Krauthammer: ‘It’s Very Tempting For The GOP To Jump On [Rep. Weiner] But They Shouldn’t’

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by Frances Martel | 9:00 pm, June 6th, 2011

» 10 comments

Rep. Anthony Weiner‘s admission to having lied about sending lewd photos has been received in some circles as a cause for celebration, but conservative columnist Charles Krauthammer isn’t taking a victory lap, even though he can’t see the Congressman’s career surviving today’s press conference. An exercise in restraint for Republicans, he warned, would be the only way to ensure that Democrats clean up their ranks among themselves.

On today’s Special Report, the panel tried to make sense of Rep. Weiner’s refusal to resign and took odds on how long he will last in office after admitting to openly lying on television. Juan Williams saw one major factor upon which the entire situation hinged: the favor of his fellow Democrats. “If he loses support from Nancy Pelosi and the like, then he’s a goner,” he argued.

Krauthammer gave a far more terminal diagnosis– for him, it was the Republicans’ game to lose. “He’s already a goner,” Krauthammer argued, but “it’s very tempting for the Republicans to jump on this. They shouldn’t.” He called it a “lesson from the Clinton presidency”: don’t kick a Democrat when he’s down, because this evolves him from predator to martyr. “It is clear that Democrats want to get rid of this,” Krauthammer noted, and it’s best to let them clean up their own mess.

The segment via Fox News below:

Anthony Weiner, Bill Clinton, Bret Baier, charles krauthammer, fox news, Juan Williams, Special Report, WeinerGate

http://constitutionallibertarian.co.cc DavidKramer

Sorry Kraut, I know not ONE Repub that would want to jump Weiner. (pun intended)
donalan

He is right but its not for the reason stated. Jumping on this story invites the Dems to bring up the scorecard, the tally as it were. That simply does not bode well for the Republicans – they literally have a circus of depravity that makes tweeting your junk seem like Communion.

That is why the Dems can jump on the Republicans but not the other way around. The Dems are the party for the ‘depraved.’ I dont mean that as knock either , it is the truth. Repubs need to move on or this will just bring up the dirt that helped Obama win last time.
Helix

Am really hoping the GOP Congresswomen can somehow resist the temptation. Better to let their Democratic counterparts fall on that sword, so to speak, while valiantly attempting to defend him and hold press conferences that will likely get out of hand.
Thelonious Funk

Democrats use Medicare, GOP uses Weinergate. I wonder who would win?
Nature Freak

Somewhere in America tonight a Senator or Cogressman is engaging in a wide stance in a bathroom, perhaps in an airport, hoping to have a good time and praying they do not get caught.

Us Democrats will get our payback. Enjoy your minor victory tonight Conservatives!

Sorry, I had to go there…
puck30

Don’t touch that Weiner GOP (you don’t know where it’s been.)
Tedderman

Republicans would be wise to listen to Krauthammer, he knows his wiener etiquette.
NeoKong

Geez Charles….what a buzz kill.
Sorry.
I prefer to gloat.
Shuleba

What is sad is the total media frenzy over some boxer shorts in a sordid depiction of a Congressman’s personal fetish BUT a complete pass on the sordid depiction of fraud and criminal allegations of a faux sitting President. Do you really think it will slow down public awareness of the extent of criminal activity in Washington running the country?
hgarner2000

I could be wrong, but my guess is there’s plenty of inappropriate things we don’t know about going on on both sides of the aisle. Politicians should avoid turning this into a Dem vs. Rep thing. There will always be some tit for that …tat. But I do think that political parties should police themselves.