Anthony Weiner (D-NY) resigned his seat in Congress, as he should have done a week ago. By all accounts he had been an effective representative and a passionate supporter of liberal and Democratic Party causes. He would have been a strong contender to become the next mayor of New York with the future possibility of a governorship or even more. But he was a deeply flawed man who quickly succumbed to the arrogance, the hubris, which often comes to characterize powerful politicians.
In time, a very short time really, he came to believe that he could do whatever he wanted without regard to the consequences and without respect for the sense of honor and decency which the American people have a right to expect – no, to demand – of their leaders.
In Washington the corruption of arrogance has never been limited to any party, region or political philosophy. It is a personal failing often overlooked on the Hill because it is so common.
What made Mr. Weiner’s case different was the public, visible nature of his transgression. Every sexting, every risqué or explicit photo that he sent, became a part of an undeniable public record which a 24-hour, devotedly sensationalist news media would seek out and publicize without end.
Without question Weiner never should have given in to his own personal perversion in the first place, even more so in the past year because of his recent marriage and the fact that his wife is pregnant. But once the first photo became public a man of his self-avowed intelligence should have recognized immediately that his only course was prompt resignation. Anything less would damage the nation, his wife, his district, his party, and perhaps of greatest importance to Mr. Weiner, himself.
Yet he tried to hang on, to brazen it out, perhaps thinking that he was too important, too powerful, too valuable to his party to be subject to the rules which guide the lives of ordinary men. And this proved to be another in a long line of Weiner errors.
It appears that Mr. Weiner had long ago concluded not only that he was much smarter than lesser men and women but that he was much smarter than his congressional colleagues as well. As such he was so valuable to them and to his party’s position in the House that they would be bound to protect him from the dogs snapping at his heels.
But the arrogance he displayed even before his repeated bald-faced lies to the media and to the American people had already been noted on the Hill where it was resented. The default response to controversy of almost any politician is self-preservation and few will take risks to support a friend in trouble. Political friendship is the very weakest kind. And Mr. Weiner had made few friends in the House.
At first Weiner simply lied about his repeated perversion and liberal blogs, reacting to the conservative media outlet which first exposed him, were quick to leap to his defense. But as other, more explicit photos were published and women – a Texas housewife, a political groupie, a former porn queen and a 17-year old girl among others – came forward as his textmates, the truth became wrenchingly clear and his defense was silenced.
On Capitol Hill Republicans, pointing to the prompt departure of several of their members involved in sexual peccadilloes, called for his resignation. The initial Democratic suggestion that he had to make his own decisions about his future quickly shifted to recommendations that he resign for the good of his party. Minority Leader Pelosi waffled back and forth, no doubt torn between concern for her party and recognition that House rules would not permit expulsion of a member absent proof of lawbreaking. Former President Clinton reportedly counseled resignation.
In my view the issue was decided when President Obama made a televised comment that, were he Weiner, he would resign. Though head of a separate branch of government and though he lacks the legal power to force Weiner to resign, a direct statement of that magnitude by a sitting President is devastating, guaranteeing as it does that if he remained in Congress Mr. Weiner would be a man without influence. Thereafter the House Dem leadership wasted no time in beginning to strip Weiner of his committee assignments, a step which would have reduced him to a pitiful piece of flotsam adrift on an unforgiving congressional sea. Resignation was the only rational option left.
Yet even now our country may not be finally rid of Anthony Weiner. Those who know him say that his sense of personal identity is completely wrapped up in his congressional service and the holding of public office. His sexts, in which he often stressed that he is a very important man, bolster this opinion. He will find it very hard, perhaps impossible, to leave public life forever.
While not as smart as he thinks he is, Mr. Weiner is bright enough to recognize that Americans are a forgiving people who love the idea of personal redemption and second chances. Look at Richard Nixon or possibly Elliot Spitzer, for example. In coming months we can expect to hear that he is devoting himself to worthy causes, seeking counseling, living the life of a loving family man. In short, that he is fundamentally transformed.
I believe that his lies, his arrogance and his mistreatment of women have shown Mr. Weiner to be fundamentally unfit to hold the public trust. But stranger things have happened.