Larry Craig presser - Amazing.

Just got done watching Larry Craig's press conference in Downtown Boise and guess what? It's not his fault that he was soliciting sex in a men's bathroom, it's the Idaho Statesman's.

When all else fails; lie. Simply amazing that he'd go out there and just lie straight faced to Idaho, his fellow Senators and America.

I've got to agree with Joe Scarborough, that was one of the most brazen press conferences I've ever seen.

Update 1:

Idaho Statesman's coverage on his press conference a few moments ago.

Update 2:

Here is the statement from Larry Craig's Senate website:

BOISE, IDAHO - Senator Craig made the following statement to Idaho at 2:30pm:

"First, please let me apologize to my family, friends, staff, and fellow Idahoans for the cloud placed over Idaho. I did nothing wrong at the Minneapolis airport. I regret my decision to plead guilty and the sadness that decision has brought to my wife, family, friends, staff, and fellow Idahoans. For that I apologize.

"In June, I overreacted and made a poor decision. While I was not involved in any inappropriate conduct at the Minneapolis airport or anywhere else, I chose to plead guilty to a lesser charge in the hope of making it go away. I did not seek any counsel, either from an attorney, staff, friends, or family. That was a mistake, and I deeply regret it. Because of that, I have now retained counsel and I am asking my counsel to review this matter and to advise me on how to proceed.

"For a moment, I want to put my state of mind into context on June 11. For 8 months leading up to June, my family and I had been relentlessly and viciously harassed by the Idaho Statesman. If you’ve seen today’s paper, you know why. Let me be clear: I am not gay and never have been.

"Still, without a shred of truth or evidence to the contrary, the Statesman has engaged in this witch hunt. 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. Again, that overreaction was a mistake, and I apologize for my misjudgment. Furthermore, I should not have kept this arrest to myself, and should have told my family and friends about it. I wasn’t eager to share this failure, but I should have done so anyway.

"I love my wife, family, friends, staff, and Idaho. I love serving Idaho in Congress. Over the years, I have accomplished a lot for Idaho, and I hope Idahoans will allow me to continue to do that. There are still goals I would like to accomplish, and I believe I can still be an effective leader for Idaho. Next month, I will announce, as planned, whether or not I will seek reelection.

"As an elected official, I fully realize that my life is open for public criticism and scrutiny, and I take full responsibility for the mistake in judgment I made in attempting to handle this matter myself.

"It is clear, though, that through my actions I have brought a cloud over Idaho. For that, I ask the people of Idaho for their forgiveness.

"As I mentioned earlier, I have now retained counsel to examine this matter and I will make no further comment."

He didn't tell anyone because he thought that he could get away with it. Why would he not even tell his wife if he is "not gay".

Update 3:

The MountainGoat Report has comments and reactions from the press conference. And the always wonderful McJoan of DailyKos fame has some reaction.

Update 4:

Dan Popkey is scheduled to be on Chris Matthew's show on MSNBC Hardball in a few minutes. Pretty short interview, not a lot of good info. Popkey basically said that the Idaho Statesman was sitting on the story because they erred on Craig's side, but after the guilty plea, they gave the story the green light.

Update 5:

I put the Youtube clip of his presser down below.

Comments

[Tara Rowe]

Dumbfounded, I think that's my response. Does he really think that trick just worked on Idahoans?

[Gail Mower]

Of course he thinks Idahoan's will believe it. The GOP has convinced the sheeple of Idaho that only a Republican can keep them out of Hell.
Craig is pathetic - the only way he can come out of this with any respect at all is if he finally admits the truth.

[green libertarian]

Here is what must be investigated.

The restroom in question was listed on cruisingfosex website as a place to go for anonymous sex. It was listed in June.

If the physical location of the MSP restroom is NO WHERE near the arrival and departure gates of Craig's flight, then just exactly how in the hell did end up in a restroom KNOWN for cruising for sex?

[urbanderby]

When did Craig get into stand up comedy?

[crazedreamer]

Love how he now says the Statesman is on a witch hunt. Be a real man and own up loser!