Mary Altaffer/AP
Rep. Anthony Weiner surrounded by reporters near his house in the Queens borough of New York on Thursday.
A new poll shows voters in New York’s 9th congressional district still support Congressman Anthony Weiner despite his Twitter sex scandal involving no actual sex. According to the NY1-Marist poll conducted on Wednesday, 56 percent of his constituents do not think he should resign, while only 33 percent are in favor of his immediate resignation.
It varied slightly between men and women. Guys residing in the Brooklyn/Queens area were less likely to call for Weiner’s resignation, with 60 percent saying he should not. In contrast, only 52% of women in the district encouraged him to stay in office, with 17 percent of them undecided.
The poll also illustrated Weiner’s popularity with younger voters: only 22 percent of voters under age 45 called for his resignation, while 36 percent of voters over 45 felt he should resign. Kids love the Twitter.
These New Yorkers seem more concerned with his capacity to serve than his personal shortcomings. He became somewhat of a local hero for his passionate defense of a bill granting healthcare to 9/11 first responders.
— By Harry Grabow
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Weiner's weiner is not a political tool. We need to stopping treating it like one. Clinton and JFK are proof that unconventional sexual behavior and political genious are not mutually exclusive.
I agree with Barbara Walters that Anthony Weiner should NOT resign. I don't approve of his adolescent dalliances. However, he is a very good man, in most respects, and a very great Congressman. He is one of the strongest voices for those of us who advocate compassion and basic human rights. He champions that which is right for our country and actively battles that which is wrong. I'm not one of his constituents, as I'm a resident of Washington state. But, as a U.S. citizen, I believe we need the Anthony Weiner in Congress. He should seek help, he should love his wife and ask her forgiveness. He should respect Congress and ask his colleagues forgiveness. But, he should NOT resign. Kerrie Anne Simpson
I am from Florida and I agree with you
Weiner's scandle was a big mistake for him or any one think of doing such a thing. He said he was sorry.I think his wife is a better judge of him than we are. Sex & political scandles sometimes colide together because of what ever reason. George Washington sleep with his salves.It is also said that he fatherd several childern.which he never laid claim to. I think it is worng to put political leaders on the same scale as you would put a cleregy man,or priest.Politians are usually not very religous. Many find it hard to attend church or what ever. They believe in thier faith,but dont wear it on their sleves. Forgive weiner as you would want others to forgive you,of your wong doing.
The problem i have with the this issue is that compared to the patriot act for example is minor. Anthony Wiener voted no on the bill to extend patriot act provisions while 67 so called democrats voted yes . I find those yes votes a much bigger violation of trust then some sexual tweeter photos.
Amen to that!
This makes me feel more than relieved hearing this news! I'm so glad that at least some people have enough logic to put this aside and actually remember him being the great Congressman that he still is today. Yes, he made a mistake - but we all make mistakes from time to time. And yes, he lied about it - but again, we all lie to save our own skin at some point in our lives. So we have no right to condemn him for doing so himself. He's human - not God. I still have faith in him and believe that he will continue to do great things for this country (something I can't say for his colleagues who are too spineless to stick up for anything).
PS - The 'fuggedaboutit' line made me laugh out loud. Haha, clever!
I agree with all of the above...very well said! Lawrence is the epitomy of what how decent human beings should respond and react. Barbara Walters rocks! Anthony Weiner is an absolute rock and so is his wife! So he wobbled a little bit...who doesn't? He did not fall down! I can think of no better lesson for us to learn from. Isn't this what we teach our children? If at first you don't succeed? I think I can I think I can? Never give up? I would much rather my children have an actual hero to look up to that does make mistakes, acknowledges them, apologizes for them and does everything possible to move on with dignity and self respect. Good for you Laurie, Kerrie and Brenda! But Brenda just to let you know most republicans are pretty religious but they try to push their morals and thier religion onto the rest of us; although they rarely practice what they preach!
