Two years ago, Senator John Ensign (NV) admitted to cheating on his wife, and having a sexual relationship with the wife of one of his Senate staffers. His mistress was also working for Ensign’s campaign.
At that time, currently the number 2 Republican in the House, Majority Leader Eric Cantor (VA) was asked by Chris Wallace (FOX News) if Sanford should resign from office. Cantor's response to that question:
“Look, I mean, is anyone happy to see all that have happened? No. It‘s not good. But, listen, we have our thoughts with their families and they themselves.”
Wallace then asked Cantor why Cantor would not "walk the walk" and ask both Ensign and Sanford to step down(both Sanford and Ensign had done their press conferences by the time Cantor was on Wallace's Fox News show). Cantor's response to Wallace was only too predictable:
“Well, listen—I mean, again many the instance of the people of South Carolina and Nevada, I mean, it‘s up to them. I mean, those are the elected individuals by those states.”
About a week after Ensign's confession press conference, Republican Governor Mark Sanford (SC) admitted to the nation that he had not only cheated on his wife, but that he then lied to his constituents, and the nation in an attempt to cover it up. Rep. Eric Cantor (R-VA) was asked if Sanford should resign from office. Cantor’s response was to say that it was up to Sanford’s constituents (as Cantor also said re Ensign):
“As far as his remaining governor, Brian, it‘s up to the people of South Carolina and that will play out. But, listen, Governor Sanford apologized yesterday. We ought to be, you know, really dedicating our thoughts and prayers to his family right now going through a difficult time.”
So, in both of these cases, Cantor made sympathetic noises, and suggested that it’s up to the people whether or not these two cheating lawmakers should resign, never once stating that they should do so.
Two years later, here comes Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-NY), a man who held a press conference admitting to his chatting and sexting (not even actual physical cheating……..NO adultery that we know of), and the lies he told to cover it up. Surely Rep. Cantor would treat him the same as he did Sen. Ensign and Gov. Sanford, right? Of course not. When asked if Weiner should resign, Cantor was quick to throw him under the bus:
“I think it is up to Congressman Weiner and his constituents to make that decision. I don‘t condone his activity. I think he should resign.”
I know it shouldn’t, but the blatant hypocrisy of Republicans never fails to surprise me. sigh…
Watch Maddow take this apart:
Image courtesy of MSNBC’s The Rachel Maddow Show. IOKIYAR acronym > it’s only okay if you’re a Republican
Adding....If you feel as I do, and you want to see Rep. Weiner keep on working for the people, and you don't want to see him resign, be sure to visit the Facebook page which was created in order to encourage Rep. Weiner not to resign, and to show support.
