Did Craig Promise McConnell He Wouldn't Run For Reelection?
Here's a key nugget worth checking out from the transcript of Mitch McConnell's press conference today in which he held forth on his private talk with Larry Craig about his future plans:
QUESTION: (OFF-MIKE) if Senator Craig were to run for reelection, would he have your support?MCCONNELL: I believe he indicated this morning that he – his hope would be that if he got the matter disposed of in Minnesota that he would finish his term. I do not believe he intends to run for re-election.
I don't recall Craig saying this publicly, so one has to presume that McConnell's knowledge of this comes from their little chat today.
As Steve Benen asks, did the two reach an understanding whereby Craig would be allowed to try to clear his name and reenter the Senate, as long as he agrees not to run for reelection, being a horribly tainted candidate at this point? This tidbit from McConnell suggests that this may be exactly what happened. At the very least, Craig appears to have assured McConnell that he wouldn't be running again.
Late Update: This would seem to be reinforced by this exchange from the presser:
QUESTION: Does that mean he has no intention of running for re-election?MCCONNELL: He'll have to speak for himself, but that was what I thought I heard him say, that his effort would be to complete his term under that set of circumstances.
Comments (7)
RonK, Seattle wrote on September 5, 2007 8:37 PM:"Deal"? What does McConnell bring to the table?
From here to January 2009, Larry Craig's continued service in the Senate is up to Larry Craig -- not McConnell, not the Senate Republican Conference, and not the Ethics Committee.
Beyond that, it's up to the people of Idaho -- not McConnell, not the Senate Republican Conference, and not the Ethics Committee.
CalD wrote on September 5, 2007 8:38 PM:I seem to recall reading somewhere that Craig had been contemplating retirement after this term maybe as far back as last year. But when I read McConnell's remarks earlier, I couldn't help wondering if perhaps Craig's pension might be at risk in any way -- in addition to his reputation, of course -- if the ethics committee investigation went forward. That would be a serious chunk of money to lose. I could someone playing whatever cards they had to hold on to it.
hadenough wrote on September 5, 2007 8:39 PM:"As Steve Benen asks, did the two reach an understanding whereby Craig would be allowed to try to clear his name and reenter the Senate"
Maybe but why? The gop would want their hand picked guy in there ASAP. They would want him to run as an incumbent. Why would they wait unless craig was make a big stink of some kind?
Greg wrote on September 5, 2007 8:47 PM:ron k, if you note, at the presser mcconnell was notably unwilling to criticize craig. so while it's true that it's up to craig what to do and whether to resign, mcconnell may well have agreed to not press the point that he should go, as long as craig agreed to leave quietly at the end of his term. mcconnell was surprisingly mute about craig's astonishing suggestion that he'd fight the charges, particularly since this was a middle finger to the gop leadership.
but agreed, "deal" is too strong a term so I changed the hed
as for why the leadership is basically putting up with this, that's the thing everyone wants to know...
Terje wrote on September 5, 2007 9:21 PM:What does McConnell bring to the table?
Yes, it is up to Craig if he is going to stay in the Senate or leave, but McConnell is far from powerless in other ways.
As Minority Leader he controls committee assignments, plays a major role in scheduling legislation, and can whisper in the ear of Republican Ethics Committee members.
In other words, he could make the rest of Larry Craig's Senate term a living hell (or at least a very frustrating experience).
I've got no idea why McConnell is backing down so visibly and quickly, but it needs to be understood that he has tremendous power to pressure Larry Craig -- for whatever reason, he seems to be deciding to not exercise that power.
All the better for the Democrats, and worse for the GOP -- hard to complain about that.
Peter Duffy wrote on September 6, 2007 6:56 AM:Larry 'intended' to resign on Sepember 30.
Larry does 'not intend' to seek re-election.
Larry The Great Intender' or The Great Pretender ??????????
Phoenix Woman wrote on September 6, 2007 12:29 PM:Larry Craig is waiting for the GOP to line up a few of its big-donor sugar daddies to give him a golden -- or rather, platinum -- parachute, probably in the form of a few quick and quiet placements in various lucrative posts on the corporate boards of a few Fortune 500 companies. Much more discreet than a big cash payout.
