COMMENTARY | As someone who worked for years in and around the political community, I have found myself following the trials and tribulations that have come from the scandal that Rep. Anthony Weiner is stuck in the middle of. Some commentators may think the issues caused by this scandal are hurting the Democrats, but I have to disagree. I think the Democrats are showing unity and strength in how they are distancing themselves from Weiner and calling for his resignation.
As this scandal began to progress and grow, I fully expected to hear Democratic leaders try to get out of questions about the issue. I expected to hear Democrats saying "This is a very trying time for Anthony and his family, and I would hope that the media would give them the space that they need to deal with this issue." I was surprised with what ended up happening, though.
At first, Democrats began to distance themselves from their embattled partner in Congress. When Rep. Nancy Pelosi came out and asked for Weiner's resignation I just about hit the floor. President Barack Obama's recent comments about how he would resign if he was in Weiner's position cemented in my mind that the Democrats were unifying and making power moves at the right time.
You might remember that most Democrats were trying to support President Bill Clinton during his scandal with Monica Lewinsky. They unified to try to make sure the impeachment process did not go through. Any Democrats in Congress that did not join hand-in-hand with the rest of the party were ostracized. At this time, though, Weiner is the one being ostracized for what he did.
Right now, the Democrats are attempting to show they know what Weiner did was wrong, and that they believe that his position as a leader is forfeit. By pressing him to resign, the Democrats are showing they should not hold any responsibility or weight for what he did, and the scandal that has ensued. This is the best move going into such an important election year. Everyone knows that this scandal will come up during the election process, but the Democrats can stand behind the fact that they did what they could to make Weiner pay for what he did.
