Why Should Anthony Weiner Remain in Congress?

Instead of asking whether or not Representative Anthony Weiner should resign, it is more useful to ask if he should stay in congress. The arguments for Weiner to resign are reasonably clear, including points based on morality, that his behavior is simply too sleazy and disturbing, legality, that the communications he had with young women, particularly if they are minors, constitute a form of harassment, practicality, that he will have a hard time focusing on the work of being in congress if his time is taken up with the fallout from the scandal, and politics, that his continued presence in congress weakens the Democrats chance of winning back the House of Representatives in November. These are all strong points, but could be outweighed if there was a compelling reason for Weiner to stay in congress.

Several different rationales have been presented for why Weiner should remain in congress. The first is that Weiner is a strong and courageous voice for progressive causes and that should he leave congress, the Democrats would love this important voice and his constituents would lose an able and diligent representative. The first half of this assertion is true. Weiner has been outspoken on issues such as health care and in attacking Republicans for being captured by various corporate interests. He also has fought hard for the interests of the Brooklyn and Queens neighborhoods which he represents.

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