A Personal Defeat
New York TimesBy Ed Koch
June 8, 2011
Ed Koch was the mayor of New York City from 1978 to 1989.
I watched Anthony Weiner at his press conference as he admitted that he had lied to his wife, the public and the news media about his Twitter and Facebook involvement with a number of women, before and after his marriage last summer.
His apology was genuine and abject. He accepted without reservation total responsibility for his foolish, inexplicable and stupid actions, which he admits he cannot explain and can only ask for forgiveness from those he knows he embarrassed.
I believe his aspiration to become mayor of New York is now impossible to achieve. But I think he can regain the support of his Congressional constituency -- he is an excellent member of the House of Representatives -- if he shows sufficient contrition by taking on some obligation that his constituents recognize as his effort to seek their forgiveness and if they find it adequate. It's a long shot, but it can be done.
If Representative Weiner is defeated for re-election next year, it will be a personal defeat, not one that really affects the Democratic Party. Indeed, the effect on New York City and State would not be discernible. The New York delegation does have at least one Republican member of Congress who is outstanding, and that is Peter King. If a Republican successor to Mr. Weiner did not turn out to be outstanding, he would be defeated in the 2014 election.
In any event, Representative Weiner’s Congressional district will probably be wiped out in the redistricting process. I wish him well.}