I thought that he thought it would prevent publicity.

I think that's an incredibly naïve motivation for a high risk decision. Don't they have people who're supposed to think for you on these matters? I mean, maybe he's never heard of thesmokinggun.com, but someone on his staff should be taking care of that.

Not that I actually know how it broke. Just that breaking stuff like that is what many people seek to do as a hobby or a day job.

I also don't think that hiding it for a month is almost working. Delaying the inevitable, maybe.

I have a bug in my ear about consistency. By failing at that, you fail at life. Or should get pwned by the l33t l0g!( fairy.

And the Democrats? That was the second part of my point. Where should the Dems stand? Either sexual indiscretions (involving adults) are proper grist for official action, or they're not.

But incomplete--because pleading guilty doesn't prevent publicity, and puts it smack dab on his permanent record, as well as all over the interpipes. Just a bad move.

It did for a little while. This was not public until weeks later, and arguably might not have reached critical mass given how minor the charges were. Some of these stories never get traction.

Anyway, I'm not saying he should have pled out-- he should have taken the risk and gotten a lawyer to negotiate for him.

I still can't believe Rudy Giuliani is the Republican frontrunner. (Yes, that is related to the current conversation.)

I think that's an incredibly naïve motivation for a high risk decision.

I agree. I do think it's psychologically similar to a gambler who over the course of hours blows a fortune, all the while thinking he can win back what he lost.

Where should the Dems stand? Either sexual indiscretions (involving adults) are proper grist for official action, or they're not.

If it had been a drug bust and he'd legislated against something drug-related, then I'd say go at him. The fact that it's sex doesn't affect my opinion one bit. Go after anyone on similar hypocrisy charges--and note, I'm not even saying lying. I'm saying hypocrisy.

I guess the people after Clinton could spin it as hypocrisy on his part--I just think it's a much muddier argument than this one.

I still can't believe Rudy Giuliani is the Republican frontrunner.

Yeah. I think the more publicity he gets, the more people will realize what a bad president he'd make.

The thing is, having a personal life at odds with your political position is not a firable/resignable offense-- it's a reason for voting against someone

Something that doesn't get said often enough.

Where should the Dems stand? Either sexual indiscretions (involving adults) are proper grist for official action, or they're not.

If it had been a drug bust and he'd legislated against something drug-related, then I'd say go at him. The fact that it's sex doesn't affect my opinion one bit. Go after anyone on similar hypocrisy charges--and note, I'm not even saying lying. I'm saying hypocrisy.

Again, though, contrasted with Vitter, not illegal.

Vitter should be out. Marion Barry should be out. Craig and Clinton should be between their consciences and their voters. (And privately, their wives, of course. Is Craig even married? I don't recall hearing one way or another.)

The thing is, having a personal life at odds with your political position is not a firable/resignable offense-- it's a reason for voting against someone

unless you've lied about it, and then it becomes an ethics issue.

Is Craig even married? I don't recall hearing one way or another.)

yes he is

Craig and Clinton should be between their consciences and their voters.

To be clear, I've never said anything differently--I used "shame" as the ultimate consequence of this whole thing (well, or the motivator for resignation), as well as distrust engendered.

Is Craig even married?

Yes. And he has kids. Adopted kids.

He got married in the '80s right around the time rumors were spreading that he was involved with male pages.

x-posty....

eta: Or maybe his wife had kids from a previous relationship. I disremember.