GOP Abandons Lewd Larry Craig, Beg Him to Resign

This post, written by Steve Benen, originally appeared on The Carpetbagger Report

I guess yesterday's speech from Sen. Larry Craig (R-Idaho) wasn't persuasive; the long knives are out.

Idaho Sen. Larry Craig's political support eroded significantly Wednesday when three fellow Republicans in Congress called for his resignation and party leaders pushed him from senior committee posts in the Senate.

The White House expressed disappointment -- and no support -- for the 62-year-old lawmaker, who pleaded guilty earlier this month to a charge stemming from an undercover police operation in an airport men's room.

Sens. John McCain of Arizona and Norm Coleman of Minnesota and Rep. Pete Hoekstra of Michigan all said Craig should give up his seat in Congress.

Then Coleman said in a written statement, "Senator Craig pled guilty to a crime involving conduct unbecoming a senator."

Not satisfied with a press release, McCain went on CNN to announce his belief that Craig "should resign" and explain why.

JOHN MCCAIN: I believe that he -- that he pled guilty and he had the opportunity to plead innocent. So I think he should resign.

JOHN KING: And suppose he comes back to Washington and says, "I want to serve."

MCCAIN: That's -- that will be a decision that he will make and most importantly, the people of the state of Idaho. But my opinion is that when you plead guilty to a crime, then you shouldn't serve. And that's not a moral stand. That's not a holier than thou. It's just a factual situation. I don't try to judge people, but in this case, it's clear that it was disgraceful.

Larry Craig, meet Nouri al-Maliki: CNN is reporting that presidential spokesman Scott Stanzel issued a statement today in which he said that the White House is "disappointed" in what it's hearing, and that it's now up to Craig and the Senate's leaders to decide what to do next.