June 6, 2011

Anthony Weiner: "To be clear, the picture is of me and I sent it."

Transcribed from the live feed.

ADDED: He's deeply sorry. And he confesses that "over the past few years, I have engaged in several inappropriate conversations conducted over Twitter, Facebook, email, and occasionally, on the phone with women I had met on line. I have exchanged messages and photos of an explicit nature with about 6 women over the last 3 years. For the most part, these communications took place before my marriage, though some have sadly took (sic) place after. To be clear, I have never met any of these women or had physical relationships at any time. I haven't told the truth, and I have done things I deeply regret. I brought pain to the people I care about the most, and the people who believed in me. And for that, I'm deeply sorry."

On to questions from the press.

MORE: A reporter asks about an "X-rated photo" that Andrew Breitbart has implied that he has: "Can you say that is not true?" Weiner: "No, I cannot."

AND: Asked what his wife has known and when, he talks about her awareness of the things done before the marriage, then is pinned down into saying that he deceived her about the famous gray-underpants-tweet just as he deceived the rest of us.

ALSO: Describing his wife's reaction, he says she called him dumb.

AND: I think Weiner did a fine job of coming clean, taking responsibility, and apologizing. I had predicted that he would "announce he's entering treatment for sex addiction. Possibly with a grim/stoical Huma Abedin at his side." I'm glad he didn't do that. He didn't blame anybody else or any "outside force." He didn't use the nonapology "sorry if you were offended" form.

Now, it seemed pretty obvious that he would have continued deceiving us if he could have gotten away with it, but having made the decision to confess and apologize, he did that well. Of course, I'm assuming that there is nothing more to this story than what he spilled today.

He's not resigning, and he's not splitting up with his wife, he said. I don't know if he can control all that. If you were his wife, would you leave him? Realize that you don't know what their understandings are. She may very well accept this behavior. He doesn't physically contact the other women. He does things on line that sophisticated people might characterize as more like enjoying pornography than like having an in-person sexual affair.

NOTE: I'm not suggesting you're unsophisticated if you don't minimize this behavior and liken it to the use of pornography. I'm not even saying that you're unsophisticated if you expect husbands to refrain from using pornography... and from masturbating. But I do think that intelligent spouses draw their lines in different places.

348 comments:

1 – 200 of 348   Newer›   Newest»
NotWhoIUsedtoBe said...

Shocked, shocked.

blake said...

"I accept full responsibility as long as it means there are no repercussions."

coketown said...

Wow. It's pretty rare to hear a Democratic politician say, "to be clear," or, "let me be clear," and then actually follow up with something that isn't vacuous obfuscation. Well done, Weiner. I'd tweet with you any day.

Fred4Pres said...

Had Congressman Weiner done this a week ago, he would have been far far better off. He has embarassed himself and more importantly his wife.

Now grow up Anthony and stop being a putz. This is a chance to become an adult.

Fred4Pres said...

I am glad he admitted what he did was wrong.

Unknown said...

With about 6 women means hundreds.

clint said...

Wow.

(Is it wrong that this makes me wonder what Breitbart still has that he hasn't released yet? Is Congressman Weiner trying to head off a worse reveal?)

Bets on whether he'll resign?

Anonymous said...

So is going to get treatment for New Pussy Syndrome?

Automatic_Wing said...

I was hoping to hear the pie analogy one more time.

RuyDiaz said...

To repeat... you have had 'inappropiate relationships' with about 6 women online, and you haven't met any of them? Dude, you are doing it wrong. All the sinning without the fun.

kimsch said...

He says he won't resign, but he doesn't have his wife "standing by her man" with him at the presser. When asked where she was he said "she's not here." He did say they were not breaking up.

wv: inale

coketown said...

"I've tweeted many women with lust. I've committed adultery in my heart several times."

The ghost of Jimmy Carter still haunted the Democratic Party. (He is dead isn't he? No?)

Freeman Hunt said...

Sheesh. Couldn't he see this coming? You're famous and you tweet out dick pics of yourself; it is inevitable that people will find out. Really anything you do that might sell advertising will be found out.

mccullough said...

Is virtual sex addiction in the DSM IV? At least Tiger had the follow through.

richard said...

This is nothing but a side show. Let's get back to Palin and Paul Revere.

Mark said...

So, he said what he should have said ten days after for story broke, dragging every friend and supporter's credibility through the cesspool of his "evolving" messaging.

Sometimes politics is good to me.

X said...

Clint, I think you're right. Weiner hopes it's over, but there's probably more. He'd better hope it doesn't involve a minor.

G Joubert said...

He's apologizing to everybody, and, is it just me, but does he seem a little bit too thrilled about this boundless apologizing?

Unknown said...

I wonder how Jon Stewart will respond to his good buddy lying to him.

Fred4Pres said...

Jeff Goldstein nails it:

June 6, 2011
Weiner fesses up to Twitter bonergate
Why? Because he was caught dead to rights, and because other photos are coming out.

He lied. He blamed hackers. He allowed people to defend him (hi, Amanda! Weiner and Edwards, eh? No wonder you have such feminist street cred!) and he allowed others, like Andrew Breitbart, to be accused of trying to set him up. He attacked the messenger. He showed the grubbiness of his soul.

He’s despicable. He’s arrogant. He’s cowardly. And now he’s caught.

But will he give up power as a result? Of course not. This is who they are. He’ll keep his wife in the spotlight, and open the women he had online relationships with to all sort of scrutiny, because power comes first.

Chris Lee? Republican. Had to resign. Anthony Weiner? Democrat. Amanda Marcotte will defend him until she’s blue in her stupid, disingenuous face.

Deal with it.

Anonymous said...

All the sinning without the fun.

I'll never forget reading an anecdote about a French politician (something like that) talking about the Clinton Mess. This man was profoundly shocked that Clinton did not have full, normal sex with Lewinsky. He couldn't get his head around it. These strange Americans...

Freeman Hunt said...

Doing this doesn't make him sleazy. He was already sleazy. (See old YouTube clips of him as a talking head.) This is only in keeping with his current character. Wonder if he'll change. Time will tell...

Anonymous said...

FoxNews.com's headline is "Weiner Shocker!" Really, FoxNews? Who is surprised at all by this?

X said...

To be clear, Weiner thinks Obamacare, dick tweets, and DMing minor females are good ideas.