BTW has any of these holy roller finger pointers ever gone on the Craigslist personals? OMG private parts everywhere! I had no idea until my 49 year old friend told me and of course I had to look. Have they ever been to Downtown, Anywhere? Hello adult bookstores and strip clubs on every corner! This just kills me on how pompous and assenine these people are reacting. If any of them think this isn't going on everywhere all of the time they have absolutely no right representing the American People . Head in the sand syndrome; I seriously doubt it! Oops sorry Courtneylea didn't see your post...great comment!
Since when do we elect Saints instead of politicians? There are two types of people those that got caught and those who have yet to be caught. This moral superiority crap needs to stop, humans do dumb things some legal but embarrassing others illegal and disgusting. The reason liberals mention GOP scandals is because GOP runs on family values and moral superiority, yet time after time they prove that like most hypocrites they say one thing while doing the very same thing they are condemning in their speech.
I think it's time this society got over its schizophrenic attitude towards sex. It's a primal driving force, and most of us like it very much. That's why our entertainment and other media are saturated with it. But when it comes out publicly that someone -horrors!- is actually engaging in some kind of sexual activity, people flip out. How can showing your genitalia to a consenting adult both be okay and lewd and disgusting? C'mon, grow up.
re: lying-- maybe people wouldn't be tempted to lie if they knew they wouldn't be burned at the stake for admitting they did something sexual.
re: his wife-- now that's where he deserves to be in hot water, but that's a private matter.
No doubt. America the beautiful includes us in our birthday suits. Is this why the rich and elite go to other countries to vacation? So they can get naked without being ridiculed or just to gawk? I agree his wife should be pissed as but as you said nt that is a private matter. Breitbart should feel like a peeping Tom!
Thankfully Rachel’s Blog changed its format similar to Lawrence’s making reading, tracking, and commenting easier. Last night’s reporting with Larry Flynt, Planned Parenthood attacks, etc. was excellent as usual, but rarely do I read bellicose Conservatives on Rachel’s public comment pages which disappoints me since their—often belligerent—comments show their hate enough to write and have proven very entertaining reading for sure.
Larry Flynt’s enlightening interview gave insight to our political history’s struggle we Americans have with the ongoing “Sexual Revolution” begun in the ‘70s. Similar to the recent Arizona Massacre (which everyone seems to pretend it was a lone crazy gunman phenomenon, but denies the radical hate motive), Mr. Flynt suffered crippling gunshots court challenges (great American flag fighting that benefited all), and constant denigration by society with very few Liberals coming to his aid. Along with other cultural changes from that ‘revolutionary’ era, we finally accepted long hair, tight blue jeans, etc., but sex was a topic so taboo that women are still frowned upon for enjoying sex; seek out multiple sex partners; marrying each other; abort fetuses; control their own birth organs; etc. ad nauseum. Combine this cultural Victorian style beliefs with sexy commercial interests —yes, sex does sell; we older men need the stimulus because no women look that good in real life—and you have a society that technically could be diagnosed as schizophrenic—meaning we are mentally ill.
Women are certainly under attack by the Right as are the Unions, Middleclass, and essentially all Americans (makes you wonder if we are under attack by foreign forces), but more so recently since a Black President drew up suppressed hatred and united Conservatives with the ‘70s left-over ‘pigs.’ Well as with all attacks upon your persons, you women have but one recourse; fight! Women’s Rights Movement won battles, but considering you make less than men for the same job, but are better employed during these bad economic times (because you are paid less), the war is not won by a long shot; in fact you are losing battles in those Republican held States. So what are you going to do about it—and please do not say you will Twit your genitals. Good luck!
I stand with the people of New York. Weiner should not resign...in fact, I sent him a donation last night to encourage him to stay. Every Democrat who sides with the two-faced Republican hypocrits and says he should resign is not getting a cent from me this time around.
Don't quit, Congressman! When it comes to this country, you are passionate about what you do and what you care about. That is a rare trait. This will blow over.
If all Democrats where tough as nails, never back down, and dedicated as Anthony is we would get a helluva lot more done.
Yes. Anthony hang in there. You have more balls than anyone in congress to tell the truth and fight the fight, unfortunately you showed them literally, but none the less, we need you to stay and be the voice, not only for NY, but for America. You broke no law. You are not the pope nor a preacher. You have not contradicted yourself. So keep the course. Don't every let go. You are highly valued.
