. Despite his nerdy face, he has a remarkably sexy body. This aside, he is one of the best politicians. He deserves to get off with a warning.

[Janice]

I am so upset that this creep thinks all he have to do is say im sorry and its all forgotten and he gets to go back to life as normal hellooooo he was seeking out women online!!!! Sending inappropriate photos to them Even to young underage women !!!! who knows if he had not got caught im sure he had every intention of hooking up with them in person if he has not already and lying about that too!! I cant believe to some this is not a big deal hes really a predator hiding in those suits GET RID OF HIM

[Janice jones]

Omg are u kidding???? Im in shock at some of these comments saying its ok mr weiner is a man and makes mistakes let it go???? Helllooo criminals make mistakes shud we let them off the hook??? This loser is nothing but a predator who did inappropriate things to women some even underage and once caught tried to lie on top of a lie to get out of responsibility for himself He has serious problems and needs to RESIGN NOW and theres something wrong with ppl who support a creep like him!!!!

[Dorothy Anderson]

It's not the E-mails or photo's that worry me but the integrity needed to run our country that seems to be lacking here. He lied to cover up his 'foolish' behaviour and it back fired. Get a new job Weiner.

[Bryant R. Camareno]

I am NOT a Weiner supporter but why should he have to resign when BILL CINTON, who broke his marital vows, lied under oath, and was disbarred for five years, did not have to?

[Bryant R. Camareno]

I am NOT a Weiner supporter but why should he have to resign when BILL CINTON, who broke his marital vows, lied under oath, and was disbarred for five years, did not have to?