Senator (R-ID) arrested for lewd behavior in an airport men's public restroom

Thorgrim · 08-27-2007, 06:18 PM

He's been "outed" as a homosexual in the past, this certainly can't help in Deep Red Idaho

Sen. Larry Craig (R-Idaho) was arrested in June at a Minnesota airport by a plainclothes police officer investigating lewd conduct complaints in a men’s public restroom, according to an arrest report obtained by Roll Call Monday afternoon.

Craig’s arrest occurred just after noon on June 11 at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. On Aug. 8, he pleaded guilty to misdemeanor disorderly conduct in the Hennepin County District Court. He paid more than $500 in fines and fees, and a 10-day jail sentence was stayed. He also was given one year of probation with the court that began on Aug. 8.

A spokesman for Craig described the incident as a “he said/he said misunderstanding,” and said the office would release a fuller statement later Monday afternoon.

After he was arrested, Craig, who is married, was taken to the Airport Police Operations Center to be interviewed about the lewd conduct incident, according to the police report. At one point during the interview, Craig handed the plainclothes sergeant who arrested him a business card that identified him as a U.S. Senator and said, “What do you think about that?” the report states.

I wonder if this will sink in with the local media or develop nationally, there's a pretty decent Dem candidate that would need a scandal like this to win

Pretty funny

Edit: Here is a youtube from another scandal he faced in 1982

YouTube Video

DosEquis · 08-27-2007, 06:50 PM

I guess it is a 'big tent' party, but for those that claim the morally superior high ground, they sure are involved in a lot of 'sin'. Personally, i could care less if the guy gets blown in a bathroom. Hell, i've been blown in some abnormal locations. I guess it comes down to they claim to be the "pro-family", "pro-jesus", "pro-morals", and to have this group involved in so many homosexual or other sexually controversial behavior...its simply amazing to me.

Thorgrim · 08-27-2007, 06:55 PM

According to the incident report, Sgt. Dave Karsnia was working as a plainclothes officer on June 11 investigating civilian complaints regarding sexual activity in the men’s public restroom in which Craig was arrested. ...

“I could see Craig look through the crack in the door from his position. Craig would look down at his hands, ‘fidget’ with his fingers, and then look through the crack into my stall again. Craig would repeat this cycle for about two minutes,” the report states.

Craig then entered the stall next to Karsnia’s and placed his roller bag against the front of the stall door. ...

“At 1216 hours, Craig tapped his right foot. I recognized this as a signal used by persons wishing to engage in lewd conduct. Craig tapped his toes several times and moves his foot closer to my foot. I moved my foot up and down slowly. While this was occurring, the male in the stall to my right was still present. I could hear several unknown persons in the restroom that appeared to use the restroom for its intended use. The presence of others did not seem to deter Craig as he moved his right foot so that it touched the side of my left foot which was within my stall area,” the report states.

Craig then proceeded to swipe his hand under the stall divider several times, and Karsnia noted in his report that “I could ... see Craig had a gold ring on his ring finger as his hand was on my side of the stall divider.”

Karsnia then held his police identification down by the floor so that Craig could see it.

“With my left hand near the floor, I pointed towards the exit. Craig responded, ‘No!’

the party for the sanctity of marriage

Thorgrim · 08-27-2007, 07:56 PM

This is his defense:

Craig stated "that he has a wide stance when going to the bathroom and that his foot may have touched mine," the arrest report states. Craig also told the arresting officer that he reached down with his right hand to pick up a piece of paper that was on the floor. "It should be noted that there was not a piece of paper on the bathroom floor, nor did Craig pick up a piece of paper," the arresting officer said in the report.

His defense is that he takes a wide stand when in the bathroom and it crosses over into the other stall, and he put his hand ON THE FLOOR OF A PUBLIC RESTROOM TO PICK UP A PIECE OF PAPER

JaJae · 08-28-2007, 12:09 AM

He broke the public bathroom rules and should be arrested for it. Everyone knows when using a public bathroom you should keep your mouth shut, eyes forward and hands to yourself.

JaJae · 08-28-2007, 12:12 AM

Originally Posted by Thorgrim

His defense is that he takes a wide stand when in the bathroom and it crosses over into the other stall, and he put his hand ON THE FLOOR OF A PUBLIC RESTROOM TO PICK UP A PIECE OF PAPER

Well yea obviously, he isn't a pervert or anything, lol.

JaJae · 08-28-2007, 12:31 AM

Politicians convicted of misdemeanors like this should be kicked out of office in my opinion. They shouldn't resign and shouldn't have the option of running for federal office again.

Linzyhop · 08-28-2007, 08:41 AM

love the hypocrisy here.

JaJae · 08-28-2007, 10:16 AM

Originally Posted by Linzyhop

love the hypocrisy here.

