New York Rep Weiner admits posting crotch photo, but won't resign

Weiner will survive this, much in the way David Vitter did.

Boy did Weiner get grilled.

He's in a situation I wouldn't relish because now he's playing political ketchup.

I'll be here all week.

Taka

Breitbart wins again.

Disgraceful...

It's a sexy photo, that's all. Politically he'll survive. As for his marriage...

@Taka313: Good puns!

It's a sexy photo, that's all. Politically he'll survive. As for his marriage...

@LostinNagoya: He probably will survive politically since the Dems do have a tendency to let things like this go by. Remember the other NY Congressman (Rep) who sent pictures of his nude chest to a woman, he was forced to resign. He says he did it on his own, but it was the GOP behind him to make that decision. The press had a field day. I just hope that the press will give Weiner the same treatment, but I doubt it.

Weiner will survive this, much in the way David Vitter did.

Yep. Agreed. Not sure about the ethics involved in this, but I doubt its enough to merit expulsion.

He probably will survive politically since the Dems do have a tendency to let things like this go by. Remember the other NY Congressman (Rep) who sent pictures of his nude chest to a woman, he was forced to resign. He says he did it on his own, but it was the GOP behind him to make that decision. The press had a field day. I just hope that the press will give Weiner the same treatment, but I doubt it.

I agree he'll survive, however I disagree that the press should make a huge issue of it the way they did with Lee. That guy shouldn't have resigned either. When it comes down to it, its a personal mistake by an individual. No one else is really being harmed, except those actually involved. Neither case involved criminal behavior. No one is perfect. While I would love to see Weiner defeated in the election, this shouldn't be the issue that decides that, but rather the fact that hes a loon.

Weiner, 46, married Hillary Rodham Clinton aide Huma Abedin last July, with former President Bill Clinton officiating.

Bill probably gave him some bad advice.

A Congressman named Weiner does this? And " former President Bill Clinton officiating" at his wedding? To be quite frank, the best comedy writer in the world couldn't make the story up.

Keep them coming Taka313. With the truth gradually coming out about the nuclear disaster, we need all the comic relief we can get.

The reason republicans get more flak for stuff like this is because they're always going on and on about "family values" and the "sanctity of marriage". what wife is Newt Gingrich on now? Number 4 or something? When is that hypocrite gonna resign?

When is that hypocrite gonna resign?

Resign from what? He's not a member of Congress.

The reason republicans get more flak for stuff like this is because they're always going on and on about "family values" and the "sanctity of marriage". what wife is Newt Gingrich on now? Number 4 or something? When is that hypocrite gonna resign?

@Humantarget: So you are saying that "family values" and "sanctity of marriage" are just phrases and it is ok to not heed to them? I miss the days that those values applied to persons in both parties, and not just being thought of as a talking point for Republicans.

Notice his wife was not be his side like when Elliot Spitzer confessed to his improprieties. Tells a great deal about who has the money in those families.

Shoulda just paid a discrete agency like the rest of'em rather than leaving tracks on the net, how dumb is that

he has money...hop on a plane...spend a week or so in Thailand...no risk. Or hell coem to Tokyo...more exzpensive but no risk... just plain stupid Weiner

Molenir: Wow... I actually agree with you. This was just some randy guy posting inappropriate pics. Stupid, given the blowback that has clearly resulted, but what the hay. I feel sorry for the guy's family, but then I have no idea of his situation.

So if weiner goes to the beach, he has to wear one of those 1920's style bathing suits? God forbid someone sees him shirtless. America is so prudish.

My first thought when I saw one of the pictures that it was just a weiner, so who cares.

Anyone who knows anything about twitter knew he was full of it. If he'd of come clean about it at the outset, he'd already be on the way to recovery and the media would've have moved on.

I don't care that anyone does this, but remember that if you have some power, others will rat you out eventually. As well, if you have power don't preach your morality to the masses. It will only backfire when you get caught with your pants down - wakka wakka.

The standards of leadership have gone down hill, regardless of democrats or republicans. No wonder society is so messed up because standards and values are surely lacking.

1) Crotch shots to strangers via facebook? Puns about pussy photos? Who old is this kid? Seriously bad judgement but that's a matter for the people who elected him to represent them.

2) Lying about it for a week and then saying he did nothing wrong? This guy has a serious morality defect and should not be in any sort of position of authority.