This story has been hashed to death, but a major issue has been glossed over. How did Breitbart manage to intercept the images? Surely what he did was illegal. Why is he not being charged?
I understand one woman handed over photos to Breitbart. That's legal? Surely at the minimum she should be sued, or drummed out of the human race. I think she should face shunning for the rest of her life. That is 1000 times worse than anything Weiner did.
I'm gay, but surely straight people's values are not that much lower than ours.
breitbart had help. i think the less said about breitbarts role in this the better, he really likes and wants the attention.
if ever anyone could prove that breitbart broke the law in his stories about planned parenthood with okeefe (the pimp), NPR, Shirley Sherrod, and now Anthony Weiner, i would love it.
i don't like to call people names, but breitbart is a squealing pig.
First let me say that i am further left than most and like to think i keep an open mind about all things, willing to examine all sides of an issue before taking a stance. With that in mind i am floored by the thread (vine) above. There is plenty of adulation, a fair share of contriteness, a healthy dose of ad hominem arguments, a great deal of rationalization and an overall sympathetic/tolerant view of Rep. Weiner's actions. Those are the exact arguments i've witnessed over and over by Fox News pundits regarding just about any partisan issue or right wing legislator's actions. Where are the rules of logic to make your case? Are we saying we condone moral ineptitude and lying because "everyone does it?" Do you stand for proclaiming that their oath of office means nothing? Do we make allowances, lower our standards and look the other way because someone is very good at a certain facet of their life? And for the final litmus test ask yourself, if that was your 21 year old daughter or 21 year old sister or 21 year old wife/girlfriend that received the photos in question and messages of innuendo, would you be so forgiving/tolerant? Really? Watching Lawrence and Rachel earlier this evening i thought i was watching Fox News and i was saddened by it. Thankfully Ed held up the critical thinking end of the deal for his hour. Rep. Weiner has become an embarrassment and a distraction. Unfortunately, regardless his legislative prowess, he has betrayed the public trust and should resign. He can run again if he so desires and best of luck to him.
You are not as left as you claim, we know this by your rants. Liberals know not all women are offended by the male figure semi nude or nude. In fact the women who got the Weiner photo's never went to the media or the police after receiving said photo's, no a rabid right sleeze ball blogger was the one who released the photo's to the media.
Then theres your little rant about having to protect women from seeing semi nude or nude photo's, really, your worried that a 21 year old female can't handle said photo's, really. How sexist can you get? Who knows what their 21 year old sisters or wives have on their cell phones, who cares except rabid righties. If my mate has other men's photo's on her cell phone that is her business not mine, I don't want that kind of control over her.
Then's there is the little "betraying the public trust" crap you spewed. Again really just how does sending nude or semi nude photo's betray public trust? Right now there is a Congressman who posed nude in a national magazine in Congress, where is your out rage over that? So sending photo's is betraying public trust but voting to kill Social Security and Medicare, which people have paid into their entire working life, is just working to protect public interests. Get real, left leaning people don't care who sleeps with whom or what their public servants do when they get off work, the only time we say anything is when moral superior claimees get caught doing immoral things.
Whomitmay,
i look forward to rebuttal in the hopes that it will allow me to reevaluate my position on issues, if warranted, or see a perspective that had previously escaped me. Unfortunately your response has done neither. But let's look at what you said:
This point was never at issue but why is it "liberals" and not people? Are you that narrow minded that you feel no individual of a conservative bent appreciates the male figure? Rather, the issue is the unwarranted transmission of Rep. Weiner's image and textual innuendo to several females and his lying to cover it up.
If you gather "having to protect" from what i wrote, so be it. If you don't want to be aware of some sleaze making unwarranted advances on the people you hold dear in life that's your prerogative, but in present society too often we have seen such behavior escalate to tragedy. You repeatedly fail to mention the text, why? And i am, apparently, not as sexist as you, as you obviously condone the objectification of women.
