Obama's Thinking on Anthony Weiner Reveals a Disturbing Double Standard

[Donnachaidh]

http://www.opednews.com/articles/Obama-s-Thinking-on-Anthon-by-Roger-Shuler-110615-875.html

President Barack Obama, in so many words, has called on U.S. Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-NY) to resign in the wake of revelations that the Congressman had sent explicit photos of himself to women online.

Obama's remarks came in an interview with NBC's Ann Curry that aired yesterday. While Obama's sentiments are understandable, and he hardly is alone among Democrats in calling for Weiner to step down, the president seems to be blissfully unaware that he is practicing a gross double standard.

After all, this is the same president who has said the country needs to "look forward, not backwards" regarding possible misconduct by officials in the George W. Bush administration. If Karl Rove, Dick Cheney, and other Bush-era thugs are not to be held accountable, why should Anthony Weiner be forced to "look backwards" and step down because of his transgressions?

As usual, Obama sounded sensible and articulate in commenting on a major issue of the day. Here is what he told Curry about the Weiner case:

More at the link --

[Fumesucker]

1. Meh, a double standard is better than no standard at all..

Investigating Republicans would tear the country apart, investigating Democrats brings us closer together, it's something both parties can agree on.

[theaocp]

6. Say what?

Investigating Democrats has torn the party up. Especially over this non-issue that we are apparently too anxious to keep in the news cycle. Investigating Republicans would bring Dems much closer together.

[Johonny]

9. :)

[RaleighNCDUer]

17. lol

[hfojvt]

22. sad but true

[seaglass]

2. Seriously - I may not have kept up on the Weiner story but I hadn't heard he did anything illegal.

How come Obama could do cocaine and still run for President? Doesn't everyone deserve a second chance?

[NorthCarolina]

3. He is a Regan 'Dem' who subscribes to Regans commandment that

'thou shall not attack fellow Republicans'.

[CrossChris]

4. +1000. Well played. nt

[n2doc]

5. No double standard- Weiner's transgression happened during Obama's term

And he isn't calling for Weiner's prosecution.

Besides, if he prosecuted Bushco for war crimes, he would find himself being prosecuted for doing many of the same things by his successor. One hand washes the other, so to speak.

[Solomon]

11. Not only that, he didn't actually call for his resignation.

The lengths that people will go through to blame Obama for everything is surreal.

It's utterly absurd. Weiner didn't have to resign because other people had opinions about what he did. How come he gets cred for having balls even after folding like an envelope? Oh, that's right, I forget, it's not his fault, it's Obama and the non real democrats.

[Demit]

14. What? He said if he were Weiner, he'd resign.

Are you really going to stand on that? That he didn't *actually call for* a resignation? Now that's going to lengths!

[RaleighNCDUer]

18. Well, the way around that is to STOP THE FUCKING WARS.

Nobody has ever been prosecuted for NOT committing war crimes.

[n2doc]

20. A little late for that, I'm afraid

He's committed. In many ways.

[Name removed]

7. Deleted message

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[cbdo2007]

8. Did Obama say he should "step down" or "step back"???

I'm confused here as I thought he just said "step back" which is what weiner did at first, he stepped back to get help. I haven't heard Obama say "step down".

[phleshdef]

10. The only thing disturbing is the writer of this article's inability to properly interpret english.

Pres. Obama never said Anthony Weiner should be forced to resign. He said, if he were the one in that situation, he would resign. Thats not being forced. Thats how President Obama said he would handle it from a personal level.

Considering that, this OP and the article it links too aren't worth a damn because its based on a dishonest premise.

[mazzarro]

19. I am afriad, you are the one that is misrepresenting the implication of what Obama said

- as the head of the party - his statement is a clear message to Wiener and the party leaders to get Wiener off the picture - IOW - Wiener must quit or the leaders should do whatever is necessary to get him out.

And if you choose to be oblivious to that message, you are only deceiving yourself. Yes Obama is saying that he will accept Wiener being forced out - period.

[phleshdef]

23. You are basing that all on your bullshit best guesses. You have zero proof. PERIOD.

Give me proof that he was gonna be forced out. I want documents or audio statements or something else solid. I want it right fucking now. Your own speculations aren't worth a god damn thing.

[Odin2005]

21. Obama's wording is just a polite way of telling him to resign.

[phleshdef]

24. Which contradicts nothing I said. Thats not being forced out.

Being forced out would mean that Congress would go through the process of expelling him from office, which by the way, has nothing to do with the President. My point stands. The OP is utter shit.

[economistman]

12. WTF

I'm an obama supporter, overall, I guess, but did he really need to weigh in on this...

[divvy]

13. This whole thing is so annoying. Weiner should NOT resign.

Period !

[bigwillq]

15. So it's ok to you that politicians act this way

taking pics at the HOUSE gym, AT WORK, and then lying about it?

What a professional Weiner is. :eyes:

If I did the same, I would most likely be fired.
The only person to blame for this is Weiner. Good riddance. I am sure we can find someone more professional.

[Freddie Stubbs]

16. No double standard. He wanted Weiner to resign because the scandal was hurting Democrats

[Trey9007]

25. Things will really get interesting if............

this Bohner sex scandal turns out to be true. I just heard on the Thom Hartmann show that this story may be growing some legs.

We shall see....