@taj: Well said!

Serious lack of common sense on the part of an elected official.

So Weiner wanted to show his Wiener to the wrong lady.

Big Deal if he forked out some bucks he could strut his sausage all he wanted.

Every four years we're told that erections have consequences. This is most certainly true.

Hahahaha @SUZU. Brilliant lines.

Best conspiracy theory I head today on the radio was that Weiner came out against Obama's stance on Israel going back to the 1967 borders. Weiner was seen by some to be one of the strongest outspoken supporters on Israel, and his comments have made the Pres. look a little bad.

What is probably more worse, his actions just only enforced the sterotypes that many anti-Semites have against Jewish men. The "sex craved" man, and when finally faced with his crimes, he breaks down and cries (like he did today at his press conference).

I don't agree with that line of thinking, but I am sure those who found disfavor with him for his support of Israel in the Middle East, will probably have a field day with this incident. Even though he is married to a Muslim woman.

Bottom line, whether it was a conspiracy to expose him on his stances for Israel or his other issues is wrong. But he is still responsible for taking a photo like that and sending it. That was all him and noone to blame but himself.

He also said he had never had sex outside of his marriage.

You mean the guy was a virgin when he married? At any rate, he's given a new definition to the term "junk mail."

He is responsible for his own actions. Can we afford to have someone in a position who tells bold-faced lies -- to the people who elected him? Anyway, at least he did not use lame language by saying "I misspoke" or a lame excuse like "I was just taking photos for Congressman BF's screensaver."

With his name, he should know to be doubly-careful about such childish stuff.

Is he immoral for lying about what he did?

No more immoral than the people who happily delved into his private life and asked him questions that were completely none of their business! He fought fire with fire. But the people who brought the fire sure don't want to see it that way when they get burned!

His behavior is questionable, as a human being. But even if he is a politician its not our business. But, as a human being, I think his behavior would be much improved for ACTUALLY having an affair rather than just flirting with the idea. But why does he only flirt with it? Look no further than the rock spiders who insist on knowing every detail of a politicans private life, especially if sex is involved!

I salute him for not quitting and for telling the self-righteous hypocritical moralizers to go home. But could somebody explain to me where Breitbart deserves an apology here?

He claimed to have another photo of Weiner which he described as “X-rated” but would not say if he planned to release it.

In fact, I think what Breitbart deserves is finger jab to the eye! Essentially what he did right there was blackmail. He should have destroyed the pictures and kept his mouth shut. That is what men with integrity do. The only reason to even say you destroyed them is if someone somehow knew that you had had them. But Breitbart has done is the act of a dirtbag. If he ever actually releases them he will be a creature of pure filth, with not even a bag to contain it!

Weiner's fellow New Yorker and congressman (guy named Lee) resigned after posting a pic of his naked torso on Craiglist. But I think Lee was a Repub so the media held him to a different standard. I fear the public's tolerance though is waning. Gonna be a lot of pressure on Weiner.

Iwitness:"But could somebody explain to me where Breitbart deserves an apology here?"

Do the research yourself. It is an interesting story.

"Yawn!"

Weiner should resign for supporting government-run health care.

Lieberman2012, well you won't even give me a clue, but I will give you one. The Republican party is chock full of people who claim they are so morally superior and also to elect morally superior candidates. The Democrats don't crow like that, but tend more toward the issues than pimping their mores. And so when Republicans fall flat on their faces after such crowing, they get taken to task. The bigger the hypocrite, the harder he falls.

But Lee? He didn't even fight! He quit the same day! The media hardly had time to hold him to any standard! The only reason there will be more pressure on Weiner is because he is not a quitter!

Molenir: Wow... I actually agree with you. This was just some randy guy posting inappropriate pics

I agree with Molenir on this one too. The voters will decide next year if Weiner's behavior merits being elected out. Pelosi is doing the right thing in calling for an investigation to ensure he didn't use government assets for what otherwise should be a private, personal thing.

I guess this is one more event that drives home the fact that nothing is personal or private anymore.

Rep Weiner, comes up short in the truth department. As if that ain't happened before.

Pelosi is doing the right thing in calling for an investigation to ensure he didn't use government assets for what otherwise should be a private, personal thing.

You really think so? Maybe we should also investigate to see if might be over-using the Congressional lavatory too?

