Senate Sexcapades

Senator Larry Craig of Idaho is preparing to challenge his arrest at the Minneapolis airport for lewd conduct after deciding that he really, really, really, really, really, really did nothing wrong in that bathroom and thinking the arrest is unfair. Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell would just as soon see Craig go back to Idaho and allow the state's governor to appoint a replacement, but another Republican senator, Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania, has reason to believe the case against Craig is flimsy and is encouraging Craig to contest his June arrest. Specter, the GOP's last liberal, is not on good terms with McConnell, and he's suspected of trying to goad the Senate's most powerful Republican. Good for him. With Specter turning 80 in 2010, when he's up for re-election (does anyone really think he'll run again?), what does he have to lose?

Meanwhile, nothing has been said about the fact that Republican senator David Vitter of Louisiana is not under pressure from Republicans to resign his Senate seat, even though he solicited sex from a Washington brothel and has admitted to a charge far more serious than Craig's. Could it be because, if Vitter resigned, his place would be taken by a Democrat, as Louisiana governor Kathleen Blanco is one and would appoint another Democrat to that seat? Hmmm. . . .

Blanco, by the way, decided not to seek re-election this year due to the fact that her handling of Hurricane Katrina was no better than that of Bush or New Orleans mayor. If Republican Representative Bobby Jindal - a strong favorite to succeed her - is elected, look for a sudden realization among Senate Republicans that Vitter is an embarrassment to the party and has to go.

Expect this quote from McConnell in January 2008 if Jindal wins:

"Wait, what exactly did Dave do? That's disgusting! We didn't realize it was that bad! We gotta get him out of the Senate - now!"