Weiner Apologizes. When Will Andrew Breitbart Apologize?

Today Congressman Anthony Weiner held a press conference where he apologized for his “shameful” personal behavior. He said he was taking full responsibility for what he called “dumb” mistakes that included inappropriate communications on Facebook and Twitter and for lying about it when confronted.

There is no question that Weiner should and will suffer consequences for these serious lapses in judgment. But Weiner isn’t the only character in this morality play. The media must be held accountable for presenting the issue fairly. They must ask themselves whether this story is as critical to the American people as the debate over the debt ceiling, foreign wars and terrorism, and other pending matters of public concern. Of course it is going to be covered, but to what extent, for how long, and what issues will be displaced as a result?

The press must also seek to position it in context to prior similar events. If they raise questions as to whether Weiner, who broke no laws, ought to resign, they should also press GOP Congressman Ken Calvert and Senator David Vitter, both of whom illegally patronized prostitutes.

Another character in this melodrama is Andrew Breitbart who engaged in a bizarre hijacking of the Weiner press conference. He showed up at the hotel and commandeered the podium for nearly twenty minutes. He spent most of that time in a display of self-aggrandizement and bemoaning his victimhood. But if justice is to be served, Breitbart should be required to apologize for his part in disseminating purposefully deceitful videos smearing the reputations of ACORN and former USDA employee, Shirley Sherrod.

Just because Breitbart lucked into being correct (like a broken clock) doesn’t mean that his pattern of deception should be dismissed. Charles Manson can honestly testify that he had nothing to do with the death of Marilyn Monroe, but that doesn’t absolve him from his participation in other atrocities. Breitbart deserves no accolades over this, and he still owes the people he deliberately harmed an apology. Weiner, at least, was man enough to own up to his mistakes, eventually. If Breitbart exploits this matter for his own gain, I predict it will backfire on Republicans, simply because Breitbart is such a repulsive figure that he will produce more disgust than support.

The tabloid circus surrounding this is going to heat up for a few days. Smarmy, holier-than-thou martinets of virtue will speak out while hypocritically suppressing information that reflects poorly on themselves. Glenn Beck, not surprisingly, has leaped to the front of that line, spending the opening minutes of his program railing against Weiner. And equally unsurprising, Beck failed to note that he previously was engaged in a public feud with Weiner over investigations into the corrupt practices of his sponsor, Goldline. Again, Weiner’s misbehavior does not absolve Beck or Goldline of their own malfeasance.

Let’s see if we can get through the next week without ignoring some of the serious matters that face our nation. We have to address the budget and the Republican threat to Medicare. We have to deal with unemployment, energy, the environment, and funding for programs like education and infrastructure. Our country has a lot on its plate that is more important than the overactive libido of a New York congressman. Will we rise to that challenge?

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6 thoughts on “Weiner Apologizes. When Will Andrew Breitbart Apologize?

  1. Breitbart has nothing to apologize for. He is not a politician drawing public money. He didn’t send jock-shots to a young lady to whom he wasn’t married.

    • So…from your comment I can deduce that…
      1) Only politicians should ever apologize for anything.
      2) It’s OK to lie about public servants being racist.

  2. A commenter here on another post linked back to his own right wing blog. It was amusing to read his (and his fans’) commentary about how if Wiener had an “R” behind his name this would have been big mainstream news. That’s fucking ripe! It’s been non-stop mainstream media news for a week and a half. And tonight was the lead story on ABC’s evening news. It’s been all over the news, late night shows, CNN and even The Daily Show, where Wiener’s longtime buddy Jon Stewart skewered him not once, but twice. It couldn’t have been more mainstream.

  3. The Wolfe At #AnthonyWeiner’s Front Door http://t.co/CqzhDtA for months @repWeiner has been stalked!
    http://www.businessinsider.com/anthony-weiner-pictures-andrew-breitbart-meagan-broussard-2011-6

    bit.ly/ltmgbA
    If this wasn’t a “sting” I will eat my hat! Weiner’s ego allowed him to be caught up “in the moment” with women provided by Breibart and co. They have been stalking him for months and wanted to neutralize him.
    Time to indict him!
    Indictbreibart.org

  4. You’re familiar, of course, with the “false in one, false in all” jury instruction? Breitbart’s going for the converse.

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