Last week I wrote a column on my Room Eight New York Politics blog (www.r8ny.com) about Anthony Weiner’s contemporary political problems. I was willing to give him the benefit of the doubt, relative to his claim of being “hacked”. Yesterday, at a hastily arranged press conference, Congressman Weiner admitted that the photo of a man’s pubic area -which went viral on the internet last week- was his. He also admitted texting it to a young female student. He further admitted to internet- dalliances with at least six female strangers over the past three years.
We now know that Anthony isn’t as cool, calm and collected as he has always projected. The congressman pusillanimously panicked, when internal concerns grew over some of his semi-kinky fetishes being publicly exposed. In the panic, he made some strange decisions: like being mendacious when there was no life or death reason to be. As I have asked him before: who do you talk to before you make big decisions? Who do you reach out to for advice and counsel? Are you an egotistic one-man (wrecking) crew?
We democrats can only hope that further revelations in this sordid episode aren’t forthcoming. Right now Tony is politically wounded; if more stuff hits the fan he will be politically dead. I pray yesterday’s strange press-conference doesn’t open up another can of worms. He answered many questions that weren’t even asked: public relations experts will tell you that’s a no-no.
Time will tell whether or not NYC voters will forgive Weiner’s foolishness. His lies, poor judgment and silly boyish antics are rather disappointing. I know what he did was ridiculous and distasteful, but does it rise to the level of law-breaking?
The hardest question he faced appeared to be the one where he was asked whether he had vetted the ages of these women with whom he was messing (on-line). It was a poignant moment of realization and revelation. His face couldn’t hide that fact.
Look; Anthony has always had that kid-like quality to him. Maybe it was just the way he is physically structured (no pun intended); or maybe it’s his boyish-charm and spunk. What happened here is more embarrassing than law-breaking. Weiner should have come clean from jump-street. If he had done that, then there wouldn’t be as many calls for his resignation now coming from various quarters. Most likely, the ethics committee of the House of Representatives will investigate Weiner’s actions; and who knows where that will go?
I think Weiner should step out of the upcoming mayoral race. And I say this as someone who believes he is one the more articulate and knowledgeable congressmen in this country. As long as there isn’t more embarrassing stuff flying around the internet or in the political grapevines, I strongly feel that Tony can make a spectacular comeback in time. Remember this: often times, a “setback” is only a “set-up” for a comeback. Barney Frank did. Ted Kennedy did. Bill Clinton did. Eliot Spitzer is trying real hard.
In an emotional display of contrition, Anthony Weiner apologized for his indiscretions yesterday. It was surely a different Weiner to the one we New Yorkers are now accustomed. The cockiness was gone. He whimpered while trying to fight back real tears. He tried valiantly to protect the lifelong political image of one who is strong, brave and feisty. He failed.
President Lyndon B. Johnson once said that “when the going gets tough, the tough gets going”. I hope Tony is as tough as he has always projected.
Stay tuned-in folks.