Obama, Boehner suggest Weiner should resign
Source: Agencies |
June 15, 2011, Wednesday
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THE leader of the US House of Representatives yesterday joined President Barack Obama and a chorus of other Democrats in suggesting that Representative Anthony Weiner resign, while a member of Weiner's New York delegation said she expects him to quit soon.
Speaker John Boehner, a Republican who has let Democrats wrestle with Weiner's sexually charged messages and photos to several women, responded with a one-word answer when reporters asked whether Weiner should quit. "Yes," he responded.
The cascade of raunchy photos and other revelations about the 46-year-old married congressman has been a distraction for Democrats seeking an edge as they look ahead to the November 2012 elections hoping to recapture a majority in the House.
Earlier, House Representative Carolyn McCarthy, a New York Democrat, told reporters: "Hopefully, we are hearing he might resign in a couple of days." She did not say how she learned that Weiner may soon buckle under the pressure. Weiner is seeking professional help at an undisclosed location. His wife, State Department official Huma Abedin, is due back from an overseas trip early today.
House Representative Rob Andrews, a Democrat, said after a meeting of all House Democrats that 95 percent of the meeting concerned energy prices. He said Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi repeated her past statements.
Pelosi has called for Weiner to resign. Andrews said there was no discussion of stripping Andrews of his assignment on the Energy and Commerce Committee.
Obama's blunt words could help Democrats trying to oust Weiner.
"I can tell you that if it was me, I would resign," Obama told NBC television's "Today" show yesterday.
In a rare foray into a congressman's ethical conduct, Obama said Weiner's actions were "highly inappropriate."
"I think he's embarrassed himself. He's acknowledged that. He's embarrassed his wife and his family. Ultimately, there's going to be a decision for him and his constituents. I can tell you that, if it was me, I would resign," the president said.
Congress returned to work on Monday and the House quickly approved without objection a two-week leave of absence for Weiner. The congressman's spokeswoman has declined to provide information on his whereabouts.
Speaker John Boehner, a Republican who has let Democrats wrestle with Weiner's sexually charged messages and photos to several women, responded with a one-word answer when reporters asked whether Weiner should quit. "Yes," he responded.
The cascade of raunchy photos and other revelations about the 46-year-old married congressman has been a distraction for Democrats seeking an edge as they look ahead to the November 2012 elections hoping to recapture a majority in the House.
Earlier, House Representative Carolyn McCarthy, a New York Democrat, told reporters: "Hopefully, we are hearing he might resign in a couple of days." She did not say how she learned that Weiner may soon buckle under the pressure. Weiner is seeking professional help at an undisclosed location. His wife, State Department official Huma Abedin, is due back from an overseas trip early today.
House Representative Rob Andrews, a Democrat, said after a meeting of all House Democrats that 95 percent of the meeting concerned energy prices. He said Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi repeated her past statements.
Pelosi has called for Weiner to resign. Andrews said there was no discussion of stripping Andrews of his assignment on the Energy and Commerce Committee.
Obama's blunt words could help Democrats trying to oust Weiner.
"I can tell you that if it was me, I would resign," Obama told NBC television's "Today" show yesterday.
In a rare foray into a congressman's ethical conduct, Obama said Weiner's actions were "highly inappropriate."
"I think he's embarrassed himself. He's acknowledged that. He's embarrassed his wife and his family. Ultimately, there's going to be a decision for him and his constituents. I can tell you that, if it was me, I would resign," the president said.
Congress returned to work on Monday and the House quickly approved without objection a two-week leave of absence for Weiner. The congressman's spokeswoman has declined to provide information on his whereabouts.
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