First Craig.

I have read the documents, and heard the tapes.  I waited to post this until I had a complete picture.  My first thought is that while i cannot grant him the belief that he was not trolling for gay sex, I am not convinced he was.  The cops case was weak.  Very weak, which is why they pushed so hard for him to agree to cop a plea to a lesser charge.

I think Craig was scared of the scandal, because whether he was fishing for men or not, he would face harsh scrutiny, and that is why he copped a plea.

He is guilty of one thing:  Being an idiot and making an important legal decision for the wrong reasons, and without legal advice.  He was, in my opinion, more worried about the scandal then he was anything else, and frankly that makes me want to see him go away.  His priorities are messed up.

He should have lawyered up and fought it if he was innocent, and he would likely have won.  he could have raised reasonable doubt with what I have heard.

As it is, he is apparently planning to resign, which is good.

But that raises an interesting point.  Notice who the first ones to demand he resign were?  the Republicans.  The Republicans tend to hold a narrower line in behavior, and consistently reduce their ranks as they purge the fools and scum.  The Democrats typical rally around the guy, call for patience and demand that justice finish its course first.  They also typically jump into rehab and look for excuses, but that is another blog.

One of my side thoughts was that in a way, I wish the Republicans would play by the Democrat’s rules, and fight some of these things instead of sheepishly admitting guilt and retiring to the sidelines.

But I actually appreciate the fact that the Republicans actually have a moral compass and the desire to police their own.  I also wish the Democrats would notice that and play by the Republicans rules more often.