News

Log Cabin Questions Senator Craig's Ability to Continue Serving

Statement from Log Cabin President Patrick Sammon

August 28, 2007

(Washington, DC) – Log Cabin Republicans president Patrick Sammon made this statement following the news that Sen. Larry Craig (R-ID) pled guilty after a June arrest at a Minnesota airport by a plainclothes police officer investigating lewd conduct complaints in a men's public restroom:

"Senator Larry Craig's ability to continue serving the people of Idaho is in serious doubt. He has violated the public trust, not just with his inappropriate and illegal behavior, but in the subsequent explanation of his actions. Innocent people don't plead guilty. The time to contest these allegations would've been before his guilty plea.

"Senator Craig owes the people of Idaho a more credible explanation than what he has provided. By his own admission, he has violated the law. He violated the trust of the people and now he's questioning the honesty of law enforcement officers. The Republican Party, the people of Idaho, and all Americans should demand better from their elected officials. This situation may have permanently damaged Craig's ability to continue serving in the U.S. Senate.

"Log Cabin strongly opposes outing. It's unproductive and distracts people from the real work of convincing more Americans to support equality for gay and lesbian people. It's not for me to speculate about Senator Craig's sexual orientation. However it's clear that whether it's Jim McGreevey, Ted Haggard, or someone else, life in the closet often leads to destructive, harmful, and reckless behavior."