2011 : Page 248 : The Other McCain

Anthony Weiner Press Conference UPDATE: Admits Trying to Send DM UPDATE: Weiner Will Not Resign UPDATE: VIDEO ADDED
UPDATE: Dems Call for Ethics Probe

Posted on June 6, 2011June 7, 2011Comments

UPDATE 6:55 p.m. ET: Ace of Spades is getting ready for the Official Ewok Victory Dance Party, and observes:

Bryan Preston thinks he’s already found a lie that’s easily proven. Weiner claimed he used no Congressional resources in his trim-trolling endeavors; but his office is a resource, isn’t it?

I’m now on deadline for The American Spectator. Enjoy the pudding. You earned it. Yub yub.

And by “yub yub,” I mean: Hit the freaking tip jar! I just spent 10 days blogging about a dude Tweeting his junk. That’s got to be worth something, right?

Linked by Stogie at Saberpoint — thanks!

UPDATE 6:27 p.m. ET: One of Weiner’s online girlfriends tells her side of the story at BigGovernment.com.

A 26-year-old single mom and Army veteran, she “liked” one of Weiner’s Facebook videos and soon found herself in online chats with the congressman that became increasingly intimate.

And by “intimate,” I mean creepy and gross.

Linked by Chris Wysocki, Fire Andrea Mitchell, That Mr. G Guy and Piece of Work in Progress — thanks!

UPDATE 6:15 p.m. ET: The wheels on the bus go round and round:

Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee chairman Steve Israel . . . issued a sharp statement attempting to inoculate himself from the scandal:“To remove all remaining doubt about this situation, I agree with Leader Pelosi’s request that the House Ethics Committee use its authority to begin an investigation.”

Remember, the Dems just won Chris Lee’s former seat in NY-26 — Lee resigned after his own online sex scandal — and the WeinerGate scandal threatens to derail whatever momentum they got out of that victory.

On Hardball with Chris Matthews just now, I heard Richard Wolffe say: “The only way to stop this is [for Weiner] to leave the public stage.” In other words, even after Weiner’s confession, the scandal will continue chewing up news cycle after news cycle for days to come. Only Weiner’s resignation can stop the political damage to Democrats.

So with Nancy Pelosi calling for an ethics investigation and the DCCC chairman supporting that investigation, the choice of whether to resign or not may not be Weiner’s to make. He is now politically toxic, without a friend in the world.

UPDATE 6 p.m. ET: Here’s another version of the press conference video from Talking Points Memo:

Notice that liberal TPM titles the video: “Weiner Confesses To Tweeting Controversial Picture.” As in, “Hey, little girl, wanna see my controversy? Heh heh heh.”

Linked by Lisa Graas, Full Metal Patriot and Political Junkie Mom — thanks!

UPDATE 5:45 p.m. ET: Associated Press video:

UPDATE 5:24 p.m. ET: Why did he finally ‘fess up?

The announcement came as ABC News prepared to release an interview with Meagan Broussard, a 26-year-old single mother from Texas who provided dozens of photos, emails, Facebook messages and cell phone call logs that she says chronicle a sexually-charged electronic relationship with Weiner that rapidly-evolved for more than a month, starting on April 20, 2011.

See? He thought he could stonewall and spin as long as it was just him vs. a bunch of right-wing bloggers.

ABC News? Not so much.

UPDATE 5:03 p.m. ET: The Official AOSHQ Victory Dance begins. Comment #12:

That s*** was the BEST PRESS CONFERENCE OF ALL TIME.
OF ALL TIME.

Ace stuck by his guns, insisting that Weiner was guilty as charged, when many others doubted. Where’s the pudding, Ace?

Glenn Beck, by the way, is all smiles today.

Linked by Threedonia and Republican Redefined — thanks!

UPDATE 4:53 p.m. ET: His communications were “inappropriate” but “consensual.” He walks off the stage as someone in the back shouts: “Were you fully erect?”

Linked by Da Tech Guy — thanks!

UPDATE 4:50 p.m. ET: Weiner admits that he had no way of knowing whether any of his online contacts were minors, but says that was not his intent. “I do not see anyhthing I did that violates the rules of the House.” Of the women he contacted: “These were people that I had developed relationships with online.” Says he also misled his congressional staff.

UPDATE 4:46 p.m. ET: His wife “was unhappy and she let me know she was unhappy.” Yeah.

Linked by Fausta Wertz and Gay Patriot — thanks!

UPDATE 4:41 p.m. ET: “I do not believe I did anything here that violates any law or violates my oath of office.” Says he will not “rebut” anything that any of his female accusers say.

UPDATE 4:37 p.m. ET: Says his wife “did not know until this morning that I had lied” about the photo he sent to the Seattle coed. Also: “I apologize to Andrew Breitbart.”