Brian Hancock said...

I expect to see a lot of apologies being directed towards Andrew Breitbart as well by the left wing pundit wing of the Interwebs.

Brian Hancock said...

Sorry, the sarcasm tags aren't working on my previous post . . .

clint said...

Comrade X-

The fact that he didn't resign makes me less certain.

Clearly this conference isn't enough to stop Breitbart from continuing to publish.

The fact that his wife's not there is telling -- but he's still a Democrat. I can't wait for the next poll of his district, though. Someone must be doing one.

Freeman Hunt said...

I don't feel sorry for anyone who defended him. It was obvious from the start that he'd done it. Pretending he hadn't was purely poor judgement.

RuyDiaz said...

By the way, just now, on UNIVISION, one of the presenters indentified Weiner as a Republican. Sigh.

TWM said...

Dems will forgive him and certainly won't investigate him. I keep going back and forth on whether this is the end of him or not, but I just cannot tell.

Underage and he's probably gone. Otherwise the worm might skate.

rcocean said...

"Bets on whether he'll resign?"

He won't - liberal democrats rarely do. Barney Frank is doing just fine, and Ted Kennedy served for another 35 years after he went swimming. Not to mention, Clinton who's still beloved by liberals.

Mark said...

He'd better hope it doesn't involve a minor.

Comrade X gets the prize for asking the $64,000 question.

The Crack Emcee said...

I like that he at least defined the wrong - he misled us - tried to convince us the truth didn't exist.

It's one of the worst things a person can do and I'll give anyone a *little* credit for acknowledging it clearly.

That said, I'm laughing at his tears. Poor baby. Does it hurt?

PatHMV said...

So just a week ago, he publicly made Genette Nicole out to be a liar, is that what I'm to take from this, rather than falling on his sword (so to speak)? How cowardly is it to let some innocent, naive young woman take all that flack, because you can't be man enough to admit your actions?

TWM said...

Weiner admits he's a perv and a liar. Wife and Jay Retread hit hardest.

Dust Bunny Queen said...

Everyone is missing the bigger issue (snicker).

By putting pictures of himself out on the internet and engaging in inappropriate actions with strange women, Weiner has put himself AND the Country in a dangerous position.

He could easily have been (and may even has been) blackmailed. He is on sensitive committees and makes decisions that affect ALL of our lives.

It was bad judgement (Duh). As private citizens we can make all the bad judgements we want and they only affect ourselves and family.

HIS bad judgements affect everyone and can put us into jeopardy.

He needs to resign.

I'm Full of Soup said...

Like somebody else said, how do these Congress critters have time to be on the internets all day like some of us slacker commenters?

Are any of you guys members of Congress too?

Crimso said...

I still don't believe it. There had to be a second tweeter, on the sassy Dell.

rcocean said...

"To be clear, I have never met any of these women or had physical relationships at any time."

Kinda pathetic - if true.

Joanna said...

In his press conference, he's saying "this was a personal failing, and I hope they see it that way," and he's going back to work.

Good thing he didn't make a serious mistake, like give an untraditional description of Paul Revere's ride.

Anonymous said...

The Democrat version of Mark Foley.
Without the resignation of course.

Scott M said...

It's an outrage if he holds his current seat. It's a travesty of epic proportion if he's re-elected. It's a snow-ball's chance in hell he ever gets a higher office.

Jim said...

I'm watching the press conference and it appears that Weiner may STILL be lying. He said he didn't use government phones, but a story currently on Radaronline has this passage:


But in another startling claim, she claimed she once had a 30 minute phone sex session with Weiner on his government provided telephone.

The woman said: "After a while I said to Anthony, 'Why are writing these messages when we can just speak?'

"I gave him my number and he called me from his office and we proceeded to talk dirty for at least 30 minutes.

"A few days later, I tried to call him back on that number.

"But the number wouldn't connect to his office; instead there was a recorded message that it was an outgoing U.S. Congress line only."



Though Radar's credibility isn't high, it's higher than Weiner's.

And using government phones for private calls is in itself both common and not wrong (I used govt. phones for private calls when I worked at state universities).

Jim Lindgren

Beta Rube said...

Was this playing in the background during Sad Sack's presser?:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4RHzv0X71Qw

rcocean said...

DBQ,

Of course, he has 'bad judgment' - he's a liberal democrat.

clint said...

DBQ- Hadn't thought of the blackmail angle. Good point.

(You used to hear that all the time about Don't Ask/Don't Tell, but you don't hear it much anymore in reference to these scandals.

Even when you've got a Democratic governor hiring a foreign lover to a homeland security position...)

What committees was (oops, I mean "is") Weiner on?

Rumpletweezer said...

Contrary to the cartoon, on the internet EVERYBODY can tell you're a dog.

X said...

At least he's lucid enough to realize that if he resigns he'll never get laid again.

Republican said...

So now he's exposing the young woman who lied to cover for him, as a liar.

That means there are probably a dozen more out there with a hard drive full of sexts.

deborah said...

It's the stupid, stupid.

Anonymous said...

Scott -- The reelection ads will be interesting, no?

Crimso said...

If I wasn't so damned lazy I'd search back through the comments on the Althouse postings on this to see if any of the usual suspects insisted Weiner was set up by Breitbart and his minions. But really, I'm all about the healing and MovingOn.

windbag said...

Can't wait for someone to locate comments Weiner made concerning Republican scandals.

Anonymous said...

A man that will shatter the heart of the woman that he married and claims to love, but don't let that worry you, he really, truly is a caring and compassionate leader, deeply concerned with the needs of the poor and underprivileged in our society.

And this is the crux of the foundational lie that is American liberalism today.

TWM said...

"If I wasn't so damned lazy I'd search back through the comments on the Althouse postings on this to see if any of the usual suspects insisted Weiner was set up by Breitbart and his minions. But really, I'm all about the healing and MovingOn."

Jay Retread for sure . . . he had several. I think most of the other liberal commenters stayed away from it, knowing it was not going to end well.

SteveR said...

I can't believe that's the extent of it, but if so, he's just a week late. I claim no moral authority on this, in one way or the other, a line is crossed. Politically he's deserving or whatever scorn he gets.

RuyDiaz said...

If I wasn't so damned lazy I'd search back through the comments on the Althouse postings on this to see if any of the usual suspects insisted Weiner was set up by Breitbart and his minions.

