A couple of years ago Anthony Weiner’s political career looked to be all but over with a sexting scandal. In addition to sending explicit texts to college students while being a married congressman, when the news came out about it he lied. After numerous women came forward, he finally admitted to having taken and sent the photos and eventually resigned from politics.
This spring however, Weiner dipped his foot back into the political pool by entering the New York City mayoral race. Some, even from his own party, didn’t think he should run, but he has been polling well. That is until this week. It seems that Weiner is back at it again. Even after claiming to be a changed man, he has continued his sexual messaging via Facebook under his porn star screen name Carlos Danger (the best part of the story, in my opinion).
Again, there is an outcry that he stepped down from the mayoral race. So far, he has refused to do so saying this is old news and his wife has forgiven him.
My mind is blown by this. Beyond this behavior while married – I’m not married to him, beyond him sending explicit pictures of himself – to each his own, beyond him having lied about it in the first place – of course he did, I just can’t understand how this seemingly smart man can be so incredibly stupid to do this very private thing AGAIN in such a public way. I mentioned this last time, but it’s worth mentioning again…When you are communicating in this particular way electronically (via phone, tablet, or computer) is it really possible to keep it private. After the news came out in 2011, you’d think this guy would stop or, if he just couldn’t help himself, to at least know to keep it off line.
While many see scandals in one’s personal life as the end of a public personality’s career, I’ve always viewed it as none of my business. I don’t necessarily think that poor judgment at home means poor judgment in the workplace. Heck, we’ve all done stupid things personally that don’t bleed into our work life. But for this one, I’m kind of on the fence. Part of me thinks that this needs to remain a private matter for him and his wife, and it doesn’t necessarily make him unsuitable for mayor. On the other hand, there’s something about being deceitful and kind of yucky, to be honest, on multiple occasions that makes me feel like maybe he’s lost his chance to be mayor.
If Weiner stays in the race, it’ll be interesting to see what side of the fence the people of NYC end up on.
This hasn't had the same coverage this time. I must read up on it.
ReplyDeleteI feel in my bones he won't get that much traction in NYC, not because he posted on the WWW his whatever. I don't think NYCers are that bothered in the way say Omaha might be. I'd say even more than Boston the politics of NYC are more French in a way where a Mayor could have a mistress without much fuss at all, so I simply don't see them caring on that level. What I do think they care very much about though is that they aren't represented by an epic idiot.
Yah, if he's going to stay in the race NYC is the place to do it.
DeleteRight now his constituency's opinion is about split down the middle whether he should stay or go. It is just the primary, and he's polling in 2nd. But ya know, if he somehow wins the democratic primary, it could happen. I know I wouldn't vote against my interests due to a candidate's personal issue. I'd still be torn in this case because clearly he's got some narcissistic tendencies, but his politics would have to be more important in this case.
Ya think. (chuckle) I don't think that was the head Narcissus was to face the ground.
DeleteThis again is the grandees of the democratic party pushing someone in against the interests of the constituency, thereby forcing people to swallow their misgivings. Ultimately though they lose in the long run for people either drift away or worse won't vote at all defectively disenfranchising themselves.
Ha ha!
DeleteAnd that's very true about voter turn out. We've got a hard enough time getting people to come out when there isn't a scandal.
I wonder what his kindergarten teacher remembers about him?!
ReplyDeleteBwa ha ha! Probably that kid who was a bit TOO occupied with his goods.
Deleteha! mind boggling isn't it?!
ReplyDeleteYes it is.
DeleteI think we are going to have to get over the fact that many people, including politicians, teachers and others may have sent "sexts" or risque pictures of themselves. If we can't, there will be very few people left to run for office now that so many people post just about everything online in some fashion.
ReplyDeleteHa ha, that may be true. Especially with those in their teens and twenties right now. I wonder if they will end up being mortified at the stuff they posted later in life, or if it'll be such the norm that no one will even care by then. Maybe by then we will just vote for politicians by what they looked like in their sexts.
DeleteAND his name is Weiner. Hee hee.
ReplyDeleteRight?!?! His name couldn't have been more perfect for this particular scandal.
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