Quote:
Originally Posted by theoddz
Well, I'm going to say something here about this, because I'm a fan of Rep. Anthony Weiner. I've been thinking about this for an awfully long time, even before this scandal broke. When a person is outspoken and doesn't mind "poking the dog with a stick", so to speak...and Rep. Weiner does this consistently(he's a progressive liberal with balls!!), calling the Republicans out on their hypocrisy, lying, whathaveyou....he should have been watching his back a little closer. No one is perfect, obviously, but really, he can only blame himself for his indiscretions.
I know this from being a union rep. I have to watch my back constantly!! When I started carrying that union briefcase, I also put a target on my back and I have to hold myself to a higher standard of conduct than, perhaps, I had to before. Same thing with Anthony Weiner. He's been going up against the powerful, dirty games Republicans who are backed by their deep pocketed corporate masters. You can't afford this kind of stuff when you make a mouthpiece of yourself for the "little guys".
I don't think he's been married that long, either. I think he just got married a year or two ago. This has really sadly surprised me, just on that fact alone.
I hope he comes out of this okay, and I think he will. New York politicians seem to survive pretty well and Rep. Weiner has a very supportive fan base. How his wife chooses to deal with this will unfold in time.
~Theo~  |
Actually, because he is a progressive and very outspoken and bright- this makes me more angry with him. I want more like him in Congress.
I question his judgment on this as this stuff in terms of the fact that anything over the internet is going to be called out when someone holds public office. And he really messed up with how he initially handled this. It would have been far better if he just said he did it and the pics are of him. He has never put himself out there as a "family values" guy like so many of the right-wing office holders that have caught in these kinds of activities (although, they actually had affairs, etc.)- and that kind of hypocracy is what drives me crazy with these bozos.
Now, he has been caught in several lies, being abusive to the press, along with questions arising about the ages of some of the women (and his remark that he "believed" they were all 18 or older did piss me off in terms of what does happen via the internet and minors).
There is a general election coming up and if this could have a negative effect on the Dems (or more liberal/progressive candidates) gaining House seats- which is needed so that the right is held at bay. There are so many more progressive legislative issues that need to be addressed. Obama is vulnerable with the economy as it is and the unemployment rate.
Weiner is very popular with his district but not with many of his House colleagues who find him abrasive and self-centered. Senate Dems are not in love with him, either. He does not have a strong group backing him in the Democratic Party overall in the House or Senate. He is not viewed as a team player. Some of this I like about him- but now he has himself in a dumb mess that the Dems just want to go away.
I want him to remain in office because he aligns more with my kind of politics in general, but if he is going to help more GOP candidates get elected to the House in 2012- I say leave. Remember Mark Foley during the Clinton re-election and mid-terms for House GOP candidates? Weiner could become the Mark Foley for the Dems and losing more seats in Congress next year.