They sure did. A lot.

Mark said...

Crimso, all the usual suspects except Garage (who is running silent today, I think) were sure the Weiner was framed.

Garage punted at "certitude," and I give him props for it.

Fred4Pres said...

We get the leaders we deserve...

New York, what is wrong with you?

clint said...

For an always-needed reminder of just how silly the gerrymandering in our Congressional districts has become, I give you:

New York's 9th district which elected Congressman Weiner.

The Crack Emcee said...

Old Uncle Saul (Alinsky) would be so proud.

Anonymous said...

Well Ann, I have to say you were right. I figured Drudge not getting into showed it was false. But you were right.

Best comment I've seen so far: "The GIRTHERS were right".

Tea Party at Perrysburg said...

Janet Reno: I take full responsibility. No, I'm not resigning.

Question unasked by the press: So what, then, does it mean to take responsibility for your behavior?

Scott M said...

I still don't believe it. There had to be a second tweeter, on the sassy Dell.

Thread-winner. And not because I'm trying to get into your corp.

Triangle Man said...

With about 6 women means hundreds.

On the Internet it means hundreds of dudes pretending to be women.

Original Mike said...

"Now grow up Anthony and stop being a putz. This is a chance to become an adult."

He will double down and become an even bigger asshole than before. If that's possible.

avwh said...

A search turned up these as Weiner's committee asssignments:

House Committee on Energy and Commerce, and House Committee on the Judiciary

Rumpletweezer said...

Okay, so bottom line, he's taking full responsibility for lying and causing pain to everyone who trusted him (cough!), and he's apologizing and hoping that it doesn't actually cost him anything.

Revenant said...

So now he's exposing the young woman who lied to cover for him, as a liar.

Remind me why we're supposed to feel the slightest twinge of sympathy for her?

Carol_Herman said...

Weiner's chest hairs are waxed off!

And, as far as I'm concerned, Weiner doesn't have to resign.

We're all much better off as long as he holds onto his congressional seat, as far as I'm concerned.

WV: COC RID

RuyDiaz said...

Well Ann, I have to say you were right. I figured Drudge not getting into showed it was false. But you were right.

Maybe next time you'll cut down on the sneering. It will make you look less ridiculous.

RuyDiaz said...

Remind me why we're supposed to feel the slightest twinge of sympathy for her?

None whatsoever. She was a willing participant on the online 'conversations' and the coverup.

To repeat what I said when the story first broke: 21-year-old women can lie too.

Scott M said...

Remind me why we're supposed to feel the slightest twinge of sympathy for her?

Isn't she a black chic? That's not enough victim class for you?

Anonymous said...

Better pray you're no where near Weeeener next time he gets embarrassed about something-

Left-wing media will crush you-

And by no where near, I mean on a different planet--

Brietbart got publicly accused of a felony, and he was 2,000 miles away.

edutcher said...

Let us count the ways...

Huma wasn't there, and everybody notices...

He says he tweets his drawers at full mast to a college girl he barely knows as a joke...

Breitbart takes over the first 20 minutes of the press conference and demands an apology (which he later says he really didn't get)...

There is an even more explicit (quick, Meade, the smelling salts) picture out there and Breitbart has it...

He says he had a long talk with Pelosi Galore (probably more of a long listen)...

I give him 2 more days and he resigns.

PS Breitbart is going to have his revenge for this...

RuyDiaz said...

Isn't she a black chic? That's not enough victim class for you?

She's part black, part Asian. Her last name is Cordova--a Hispanic last name.

That alone screams 'victim', yes.

Chip Ahoy said...

My favorite part was,

"Iappologizetoandrewbreitbart and to all of you people here and everybody else ..."

Anonymous said...

Cue the leftist meme "What a brave and courageous man"

Can't you hear it?

"At least he told the truth"

"Very noble of him"

jimspice said...

I'm very disappointed. I considered him my favorite fed level pol. He lost me.

Crimso said...

"Thread-winner. And not because I'm trying to get into your corp."

Demon hasn't been on, but I'd say it's a formality. Unless any compromising photos surface...

Anonymous said...

So at least two parties -- the recipient and Breitbart -- have the full monty picture of Weiner. What are the chances this won't come out as November 2012 approaches?

I wouldn't be surprised if Weiner had a primary opponent, and that he didn't resign now because he needs time to find his golden parachute.

Original Mike said...

What was the apology to Breitbart about? Did The Weiner acuse him of making this up at the beginning?

Unknown said...

No doubt, Weenie has already cut a deal with Holder, et al, but it's hard to believe that he won't end up with civil suits out the ass and possible jail time. You legal eagles help me out. As I see it, he's defamed dozens of people, and clearly abused the people's property. I'd think that sexting on a government blackberry would be cause for dismissal and criminal charges. What's up?

Original Mike said...

"I'm very disappointed. I considered him my favorite fed level pol."

The man is a complete asshole.

Anonymous said...

Don't worry, Jim. For every leftist Weiner loses, he picks up a hot college girl who likes shaved chests and pictures of cocks.

It's a wash.

AllenS said...

Weiner will not resign. I don't care if Breitbart has photos of him leaving a drowning girl in a car, like Ted Kennedy, running a prostitution ring from his house like Barney Frank, probing a young intern with a cigar, then blowing his load all over her blue dress like Bill Clinton, he will not resign.

These men have no honor. Therefore, then have no shame. Having honor and shame will make a person resign. Not gonna happen.

Carol_Herman said...

Weiner has a war chest. If he were to resign, he'd have to give it up.

And, then? There'd be a special election in his district.

So, he holds on. Like a survivor on the Titanic.

Milwaukee said...

What a half-assed idiot. Do something incredibly stupid, both professionally and personally, and then screw up the cover-up from the get go, and now give a half-assed apology. What a wimpy, flaccid idiot.

Martin Luther said we should sin boldly. This guy was incredibly inadequate as a sinner.

DBQ: one of the reasons for refusing security clearance to homosexuals in the 1950's was the risk that they could be blackmailed. One of the reasons the NBA doesn't want their players doing drugs and gambling is that makes them vulnerable to outside manipulations. We need to know who is pulling whose strings.

wv: unchi

Patrick said...

I wish someone would ask what the hell it means to "take responsibility." Doesn't that mean accepting consequences, at some point? Guess not.

Crimso said...

