Andrew Breitbart’s most recent release from a supposed cache of incriminating material is a self-taken photo of a barechested (and flexing) Anthony Weiner, which he allegedly sent to a young woman who recently came forward with the information. As Breitbart points out, it’s awfully reminiscent of the half-naked picture that ultimately forced Rep. Chris Lee (R., N.Y.) to resign. But even in the face of mounting evidence against him, will Weiner follow suit?
See the newly released photo here.
Hard to see how he can possibly ride this out, especially since it’s likely just the tip of a ‘bulging’ iceberg.
More here.
UPDATE: Matthew Yglesias at ThinkProgress offers some advice for how Weiner can survive the scandal: “Don’t quit!”
What you need to do to survive infidelity is (a) be an incumbent and (b) don’t quit! David Vitter cheated on his wife with a prostitute. That’s a crime. Bill Clinton cheated on his wife with an intern, and then he lied about it. But they both survived. The key difference between them and Eliot Spitzer is that Spitzer resigned.
Nate Silver muses that Weiner might not even have to resign if New York Democrats simply do away with his seat in the redistricting process. But if not, as Dave Weigel points out, Weiner has a legitimate shot at keeping his seat, so long as his fellow Democrats don’t start demanding his resignation en masse.
Three days, tops. Expect calls for resignation from fellow dems by tomorrow night.
Heh.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseIt's easy to see how he can ride this out. He doesn't care and his enablers in the media won't push this until he resigns. Since he's a man of the left, all of this is to be expected and of no concern to his base. What matters is whether or not he believes the death tax is constitutional (he does and he loves it).
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseChad makes a persuasive argument. Still, I think Weiner doesn't likely survive.
I'm not very familiar with the complexities of NY politics. My guess would be Weiner's seat is perfectly safe, but I could be wrong.
If it is safe, then that probably works against him. If there might be some hope for a Scott Brown-like Republican in that district, then my guess is the Dems would look past pictures of Weiner sacrificing baby goats - heck, maybe even just babies.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseOh, he'll probably end up resigning due to his fellow Democratic congressmen pushing him out, but I'm just cynical about how a man with an ego as large as Weiner's (or pretty much anyone who runs for political office) sees how any of this would be embarrassing or politically damaging. If Weiner wanted to keep his seat, I have no doubt he'd be able to and continue to be re-elected until he wished to pursue another career.
Remember, this is an electorate who kept a drunk, womanizer who once drove a woman into a creek in office. Not that I completely disagree with the general line of thinking, but a politician's outside life isn't exactly priority number 30 for those who vote left.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseHow is it again that we know that is Wiener?
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseBecause several similar pictures at the link show his face.
(I know you rarely miss a cue, Riot, but just in case: This is when you shriek "Photoshop!")
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseRE: "How is it again that we know that is Wiener?"
Uh, it's his chest, not his...oh. Misread that.
It's not. These are all carefully crafted fraudulent pictures.
Turn on MSNBC. Weiner is on there right now with his legal team making that very case. They're about to take Breitbart to the woodshed in a slam-dunk libel case.
Oops, again. :(. MSNBC *wishes* they could air that, but pesky reality is, once again, standing in the way.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseBecause HE ADMITTED IT.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseAhh, nothing's going to happen to der weiner--he's a dem, nobody cares! If he was a Repub he'd already be gone! It may have screwed his chances of being NYC Mayor tho. All that means is he'll stay in Congress for frakkin' ever!
btw, like the capcha "send packing" apropos if not wishful hoping
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseHe's in better shape than I am.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbusePhysically, yes, but your political career is undoubtedly brighter...
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseOh, come on. He's a bag of bones who probably weighs 140. That is actually borderline unhealthy.
He'd eat but he's too busy tracking down all the pictures of his "package.jpg" in his underpants and trying to find the real hacker.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseExternal Link
Radar magazine is joining the weiner roast, with more links.
I was doubtful this would end his career, but I could see it definitely ending his marriage. Two weeks of this is pretty bad.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseHow about a moratorium on all photos of Rep Weiner, clothed or unclothed. Do us all a favor.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseI second the motion.
Reply to this commentLinkReport Abuse(CAPTCHA = "not yet")
Um, not yet. When he is gone, sure. How long that takes is up to him.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseA little ironic that the security answer to post this comment was "play ball!"
At any rate, a couple of thoughts. 1) What is he doing in that picture? Never mind...
2) Will Weiner claim this latest round of pictures is photo-shopped and thus a continuation of the "prank?" Or will he forego that futile exercise and just resign?
Methinks this has now ventured into the realm of sad...
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseI don not expect the GOP to reap any direct political benefit from this scandal. I am sure there are ample ambitiious Democrats willing to challenge the Congressman. At some point his political allies will desert him, and his political enemies will make their move.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseThat punk was an insufferable lefty motor mouth who seemed to be trying to assume the role of Ted Kennedy.
He also had designs on becoming Mayor of NYC. Yes - Mayor of NY with all the countless Saturday Night Live appearances, etc...
Of all the Democrats to accidentally hit "REPLY ALL" on Twitter, it couldn't have happened to a better person...for the GOP.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseOh my. Was that photo taken in his Congressional office?
Whatta sleazebag.
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