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By Stanley P. Gershbein
Brooklyn Daily
I remember when a jury was being picked for the trial of a member of a famous political family who allegedly (I must remember to use that word) committed a sex crime. A mature woman brought laughter to the courtroom when she said something about everybody knowing that “this” (pointing downstairs) being active makes this (pointing upstairs) become numb.
That was many years ago and nothing has changed. We hear the following at regular intervals.
“I apologize for the hurt I’ve caused my constituents, my friends, family, and most of all for the embarrassment and pain I’ve caused my wife.”
And with the apologies comes the resignation from the office to which he was elected.
Do you remember Gove. Mark Sanford of South Carolina? Here’s a politician who did a great job as governor and was thought of by many as a possible presidential candidate. It was that urge downstairs that did him in. He disappeared for several days. Where was he? He was visiting a paramour in Argentina. Wow! He had to fly all the way down there to Buenos Aires for, well, you know what for.
His urges brought his political career to an abrupt end. That was then. Now, the man is trying to work his way back into politics and is currently a candidate for congress. Would you vote for a man whose testosterone causes his extracurricular activities to overshadow his interest in his constituents?
Here in New York we have former Congressman Anthony Weiner who, as I recall, did not have an extramarital affair in South America. As far as I know, he did not have an affair anywhere. He just did something very stupid. In fact, he even referred to his actions as “very dumb.” Who the hell in his or her right mind wants to see photos of Weiner’s downstairs? Lemme’ see. There was a 26-year-old woman in Texas, a 28- year-old porn actress, a cheerleading coach, a 40-year-old blackjack dealer in Las Vegas and who knows how many more.
I have very mixed feelings about Anthony and the Weinergate. On one hand, I did not, and still do not, like the man. Besides disagreeing with much of his politics I hated his condescending attitude on TV and have told you so several times in this column.
On the other hand, there were many in his district who still loved him. I have a very close friend who had a brilliant career in politics. He swore to me that when needed, Weiner delivered. When many encouraged him to quit, he made excuses and really didn’t care, but when Nancy Pelosi, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, and other national Democrat leaders demanded it, his tune changed. President Obama told the world in an interview that if he was Anthony Weiner, he would resign. That’s when it ended. Anthony’s career concluded with an apology.
At this moment, armed with an enormous war chest and the backing of William Jefferson Clinton, Mr. Weiner wants back in the business. Many stories have been circulating about the possibility of him running for mayor. So what do you think? If Anthony Weiner ran for mayor, would you vote for him?
If either Weiner or Sanford are successful, we can look forward to an attempted comeback by “Client No. 9,” former Gov. Eliot Spitzer. I am StanGershbein@Bellsouth.net telling you “Stupid is as stupid does.”
Read Stan Gershbein's column every Monday on BrooklynDaily.com.