There is no denying that the Senator Larry Craig saga has been riveting – as well as polarizing, surprising and outrageous.

From the actual arrest and Craig’s subsequent guilty plea to a charge of disorderly conduct, to the leaked “wrong number” voice message revealing he may not actually “intend” to resign, the unfolding story has gotten top billing for days.

A scandal of this magnitude has rarely, if ever, been seen in Idaho politics.

Governor Butch Otter has been left reeling at the news that there may be no need to appoint a replacement for Craig. This after his conversations with a number of prominent Idaho politicians anxious to fill the vacancy, should Craig actually bow out of the Senate.

Is it too late for Larry Craig to rescind his “intention” to resign and instead remain in the the Senate?

Republican Senate leadership continues to call for his ouster, and an ethics committee probe looms.

Nationally, the news coverage of Craig’s incident has produced negative public opinion, as well as embarrassment for Idaho.

Locally, the argument continues to rage over his guilt, and his guilty plea, which echoes the sentiment statewide. There is a great deal of sympathy for the Senator, mixed with a great deal of impatience over behavior following arrest, and his mixed message about resignation.

Certainly bridges have been burned. Craig will forever be followed by the cloud of doubt caused by his behavior in the Minneapolis airport restroom, and the ensuing guilty plea. No amount of “lawyering” will dispel it.

But can he regain at least a shred of respectability by legally rescinding his guilty plea? By dodging censure or expulsion by the Senate?

If he manages to maintain his senate seat, would he tempt fate by seeking reelection? Will Idahoans, whom he claims are inundating him with positive phone calls to his local offices, continue the support if he returns to the senate for the remainder of his term, or vote for him in the next election?

Whether you believe him guilty of soliciting homosexual sex in a restroom, or merely of making a series of ridiculous mistakes after his arrest, all must agree that his life has turned into a living Hell. He’s watched as everything he has ever stood for is turned on its head, while his respectability has gone up in flames.

The world in general, and Idaho in particular, will watch with interest to see just what kind of fire insurance Larry Craig can muster.

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