Apparently, part of the training for becoming a United States congressperson should include how to exit in disgrace – as gracefully as possible. It is not something that elected officials currently do well. Senators Craig and Vitter, Congressman Foley, and before him DeLay, soon perhaps Stevens of Alaska – the list of actual and impending forced retirees amongst the (currently Republican) power elite is impressive. But their ham-fisted attempts to explain themselves in public are not particularly so.

The most recent case is instructive.

Senator Craig, in announcing his resignation, said:

“To Idahoans I represent, to my staff, my Senate colleagues, but most importantly, to my wife and my family, I apologize for what I have caused. I am deeply sorry.”

We really have only one fundamental requirement of these perps – that they own up to what they have done. Craig, like so many others before him, resorts to evasions rather than the truth. Note that he doesn’t apologize for what he has done, just the aftermath.

That’s legalistic, weasel-like, and pathetic. It’s probably also what was advised by his lawyer with an eye to future appeals and maybe even a re-election attempt.
And, it’s reminiscent of Michael Vick’s apologia for dog-fighting, which he attributed to his “immaturity.”

Vick needs to apologize for more than immaturity, just as Craig needs to apologize for more than what he has caused.

Both men need to say they’re sorry for what they have done.

That’s where responsibility begins. If redemption is ever to follow, it must start with a full acknowledgement of the problem. Short of that, we’re not willing to go along.
Beyond acknowledging the problem, perps need to apologize for all the pain they’ve caused everyone, and announce a penance plan. Only then can we consider rehabilitation.
It’s time the lawyers kept quiet and let the truth speak.