Let me see if i can put this in words you'll understand. To paraphrase their oath of office, "and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter." i would venture it is a stretch to say that using select females who followed his US House of Representives twitter feed for self gratification falls under "well and faithfully". If he didn't feel he acted inappropriately why wasn't his response, "So what?." The man has a history regarding this behavior (http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2011-02-25/chris-lee-and-more-shirtless-politicians/), and has obviously not gotten it under control. To then lie in response and seek fellow legislators to stand for you, puts the whole party and their agenda at risk. Why bring up Congressman Brown? Did he mail copies of the magazine to select followers of his twitter feed in an unsolicited manner? If so, then it is contextual. Since you're bringing irrelevant issues (this isn't about entitlement programs) into the context please forward me the link of your defense of Rep. Chris Lee of NY and your indignation at his immediate resignation. Your unfounded arguments are as baseless as those you abhor on the right. How you ever became the spokesman for all "liberals and left leaning" people is beyond me. Especially with that final line. The "Summer of Love" lives on and all left leaning people are free love/partner swapping/open relationship advocates. Please pass the doobie this way, in fact, send it over with your mate. She could use the break.
So lets see we have more right wing nonsense followed by projection then to end it a personal attack. How liberal. NOT!
Let's see now. Did Weiner cause the collapse of the housing market? No. Did he destroy the retirement savings of thousands of people? No. Did he cause the death of thousands of our children in senseless wars? No. Did he prop up the banks so they could continue to use our money for risky speculations? No. Did he cause millions of people to lose their jobs? No. Did his antics contribute to the national debt? No.
Sounds to me like we are investigating the wrong people.
Again Democrats are, yet again, showing themselves to be gutless in calling for the resignation of Weiner. I am not from NY and I think what he did was incredibly stupid and without taste...but not even close to worthy of his resignation! In his political life he has been courageous, outspoken, and effective in standing up for the rights of Americans. But maybe that's why some Dems are abandoning him...maybe he's just a little too outspoken for them...a little too forthright in his advocacy for sensible causes. This just, yet again, points a finger at cowardly Dems just trying to grovel to the right wing public opinion. He already apologized, and with a great amount of courage, too.
Mr. Weiner, stick to your guns; stay in office.
IF Weiner stays the corp media circus will continue and Fox Rush & 800 con talk radio shows will milk this for all its worth and that prevents a real discussion of important issues. Mr Weiner must step aside for good of the country, Obama and the party. His problems are sucking up all the media coverage. If nothing else, Weiner is an embarrassment and a joke. Broken law or not.
Dear Lawrence,
I use to think you were the most intelligent and articulate pundit on TV. I watched (or did) your program three to four times a week and gave to your charity of desks in the name of 5 of my dearest friends but buddy you have lost me.
Your support of Mr Weiner not resigning and laugh out loud response that all public figures lie (which is true) makes it ok for him to stay in office causes me to lose respect for you sir.
I am concerned that folks like you and Ms. Walters are going to look like fools when all the things this guy has done comes to light.
Like texing a 17 year girl he has on a cape and tights.
I am a Democrat but I can't help but wonder if you would have a different position on his resigning if that sick you know what was a Republican.
I'll miss you.
J Michael Tomlin
Where did you get that information from Fox news? Yahoo already has reported police have found no wrong doing on Weiner texting the 17 year old as told by a family member who also stated had Weiner done so the family would have filed criminal charges against Weiner.
it appears that it is a distraction for the Dems, not Weiner. He was the most effective Dem for the last three years while sexting
I love politics, do you have any suggestions for David Vitter?
Nope he just bashes Democrats and puts up debunked right wing nonsense he C&P's then spams every topic with even if what he posts has nothing to do with said topic. He thinks by posting his nonsense that it will drive a wedge in the Democratic party supporters, he doesn't get it that unlike rabid righties we don't follow elected public servants and nod our heads in agreement with everything they say or do.
You guys just say that his constituents still want Weiner. It is NOT just his constituents. I live in Fl. and I see plenty of other people who do not live in his district who do not want him to quit. Please point that out to the public.