“Congressman Weiner departed this morning to seek professional treatment to focus on becoming a better husband and healthier person,” said the spokeswoman, Risa Heller. “In light of that, he will request a short leave of absence from the House of Representatives so that he can get evaluated and map out a course of treatment to make himself well. Congressman Weiner takes the views of his colleagues very seriously and has determined that he needs this time to get healthy and make the best decision possible for himself, his family and his constituents.” – New York Times
When I heard the words “underage 17 year-old,” then today the words from Weiner’s spokesperson that “his communications with this person were neither explicit nor indecent,” referring to the star struck teen who thinks she’s in love with the New York congressman, what came next was pretty predictable.
Rep. Pelosi called on Rep. Weiner to resign, as did Rep. Israel, and DNC chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz said his position in the House was “untenable.”
“This is ultimately a decision for my constituents…” was Rep. response to leadership.
Then a believe it or not moment occurred. Shortly after Weiner made this statement, which is in the video above, a woman came up to him to emphatically declare her support for him. It was quite something.
Weiner now enters counseling, hoping a brief leave of absence from the House, coupled with a public admission that he understands he needs therapy, will cool off Democratic Party leaders. They are obviously infuriated about Weiner’s actions, but also that they are powerless to force him to resign, barring a very nasty investigation that has no guarantee of doing anything but delivering a verdict around Election Day 2012.
Rep. Weiner is now on a redemption quest through his counseling absence, while sending a message to his constituents who hold his fate in their hands.
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