"What are the chances this won't come out"

Please...no...

Ace: BREITBART HACKS PRESS CONFERENCE

Patrick said...

What was this clown saying when Larry Craig was tap dancing, and when that Foley was sexting? I'm gonna go out on a limb and guess that he wasn't all that understanding.

DADvocate said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
DADvocate said...

Weiner needs to resign and join Eliot Spitzer on CNN. Those New Yorkers just can't control their urges. No wonder Bill moved to New York.

SPImmortal said...

So he's saying he never met any of these women? lol bullshit.

The dude's just trading one lie for another.

I wonder what John Stewards going to say now that he's been caught trying to cover for his boy (he must have known what kind of character Weiner was)?

edutcher said...

I don't think resignation is his to determine.

As I say, that "talk" with Pelosi Galore was probably a very long listen.

Original Mike said...

"([Stewart] must have known what kind of character Weiner was)?"

Anybody who watches the political shows knows what kind of character Weiner is.

kent said...

Final score:

"HILLBILLIES": 1
JAY RETREAD: -1,000,000,000.

Anonymous said...

"Is virtual sex addiction in the DSM IV? At least Tiger had the follow through."

Yes, it's a mental illness and sexual defect that psychiatrists have named: exhibitionism.

Anthony Weiner is a sick, sick man who needs a doctor. Someone call him an ambulance so he can get the treatment he so desperately needs.

He is still in denial about his mental health issues, so we may have to use the straight jacket but you gotta do what you gotta do.

Carol_Herman said...

Well, politics "being made," is on par with watching sausages being made. And, if you saw what went into a sausage, you wouldn't eat them.

Meanwhile, this one's roasted.

What do you want on it? Relish?

Anonymous said...

He is still in denial about his mental health issue

Much like Bob here.

Freeman Hunt said...

just as he deceived the rest of us.

I think "attempted to deceive" is more accurate. Only partisan apologists believed the "I was hacked!" excuse.

Prosqtor said...

I can't say I am proud of myself, but I do enjoy it when someone I do not like is revealed as a pathetic liar. I remember fondly how the dress forced Bill Clinton to admit his lies.

Quaestor said...

What does this do to Ann's theory regarding ghost tweets from a Weiner staffer? Shoots it down, I suspect.

Anthony Weiner has a staff with thirteen salaried positions!?! And gawd knows how many internships. It's way past time for some austerity in the staffing levels of Congress. We average Joes have had to tighten our belts, make do, and struggle. Why can't lawmakers function on less like the rest of us?

Perhaps if they faced the ever-enclosing horizons that plague working Americans they wouldn't have the spare time it takes to engage in such useless crap as Twitter. And in case one wants to make the argument that tweets are an important political tool, my reply is if so then we are even more fucked than anyone is yet aware of. According to Pear Analytics a random sample of Twitter traffic consists of:
Pointless babble – 40%
Conversational – 38%
Pass-along value – 9%
Self-promotion – 6%
Spam – 4%
News – 4%

Here's my program for reducing the cost of government:

For each seat in Congress: 1 full-time staffer.
For each committee chairmanship: 1 full-time staffer.
For each committee membership: 1 part-time staffer.
For each party leadership position: 1 full-time staffer.

As for the page system, they all go must home to mother until Congress can demonstrate a level of sexual morality that exceeds the national norm. Besides, pages today have nothing to do except pad their admissions resumes.

On my system Anthony Weiner goes from 13 full-time staffers, who pull down about 3.5 megabucks worth of salary and benefits per annum, down to 1.5, an 868% savings. Projected through the whole Federal system, the costs of which are largely in the form of wages and benefits, my system solves the deficit problem at a stroke. And what of these poor staffer who end up unemployed? A few will starve and be audited from the gene pool. But most will find gainful employment providing goods and services which will actually increase the national wealth.

Carol_Herman said...

Rep. Weiner has a war chest.

He has no intention of giving anyone access to the money he has already collected to run in 2012. If he retired now? That war chest would go to someone else.

You've seen his weiner flag-pole style, inside his underpants. But you won't see his wallet. He wants to hold on until he's ousted in a primary, next June.

Or, somebody (like Nancy Pelosi), has got to hand him a "Golden Parachute." Not a golden shower. Meanwhile, if his marriage won't last, he can look for the sympathy vote. (Voters in his district kept Charles Schumer there ... until Schumer bounded out for the Senate.)

Original Mike said...

Being a sleaze ball isn't a mental illness.

Ralph L said...

Underage and he's probably gone
Rep. Studds blew a 16 y.o. page and was re-elected.

Freeman Hunt said...

What if, instead of a presser, he'd tweeted another gray underpants pic with a white flag taped onto the covered end of the pole?

Rialby said...

Where is Chuck Johnson on this one. Just last week he was telling us this was all nothing but fackery. What a hack.

RuyDiaz said...

What if, instead of a presser, he'd tweeted another gray underpants pic with a white flag taped onto the covered end of the pole?

A white flag would be hard to see in such an inadequate pole.

X said...

Weiner apologized to Breitbart.

Translation: Please don't sue the fuck out of me.

AllenS said...

You cannot blackmail a man with no honor. A man with no shame.

RuyDiaz said...

Where is Chuck Johnson on this one. Just last week he was telling us this was all nothing but fackery. What a hack.

Maybe you should drop by his website. I'm sure he's open to dissenting opinions.

Anonymous said...

Freeman -- That would have been totally awesome. I would say that I would be deeply impressed at that.

Is it too late?

David said...

"She called him dumb."

Projection and accurate description, all rolled into one.

Cedarford said...

blake said...
"I accept full responsibility as long as it means there are no repercussions."

=====================
Without repercussions, the phrase "I accept full responsibility" is simply a "OK, I got caught, so what!" statement.

Disagree about the chickenshit about using a government phone or computer for non-official business being that important. If it was, 99% of the Federal workforce is "guilty" in some way or the other.
And the "blackmail" charge is only effective in the past - for a known perve like Weiner, a closeted homosexual in GOv't, etc. MY own feeling is that there ought to be a legal way where you can have gov't arrest and prosecute blackmailers and the subject of blackmail does not see the light of day from media or lawyers "discovery".

Ralph L said...

Freeman, it doesn't usually look like that. The fabric turns dark, not white.

Beorn said...

@ Original Mike

He will double down and become an even bigger asshole than before. If that's possible.

