COMMENTARY | After a week of denials followed by a tearful news conference admission that he sent lewd pictures over twitter to a woman in Seattle, Rep. Weiner is not resigning nor his constituents wants him to. He is and has been the front and center of the liberal cause, defending it, pushing it and exposing the GOP agenda the way he should.
He is better known for his passionate speeches in the floor of the house and his television appearances where he is not afraid to present the issues the way the democratic base wants to hear it, that is why he is one of a kind and shouldn't resign.
The congressman has been a rising star and is married to a long time Hillary Clinton aide, Huma Abedin. He is passionate in the causes he supports, which included the health care act and the recently passed bill for 9/11 first responders. He is a voice to many on left who felt that the president had compromised too much and under achieved his signature Health Care Act, the Financial reform Act, and extended the Bush tax cuts to the rich.
Thus, his resignation, if it ever arrives, will deprive the Democratic base someone who did not abandon the liberal cause, and energizes them to coalesce against the Republicans whom they feel too much was ceded to.
New pictures emerged Sunday and were posted on the TMZ gossip news website. These pictures, which appear to have been taken in the House of Representatives gymnasium, could be harmful and might bring more pressure for him to resign. AFP reported Sunday that Democrats stepped up their call for him to resign in light of the new photos that emerged, which might serve as a proof that he used Congressional resources to send lewd pictures online.
Rep. Weiner announced Saturday he was taking a short leave of absence to seek treatment. The announcement came after the emergence of yet another text messages he sent to a 17-year-old girl. Police in New Castle, Del., confirmed that they interviewed the teenager and deemed no harm was done. Parents of the teenager expressed concern that the congressman sent private messages to their daughter.
"It seems to me extraordinarily difficult that he can proceed to represent his constituents in an effective way given the circumstances this bizarre behavior has led to" the number two House Democratic leader Hoyer told CBS's "Face the Nation" program this morning. Democratic leaders jumped on the band wagon to call for his resignation at the end of the week.
It remains to be seen if Rep. Weiner will be able to hold on to his office and his aspirations to become the next mayor of New York. A lot will also depend on how his constituents' opinion shifts in the coming days. If his constituents want him to serve that is what he should do and not crack under the pressure. It is up to the people of the 9th congressional district of New York to make the call for him to resign if they choose so, and not the leaders of the Democratic Party.
