this keeps getting better: the white house is "disappointed", craig "hasn't decided if he'll seek re-election after his term is up" next year, and he's the victim of "a witch-hunt" according to wife:
Senator losing support in Idaho, Washington BOISE, Idaho (CNN) -- Sen. Larry Craig, who was arrested for allegedly soliciting sex in a public restroom, is losing support among conservatives in his home state of Idaho, and the White House also is expressing disappointment with the situation.
"We're disappointed in what's going on. It's a matter for the senator and the Senate Republican leadership to address," deputy White House press secretary Scott Stanzel said.
"We hope that it will be resolved quickly, as that would be in the best interests of the Senate and the people of Idaho," Stanzel said.
State GOP officials in Idaho are standing by Craig in their public comments, but some privately say that the senator is ruined.
One conservative leader, though, was unequivocal:
"I believe he should resign because I believe character is an extremely important qualification for public service," said Bryan Fischer of the Idaho Values Alliance. "And I believe the senator, by his own admission, has acknowledged that he has fallen short of the standard that we should expect from public servants."
Likewise, the head of a conservative advocacy group in Washington had strong words for Craig:
"Senator Craig admittedly engaged in illegal activity that brings serious disrepute to the public office he holds," Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton said Wednesday. "He should seriously consider resigning."
Craig's term ends next year; the 62-year-old lawmaker has not announced whether he will seek re-election.
In Washington, Republican colleagues generally are being cautious in their statements, taking a wait and see approach.
However, Senate GOP leaders called Tuesday for an Ethics Committee investigation of the Idaho Republican's June arrest at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport in Minnesota.
"He's disappointed the American people," former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, for whose presidential campaign Craig was a Senate liaison, told CNBC on Tuesday night. Craig has stepped down from his role in the campaign.
Sen. John McCain of Arizona, another Republican candidate for president, called the case "disgraceful" during a Tuesday appearance on NBC's "Tonight Show With Jay Leno," according to The Associated Press.
While campaigning in Iowa, Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee said Wednesday that Craig has "a lot of splainin' to do."
"It's certainly not a good thing," said Huckabee, a former Arkansas governor. "And I think the guilty plea is what makes it a little bit dicey for him. If he believed it was an innocent misunderstanding, then I think most Americans would say that you fight it, you don't just roll over and plead guilty."
Craig on Tuesday said he had "overreacted and made a poor decision" in pleading guilty to disorderly conduct after his arrest. Watch what regular folks have to say about Craig »
In his first public statement on the arrest, the lawmaker said he did nothing "inappropriate."
"Let me be clear: I am not gay and never have been," said Craig, who has aligned himself with conservative groups who oppose gay rights.
With his wife, Suzanne, by his side, Craig said he is the victim of a "witch hunt" conducted by the Idaho Statesman newspaper.
"In pleading guilty, I overreacted in Minneapolis because of the stress of the Idaho Statesman's investigation and the rumors it has fueled around Idaho," he said. "Again, that overreaction was a mistake, and I apologize for my misjudgment."
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