Larry Craig Gets Admonished by Ethics Committee Over Bathroom Sex Scandal

There was a point, several months ago, at which Senate Republicans were at a bit of a loss when it came to Sen. Larry Craig (R-Idaho), who, as you may have heard, had a certain incident in an airport men's room last year. The GOP caucus desperately wanted him to go away, but struggled to figure out a way to make it happen.

First, Republicans thought they could force him to resign. Craig initially agreed, but eventually reversed course. Second, they considered expulsion, but quickly realized they had nowhere near the number of votes they needed to pull it off.

Finally, the GOP said, "Fine, we'll use the Senate Ethics Committee to make Craig's life a living hell. Then he'll resign." In theory, this could have worked -- an ethics probe could air all of Craig's dirty laundry, embarrassing him and his family.

But Craig came to believe the Republicans were bluffing -- Senate Republicans were even less interested in dragging this sex scandal out and creating a public spectacle than he was.

With that in mind, yesterday, the matter seemed to come to a merciful end.

Sen. Larry E. Craig (R-Idaho) was rebuked yesterday by the Senate ethics committee over his conviction for disorderly conduct in an airport men's restroom, with the panel concluding that he committed the offense and citing him for actions "which [have] reflected discreditably on the Senate."