From Indignation To Resignation, What Really Happened?

Yesterday afternoon, Congressional Representative Anthony Weiner resigned. Weiner ended his 12-year congressional career with a 4-minute press conference held at the Brooklyn Senior Center where his career began. Weiner recited his statement seemingly poised and undaunted though interrupted repeatedly by a derisive heckler.
The New York Congressional Representative apologized "…for the personal mistakes I have made and for the embarrassment I have caused…" to his neighbors, constituents, parents and "…particularly to my wife." …"Unfortunately, the distraction that I have created made it impossible to continue working in Congress,” Weiner said. Noticeably absent from Weiner’s side was his highly respected wife, Huma Abedin, Deputy Chief of Staff to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Many who know Ms. Abedin stated that this was uncharacteristic for her.

Following his televised resignation, news reporters and political figures acknowledged that still unseen lewd photographs and text messages were far worse, and calling many “sick.” If this information is accurate, and such photos remain suppressed, Weiner may have more friends than enemy’s. Weiner’s disclosure of “seeking treatment” seems an ambiguous admission, at most, to some form of “sexual addiction.” CNN’s Wolf Blitzer asked the medical opinion of Dr. Drew Pinsky MD, Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at the Keck USC School of Medicine. Dr. Pinsky stated that he thought Weiner’s apology was sincere, though he did not hear the “key words” that patients in therapy are likely to use to describe their behavior or situation. Dr. Pinsky stressed Weiner’s need for psychological therapy to gain control over his addiction and life.

Speculation about Weiner’s political future is not completely dismal. The possibility of his candidacy for Mayor of New York is undecided if not slightly positive. Weiner has collected 4.5 million dollars in political contributions for his 2013 New York campaign. While contributors may request individual returns, Weiner does not have to make any hasty decisions. He has several options: He can still use the funds for his pursuit of the mayoral seat of NY. He can redistribute the funds to other political campaigns, or he can make charitable contributions of it. Several political analysts stress a “wait and see” approach to Weiner’s political future. However, many agree that his wife’s support is a key factor to his public and political resurrection.

After three weeks of controversy, following the publication of several lewd photos and text messages sent by Weiner, fellow democrats, republicans, and finally President Obama, pressured Weiner to resign. On May 28, the scandal went public under the moniker “sexting scandal.” June 1, Weiner made several televised public statements emphatically denying his involvement. As more lewd photos surfaced, on Monday, June 6, Weiner made a public confession admitting responsibility for the photos and messages, but refused to resign. On June 11, Weiner requested a leave of absence from congress stating that he was seeking “treatment.” The scandal focus drifted from the salacious content to his abrasive public denial, suggesting that his poor judgment and blatant lies destroyed his creditability and hence his effectiveness in public service.