I was kidding about him not being a pervert.

Linzyhop · 08-28-2007, 10:22 AM

Originally Posted by JaJae

I was kidding about him not being a pervert.

i know, i meant hypocrisy with him being anti-gay rights, but trying to get some play in a men's bathroom.

northhunter · 08-28-2007, 11:30 AM

Honestly, has anyone ever heard of this "foot tapping signal thing" before? Not that I'm saying it doesn't happen, or that I'm defending this Senator in any way, I just never heard of this before. Of course I don't spend any time in airport bathrooms in Minesotta so that may explain it.
If this turns out to be true, I'm sickened by yet another Republican bringing shame on his party. What the heck is wrong with these people?
If you are gay just come out and admit it and stop sneaking around doing these kind of stupid things! Barney Frank gets re-elected and he's openly gay though a Democrat. I think the public can understand and accept gayness in a politician better than some give them credit for.
The morning news shows had a field day with this story and I'm sure it will lead the MSM news tonight.

AVengeance · 08-28-2007, 11:43 AM

looks like someone wants to make sure he doesn't get elected...

If it were a commun- I mean, liberal, he'd be going up in the polls.

JaJae · 08-28-2007, 12:50 PM

Originally Posted by northhunter

Honestly, has anyone ever heard of this "foot tapping signal thing" before? Not that I'm saying it doesn't happen, or that I'm defending this Senator in any way, I just never heard of this before. Of course I don't spend any time in airport bathrooms in Minesotta so that may explain it.
If this turns out to be true, I'm sickened by yet another Republican bringing shame on his party. What the heck is wrong with these people?
If you are gay just come out and admit it and stop sneaking around doing these kind of stupid things! Barney Frank gets re-elected and he's openly gay though a Democrat. I think the public can understand and accept gayness in a politician better than some give them credit for.
The morning news shows had a field day with this story and I'm sure it will lead the MSM news tonight.

I think Republicans are less likely to vote for a gay politician than Democrats though.

JaJae · 08-28-2007, 01:07 PM

Is this guy up for re-election in 08 or something?

Thorgrim · 08-28-2007, 01:17 PM

Originally Posted by JaJae

Is this guy up for re-election in 08 or something?

Yes, again Larry LaRocco...he lost the Lt. Gov election 36-52 in 04 or 06 I believe...but that guy was scandal free and pretty popular

It's not unheard of for Deep Red states even in presidential years to send Democrats to the Senate...see North Dakota

The Mountain West may be red, but that's more "leave me alone" conservatism than the south's "GOP!!!!!" conservatism

It's a long shot still, but people said the same thing about George Allen...

JaJae · 08-28-2007, 01:38 PM

This could hurt Craig a lot though considering he's from the Republican party and the behavior he's accused of demonstrating. His only hope is that this happened too far from elections.

SoFlaJDM · 08-28-2007, 03:36 PM

thor, once again, what did i tell you?

60+ seats

believe it

Thorgrim · 08-28-2007, 04:23 PM

Senate prospects seem brighter for Democrats - Politics - MSNBC.com

Hey I set myself up to be happy with 15 house seats and 4 senate seats...that's good news, and then I'm pleasantly surprised

This time, I see +4-5 Senate seats, and I'll be thrilled if we get +9

DosEquis · 08-28-2007, 05:03 PM

Originally Posted by northhunter

Honestly, has anyone ever heard of this "foot tapping signal thing" before? Not that I'm saying it doesn't happen, or that I'm defending this Senator in any way, I just never heard of this before. Of course I don't spend any time in airport bathrooms in Minesotta so that may explain it.
If this turns out to be true, I'm sickened by yet another Republican bringing shame on his party. What the heck is wrong with these people?
If you are gay just come out and admit it and stop sneaking around doing these kind of stupid things! Barney Frank gets re-elected and he's openly gay though a Democrat. I think the public can understand and accept gayness in a politician better than some give them credit for.
The morning news shows had a field day with this story and I'm sure it will lead the MSM news tonight.

Foot tapping signal?

If someone was tapping their feet at me i'd be like "what the fuck are you doing, i am trying to shit in peace here."

SoFlaJDM · 08-28-2007, 05:22 PM

from CQ

We think it means you're even more foolish than this incident would suggest. How long before Craig checks himself into rehab or finds Jesus?
The Republicans already have a 21-12 disadvantage in next year's Senate contests. His was one of the seats the GOP hoped to hold, and his party had been pushing to keep him from retiring. I suspect they're looking for Plan B at the moment.
UPDATE: Hugh Hewitt calls for his resignation. At the least, he should confirm that he will not run again. I'm not convinced that Craig did more wrong than David Vitter, though -- both of them broke laws.