Obama: Weiner and Huma Will 'Bounce Back'
President Obama weighed in earlier in the week on the effect of Weiner's sex scandal on his career, saying he would resign were he in the Congressman's position, he put in his two cents in an interview that aired on Friday's Good Morning America about the shamed politician's marriage with wife wife Huma Abedin: "I wish Rep. Weiner and his lovely wife well," Obama said, adding that he believed Weiner will "refocus" and that the couple will ultimately be able to "bounce back." Weiner finally resigned from Congress yesterday, three weeks after his twitter scandal first broke out. A source told the Daily News that it was his pregnant wife who finally convinced Weiner to resign.
Weiner: I Quit
Rep. Anthony Weiner has announced his resignation from Congress in a fleetingly brief press conference on Thursday. The disgraced Democratic lawmaker from New York said he had hoped to continue with the work entrusted to him by his constituents, but “unfortunately the distraction that I have created has made that impossible.” His announcement was accompanied by applause and hecklers amid a circus-like atmosphere at the Brooklyn senior center where he announced his first campaign for a New York City Council seat nearly two decades ago.
Although national figures on both sides of the aisle have blasted Weiner and called on him to step down, his own constituents have generally backed him in polls since the scandal started.
It’s the messy end for his lewd photo scandal, which lasted more than two weeks. Weiner said he made the decision only after long discussions with his pregnant wife, Huma Abedin, who had been out of the country. It comes as Democrats were set to discuss stripping Weiner of his committee assignments.
Weiner's Fabulous Retirement Perks
It's not all bad for the former congressman: The Daily Beast's Daniel Stone reports on the cushy exit package that Weiner will receive as a former House member. That includes a generous pension fund, continued access to the floor of the legislature, and even renewable membership in the congressional gym where some of his most famous cellphone shots were snapped.
Bad News for Successor
There is a good chance that whoever takes over for Anthony Weiner will end up a lame duck. Weiner's Congressional district, which covers Brooklyn and Queens, may disappear as a result of the 2010 census. New York is set to lose two House seats, and it was widely assumed that Weiner’s district could be absorbed into adjoining districts to help shore up Democratic incumbents. The winner of the upcoming special election will serve out the rest of Weiner's term until 2012, and would then be expected to step aside. One Democratic consultant said, "There is very little precedent that I can think of that someone is agreeing to be both a placeholder and not seek that office if they get redistricted out."
Dems Ready to Move On
Democrats, for their part, are ready to move on, partly so they can get back to hammering their best-working line of attack against Republicans this year: defense of Medicare. Weiner "made the right judgment in resigning," said Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, who had pushed for his resignation almost a week ago. "I pray for him and his family and wish him well," she continued. Other leaders, such as Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chairman Steve Israel echoed Pelosi's sentiment. "Anthony's decision is right for him and his family," Israel said. President Obama, meanwhile, told ABC's Robin Roberts that Weiner will "bounce back."
A Job Offer From Larry Flynt
This certainly won't help Anthony Weiner get back on track: Porn mugal Larry Flynt has offered him a job. "After having learned of your sudden and compelled resignation from your congressional post," the Hustler magnate and First Amendment advocate wrote in an open letter, "I would like to make you an offer of employment." Flynt's proposal included a 20 percent pay raise of Weiner's House salary.
Weiner's Last Words By Howard Kurtz
What's Next for Weiner? By Michael Tomasky
Weiner's Dangerous Resignation By Eric Alterman
Weiner's Next Job By Josh Dzieza
