No do-over on resignation

Does Larry Craig deserve a do-over?

That's the question a Minnesota judge is pondering as he decides whether or not to allow Sen. Larry Craig to withdraw his guilty plea to a disorderly conduct charge following his June 11 arrest in an airport sex sting in a men's room at the Minneapolis airport.

Wednesday, Craig's attorney asked to have Craig's guilty plea withdrawn and the Idaho senator granted a legal do-over. The judge has taken all arguments under advisement and won't rule until next month. Shortly after the judge's announcement, Craig released a statement saying he would stay in office "for now." Sources close to him said he plans to remain in office until Hennepin County Judge Charles Porter rules.

Sadly, for both Sen. Craig and his constituents, it no longer really matters — not politically anyway — if the charges are true or not. Craig may innocent. He may well be guilty. Either way, his effectiveness as a politician is limited.

Many of his colleagues avoid him, he faces an ethics committee investigation and he was forced to give up his leadership posts on Senate committees after his arrest became public.

Craig has dedicated his life to serving Idaho residents, for which he is to be commended. Let his final act of public service be that of resigning as previously announced so that a new senator can be named.

Idaho needs to move forward and deserves effective representation. Unfortunately, as a state, we can't do either as long as Larry Craig maintains a death grip on his seat.

Caroline Lobsinger is the managing editor of the Daily Bee.