UPDATE 4:33 p.m. ET: “This was a very dumb thing to do . . . It was a destructive thing I did.” He does not deny the possibility that X-rated photos of him exist.

UPDATE 4:31 p.m. ET: “I love my wife very much and we have no intention of splitting up over this.”

UPDATE 4:29 p.m. ET: He says he is NOT resigning.

UPDATE 4:26 p.m. ET: “I’d like to take . . . full responsibility for my actions.” He begins choking up. He ADMITS he meant to send the photo as a DM!

UPDATE 4:20 p.m. ET: It is being reported that Anthony Weiner will not announce his resignation. We are still awaiting the congressman’s appearance at his press conference, which was momentarily . . . well, hacked by Andrew Breitbart.

UPDATE 4:10 p.m. ET: No sign of Weiner yet, but Andrew Breitbart holds forth: “Quite frankly, I’d like an apology . . . for a blame-the-messenger strategy. . . . I’m here for some vindication.”

UPDATE 4:04 p.m. ET: Huh? Andrew Breitbart is at the press conference? Speaking at the podium?

PREVIOUSLY: We are awaiting the announced 4 p.m. start of Rep. Anthony Weiner’s press conference in New York. Will have full coverage as soon as it starts.

Just to remind you: This story was broken by Andrew Breitbart’s BigGovernment.com on May 28 and, when I first blogged about it that afternoon, about a dozen blogs were the only outlets covering the story.

And now there’s a press conference in New York. Ace of Spades is hearing rumors that Weiner will not resign. I believe the French word is incroyable.

PREVIOUSLY:

#WeinerGate: It Gets WORSE
UPDATE: Press Conference 4 p.m. ET UPDATE: ABC News Interviews Woman

Posted on June 6, 2011June 6, 2011Comments

LIVE-BLOGGING THE PRESS CONFERENCE

* * * * *

The congressman gets shirtless in his latest embarrassing photo obtained by Andrew Breitbart.

OK, you can start the resignation clock ticking . . .

CBS News is now reporting on Andrew Breitbart’s exclusive: “A spokesman for Weiner did not immediately respond to a request to confirm that Weiner had, in fact, sent the photos.”

Maggie’s Notebook highlights something I’d overlooked: Kirsten Powers said Weiner was the “only guy who ever dumped me.”

UPDATE: Now Radar Online busts Weiner on sex-texting, so that even Ace of Spades becomes squeamish:

Yeah, I’m going to say this ends tomorrow, and I hope it does. This is just awful . . .
Actually I’m changing that. I previously said tomorrow. Now I say today, this afternoon.
This is just pretty bad right here.
I’m ready to see this stop now. This is brutal.

We have heard nothing today from the soon-to-be-former congressman. This scandal just became unsurvivable. The only question now is how soon he resigns.

UPDATE II: Anticipating the release of further photos, I announced I was taking a short nap, and awoke to find a Twitter message from Donald Douglas:

Don’t nap!! You’re missing it: “Anthony Weiner Upper Body Nude Photos!” http://is.gd/JDOcPa

Yeah, I was late on this one. But now that we’re awaiting a resignation, I’m well-rested.

UPDATE III: Just look at that Memeorandum thread:

Now imagine the New York Post and New York Daily News front-page headlines on Tuesday.

Like I said: “unsurvivable.”

UPDATE IV: Fisherville Mike: “That’s all, folks.” Yeah, but the question is, does Weiner know that?

UPDATE V: I’m trying to confirm a report that Rep. Weiner will hold a press conference today at 4 p.m. at the Sheraton Hotel. Pants optional, I’m told.

UPDATE VI: Just confirmed — press conference at 4 p.m. ET. Will have full report.

UPDATE VII: Yeah, that’s gonna leave a mark:

An ABC News employee said that the network has conducted an interview with a woman, who says she received the photos from Mr. Weiner, evidently the same photos Mr. Breitbart obtained.
As of this afternoon, the network was determining when it would broadcast the interview.

The odds of him surviving a broadcast network interview with this woman? Infinitesimal.

‘Had Two’

Posted on June 6, 2011June 6, 2011Comments

by Smitty

I can understand why Dan Riehl enjoys thrashing Jennifer Rubin so much. Emphasis mine in the following:

As I have written before, following the 2008 presidential election Palin had two choices: be a serious political leader or occupy that space between celebrity and conservative rabble-rouser. She was far better suited to the latter, which pays better and demand less wonkery (which she has demonstrated is outside her comfort zone). And now what is left? To explain the choice in a way that concedes nothing to her opponents and that maintains her status as a base icon. You’d be hard pressed to come up with a better mechanism than a motorcycle caravan, which highlights how unlike the disciplined pols she is.

Palin has never been criticized for lack of smarts when it came to cultivating an image and a career that frees her from the restraints and demands that encumber national politicians. She’s the ultimate self-made woman, with a career and identity unique to her. You can understand why it would be ludicrous to give that up and risk her place in the conservative movement for a race she doesn’t want to run and likely can’t win.

