The Gist

The Inquisition of Larry Craig

We talked a bit on the show today about the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force's letter to Senate Ethics Committee Chairwoman Barbara Boxer, urging her to do one of the two things: 1) drop the Larry Craig investigation or; 2)begin an investigation of Louisiana Republican Senator David Vitter and his admissions of marital indiscretions, after his number was found on the DC Madam's list -- an investigation that would likely focus on diaper fetishism and assorted other interesting and sinful behavior, making Craig's toe-tapping toilet escapades look as ho-hum as they truly are. The reasoning is that it's a double standard based in homophobia, something many of us have said over and and over again. NGLTF is to be commended for sending the letter, particularly since the Democrats, for various reasons, want to stay as far away from the DC Madam -- and Larry Craig -- as they possibly can.

It was a while back when I noted the televised hearings with which Republicans threatened Craig --a threat to even bring forth all of his bathroom sex buddies. While the Democrats sat back, the Republicans were on the hot seat and tried to purge Craig. Craig called the Rethugs' bluff, and still refused to step down. But I'm not sure why the investigation has taken so long anyway, since Republicans don't control the Senate (maybe one of you can explain). It does make sense that Dems don't want to go near the Vitter/DC Madam case because there are likely Democrats on her list. But why has the Craig investigation taken so long? And what do you think about NGLTF's letter? Should Boxer drop the Craig investigation or begin a Vitter one? Craig is proving to be more valuable in the Senate, as a symbol of Republican hypocrisy and corruption (not to mention his insane TV appearances that only embarrass them further), and the investigation is a gay witch hunt, particularly if Vitter is left alone. Your thoughts?