The correct term you are looking for is "Michael Moore," and yes, it is possible.

Fred4Pres said...

Little Green Footballs is in shock that Breitbart is right and Weiner really did tweet his wiener. Even Chuckles acknowledged: Game over.

Daily Kos is equally messed up:

Tweetpocalypse,
ctd.by Jed Lewison .
The previous thread is exploding with comments, so here's a new one.

The salient facts: A Congressman accidentally Tweeted a crotch shot to the whole wide world, then lied about it. The media hounded him for the truth, and he's admitted his personal failing. And now we get to figure out what the public policy implications of the whole affair ought to be. I don't know about you, but it makes me see Keynesian economics in a whole new light.

p.s.: We're still waiting for Sen. David Vitter's comments on today's news.

Dr Weevil said...

"Weiner has a war chest" (Carol Herman, twice). I wouldn't call that a war chest: it's completely hairless!

JohnJ said...

“I apologize to Andrew Breitbart.”

Wow! That took guts. Weiner just alienated half his base. The Kos Kids must be scrambling for their inhalers and blankies.

windbag said...

Not surprisingly, lib websites are saying he shouldn't resign. The comparisons to Republican scandals are moot, since Democrats don't campaign on traditional family values, so the rules are different. Their argument is that Republicans are hypocrites and therefore deserving of the abuse and requirement to resign. They claim Weiner isn't a hypocrite, so he's immune from any expectation to resign.

That sort of "logic" begs two questions:

1. Is it preferential to elect people who admit they have no morals?

2. Would Huma consider him a hypocrite?

David said...

Fred4Pres said...
Had Congressman Weiner done this a week ago, he would have been far far better off.


A week ago, he thought he could get away with it. He confirms the truth when he realizes that there is more, non-deniable evidence. This is quite different than telling the truth.

He is a classic lying politician. He lies as a matter of policy and personal preference. He will continue to lie until he can't get away with it.

The broad and deep lack of integrity in our political leadership is a national tragedy, and it is having tragic consequences as habitual liars mislead on important matters of policy, while the press reports the lies as credible arguments.

The man should resign.

Cedarford said...

Ralph L said...
Underage and he's probably gone
Rep. Studds blew a 16 y.o. page and was re-elected.

=================
Had to look that one up. Studds was a Democrat and a homosexual. Job security.

NOt sure if he flat out lied to his constituents and the public like Weiner did.

RuyDiaz said...

From Chuckles' website (I go there so you don't have to):

And I've been getting a flood of hate mail, much of it demanding that I "apologize" for something. So here's my official response to this demand:

Not a freaking chance. If Weiner admits to sending the pictures in question, I'll be surprised and disappointed, but I'm never going to apologize for calling it as I see it.


Even at 3:55 EST this afternoon, Chuckles was believing Weiner to the extent of being 'surprised and disappointed' if he admitted to what he eventually admitted.

Seriously, WTF?

windbag said...

@Fred4Pres

If you've lost Chuckles, you've lost...

windbag said...

Someone lacking the good sense to verify the age of women he intends to exchange nude phots with doesn't seem either qualified or trustworthy to trust with the public purse.

Chip S. said...

I think the Republicans may be better off with this guy hanging on than with him out. Any time he screams that Paul Ryan wants to kill all the grannies they can simply say, "Why should Americans believe you? You're a proven liar."

Chip S. said...

Rep. Studds blew a 16 y.o. page and was re-elected.

He ran on a platform of service to his constituents, no doubt.

Anonymous said...

His wife called him "dumb"? Is that it?!?!?! Now wonder she's Hillary's valet!

avwh said...

"The broad and deep lack of integrity in our political leadership is a national tragedy, and it is having tragic consequences as habitual liars mislead on important matters of policy, while the press reports the lies as credible arguments."

And this is why, in Bidenspeak, this is "a big f'n deal".

How the hell are any of these lying goons trustworthy or honorable (no matter if they ever campaigned on "family values" or not) if this is what they do to their spouses, constituents, and all taxpayers who pay their salary and office expenses??

And if they are clearly shown to not be honorable or trustworthy, why should they continue to hold office??

garage mahal said...

p.s.: We're still waiting for Sen. David Vitter's comments on today's news.

IIRC Vitter received a standing ovation from House R's.

AllenS said...

"My husband's just dumb. FOUR MORE YEARS! FOUR MORE YEARS!"

RuyDiaz said...

@Fred4Pres

If you've lost Chuckles, you've lost...


He didn't lose Chuckles. He had to give up, before Chuckles gave up on him.

Martin L. Shoemaker said...

So I see the "I swear, she looked 18" defense is now being rehabilitated.

Carol_Herman said...

Shakedown 101. Weiner has cash stashed in his war chest. (Millions, baby.)

And, he's proving he'll stand there looking like a jerk, until he can take the loot home.

Huma? You want to call that a marriage? Tag on "convenience" ... and you've got the picture.

The best deal Weiner can cut, now, depends on how desperate the dems are shaking him loose. (It's their minority party. And, they can keep him, for all I care.)

This small putz has saved Israel from being slaughtered in the news-spin-cycles. What with "border damage" and all.

Instead? Welcome to a version of "sping" ... where the mattress ones don't bounce.

G Joubert said...

IIRC Vitter received a standing ovation from House R's.

Nah, that was Gerry Studds from the Housew D's.

David said...

"To be clear, I have never met any of these women or had physical relationships at any time."

Ok.

But this reveals a new category. How many women did he have "physical relationships" with who he met through other means.

Ignorance is Bliss said...

What's most stunning is that a politician followed the phrase 'To be clear...' with something clear.

Deborah M. said...

Once again, evidence of the appalling lack of judgement on the part of elected officials. It boggles the mind that so much that could effect the lives of so many people is entrusted to such a horrible group of people. As for the week's delay,

"No doubt, Weenie has already cut a deal with Holder,..."

that's probably why. Head to head (sorry) with yet another sorry ass government worker trying to save his (Weenie's ) sorry ass.

Chip S. said...

What's most stunning is that a politician followed the phrase 'To be clear...' with something clear.

Yes, but only with Breitbart standing there ready to release even worse stuff.

windbag said...

Meagan Broussard's story.

caplight said...

