With Craig on His Way Out, Who Will Follow?

For years liberals and Democrats have whispered that Larry Craig is gay, and tried to get someone in the MSM to run with the story. Now there's a hook. I won't reproduce unpleasant details that you can read at any of several other sites. Check out HotAir, Sister Toldjah, the Politico, and Captains Quarters.

It seems just a matter of time before Craig steps down -- particularly since Idaho has a Republican Governor, and he would appoint a Republican successor. That person would likely be favored to retain the seat in Fall, 2008.

But the Craig scandal is a reminder of the numerous Republican incumbents still operating under ethical clouds -- Ted Stevens, John Doolittle, Jerry Lewis, Don Young, and others. Republican leaders in Congress have been pleased to see a few step aside whose re-election runs would have been made much tougher by ethical questions. Will this lead to a full-court press to get some other Members to spend more time with their families?

It'll be interesting to see if any of the other Members under investigation soon announce that they are leaving public service. Certainly if you are John Boehner or Mitch McConnell, this is a wake-up call that the ethics issue may still cut against Republicans in 2008 -- and may cost you more seats -- if embarrassing incumbents are running for re-election while making headlines for corruption.