-
Obama’s Imbroglios
May 23, 2013 | 41 comments
-
My Rahm Reunion
May 16, 2013 | 16 comments
-
The Left Hates Us
May 9, 2013 | 143 comments
-
Such a Dynamic Duo
May 2, 2013 | 49 comments
-
The Continuing Crisis
May 1, 2013 | 0 comments
The Current Crisis
Return of a Weiner?
A former House member ponders a return to prominence.
WASHINGTON — I see that the stalwarts of Reform Politics throughout the city of New York have been given reason for hope and change. It is reported that former congressman Anthony D. Weiner (pronounced as you might expect) is testing the waters for a return to public life. He is mulling over a run for the mayor’s mansion or perhaps a campaign for “public advocate.” I am not really sure what a public advocate does, but Weiner has done things in public that are very daring and so I have no doubt he could handle the duties of a public advocate.
You will remember that he left the House of Representatives when he was caught handling his private parts in photographs that he sent to women he did not know and repeatedly lying about it to his colleagues and the press. Well, now he is pondering a return to public office. He has been out of, I guess we would call it, the public eye for a little over a year, and as he told WNYC recently, “I paid a very high price….” He has become a stay-at-home dad to his six-month-old son and when he does go out in public he wears jeans, tee shirts, and a baseball hat turned backwards. So he is contemplating another office of public trust. Whatever office he chooses to run for, you can count on his running as a Reformer. He has always been very progressive and was in fact a dreadful scold to the reactionary Republicans on Capitol Hill until those dratted pictures turned up. CNN would not even give him a show on the network, not even a late-night show. CNN gave former governor Eliot Spitzer a show after his imbroglio with a sex ring, but not Weiner.
His wife, Huma Abedin, a longtime aide to Hillary Rodham Clinton, according to the infallible New York Post, is trying to get him to do a blockbuster interview on television to clear the air for a return to politics. That is what her boss’s husband, Bill Clinton, did in 2004 on “60 Minutes,” and now people absolutely adore Bill. Properly executed, a TV interview could be Weiner’s first step to the presidency!
The problem is finding the right interviewer we are told. According to the Post, a “source said the couple is trying to decide which reporter would be offered the sit-down — and they’d prefer one who typically lobs softball questions.” May I suggest myself? I have always been vastly interested in politicians with Weiner’s progressive instincts. In fact, I was very much interested in Bill Clinton, and one could argue that had not The American Spectator taken an interest in his Arkansas bodyguards America and the world might never have heard of Monica and all the other ladies that Bill groped and, so the story goes, raped. Remember Juanita Broaddrick?
At the Spectator we have followed Weiner’s progressive politics assiduously. Remember our September 16, 2011 story appearing about the time that the Republicans wrested the former congressman’s seat from the Democratic Party for the first time since 1923. Our crack investigative team found him and his wife in posh Positano, Italy, dining along the Amalfi Coast with a cosmopolitan crowd at the very upscale restaurant, La Spoda. We even reported the anti-American pleasantries passed among the rastaquoueres. I can guarantee Weiner I would lob nothing but softball inquiries.
I am also interested in Weiner because I surmise that he played a significant role in ending a historic episode of Liberalism a year or so ago, the Chappaquiddick Dispensation. Starting with Senator Edward Kennedy’s famous swim back in 1969, Liberal rogues learned that they could survive a scandal that in earlier times would have ended the career of any politician, simply by lying brazenly to the gullible press and to impassive prosecutors or to anyone else who found their potential scandal an unfortunate mishap. I identify the Chappaquiddick Dispensation in my recent book The Death of Liberalism as the beginning of four decades of Liberal degeneration. There were the Clintons, Eliot Spitzer, Jean-François Kerry and his cooked-up war stories, Jesse Jackson and his Hymietown outburst, and all the rest of the humbugs. Then with Weiner’s fall and ex-senator John Edwards’ unwanted notoriety I wrote that the Chappaquiddick Dispensation had played itself out. The public had grown impatient with louses running for high office.
In the months ahead we shall see how accurate I was.
About the Author
R. Emmett Tyrrell, Jr. is the founder and editor in chief of The American Spectator. He is the author of The Death of Liberalism, published by Thomas Nelson Inc. His previous books include the New York Times bestseller Boy Clinton: the Political Biography; The Impeachment of William Jefferson Clinton; The Liberal Crack-Up; The Conservative Crack-Up; Public Nuisances; The Future that Doesn’t Work: Social Democracy’s Failure in Britain; Madame Hillary: The Dark Road to the White House; The Clinton Crack-Up; and After the Hangover: The Conservatives’ Road to Recovery.
Letter to the Editor View all comments (33) | Leave a comment
More Articles by R. Emmett Tyrrell, Jr.
More Articles From The Current Crisis
http://spectator.org/archives/2012/07/19/return-of-a-weiner
Follow us:
ADVERTISEMENT
SPONSORED LINKS
FLASHBACK TO: 1995
-
Pope Culture
A man of faith in a godless age is hitting Americans where it hurts.
