Why Was Craig Dumped So Quickly?

I've seen some criticism of the GOP for abandoning Sen. Larry Craig wo quickly, especially in light of the way the Democrats would have reacted to the same situation. More than likely, Dems would demand his resignation - they'd want tips on which bathrooms are preferred and exactly how to the codes work.

With the GOP, already skittish after teh Mark Foley scandal during the key days of the 2006 elections, there was no question that Craig had to go. But, there were a couple of factors that I think clearly led to the quick bum's rush:

• Craig had a history of similar accusations with increasingly weaker explanations.
• Trying to find sex partners in an airport restroom is pretty much an unforgiveable offense.
• The governor of Idaho is a Republican, meaning that a Republican would be appointed to replace him leaving the current Senate balance of power in place.
• Idaho is a very red state meaning that losing Craig now would actually benefit the party come the '08 election as it would put a strong incumbent in place well before the election.

Politics being what it is, I can't help but wonder what might have happened had Craig come from a blue or purple state or a state with a Democrat governor. Would the GOP leadership have been more inclined to let the Senator try and fight his way out of the problem rather than immediately dumping him? Hard to say.

Mark Steyn adds this concerning the Senator's failed attempt to save himself during his press conference from the other day:

“I am not gay,” says Mr. Craig over and over, as somberly and emphatically as President Nixon’s famous insistence that he was not a crook. Any day now, the senator will announce O.J.-like that he’s redoubling his efforts to track down the real homosexual.

Heh.