Should they charge him for wear and tear on computer keyboards he might have used? Send a bill for the extra couple of dollars of electricty that might been used? Should those bills be reduced if he was not even around to vote "present" at enough meetings of Congress?

Does the United States and the U.S. House seriously not have anything more important to do this week? I was just complaining about all this attention to John Edwards is a waste of time and proof that certain people will go after others on moral grounds, while claiming its about something important and that is an utter absurdity, and all the while it seems to me the truly immoral people are the ones wasting the country's time on silly trash like this.

I might be the most moral man in the world, because I would not waste one minute or one tax penny on investigating Weiner. I would however see about bolstering privacy laws because the way personal information is being carelessly tossed about is HIGHLY immoral.

I have X-rated pictures of people I know. But if they suddenly became famous and those pictures worth millions, I would sooner claw out my own eyes than even show them to anyone. They were entrusted to me and me alone. Am I the only American left who knows anything about honor and morality?

Iwitness:"I might be the most moral man in the world, because I would not waste one minute or one tax penny on investigating Weiner."

You'd have to be elected first, after having presented a cogent case for your beliefs on the issues facing your constituents, something anyone who has "debated" with you here knows is nigh impossible.

"I would however see about bolstering privacy laws because the way personal information is being carelessly tossed about is HIGHLY immoral."

I think we might be in agreement here. The pics Wiener sent of himself, in his briefs, his speaker boehner at attention, were unsolicited.They were sent to a college girl he had become acquainted with online.She did not ask for them, or for all the media attention that has apparently deeply upset her and wreaked havoc with her academic future.

And then there are the six other women Weiner, recently married, has admitted swapping pics with, though I suspect in many of those cases he meant he sent unsolicited pics.He claims though he has not had sex with any of them.But he has shown himself this last weeks to be a liar with almost Clintonian ability to prevaricate.I can see why the Obama admin wanted him out there jawboning on health care "reform."

Do you read much history? There are many,many cases throughout it where politicians and rulers - almost always male,of course - found themselves blackmailed by women they thought were just prizes to be had in their rise to power.

Come on AP! How about mentioning somewhere in the article that Weiner is a Democrat? You sure didn't miss the opportunity to bring up the party affiliation of FORMER Rep. Chris Lee but completely failed to identify the star of this article as a Democratic Congressman. Is it just poor journalism or an intentional omission? Either way it doesn't say much for the author's journalistic prowess...

"when the lower head wakes up, the upper one stops thinking" my boyfriend says.

Hmm...

Weiner insisted he had done nothing wrong and said he would fully cooperate with a House inquiry.

...followed by...

Weiner said over and over that he had made “terrible mistakes” and done “a very dumb thing” for which he alone bore responsibility, and he apologized repeatedly to his wife, Huma Abedin, a top aide to Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton.

“My wife is a remarkable woman. She’s not responsible for any of this,” he said. “I apologize to her very deeply.”

So... If you did nothing wrong, you shmuck, why did you have to apologize to your wife? Seems like even in your press conference that exposed all the previous lies, you managed to fit another lie in.

@USNinJapan,

Come on AP! How about mentioning somewhere in the article that Weiner is a Democrat? You sure didn't miss the opportunity to bring up the party affiliation of FORMER Rep. Chris Lee but completely failed to identify the star of this article as a Democratic Congressman. Is it just poor journalism or an intentional omission? Either way it doesn't say much for the author's journalistic prowess...

Umm... it was pretty obvious he was a Democrat from the following passage in the second paragraph:

House Democratic leaders tersely expressed disappointment and embarrassment, reflecting an erosion of support for the 46-year-old New York congressman and casting doubts on whether Weiner could hold onto his House seat let alone turn a once-promising political career into a 2013 bid for mayor.

I guess you missed that part in your fervor.

A Democrat, Kathy Hochul, was sworn in to replace Lee last week after winning a special election May 24.

One very bright spot in an otherwise tawdry incident. The Republicans had a lock on that seat for decades.

So... If you did nothing wrong, you shmuck, why did you have to apologize to your wife?

That is between him and his wife. But since people insist on mixing others business with their own, I can see why Weiner might tell us something like that when he shouldn't.

But it was not Weiner who breached the line between public and private first. The woman who sold those pictures to the newspaper ought to be flogged...publicly. Its completely obvious he never met those pictures for any but her.

