Craig Spokesman: Craig Had Previously Decided Not To Stand For Re-Election; Is Just Keeping The Stall Door For Running Again "Slightly Ajar"

Just sort of tapping his foot against the idea of running again. Just kinda rubbing his hand on the underside of the partition of possibilities.

Sen. Larry Craig had already decided not to seek re-election before revelations that he pleaded guilty to charges stemming from a Minnesota sex sting, two of the Idaho Republican's political advisers claimed Thursday.

Before news of his arrest became public last month, Craig told his former chief of staff and long time confidante Gregory Casey that he was not going to run for re-election in 2008, Casey told CNN.

"He and Suzanne had decided that he had been in Congress long enough, and it was time for him to go home," Casey said, referring to Craig's wife.

In a separate interview, Craig spokesman Dan Whiting also confirmed to CNN that Craig had already decided not to run for re-election, and originally planned to announce that publicly in September.

Neither Casey nor Whiting could say when that decision was made, but Whiting insisted it was "well before all of this broke."

...

Now, Craig's spokesman sought to be more precise in his language about Craig's intentions, telling The Associated Press "the most likely scenario, by far, is that by October there will be a new senator from Idaho."

Whiting insists to CNN what he is saying is "nothing new."

"All along we have said that [Craig] expects to resign on September 30 and he and the staff are working towards that end to ensure the transition is as smooth as possible for Idaho," said Whiting. "I stated that he simply left a very, very small door slightly ajar."

However, the sources close to Craig concede they are now trying to be more clear that they do think Craig will resign, because they believe the impression was that Craig was trying to hold on to power.

Guy just can't seem to decide which way he's swinging.

Thanks to Matt.

posted by Ace at 05:44 PM

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