Craig: The Apple of Idaho's Eye?

Dismisses them as 'poppycock,' part of anti-Obama vendetta

(NEWSER) - The founder of ACORN says the conservative portrayal of the group as a "criminal enterprise" is a “complete fabrication." Claims that the group systematically misuses federal funds for political purposes are being circulated as fact on TV talk shows and blogs, Wade Rathke tells the Washington Post. "It's balderdash on top of poppycock. It is a tactic they are trying to aggressively use to attack Obama.” More»

(NEWSER) - John Ensign, a Republican senator from Nevada said to be considering a presidential run in 2012, admitted today that he had an extramarital affair with a campaign staffer, reports Chris Cillizza of the Washington Post. "It's absolutely the worst thing I've ever done in my life," he said at a press conference. "I'm very sorry." His wife, Darlene, backed her husband and said their "marriage has become stronger" in a statement. More»

Judge denies Idaho senator's request

(NEWSER) - A Minnesota judge today rejected Sen. Larry Craig's attempt to rescind his guilty plea in a June men's bathroom sex sting, saying it had been entered "accurately, voluntarily, and intelligently," CNN reports. There was no immediate response from the Idaho Republican, who had said he would resign if he was unable to withdraw the plea by the end of September. More»

GOP leaders react grimly as Craig prolongs the effort to retract his guilty plea

(NEWSER) - GOP leaders listened in icy silence as Larry Craig vowed today to stay a senator while trying to change his guilty plea, the AP reports. A Minnesota judge says he will decide the matter sometime next month. "Today was a major step in the legal effort to clear my name," Craig said. But his lawyer admits that the effort to withdraw his plea is "near impossible, and it should be." More»

Airport men's room now on must-see list—even for women

(NEWSER) - Be careful about tapping your foot in Minneapolis’ latest tourist destination. Travelers passing through the airport are clamoring to see the bathroom made famous by Sen. Larry Craig’s arrest last month in a sex sting. “We had to stop and check out the bathroom,” said one jet-set wife. In fact, it was her husband's second visit. More»