One very bright spot in an otherwise tawdry incident. The Republicans had a lock on that seat for decades.

And hopefully will again in about a year and a half. Once the 'faux' tea party candidate is no longer on the ballot. That was akin to having the 'green' party on the ballot in the last election. It might have worked, but regardless of who's doing it, its still dirty politics.

Iwitness: "The woman who sold those pictures to the newspaper ought to be flogged...publicly. Its completely obvious he never met those pictures for any but her."

Iwitness - You are lost. Wiener claimed his account had been hacked, not that the recepient of his photo had sold it to anyone.And then he admitted he had,ignorant of the technology he was using,posted the photo himself.

Fadamor No, it should be more than just 'pretty obvious'; it should be stated in black and white. It's basic journalism and I was really surprised that I got all the way to the end of this article without Weiner once identified as a Democratic Congressman. Go look up this same story on any number of other news sources and you'll find that his party affiliation is one of the first things stated in identifying him, usually in the first paragraph of the article. It's a double standard.

Wiener claimed his account had been hacked, not that the recepient of his photo had sold it to anyone.

You are right. I am lost. You lost me. Because I have no idea what one has to do with the other.

Weiner lied about something that is no one's business, something we all do. Anybody asks you something personal about your sex life, you lie. And the lie is pure white as a fresh fallen snow. The black part of this picture are the ones releasing the details and asking the questions that are none of their business. Lies in response to that are expected and pure.

Weiner lied about something that is no one's business, something we all do. Anybody asks you something personal about your sex life, you lie. And the lie is pure white as a fresh fallen snow. The black part of this picture are the ones releasing the details and asking the questions that are none of their business. Lies in response to that are expected and pure.

Yeah. Once again you're wrong. I'm really starting to wonder if everything black for you is white, and everything white for you is black. You're upsidedown on so many issues.

First, how many people get on facebook and twitter and send naked photos of themselves to complete strangers. I don't know how many, but I know its not everyone who is doing it. Weiner has issues, theres no question of that. Lying about it, trying to cover it up, is disgusting behavior, particularly attacking those who caught him, trying to accuse them of hacking his account. Vile behavior, and certainly not conduct becoming of a congressman.

Weiner lied about something that is no one's business, something we all do. Anybody asks you something personal about your sex life, you lie.

Molenir is correct. And, you're dead wrong. It can be anyone's business, because he sexually harassed an ordinary citizen numerous times, and then cooked up a story to cover up his misconduct by taking advantage of his status as a congressman. It's pathetic, disgusting, distasteful practice that should be highly condemned!

Sometimes it is not the actual misdeed that is the problem. It is lying to the public, who trusts you with their safety and money and that is at issue.

First, how many people get on facebook and twitter and send naked photos of themselves to complete strangers. I don't know how many, but I know its not everyone who is doing it.

It does not matter how many are doing it. Everyone has their own thing. Nitpicking over who does what serves no real purpose except for smearing people.

Weiner has issues, theres no question of that.

Lots of people have issues from trying to adhere to over-wrought sex mores in America. But let me ask you a question: Would you think he had less issues if he instead turned to prostitution? How about if he had a mistress? Now let me ask you which would keep him more on the right side of the law?

particularly attacking those who caught him

Huh? Who got attacked? How?

And he was not caught. He broke no laws. He was outed. There is a difference.

because he sexually harassed an ordinary citizen numerous times

Where is the sexual harrassment suit? I must have missed it!

Sometimes it is not the actual misdeed that is the problem. It is lying to the public, who trusts you with their safety and money and that is at issue.

Where is the connection between safety and money and a man lying to cover up his sexual kicks??

This is no different when, back when McCarthy was outing gays at a time that every gay was considered to be a communist, the gays lied about being gay. ( "Did you sodomize so and so?" "NO!" they said.) They had every right to lie, because they were being subject to an unfair attack they could not possibly expect to come out of clean. Same with gays who still lie to get into the military (even though it is technically ok to be gay now, many still lie). Tell me, are they good to go for lying?

Another example, if you asked me if I browsed porn in front of my wife, I would tell you no. Later, I would tell you off if not punch your lights out. Its not your business and its not hers either.