-
Why the GOP Does Not, Like, Totally Suck
Mr. and Mrs. American Spectator Reader, let P.J. O’Rourke talk sense to your kids.
-
Dames at Sea
-
In the Absence of Guns
In Britain, defending your property can get you life.
-
The Metaphysical Martini
-
Counting the Costs of Clintonism
The debacle of this president’s administration is both a cause and a symptom of the decline of American values. Unless Congress impeaches him, that decline will go on unchecked. An eminent jurist surveys the damage and assesses the chances for the recovery of our culture.
-
Chuck McHagel
It won’t take long for conservatives to scratch this presidential wannabe off their 2008 scorecard.
-
The Legacy of Old John and Mother Fresh-Roasted
-
It’s the Best Time of the Year
The American Christmas, like the songs that celebrate it, makes room for everybody under the rainbow. Is that why so many people seem to be hostile to it?
-
The Bush Crack-Up
Was the President done in by the economy, or by the politics of the economy?
Clip of the Day
ADVERTISEMENT
Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 7.19.12 @ 6:21AM
Keep him away from cell phones and underage women and the Internet and he might have a chance. Also his wife should inform him it's in bad taste to send photos of your penis to other women when you're married. Even hillbillies know that.
Brookschwarzenegro | 7.19.12 @ 3:35PM
He can make a fortune working for Larry Flynt.
but if he does campaign to be Hizzoner, he can claim with some truth he has nothing to HIDE.
Brookschwarzenegro | 7.19.12 @ 3:59PM
"it's in bad taste to send photos of your penis to other women when you're married. Even hillbillies know that."
Not anymore, you are hopelessly behind the times.
Alej| 7.19.12 @ 8:02PM
Maybe in your part of the 'hood.
Brookschwarzenegro | 7.19.12 @ 9:09PM
But you who are social cons don't want adultery anywhere, correct?
Alej| 7.19.12 @ 9:55PM
You have to ask "schwarzuntermenschen" ?
We are not of your "culture."
Appleby| 7.19.12 @ 6:59AM
He won't get back into much of any public life; even charities such as food banks won't take people who can't pass a background check. Even my church organizations have police checks done on anyone who is likely to come into contact with "vulnerable populations."
The best thing this character could do is stay out of the public eye and redeem himself by a quiet, unexciting life that will not cause his son, when he's old enough, to run away from home. Rehabilitation comeos from one's behaviour in private, not in public.
MelvinNC| 7.19.12 @ 7:09AM
The deviant is what he is, he isn't going to change. Exposing himself is in his character. This is like Penn State allowing Jerry Sandusky to go back to coaching after Sandusky does a puff interview like Clinton did.
Weiner is a lying slimy no good rotten low down disgusting SOB that shouldn't be allowed to be dog catcher let alone Mayor of New York or Public Exposer, excuse me Public Advocate whatever the hell that is, government bureaucrats invent jobs for their cronies all the time, so I guess we'll have to ask the United Nations what a public advocate is.
His wife his pushing him. Hmm this in itself is highly questionable, most normal women after their husbands did what Weiner boy did normally would crawl under a rock, but pushing her husband back into the public service. Doesn't click.
Besides Mrs. Weiner has her own questions to ask about her father's and maybe her involvement with the Muslim Brotherhood with the placing informants in high level US government positions to effect or report policy back.
No I haven't lost my marbles. It is a proven fact that the Muslim Brotherhood has infiltrated the U.S. Government at high levels within the Obama Administration.
And for those that scoff at such notions, Need I remind you that we are still in a hot war with the Muslim Brotherhood.
TLP| 7.19.12 @ 8:50AM
Gentlemen. Remember who we're talking about, and what a Great Man tells us about Democrat Failings. "They're Career Enhancements."
This is the Party of the Rapist/Serial Misogenist/Indecent Exposure King/Pathological Liar - BILL CLINTON - who likes to keep his Cigars inside his Female Emplyees, before he lights them up, on the long ride home to his ALL WHITE TOWN.
It's the Party that Reelected a guy whom the FBI caught Smoking Crack with a Hooker (No. not Tamara Holder) in a No Tell Motel, while he was Mayor of D.C. I belive that his Campaign Slogan was - "The B*tch Set Me Up!"
Charlie Rangel is looking at Reelection , despite his Tax Evasion, his 4 Rent Stabilized Apartments (Supposedly for THE POOR) and his ILLEGAL use of one, as a Campaign Headquarters, all while serving as the Chairman of the House Tax Law Writing Committee, in The House.
We're talking about people who want 4 more years of Record Economic Destruction, Corporate Flight from our Shores, and new Bankrupt Cities every week.
After all that, do I think Weiner Boy can Win?
I don't see how he can Lose.
He's got it all.
Goldwater Girl| 7.19.12 @ 10:15AM
where else is a ferret-face like him going to get a job? Most politicians have no actual skill or talent, other than lying and stealing.
loulou| 7.19.12 @ 10:51AM
MelvinNC: the lefties are going crazy with thought that Muslim infiltrators might be exposed. They're outraged and are demonizing Michelle Bachmann like there's no tomorrow.
