OURVIEW

Craig's cynical ploy

Marty Trillhaase

Craig

"It depends on what the meaning of the word 'is' is." -- Bill Clinton.

"I actually did vote for the $87 billion before I voted against it." -- John Kerry.

"... It is my intent to resign from the Senate, effective Sept. 30." -- Larry Craig.

Sen. Larry Craig went to his resignation press conference Saturday knowing full well he was about to deceive us.

Don't lose sight of that.

The senator said it was his "intent" to resign at the end of the month.

On Tuesday, he signaled a change of heart -- that he might remain in office and wage a two-front battle -- to withdraw his guilty plea to a disorderly conduct charge in Minnesota and to stop an ethics investigation in the Senate.

On Wednesday, Roll Call -- the Capitol Hill newspaper that broke the Craig arrest story last week --reported this was Craig's plan all along. Thirty minutes before he appeared at the Boise Depot, Craig left a voice mail -- he dialed the wrong number, it turns out -- that he had "reshaped" his statement. What might have sounded awkward -- his stated "intent" to resign Sept. 30 -- was actually duplicitous and crafted to allow him the wiggle room to rescind the resignation.

Last week, the senator was guilty of lying by omission. He failed to tell his constituents about a 10-week old arrest in the Minneapolis Airport or a two-week old conviction.

This week, Craig's guilty of lying by commission.

Unfortunately for Craig, he's no good at it. Who tells the entire world he's stepping down from power -- and then spills the goods on a voice mail? To the wrong person -- who then turned it over the media.

(Of course, this is the same Larry Craig who asserted his innocence 19 days after pleading guilty.)

The tragedy here is that Craig squandered his last chance for a dignified exit. His resignation statement was eloquent and appeared heartfelt. And many Idahoans of all political persuasions, Craig supporters and adversaries alike, spent the long weekend wishing Craig and his family only the best.

Craig should not confuse an outpouring of compassion with political support. It's time for him to go.

He said so himself:

"...to pursue my legal options as I continue to serve Idaho would be an unwanted and unfair distraction from my job and for my Senate colleagues."

"The people of Idaho deserve a senator who can devote 100 percent of his time and effort to critical state and national issues."

"In doing so, I hope to allow for a smooth and orderly transition for my loyal staff, and for the person appointed to take my place at William Borah's desk."

"I hope you understand my decision to step aside."

Craig's caveat

Sen. Larry Craig left the following message 30 minutes before telling Idaho he was leaving the Senate:

"Yes, Billy, this is Larry Craig calling. You can reach me on my cell. (Sen.) Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) is now willing to come out in my defense, arguing that it appears, by all that he knows, that I've been railroaded and all of that," Craig said on the voice mail. "Having all of that, we've reshaped my statement a little bit to say it is my 'intent' to resign on Sept. 30.

"I think it is very important for you to make as bold a statement as you are comfortable with this afternoon and I would hope you could make it in front of the cameras," Craig continued. "I think it would help drive the story that I am willing to fight, that I've got quality people out there fighting in my defense, and that this thing could take a new turn or a new shape; it has that potential."

-- Source: Roll Call