I doubt that the people of Weiner's district care about this for the most part. He will very likely retain his seat barring some kind of criminal charges. The problem for Pelosi and the Dems is that a lot of people in Ohio care about things like honor, integrity and marital fidelity. So once again the Dems are the party of sleaze that won't even police their own and the people who leave you with that nagging feeling that there is not right or wrong in the world.

Dust Bunny Queen said...

You cannot blackmail a man with no honor. A man with no shame.

Sure you can. Work on his greed.
Threaten his money. Threaten his lust for power. It is easy.

All he has to do to keep his power and money is to throw a few votes your way. Something to help you out, you know. Just a few contracts or some inside information. Nothing that would 'really' hurt anyone /wink wink.

Do that, Mr. Weiner and these photos of your dick will just stay under cover....so to speak.

Chuck66 said...

I think Mrs Weiner sees Mr Weiner as strickly a business partner, or perhaps an employer. Her meal ticket to New York and DC high society.

Those of us out in the real world:
A) would not marry someone like Weiner
B) If we did he/she would be given the marriage pink slip

But she'll stick around until a better gig shows up.

Chuck66 said...

Caplight said: "The problem for Pelosi and the Dems is that a lot of people in Ohio care about things like honor, integrity and marital fidelity"

Yup. a couple of Republican problems were used nationwide to get Democrats elected in 2006 and 2008. You nationalize the problems of one candidate to say all from that party are like that and it is time for "change".

clint said...

Oh, Wow.

I just realized how this thing could explode.

Did his sexting partners send him back pictures of them?

How about the ones who were underage?

Did he view and download child pornography on government computers?

RuyDiaz said...

"Megan Brussard's story";

She was impressed by his rant demanding extra funds for 9/11 responders. Sad.

Mark said...

Did his sexting partners send him back pictures of them?

How about the ones who were underage?


Ding Ding Ding!

Give that man a cigar! (But not one of Bill's).

Thorley Winston said...

I have exchanged messages and photos of an explicit nature with about 6 women over the last 3 years.

So how many people did he exchange these messages and photos with more than three years ago? And how many of them were not women (e.g. underage girls or male)?

Chip Ahoy said...

My other favorite part was when he cried.

Anonymous said...

Do you guys think this is over?

Because it's not.

Keep your popcorn poppers at the ready.

windbag said...

But I do think that intelligent spouses draw their lines in different places.

What do unintelligent ones do? Maybe they can't draw?

victoria said...

1. He should resign.
2. His wife should leave him.
3. Breitbart is an ass and has about as much information as Donald Trump did about Obama's citizenship. Shocking!!! You will be surprised!!! Not

And this from a Democrat


Vicki from Pasadena

Franklin said...

I've got no problem with what the guy did as it is his business, but the way he and the other Democrats went after Chris Lee, Mark Sanford, etc. etc. deserves some payback.

See: goose, gander, what is good for.

Anonymous said...

The proverbs tell us that the price of a virtuous woman is far above rubies.

And I've always wondered: what exactly is Ruby's price?

David said...

Compare and contrast:

American troops at Normandy, June 6, 1944.

Congressman Wiener, June 6, 2011

Anonymous said...

Breitbart is an ass and has about as much information as Donald Trump did about Obama's citizenship.

Victoria -- Breitbart has all the photos and the tweets. He is the person who is responsible for driving this story. He is putting the information into the public domain.

Fred4Pres said...

AND: I think Weiner did a fine job of coming clean, taking responsibility, and apologizing. I had predicted that he would "announce he's entering treatment for sex addiction. Possibly with a grim/stoical Huma Abedin at his side." I'm glad he didn't do that. He didn't blame anybody else or any "outside force." He didn't use the nonapology "sorry if you were offended" form.

Nonsense. While it is good he apologized, the honorable thing would have been to resign. But these people (Democrats mostly but some Republicans too) but power over honor ever time. It is disgraceful but that is the way it is.

Shouting Thomas said...

Come on, you guys.

He's really really sorry!

Let he who is without sin cast the first tweet!

Karl said...

"Weiner's chest hairs are waxed off!"

Sure. Underage - "barely legal" - twat isn't into guys that look like Tony Soprano. Chest hair reminds girls of their fathers.

I predict that the chest is not the only region that he has waxed.

wv: imminsi. That may be the name of my next dog.

Shouting Thomas said...

He cried, too!

You guys are heartless!

Anonymous said...

The 26 year old nursing student is coming front and center to take the heat and scrutiny, and even the jeers of her in her bra in a bath robe.

It's the 17 year old's pics that he's trying to keep out of the forum. That turns out to be a federal crime with 10 years for receiving, 10 years for sending, and 20 years for possession.

The 26 year old is the diversion.

Martin L. Shoemaker said...

victoria translated:

1. Breitbart was right.
2. Breitbart was right.
3. Breitbart's an ass, and he doesn't know anything (despite being right).

AllenS said...

WTF? Now we have The Althouse Woman making excuses.

Chuck66 said...

Quayle, I remember a murder investigation a few years ago. The person on trial said he couldn't have done it because he was doing cocaine that night. Get it? You admit to something bad so no one will think you are lying, so you couldn't have done that really bad thing.

Well, could be the case here. Weiner admits to something rather bad, hoping to keep the really really big thing a secret.

chickelit said...

Hooray!

The best news is that Andrew Breitbart, who came under concerted attack by sinister forces, prevailed mightily.

Thorley Winston said...

I've got no problem with what the guy did as it is his business, but the way he and the other Democrats went after Chris Lee, Mark Sanford, etc. etc. deserves some payback.

I disagree, I think that fact that he was using his work computer and telephone to send this inappropriate content should cost him his job – just like it would for most of the rest of us.

chickelit said...

AllenS said...
WTF? Now we have The Althouse Woman making excuses.

My read is that Althouse probably feels she's strayed too far from cruel neutrality and must return to the mean.

Anonymous said...

"Old Uncle Saul (Alinsky) would be so proud."

This is the thread winner.

This is a comment from someone who is paying attention to how you take apart a corrupt opposition political party.

You pick the target, you freeze it, you polarize it. And you start amputating fingers till that motherfucker screams.

Who is the target? Every dumb ass who opens his corrupt fucking trap. Because they're ALL doing something they're ashamed of.

All those Democrats who are sighing today thinking "Man, I'm glad that's not me ..." had better get ready.