You are a brave man.
benny havens| 7.19.12 @ 7:10AM
You forgot the other two Kennedy brothers, tag-teaming Marilyn in her Malibu beach house all the while the press was giving us the Camelot BS.
Cobalt| 7.19.12 @ 8:56AM
Jackie Kennedy started the Camelot nonsense in December 1963, after Kennedy had been assassinated.
Kennedy invited Theodore White up to Hyannis Port to write an article about JFK for Life magazine. She then made the Camelot association during her interview with White.
Alej| 7.19.12 @ 8:39AM
Running for re-erection as a pubic advocate ?
Just like Sheila Jackson Lee, he precisely represents the type of people who vote to have him represent them.
Bob Grant| 7.19.12 @ 10:19AM
His "re-erection" could be a hairy proposition. He might long to get back into politics but the firm support he enjoyed several years ago has petered out.
loulou| 7.19.12 @ 10:53AM
Eeeuwww. This is a family site, Bob Grant.
Bob Grant| 7.19.12 @ 5:05PM
Loulou,
Sorry. It's just that this story is so "target rich" I feel like a 13 year old kid at a gun range. I want to shoot at everything...and often.
I mean, come on.
t. ventner| 7.19.12 @ 9:15PM
Then aim the gun your way. I'm sick of your comments.
Skippy| 7.20.12 @ 4:55PM
Bob, you beat meat to it.
If this attitude of yours last more than four hours, comsult your physician.
JP| 7.19.12 @ 3:46PM
Hey, Bob. Don't be a dick!
Bob Grant| 7.19.12 @ 5:06PM
Sorry, I'll act more like a Richard.
Anthony| 7.19.12 @ 9:38AM
Apparently, even New Yorkers aren't ready for the return of this lefty dirtball. In his typical smarmy lefty reply to a reporter about his testing the waters, his response was that the story was "jack", or some similar slang retort, that now passes for saying the story is false.
Don't forget, this sterling example of D leftism not only lied to the public and the media repeatedly about his antics, in true Alinsky form, he blamed the "right-wing" for the "malicious story", that of course, turned out to be true.
Weiner is the quintessential Democrat!!
Bob Grant| 7.19.12 @ 10:09AM
In typical liberal fashion, Weiner feels he's entitled to return to public life.
Why?
Answer - because he's a wanna-be lifetime politician. After leaving college with a bachelor of arts degree in political science he went to work for Chuck Schumer, then became a city councilman, and then a congressman.
Politics is the only thing he knows. Because he's a liberal, he feels his "public advocacy" work should continue in perpetuity and should always trump whatever personal/ethical shortcomings he has in his private life.
He's a textbook example of a lifetime politician. This man has ZERO real occupational skills other than the "public advocacy" variety...which means, he has ZERO real occupational skills. Mediocrity runs through his veins.
This man is dangerous and is REASON NUMBER ONE why our country is in such peril now, because of the corruption and incompetence these characters inevitably usher in. The list of examples is so depressingly long that Amspec's new limits prevents me from finishing half of the A's.
Getting rid of mediocre lifetime politicians of the Anthony Weiner variety is what the Tea Party is all about. The Founding Fathers warned us about POS characters like Weiner.
Anthony| 7.19.12 @ 10:22AM
Spot on, Mr. Grant. Spot on!!!
Who Knows?| 7.19.12 @ 10:53AM
Wiener has drooped out.
He couldn’t get it up in the face of public disgust.
What a licking he’s taking!
JmsA| 7.19.12 @ 1:45PM
Nothing but arrogant degeneracy in full bloom.
t. ventner| 7.19.12 @ 9:18PM
Degeneracy?
Ninety percent of the commenters on this bigoted blog are moral degenerates in the sense that they are blinded by their prejudices. They spew the same old right-wing rubbish, hour after hour, day after day.
Alej| 7.19.12 @ 9:57PM
Sorry, sport. Our eyes have been opened by experience.
That's called "post-judice."
We judge AFTER (that's Latin, for you public education types) having observed.
Skippy| 7.20.12 @ 5:01PM
Do you come to this site to be insulted?
If so, we can accomodate you.
This is where the rubbish meets the road.
If you call this blog bigoted, then we know we're on the right track.
After all, a bigot is simply a conservative winning an argument.
JP| 7.19.12 @ 3:44PM
Have no fear, ladies. I heard that Wiener already pulled out!
bluecollarbytes| 7.19.12 @ 10:21PM
on another note, "dreadful scold" is accurate but to polite.
Weiner is fit to work as a d*ck model, wherever they use such things. But his holier-than-thou presence as some kind of morally-superior political hack was as obscene as anything he ever tweeted.
irish19| 7.19.12 @ 10:58PM
Maybe he could "advocate" for Nathan's or perhaps the Hebrew National brand of all-beef wieners. A match made in..........well, somewhere.
CaneCutter| 7.26.12 @ 1:47PM
Weiner pulled out of his latest endeavor. I expect that Weiner went limp due to the negative publicity. While he was ready to stand tall, the old boy simply wasn't up to snuff.