Lots of politicians have been involved in sex scandals. Lots of darn good ones too. From Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton right on up through JFK and Bill Clinton. Knowing about their sex lives did not tell us anything about their handling of safety and money or any political issue. Its just stirring a big pot of crap for no good reason. Especially look at TJ. He wrote the U.S. Consitution for crying out loud, and what he did was unthinkable in his day, sleeping with a colored slave, and unthinkable in ours too, impregnating a teenager, and he lied about it too boot. What does it tell us about TJ's fitness for the jobs of constitution drafter, ambassador and president? Not a darned thing I should think, because if you went that direction it would prove the exact opposite of what you try to tell us, and these men who lie to hide their sex lives are the best politicans available!

Sometimes it is not the actual misdeed that is the problem. It is lying to the public, who trusts you with their safety and money and that is at issue.

I agree with this statement as well. Congressmen are given a lot of power and with that power comes a certain level of responsibility. His actions, lying and trying to cover up his perverted behavior is troubling to say the least. Whether or not he is able to continue being a congressman is another story, and will depend on the voters in his district. However based on his actions, he is going to be shunned by everyone on Capital hill. Meaning resign or no, he is going to be completely useless as a Rep, even if they don't do anything more. Gary Condit can give him some advice on the subject.

Where is the sexual harrassment suit? I must have missed it!

Are you suggesting that unsolicited sexting is not sexual harrassment?

Try it at the office.

Or better yet, try it IRL.

Was watching the news yesterday as they were discussing this, and someone brought up the point, that had this happened just about anywhere else, the man would have been out of a job.

had this happened just about anywhere else, the man would have been out of a job.

I think most of those places don't have the internet. Most CIVILIZED places the press would have ignored it from the start. I think in most of Europe, if a woman tried to sell those pics while at the same time not filing any criminal charges or opening a civil suit, they would have told her to get lost.

I still don't get it, if it was a underwear glad crotch would it have been acceptable if it had been a Speedo, etc.

Most likely in europe he would have been ripped to shreds on TV and Radio but doubt he would be forced to resign.

Police visited yesterday the home of the 17-year-old that disgraced Congressman Weiner had been exchanging messages with.

I can't believe people still defend this creep.

Iwitness still cant get the facts straight: "I think in most of Europe, if a woman tried to sell those pics while at the same time not filing any criminal charges or opening a civil suit, they would have told her to get lost."

The coed in Seattle didn't sell the pics to anyone, and there were multiple women - even girls, apparently - that scumbag Weiner was after.

I think most of those places don't have the internet. Most CIVILIZED places the press would have ignored it from the start. I think in most of Europe, if a woman tried to sell those pics while at the same time not filing any criminal charges or opening a civil suit, they would have told her to get lost.

Hmm, thought I made the point clearly. Guess some people just couldn't understand. I'll restate. Lets assume that Weiner is a CEO of some company, and he does this. I guarentee he would be out of a job by the end of the week. Same if he was a teacher someplace. But because he's a congressman, he can stay in until the voters throw him out, unless he's indicted and convicted on some charge.

molenir:"Lets assume that Weiner is a CEO of some company, and he does this. I guarentee he would be out of a job by the end of the week. Same if he was a teacher someplace. But because he's a congressman, he can stay in until the voters throw him out, unless he's indicted and convicted on some charge."

Excellent point. I have to concede my fellow Democrats would scream bloody murder if a CEO,married, pulled a stunt like this, sending lewd pics to college coeds and even high school girls. A teacher not so much though.The unions make firing in such cases too expensive.There would just be reassignment.

I can't believe people still defend this creep.

I can't believe you keep trotting out the same old lies! Of course the 17 year old did not sell any pics, because she did not receive any! You have been told. Are you just hoping the lie will stick or what?

and there were multiple women - even girls, apparently

Another lie! There were no girls! Women only!

I have to concede my fellow Democrats would scream bloody murder if a CEO,married, pulled a stunt like this, sending lewd pics to college coeds and even high school girls.

Same lie again! There were no high schools getting lewd pics. Okay? Please make a post-it note and stick on your computer screen!

As for what the Democrats would do if it were a CEO, I seriously doubt that. Do you mean Congressional Democrats or the rank and file Democrat? Maybe you could give as an example of it happening before, or similar?

Lets assume that Weiner is a CEO of some company, and he does this. I guarentee he would be out of a job by the end of the week.

Which would hardly make it right in that case or any. Right is right. Just because it happens does not make it right.