Read the whole thing, right up to its famous-last-words conclusion.
Sarah Palin was not limited to two choices then, now, nor at any subsequent time J.R. publishes something. Nor is it fair to assert she doesn’t want to run. Whiskey Tango Foxtrot the bus tour, Jennifer, you’re so brilliant? Are you asserting some exclusive knowledge here, trying to pose with Will and Krauthammer (not to mention Noonan), or trying to project your beltway-insider dread, to stun S.P. into submission?
Here is the rub: the Progressive politics of failing upward have failed utterly. The traditional source of our political problems is the tradition S.P. is bucking. How, J.R., can the parade of traditional Progressive clowns deliver anything other than traditional failure?
Maybe you’re in on the double secret reverse psychology play. I hope that’s the case, truly. Because what this current crisis will need is people thinking about liberty, and forcing the conversation to be about liberty, and about candidates who support liberty.
What is not needed is sad little hacks trying to go Alinsky, personalize, and short-sell candidates in the name of opportunism. Jennifer, maybe Krauthammer, Will, you, and Noonan fit that mold. You guys could have your own radio station. KWRN. K-WRoNg, where ain’t nothin’ right.
Likely not the fame they you’re seeking.

Chicago Teens Charged With ‘Mob Action Violence to Person and Property’

Posted on June 6, 2011June 6, 2011Comments

Another kind of “community organizing” :

One man was smoking a cigar Saturday night on a bench in the Streeterville neighborhood when his evening was interrupted by a group of young men who robbed and beat him. Another man was parking his motor scooter outside Northwestern University’s downtown campus when the same group apparently made him their next victim, police said.
Police believe the group of about 15 to 20 youths in their mid- to late teens also was responsible for two more attacks moments later along the lakefront.
At least seven people thought to be part of the group were arrested Saturday . . . .
Dvonte Sykes, 17, of the 7500 block of South Normal Avenue was charged with two felony counts of robbery and one count of mob action violence to person and property. . . .
Two other youths, Trovolus Pickett, 17 and Derodte Wright, 18, were charged in connection with a robbery on the 300 block of East Chicago Avenue, police said. . . .
In mid-May, Chicago police started implementing strategies to address mob action incidents, which are often coordinated via text messages or social networking websites, in downtown and neighborhoods near it. Police said the youths in many cases come downtown using mass transit.

Read the whole thing.

#WeinerGate Fallout: Democrats Criticize Weiner for Missing Israel Day Parade UPDATE: Breitbart Releases 2nd Photo

Posted on June 6, 2011June 6, 2011Comments

Jennifer Epstein at Politico:

Rep. Anthony Weiner was MIA at this weekend’s big Israel Day parade in New York City, drawing fire from members of his own party who said he should have shown up.
With the scandal still swirling and questions unanswered over a lewd photograph of an underwear-clad man sent via his Twitter account, Weiner canceled all his planned public appearances over the weekend, including walking in Sunday’s Celebrate Israel Parade along Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, a show of solidarity with the Jewish state that he has attended in past years. . . .

Read the rest of that. Avoiding the media is not an option for a member of Congress and yet, under current circumstances, Weiner can’t face the press. Recent major media headlines about the scandal:

Rep. Anthony Weiner doing his
best to let lewd Twitter photo
scandal sink his political career
— Mike Lupica, New York Daily News

Rep. Weiner skips two high-profile parades
— New York Post

More evidence that Weiner sent
infamous Tweet unearthed …
as his exes tell all
— U.K. Daily Mail

Keep in mind that these reports were all published before we knew about the most recent revelations.

UPDATE: Now Breitbart releases the second photo reportedly sent from Weiner’s AOL e-mail account. This is starting to look very bad indeed. Bryan Preston at Pajamas Media comments:

I mused the other day that Weiner was using twitter and its direct message capability to build himself a cyber harem. If that’s what he’s been up to, it helps explain both the unusual number of attractive young women among his followees, and why he won’t answer whether the original photo is of him or not. He’s aware that whether or not that particular photo is of him, there are others out there that are definitely of him.

Weiner could be in for a very interesting week.

UPDATE II: “How Many Wiener Pics Did The Weiner Prick Send If The Weiner Prick Did Send Weiner Pics?”

UPDATE III: Professor William Jacobson predicts: “This is the day after which not even Debbie Wasserman Schultz can save Weiner.”

And Ace of Spades notes that the media think they’ve already done too much WeinerGate coverage — so when they cast their eyes on the latest developments, they’re going to be really pissed.