Because shortly it WILL be you. All we ask is that you open your fucking trap and identify yourself. Go on MSNBC. Call people sluts. Bring their families into it. Attack their wives. And their children. Organize protests at our houses. Make yourself a fucking target. Please! We beg you.

Thank Hillary Clinton.

She taught us about the Wisdom of Saul Alinsky and how to destroy your power.

edutcher said...

The Demos, going into a very rough election with the economy in the tank and the markets very dicey, are not going to want The Weiner as the other face of the Party.

I'm Full of Soup said...

Weiner confessed but only after the evidence was insurmountable. So he did not come clean until he had no other choice.

wv = snerwin

Anonymous said...

Bob -- Tell us the one about how New Pussy Syndrome is a mental illness.

MayBee said...

AND: I think Weiner did a fine job of coming clean, taking responsibility, and apologizing.

I'm certain he lied about the number of women. He has Megan Broussard on Facebook, the coed in Seattle, the woman talking to RadarOnline. He's also been DMing a stripper named Ginger Lee and apparently two high school girls. All of these very recently.
Yet he said there have been 6 women, most of them prior to getting married.

He said he didn't know their ages, only how they represented themselves. But again, there were at least 2 high school girls on twitter.

Finally, he said he sent the tweet to the Seattle Coed as a joke. Is this an acceptable joke for a congressman? Didn't that kind of joke used to be sexual harassment.

Oh, and really finally. How about the way he treated the female reporters covering the story. What does that tell us about him? He didn't apologize for it.

G Joubert said...

Breitbart is an ass and has about as much information as Donald Trump did about Obama's citizenship. Shocking!!! You will be surprised!!! Not

Breitbart is a man of principle and integrity, on a mission, and in everything he has dealt with, be it this case or ACORN or Planned Parenthood or Sherrod, he has turned out to be devastatingly spot-on. For that the left hates him. But, also, he takes no prisoners, and for that the left fears him.

X said...

Of course, I'm assuming that there is nothing more to this story than what he spilled today.

Otter would say you're fucking up.

Anonymous said...

he said he sent the tweet to the Seattle Coed as a joke.

Yeah, like the prank of grabbing your co-worker's breast.

It's all just a joke, right?

Isn't that how HR treats it?

Kansas City said...

I found Ann's reaction mild. She clinically states the obvious, which he would have kept lying if he thought he could have gotten away with it, but then praises him for the form of his apology. Doesn't the fact that he apologized only because he was caught pretty much preclude praise for the form of his apology - it is a pretty low bar to say good things about Weiner's performance. Even his apology to Breitbart was dragged out of him, simply included Breitbart with everyone else and was for the wrong thing - it was not a matter of misleading Breitbart, it was a matter of unleasing the attack dogs on him when he knew Breitbart was doing nothing wrong.

Also, I thought Weiner looked pathetic, apology and all. Here is a guy who has been an attack dog against everyone else for years who disagreed with him or engaged in alleged misconduct and, when he is caught, he turns into a sniveling small man. He should have apologized for his conduct and his lying and explained why he did it and, then with a New York attitude, told everyone that questions about his marriage was none of their business, he felt he had respresented his constituents well, he intended to continue to represent his constituents to the best of his ability and, if they decide that they don't want him to represent them anymore, they can decide that at the ballot box. It probably would be the best way to try to save his political career.

Methadras said...

Weiner: Meh, I showed my crank and had other blissful conversations of a sexual nature with other women on social media.

Media: So can you say that the x-rated is you?

Weiner: I'm not giving up my power, so what does it matter.

At this point, his ousting should be called for, but he won't succumb because the retention of power for this scum-bag is more important than what he has done. He is the epitome of a classless douchbag.

Now I expect Jay Retard and the human thumbsucker Garage McThumbsucker to issue an apology in defending this classless douche and claiming that it was all lies. You leftards are the bottom of the barrel and you defend your bottom of the barrel standards. You should leave this blog in shame. Oh wait, you have none.

Mark said...

One of the high school girls joked about getting Weiner to be her prom date.

What are the chances he didn't know at least that one was underage?

Again, not saying he sent her pictures or had anything but G-rated conversations with her, but considering what he was doing with the known-legals in his posse (man, it was hard to leave it there) the ick factor even still pushes 11.

Or maybe five, in Weiner's case.

Ahem. It's a lot like having a known lothario who just happens to like watching the Junior High Girls Volleyball team play. As a matter of fact, it's exactly like that.

Phil 314 said...

We are collectively the Bill Murray character from "Ground Hog Day" and we must watch such scandals over and over again till we get it right!

(PS When he said he wasn't sure the original "package picture" was him or not did anyone ever both to ask "Do you think this is something normal for a congressman to text TO ANYONE!!!!!")

Anonymous said...

"Tell us the one about how New Pussy Syndrome is a mental illness."

Really, they're all whores who trapped this poor man, right SevenMachos?

Because that's the next storyline.

They're all nuts and sluts and really when a Congressman is presented with a cocophany of pussy how is the man to resist when his "wink wink" wife isn't home much.

Right Seven?

I predict Rolling Stone Magazine will write the article about the many whores who tried to trap a good family man and how he finally succumbed to the succibi.

You might even write it!

Prosqtor said...

I took a look at Daily Kos to see where the comments are going. Here are four amusing themes:

1. It is a private matter, none of our business. It was never a big deal.

2. OMG! Breitbart is going to gain credibility from this!!!! AUGH!!!

3. That David Vitter is scum! Isn't he scum? How come everyone is picking on my progressive champion when Vitter is such SCUM?

4. Why is it that our great progressive leaders have such bad judgment about sex when they are so ungodly brilliant? It is puzzling, indeed.

Anonymous said...

When it was Edwards in the hot seat, he got the "Just go away". With Tony, he did just fine, boys being boys, no harm no foul.

Sorry, Tony is an unmanly cowardly scoundrel. Real men accept their consequences with pleasure at the outset, they eat crow and humble pie for breakfast and declare it most satisfying. They don't lie like sorry sacks of **** for ten days.

He has proven himself unworthy of being our Representative. New Yorkers, due your duty, if the scurvy dog won't go on his own.

So manly men wearing shorts in public when they feel like it is inexcusable, but jerkwad lying alpha-male bad-boy Democratic Congressmen are OK. You reap what you sow.

(And Huma is no angel, save your pity. If she left now, she'd be exposed as a common political gold-digger.)

