“Left-wingers are incapable of conspiring because they are all egomaniacs.” — Norman Mailer
Full-time liberal Congressman and part-time photographer Anthony Weiner had a hard week. While Mitt Romney was announcing his candidacy for the presidency and outlining his vision for turning the country back to the right, Weiner showed pictures of his idea for America in a little swing to the left.
Self-preservation being the first goal of politicians, he lied. Self-preservation is also what they are good at; it informs their instinctive, “go-to” response. On Monday, Weiner fessed up — as politicians do — after being caught.
He told us not to worry too much about us getting the truth. Just like fellow Democrat O.J. Simpson, Weiner assured us he was going to launch an investigation to find the person who committed this crime on his Twitter account. He would not rest until he found the perp — or, in this case, the perv — who did it.
We knew the penis did not belong to a RHINO since it would not stand up in a tough situation. We knew it was not one of Obama’s budgeting folks, since it would not lay it all out on the table. But, per Anthony Weiner, it was not his wiener and therefore he was a victim, which is the highest honor a Democrat can bestow upon himself.
I hope I will not be misinterpreted. I liked Weiner. I had dinner with him in New York as he was bursting on the political scene. An eye, ear, nose and wallet surgeon friend of mine who went to school with the Congressman wanted us to meet, and I found him to be delightful company. Ever the showman, he wore a seersucker suit. I found him to be an impish, highly energetic, and interesting man, charming and well-suited for politics.
Weiner comes out of the Wellstone liberal mode, in that you cannot get too mad at him, even if you disagree, because you get the feeling he really believes his own liberal rhetoric. I find lefties and others like him cute in their childlike view of the world. But, unlike kids who have not yet formed bad opinions, they should know better. Getting angry at them would be like yelling at a kid who still believes in the Tooth Fairy.
Weiner is the go-to attack dog on liberal issues. He also loves to see himself on camera, which is probably why he is in this pickle.
Congressman Weiner could not stop holding press events to talk about the scandal, which was, in itself, telling. Here is a man who has the right to remain silent — just not the ability. He kept inflicting wounds on himself for an incident his liberal mates in the media would have let go. Every peacock loves to hear itself sing.
The trend of scandals involving liberal politicians not being caught by the mainstream media (may it rest in peace) continues.
Just lay low, Weiner, your buddies in the media are there for you. They would have swept this under the rug — it is what they do for friends. Stories die but instincts remain, and you can live to call Republicans “hypocrites” another day.
Earlier this year, New York Congressman Chris Lee, a Republican, was caught posting a picture of himself sans shirt online and was forced to resign immediately by Speaker of the House John Boehner. Somehow, when a Democrat posts crotch shots, he thinks lying about it is cute. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi does not dare take Weiner on. Those pictures are too big a hit in her San Francisco district.
This is another sad day for our country. The only winner here is former GOP senator and bathroom stall enthusiast Larry Craig, who can now Google “Weiner photos” at work and claim he’s doing opposition research.
The GOP should fight the urge to play pious on this story. We have an out-of-control national debt, two and a half wars going on, $4-a-gallon gas and more and more power being concentrated in Washington, D.C. A few crotch shots from an egocentric New York Democrat is not our nation’s problem.
A healthy ego can be important to the business of success, but you cannot allow it to gain a controlling interest. On this I think we have certitude.
Ron Hart is a syndicated op-ed humorist, award-winning author and TV/radio commentator. Email Ron@RonaldHart.com or visit www.RonaldHart.com.