UPDATE IV: P.J. Salvatore at NewsBusters highlights a writer for Gawker (!!!) defending Breitbart:

You know, one thing I do take issue with is . . . at first people didn’t take the story seriously because it showed up on Andrew Breitbart’s website, and they say he has a history of trying to smear people. I think even if that’s the case, it was very quickly that you could have looked into this story and verified it for yourself. . . . And I think it is important for people, even if a story burbles up through an untraditional, non-mainstream medium, if it seems like a real story, I think people do have an obligation to investigate it.

The effort of certain liberals to try to ignore the facts because they didn’t like the messenger was a perfect example of how bias distorts the news.

UPDATE V: Ed Morrissey on the second photo: “It’s not exactly a professional Congressional outreach, and the sexual innuendo is more than a little creepy under the circumstances.”

UPDATE VI: Linked by Donald Douglas at American Power — thanks!

Are Krauthammer and Will Non-Traditional Supporters Of A Non-Traditional Candidate?

Posted on June 6, 2011June 6, 2011Comments

by Smitty

Doug Ross surveys two generally sharp fellows. A brace of otherwise savvy pundits. They have watched the crisis progress over decades. They know the history. The must know that the ruling class patterns that brought the country to this point are not going to succeed.

Yet they claim to be against one obvious remedy, for disingenuous reasons.
I wonder if they are not playing the reverse psychology card in a big way.

New #WeinerGate Allegations?
UPDATE: Weiner’s Photo: ‘It’s Me’

Posted on June 6, 2011June 6, 2011Comments

UPDATE 8:35 a.m. ET: Andrew Breitbart has released the first photo, reportedly sent to a young woman via Anthony Weiner’s AOL account, “after she asked him to confirm that he was taking photographs contemporaneously, in conjunction with their apparent online communications.”

UPDATE: Boston talk radio host Michael Graham:

This helps explain why Weiner hasn’t just admitted a juvenile mistake and moved on. There are apparently many more “mistakes” out there in the ether of the internet just like it.

UPDATE II: Linked by The Lonely Conservative — thanks!

PREVIOUSLY (6:59 a.m. ET): Ace of Spades rolls out the new “burning shorts” alert to tell us about the latest exclusive from Andrew Breitbart:

Weinergate Bombshell: New Woman
Comes Forward Claiming Cache of
Intimate Photos and Online Communications
with Beleaguered Congressman

When yesterday’s baseball trip caused me to remark that it was a welcome relief after a week of Weiner, Dave C commented, “Might be short lived,” and linked to Ace of Spades:

Patterico: “Betty” and “Veronica” Said
They Had DM’s With The Comely Coed
Talking About Flirting With Weiner

Groan. Indeed, the L.A. prosecutor has waded into the tall grass to question Tommy Christopher’s previous exoneration of Anthony Weiner on the accusations — promoted by @PatriotUSA76 and @goatsred — that the congressman had exchanged inappropriate DMs with two teenage girls.

Interestingly, Patterico’s re-examination of this accusation involves yet a third teenager, who was the subject of my May 30 post:

The Curious Case of the Weiner-Following
(And Weiner-Followed) Teenage Girl

So there were at least three minors, fans of Weiner, whose involvement in this story have raised questions. But yeah, Weiner’s got his private security firm investigating this, so there’s obviously no need to get law enforcement involved . . . Dan Collins comments:

As many people have stated, the Congressman’s own behavior has been the most damning evidence against him. The sudden doubling of the number of people he was following on Twitter, in order to dilute the focus on the original 91 is a part of that, of course. The lies about hacking that turned into lies about pranking are another part. His ridiculous claim that he’s hired a private security firm in order to prevent federal resources from having to be consumed with this matter is another, and his behavior toward the press, whom he habitually courts, yet another.

But wait — there’s more! Matthew Boyle at the Daily Caller:

New #Weinergate info revealed:
Porn star Miss Ginger Lee appears to have gotten
more than one private message from Weiner

This is one of those situations where we don’t know what we don’t know, yet what we do know is sufficiently suggestive that speculation necessarily runs rampant. Last week I contacted a congressional staffer to ask if a certain member of Congress would be issuing a statement calling for an investigation of the allegations against Weiner. I was told no, but: “If that changes I’ll let you know.”

Well, has it changed yet?

UPDATE: Linked by Da Tech Guy — thanks! Ace of Spades comments:

Debbie Wasserman-Schultz chose the wrong time to call this a “personal matter,” and blow it off just because he’s a Democrat.

UPDATE II: A new Mememorandum thread, with comment by Donald Douglas at American Power and Dan Collins — and by Dan Riehl, who is probably privy to the content of the yet-to-be-disclosed messages.

UPDATE III: Jim Hoft at Gateway Pundit proclaims “Weiner Is Cooked,” which remains to be seen. As I observed at The American Spectator, Congress is in recess this week, which means that this scandal will need a week’s worth of “legs” if it is to be the subject of congressional inquiry when the recess is over.

Linked by Lisa Graas and by POH Diaries— thanks!