Anonymous said...

"I found Ann's reaction mild. She clinically states the obvious, which he would have kept lying if he thought he could have gotten away with it, but then praises him for the form of his apology."

No kidding. That's some weak shit, right?

All Anthony Weiner did today was admit to things we could already prove and refuse to resign.

And apologize to an absent wife, but represent to the press that she's totally in his corner and loves him and isn't leaving him and oh, you can trust Anthony Weiner on that score baby because Anthony Weiner has never lied to you. Has he?

Truth be told, Ann doesn't think what he did is despicable. She thinks that, yea, it's bad for him and stuff, but not really resign-worthy.

All husbands masturbate.

You know who I want to hear from: I want to hear from Freeman Hunt.

Because Freeman Hunt has her pulse on the nation. She's living in the heartland and is not an "internet star" or "law professor." She's just a regular woman.

So, Freeman ... it's true that all husbands masturbate. Most use porn of one kind or another. But most of us aren't in email contact with those we masturbate to (with) and really, we don't have any means for meeting those people. They're just pictures.

Is what Democrat Weiner did all that different, really? Because I think it's very, very different.

Discuss!

chickelit said...

windbag said...(at 4:52)
Not surprisingly, lib websites are saying he shouldn't resign. The comparisons to Republican scandals are moot, since Democrats don't campaign on traditional family values, so the rules are different. Their argument is that Republicans are hypocrites and therefore deserving of the abuse and requirement to resign. They claim Weiner isn't a hypocrite, so he's immune from any expectation to resign.

Excellent point.
Comparisons are being made to Vitter as well. This is inapt (inept?). I don't recall Vitter lashing out in the national media accusing his accusers of being liars.
The sexting scandal needs to separated out from the vile and contemptuous attempt to discredit Breitbart.

laddy said...

Weiner is a narcissist. He isn't truly sorry for his behavior. He's only sorry he was caught. The guy would have continued to lie forever if he could have gotten away with it. How anyone could watch that presser and not see how he tried to get a sympathetic reaction hasn't watched many found guilty defendants in front of a judge at sentencing. If he was truly sorry he could have made an act of contrition by resigning in shame. He feels no shame so he doesn't resign. He's offered nothing to anyone. His apologies are meaningless at this point and why anyone would believe a liar at this time is beyond my ability to comprehend. He'll continue to rip taxpayers off to fund his misadventures for as long as he can get away with it. Barney Frank had a prosty ring operating out of his place and paid no price. Maxine Waters has been under investigation for how long and that goes nowhere. Charlie Rangel openly defies the IRS and nothing happens. It's a sad world we live in when there are no repercussions for bad behavior by the politically elite.

Retired Prosecutor said...

Of course he will shamelessly continue in office.

The better question is whether he will choose to retain that "in-your-face," hyperpartisan persona --- or will instead humbly reflect on lessons learned from the completely embarrassing experience he has just been through, and lower his tone and his profile in response.

Me . . . I'm betting a large sum of money on the former outcome.

Anonymous said...

AllenS said...

WTF? Now we have The Althouse Woman making excuses.

__________________

No, she just knows eclectic tweeting when she sees it.

Unknown said...

I think he refused to resign because his job is all he has--he knows he is unattractive and only his power makes the girls answer his tweets and what made the trophy wife sign on.

Kinda pathetic more than anything else. I think Huma will leave him after a decent interval.

Anonymous said...

Nancy Pelosi is calling for an Ethics investigation of Anthony Weiner.

Now, one of two things is happening:

1) She wants to cover him and so wants to spearhead the investigation so she can control its outcome and make sure nothing really bad happens, or (more likely) ...

2) She realizes how most women like Freeman Hunt feel about this skeevy flashing pervert and wants to eject him from the House and finally get the Democrats ahead of this story.

Key fact: Weiner's unrivaled arrogance. He did not consult with Pelosi before he threw her under the bus today, so she may be out to get him.

I told you people the story wasn't over yet.

Because I know.

Freeman Hunt said...

Because Freeman Hunt has her pulse on the nation.

If only.

My thoughts generally have almost no correlation to women at large, so I don't think I'm the representative you're looking for here.

However, I don't know of any women who would say that doing this is the same as looking at porn. Granted, I live somewhere where looking at porn is largely looked down upon. Even so, of the people I know who have no problem with porn, not one of them would be okay with this I'd wager.

Anonymous said...

Bob -- Come to Chicago tonight. We'll go to The Admiral and see mentally sick strippers exhibiting themselves. Full nudity!

Anonymous said...

This isn't looking at porn. This is creating porn.

Freeman Hunt said...

This isn't looking at porn. This is creating porn.

Yes. That sums it up nicely.

Trooper York said...

Hey I just look at this as good news for Meade. He doesn't have to clean off all of the photo's of Helen Mirren and Nellie Olsen that he has on his hard drive.

He's got a wank free card. So to speak.

mccullough said...

Maybe Weiner will pose for Playgirl now?

garage mahal said...

The sexting scandal needs to separated out from the vile and contemptuous attempt to discredit Breitbart

Breitbart is vile. His hatchet jobs on ACORN and Shirley Sherrod should discredit him in a rational world. But you know well we don't live in that world.

Anonymous said...

>i>Playgirl? No way, man. Hardcore!

Shouting Thomas said...

Breitbart is vile. His hatchet jobs on ACORN and Shirley Sherrod should discredit him in a rational world. But you know well we don't live in that world.

This had me laughing my ass off, garbage.

I can just imagine what you think of as a rational world!

Anonymous said...

"Breitbart is vile. His hatchet jobs on ACORN and Shirley Sherrod should discredit him in a rational world. But you know well we don't live in that world."

You mean his exposes?

It's about time you showed up you fucking pusillanimous worm.

Everything Andrew Breitbart has done to expose ACORN, the racist Shirley Sherrod, and now your pervert boy "Flashy Tony" Weiner has turned out to be ... well, true.

I noticed that you're not arguing the truthfulness of what Mr. Breitbart has written against these enemies of America. Only that he is vile for having exposed them.

Thanks Garage. I was hoping you'd show up again like Baghdad Bob before you.

Keep the faith you feckless fuck. We can't do this without you. We need incompetent enemies.

«Oldest ‹Older   1 – 200 of 348   Newer› Newest»