![Odonnellstuddsx390](https://www.advocate.com/media-library/odonnellstuddsx390.jpg?id=32715001&width=1200&height=876)
CONTACTStaffCAREER OPPORTUNITIESADVERTISE WITH USPRIVACY POLICYPRIVACY PREFERENCESTERMS OF USELEGAL NOTICE
© 2024 Pride Publishing Inc.
All Rights reserved
All Rights reserved
By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Private Policy and Terms of Use.
MSNBC host Lawrence O'Donnell looks at the Twitter scandal enveloping Congressman Anthony Weiner through the lens of politicians who have engaged in "violations of puritanism" and survived, including gay congressmen Barney Frank and the late Gerry Studds.
Over the weekend, a photo of bulging underwear was sent from the New York congressman's account to a young woman follower in Seattle. Although the photo was promptly removed, conservative blogger Andrew Breitbart, a board member for conservative gay group GOProud, used the incident to suggest that Weiner, who is married to Huma Abedin, a top aide to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, has been engaged in inappropriate behavior with young women.
O'Donnell, in reviewing the growing scandal, compared it to incidents involving Studds, Frank, and Chris Lee, the upstate New York congressman forced to resign this year after he sent a shirtless photo of himself to a woman on Craigslist. In contrast, Studds became the first openly gay member of congress after he acknowledged an affair with an underage male congressional page in 1982, and Frank voluntary came out in 1987 but later came under investigation for his relationship with a male prostitute.
"Many congressmen have engaged in much greater violations of puritanism and survived politically, especially liberal congressmen representing liberal districts," said O'Donnell of Studds and Frank, both from Massachusetts. Lee hailed from a conservative district that last week selected Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, to replace him in a special election. Weiner represents the overwhelmingly Democratic New York City.
"Nothing, but nothing should matter to you less than the legal sexual conduct of any politician, anywhere," added O'Donnell.
However, exactly how to classify the conduct and whether Weiner is responsible for the photo contribute to the uncertainty keeping the scandal alive. The congressman has denied he shared the photo and argued his account was hacked in a prank, but in a curious twist, he has refused to say whether or not the photo is of him. Last night he even suggested to Rachel Maddow that the photo could be a manipulated shot of him that found it way to the Internet.
Watch the report from O'Donnell. The comparisons between Weiner and other politicians begin around the 6:40 mark.
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
Want more breaking equality news & trending entertainment stories?
Check out our NEW 24/7 streaming service: the Advocate Channel!
Download the Advocate Channel App for your mobile phone and your favorite streaming device!
From our Sponsors
Most Popular
Meet all 37 of the queer women in this season's WNBA
April 17 2024 11:24 AM
Here are the 15 gayest travel destinations in the world: report
March 26 2024 9:23 AM
21+ steamy photos of Scotland’s finest gay men in Elska Glasgow
February 01 2024 10:07 PM
More Than 50 of Our Favorite LGBTQ+ Moms
May 12 2024 11:44 AM
Conjoined twins Lori Schappell and trans man George Schappell dead at 62
April 27 2024 6:13 PM
Latest Stories
Kamala Harris rides wave of Democratic energy at kickoff event in Wisconsin
July 23 2024 3:36 PM
'Devastated:' A six-week abortion ban will go into effect in Iowa next week
July 23 2024 2:28 PM
Four hours, 44,000 Black women, and one Zoom call
July 23 2024 2:17 PM
Record 1.2 million people show out for Cologne’s Pride parade
July 23 2024 10:51 AM
Here's how far-right activist Leonard Leo helped fund Bud Light boycott
July 23 2024 10:27 AM
Elon Musk’s comments about his trans daughter prove why she doesn’t speak to him
July 23 2024 9:16 AM
Nancy Pelosi endorses Kamala Harris for president
July 22 2024 4:07 PM
Charli XCX declares Kamala Harris IS brat & our next President's campaign agrees
July 22 2024 3:08 PM