After swearing to a judge that he was guilty of criminal action and then swearing to his constituents that he would resign if another judge didn’t allow him to take back his word to the first judge, Larry Craig has now gone back on his word. Here’s his official statement (not that it means much):
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.
Unless he’s an idiot in addition to being a liar and a pervert, he simply had to know that this ruling was a foregone conclusion. Judges simply don’t allow people to take back guilty pleas absent rather extraordinary circumstances.
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.
By all accounts, his colleagues consider him a joke.
Over the course of my three terms in the Senate and five terms in the House, I have accumulated seniority and important committee assignments that are valuable to Idaho, not the least of which are my seats on the Appropriations Committee, the Energy and Natural Resources Committee and the Veterans’ Affairs Committee. A replacement would be highly unlikely to obtain these posts.
That’s certainly true. Then again, that was true when he made his pledge to resign.
In addition, I will continue my effort to clear my name in the Senate Ethics Committee – something that is not possible if I am not serving in the Senate.
There’s still that matter of pleading guilty in a court of law.
When my term has expired, I will retire and not seek reelection. I hope this provides the certainty Idaho needs and deserves.
Why would his word provide any certainty? It’s of no value whatsoever.
