Bye, Larry

Senator Craig's persona is that of an anti-gay warrior and as far as I can tell that is a major reason he is so well liked by his constituents. He was also an outspoken critic of that “nasty, naughty boy” Bill Clinton which won him kudos from the Idahoan voters. He wore his family status proudly and just as proudly voted against gay marriage rights and the rights of gay soldiers in the military. Senator Craig made a career of his homophobia.

I'm not going to go into some analytic rant about Senator Craig's apparent self-loathing as a closeted homosexual, frankly because I really really don't give a damn about Senator Craig. He should simply just go away. He is a hypocrite who supports prejudicial policies that run counter to the best interests of this nation and for that we should look for any valid reason to get him out of the Senate.

My guess is that his constituents will have little rationale for supporting him now that he has obviously engaged in activities for which they do not approve. He was a trophy Senator elected only for his superficial bigotry and not for his intellect nor his critical thinking skills. He has failed as a man and even as a bigot. The Idaho voters have failed by concerning themselves with such arcane issues as theology and sexual practices instead of more valid things such as ill-conceived military intervention and fiscal irresponsibility.

Gary Bauer and other self-appointed moralists have decried the potential apathy of voters in future elections who are likely to stay home due to their "disgust" with instances like Craig's arrest. Personally, I don't see a problem with that. Candidates such as Mark Foley, David Vitter and Larry Craig have little to offer the national discourse and certainly should not be any position of power, and if their constituents stay home in November then it's all the better for the nation. If the Republican party continues to choose to appeal to the lowest common denominator instead of adding substance to the body politic, then they should suffer their just desserts and become marginalized. That's not cynical, that's natural selection.

Senator Craig, good riddance.