Van Hollen calls for Weiner's resignation
Rep. Chris Van Hollen joined a growing chorus of congressional Democrats Saturday who are calling on fellow Democrat Rep. Anthony Weiner to resign after the New York lawmaker acknowledged sending racy pictures of himself over the social networking site Twitter.
“Anthony Weiner’s repeated violation of the public trust is unacceptable," the Montgomery County lawmaker said in a statement. "He can best advance the issues he fought for by resigning immediately.”
Van Hollen, the first Maryland Democrat to call for Weiner's ouster, issued his statement on the same day that House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi of California and Democratic National Committee Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz also called for him to step down.
The outrage followed the latest revelation in the case: Police have interviewed a 17-year-old girl in Delaware about online contact she had with Weiner. The congressman has said those communications were "neither explicit nor indecent."
Comments
"Van Hollen Wants Weiner Out"? Haven't we had enough Democratic congressmen exposing themselves already? Keep it in you pants, Chris.
Posted by: easywriter01 | June 11, 2011 4:58 PM
What is "unacceptable" to me is busybodies and/or hypocrites from both sides of the political aisle nosing their way into Congressman Weiner's personal life. This is properly only a matter of concern for recipients of communications from him, his spouse, and his constituents. The first would deserve to be upset if they told him to cut it out and he didn't. (Did that happen?) The spouse has the right to decide that the marriage is over if she so chooses. The constituents, as with any elected official, have the right to reject or reelect him. Republican Senator Vitter of Louisiana managed to get reelected despite his contacts with prostitutes (which I'm not criticizing). But I wonder how many of Weiner's Republican critics insisted on Vitter's resignation.
Posted by: Ken Stevens | June 11, 2011 6:16 PM
Anthony Weiner has been a very valuable asset to the Democratic Party. He is more valuable now than ever! Just think of the priceless nationwide name recognition he has built in the last 10 days! No one cared about Bill Clinton's dalliances or the fact that he lied under oath so they won't care about Weiner's and the fact he only lied to the American people but NOT under oath! Add to that President Obama's rapidly deteriorating poll numbers, I believe it is Congressman Weiner's duty to the Democratic Party to capitalize on his new found fame and MOUNT a primary challenge to President Obama in order to save the White House from those evil Republicans! Anthony's WEINER for President 2012! :-)
Posted by: BorisB | June 11, 2011 6:46 PM
Ken, you must be kidding! There is no difference between ones personal life and his/hers political life. A pervert is a pervert is a pervert!
Posted by: Jim | June 12, 2011 7:37 AM
"What is "unacceptable" to me is busybodies and/or hypocrites from both sides of the political aisle nosing their way into Congressman Weiner's personal life." Posted by: Ken Stevens
Personal life? Really? Is anything on the internet personal?
Anyone who considers this man suitable as an elected congressman to me is a person who has zero morals and is a supporter of sick internet predators. It is bizarre that any person with a conscience can support such a pervert.
Posted by: Anonymous | June 12, 2011 10:46 AM
Weiner should stay. He is the perfect face of the liberal progressive movement.
He has shown that the liberal progressive movement is devoid of morals, devoid of decency, devoid of what is right.
He has shown that his party cares little about perversion and in fact supports perversion.
Only when a 17 year old enters the picture do they decide that won't fly with the public.
Stay and put that face on the party.
Posted by: Not surprised | June 12, 2011 10:50 AM
The number of gutless people on this thread is amazing. They are quite willing to call people names, but unwilling to sign their name. Yes, I'm talking about you who signed yourself "anonymous" or "Not surprised" or "Jim". Some of you act like all Republicans office holders or candidates lead a purely "moral" or "ethical" private life. Does the name Vitter or Foley or Cox or Ensign or Livingston or Bauman or Cunningham mean anything to you? You're not fooling anybody with your partisan hypocrisy.
Posted by: Ken Stevens | June 12, 2011 2:29 PM
Hey Ken,please jump out of a window, please!
Posted by: JAYALLDAY75 | June 12, 2011 3:12 PM
Ken Stevens is a supporter of internet sexual predators and perverts who take their own pictures in the Congressional gym holding his own Weiner.
What a nice man Ken.
Please let Weiner babysit your young children.
Posted by: Anonymous | June 13, 2011 7:47 AM
Rep. Ken Calvert and Sen. David Vitter -two confirmed prostitution clients. Neither of those right-wing johns has been even remotely chastised by their moralistic peers-or any of the deep thinking puritans here. Hypocritical or spectacularly clueless? take your pick!
Posted by: Paul_D | June 13, 2011 11:15 AM
Nice suggestion, BorisB!
But I've got a more viable plan: Let the Weiner write a column for The Sun. Sagging circulation numbers would skyrocket. Peter Schmuck, move over!
Posted by: Womba | June 13, 2011 11:57 AM
Weiner really doesn't get it. And if Congress believes two weeks in rehab is going to cure Weiner, Congress doesn't get it either. Rehab is typically anywhere from 30 to 90 days, and the real work begins when you're back at home and work, with all of the stressors, and learning how to avoid the lifelong self-destructive behaviors that have been getting you through the day for years.
Posted by: Employment Experts | June 13, 2011 10:31 PM