Say it's so, senator - Gay activists scoff at Craig's 'I'm not gay' speech

Say it's so, senator - Gay activists scoff at Craig's 'I'm not gay' speech
BY DAVID CRARY
Copyright by The Chicago Sun-Times
August 30, 2007


NEW YORK -- Sen. Larry Craig's ''I'm not gay'' declaration met with disdain Wednesday from gay activists, many of whom knew for nearly a year -- long before his recent arrest -- of allegations that the conservative Idaho Republican solicited sex from men in public bathrooms.

They view his case as a prime example of hypocrisy -- a man who furtively engaged in same-sex liaisons while consistently opposing gay-rights measures as a politician.

''He may very well not think of himself as being gay, and these are just urges that he has,'' said Matt Foreman of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. ''It's the tragedy of homophobia. People create these walls that separate themselves from who they really are.''

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Idaho's Republican Senator Larry Craig speaks to the media Tuesday in Boise.
(AP)

Detailed accusations against Craig had been available since last year through an Internet-based activist who had a hand in outing several Republican politicians, including former Rep. Mark Foley, the focus of a House page scandal.

The activist, Mike Rogers, went public last October with allegations that Craig engaged in sexual encounters with at least three men, including one who said he had sex with Craig twice at Washington's Union Station.

The Idaho Statesman went even further back into Craig's life, talking to other men who claimed they were solicited by him.

It also mentioned a scandal in 1982, in which a male page reported having sex with three congressmen, and Craig -- although not named by the youth -- issued a statement denying any wrongdoing.

Rogers noted that some politicians, when confronted with evidence about same-sex encounters, have acknowledged their homosexuality -- such as Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.) and the late Rep. Gerry Studds (D-Mass.).

Others persist in denial, and Rogers contends they are fair game for exposure if they vote against gay-rights causes.

''I'd love for Larry Craig to come out and be honest with the people of Idaho and run as a Senate candidate and see if the Republican Party is the big tent they claim to be,'' Rogers said.

Craig's political support was eroding by the hour Wednesday as fellow Republicans in Congress called for him to resign and party leaders pushed him unceremoniously from senior posts.

The White House expressed disappointment, and Senators John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Norm Coleman (R-Minn.) both joined calls for Craig to resign.

''My opinion is that when you plead guilty to a crime, you shouldn't serve. That's not a moral stand. That's not a holier-than-thou. It's just a factual situation," McCain said. AP

Allies want him to quit -- Democrat sees gain

WASHINGTON -- Idaho Sen. Larry Craig's political support eroded by the hour on Wednesday as fellow Republicans in Congress called for him to resign and party leaders pushed him unceremoniously from senior committee posts.

The White House expressed disappointment, too -- and nary a word of 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.

Craig ''represents the Republican Party,'' said Rep. Pete Hoekstra of Michigan, the first in a lengthening list of GOP members of Congress to urge a resignation.

The senator's spokesman declined comment. ''They have a right to express themselves,'' said Sidney Smith.

Craig said Tuesday he had committed no wrongdoing and shouldn't have pleaded guilty.

But Sens. John McCain of Arizona and Norm Coleman of Minnesota joined Hoekstra in urging Craig to step down, as did Rep. Jeff Miller of Florida -- and others.

''My opinion is that when you plead guilty to a crime, you shouldn't serve. That's not a moral stand. That's not a holier-than-thou. It's just a factual situation," McCain said.

For the most part, Democrats studiously avoided involvement with an unfolding Republican scandal.

''We at least ought to hear his side of the story,'' said Sen. Christopher Dodd of Connecticut, like McCain a presidential contender.

Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.) said his party stood to gain. ''All of these people who [are] holier than thou are now under investigations. ... I think the Republican Party will find itself in a great peril next year,'' he said.