Why is Craig being thrown under the bus while Vitter was let off the hook...

[SaveElmer]

One accused of soliciting homosexual sex...

One admittedly whoring around with female prostitutes...

Gee, what could it be?

:sarcasm:

[Kagemusha]

1. I heard the expression for this is...

"A dead woman or a live boy."

Vitter's women lived, so that's nothing.

[girl_interrupted]

4. Good question to ask the Republicans!

I'd loved to see how they try and wiggle out of that one! Hope someone in the media asks that question!

[DURHAM D]

2. I think its the cloudy weather he caused in Idaho. eom

[SteppingRazor]

3. Actually, it's probably not what you think.

When Vitter got nabbed, he went to the GOP leadership and organized his next moves with them. Craig, however, consulted no one and went out on his own trying to cover it up.

I don't think Craig's getting slammed because of the gay aspect. I think he's getting slammed for leaving the ranch. The GOP's like the Mafia in a weird way.

Of course, the gay thing probably does hurt him a bit more with the GOP, if you'll allow me the understatement. ;)

[caligirl]

7. YEP that is what happened. Craig was STUPID in somany ways.

[polichick]

8. That makes sense...

...and here I just figured Craig had refused too many of his fellow hypocritical Republican blowhards.

[SaveElmer]

13. Do you think if he'd gone to the leadership and told them...

He'd been busted for soliciting homosexual sex they would have treated him the same way as they did Vitter? I doubt it frankly

[SteppingRazor]

15. I agree with you. He wouldn't have gotten the same treatment as Vitter...

but neither, I think, would he currently be getting thrown under the bus by everyone with an "R" after their name.

[polichick]

20. He would've been smart...

...to toss in a few heartfelt blowjobs with his confession.

[SaveElmer]

21. Possibly...but I think you are giving them too much credit...

I agree with Bucky down thread...being anti homosexual is one of the things that defines the Republican Party right now...I think they would have simply told him to take a hike and it would have come out sooner...

[caligirl]

18. Yes, but the sting of learning this from other than Craig ticked them off.

remeber these guys thing they are special.

[Bucky]

16. I think your example kinda undoes your point

Of course Craig didn't go to his fellow Republicans and say, "Hey, guys, I just got popped trying to finagle a hummer from a dude in bathroom in Minneapolis. Can you help me get out from under this?"

Republicans don't expend a lot of hate on prostitutes. Hating gays is practically what defines them as a party--probably moreso than opposition to abortion does these days.

It'd be like the Deputy Grand Poobah of the KKK going up to the Exalted Cyclops and saying, "Hey, Earl, I just found out I'm half black and been cutting checks to the ACLU. Can you help me burn down the courthouse and the local bank?"

[xxqqqzme]

25. Right-o - explained very clearly last night on

Countdown. Those rethug daddies want to know where you are, what you're doing, who/what you're doing it w/ and how much money can you donate to the rethug war chest.

[beaconess]

33. Also, there is something really creepy about soliciting anonyous sex in the bathroom

Very different from ongoing trysts with a prostitute - while the latter is certainly just as illegal, it just doesn't have the stench attached to it that trolling for sex in the men's room has.

[WI_DEM]

5. because it's ok to run after hookers in dirty diapers if your straight but not if you're gay!

[SaveElmer]

10. My impression as well...nt

[napi21]

6. Several reasons I think.

1. I heard the Pub leadership was REALLY pi&&ed at Craig for not telling them about this back in June and asking for THEIR guidance!

2. His obvious stupidity in his lying, and just sounding completely unbelievable isn't acceptable behavior for a Senator.

3. He was one of THEIR superstars in fighting against gay issues.

[DCKit]

23. I noted you didn't use the work "hipocrisy" which just goes to show you realize

their moral "center" is so far to the right, they can't conceive of the concept.

[napi21]

27. The Pubs don't recognize the word hypocracy! I thought the OP

asked why the Pubs were throwing Larry under the bus. Hypocracy would NOT be one of the Pub's reasons!

[Crabby Appleton]

9. To distract from gonzo nt

[Warpy]

14. That's what I said and got slammed for it

But consider this has been an item in the Idaho press for three weeks now. Consider that Craig is ruined in his home district. Consider also that Gonzo needed the heat taken off during his last 3 weeks in office.

It fits. There was no sacrifice in taking the story nationally. Craig was already done for in his own district.

Just don't expect a replacement to be any better.

[Jim__]

11. If Craig resigns, a repuke governor will pick his replacement.

If Vitters resigns, a Dem governor will pick his replacement. That may have something to do with it.

[rodeodance]

17. Bingo

[BOSSHOG]

12. because republicans are selective in what "VA:UES" to enforce??

[Fresh_Start]

19. how about because one was caught by cops in criminal acts

and the other was exposed by someone who isn't credible to the GOP base

[youngdem]

22. Hypocrisy and homophobia. But also, Craig PLEAD GUILTY to a crime

Plus, there is nothing inherently wrong with going to a prostitute. Honestly. If you are married, that's bad, but that's between you and your wife.

If you are in airports soliciting sex from strangers who aren't on board with your idea, that's a WHOLLY different matter. It could involve you and me, just taking a piss at the airport. With Vitter, the only way you are affected is if you are married to him. Everyone else is a willing participant.

I think they are very different offenses.

Now, the repukes are still HUGE hypocrites for not tossing out Vitter after all the bullshit that entire party gave Clinton hell for a blowjob from someone he didn't have to pay.

[liberal N proud]

24. America can't stop talking about sex and it is a perfect diversion

The bu$h regime needed a diversion from all the potential Katrina news, so this story was out there. They just let it blow into the media frenzy and low and behold, Katrina is only a mention in the news.

[Vinca]

26. They want Vitter to stay because the Democratic governor

would appoint a Democratic replacement. Otherwise, he'd be in the stall next to Larry.

[caligirl]

29. good point to make here.thank you.

[Homer12]

28. Vitter is not Gay..Just a diaper wearing hypocrite!

n/t

[onenote]

30. a variety of things -- plead guilty, more recent, gay

The fact that he was caught, arrested, and plead guilty is the big one.
Also, the fact that it was recent (Vitter's calls were in the 1999-2001 period). Also, Vitter "asked for forgiveness".

And, of course, Craig involved approaching another man in a public restroom, which is way more icky to repubs (and generally to most people) than calling/seeing a hooker.

[Bitwit1234]

31. Vitter's seat could go to a democrat

but in Idaho there is no chance a democrat would win.

[demommom]

32. how about.....

Craig will be replaced by another Republican and Vitter would be replaced with a Democrat?
Sorry, I did not see that you guys had already said that.