Hartman reports: "One year after resigning from Congress following news he had emailed lewd photos of himself to women, married former Democratic Rep. Anthony Weiner desires a return to politics, according to New York news outlets."

Former Congressman Anthony Weiner. (photo: AP)

A Comeback for Anthony Weiner?

By Rachel Rose Hartman, The Ticket/Y!News

16 July 12

ne year after resigning from Congress following news he had emailed lewd photos of himself to women, married former Democratic Rep. Anthony Weiner desires a return to politics, according to New York news outlets.

"The disgraced former congressman - who's sitting on a $4.5 million campaign war chest - is mulling a bid for citywide office next year and 'seriously considering' a mayoral run," sources told the New York Post. The newspaper reported that Weiner has spoken with former staffers about returning to work for him.

"He wants to return to politics, according to friends and former staff members," The New York Times reported, adding that if Weiner doesn't spend his campaign cash next year, he will lose an opportunity to get matching funds.

Weiner's camp has not commented on the news reports.

Weiner ran for New York City mayor in 2005, but lost in the Democratic primary. He'd prepared to run again in 2009, but Mayor Mike Bloomberg successfully pushed to change the city term limits law to allow himself to run for a third term, prompting Weiner to steer clear of the race.

Weiner has maintained a low profile since his resignation, winding up occasionally in tabloid news reports for venturing out in the city with his wife, Huma Abedin, a senior aide for Hillary Rodham Clinton. The Post reported Monday that Abedin is encouraging her husband to grant a tell-all interview in the hopes of putting the scandal to rest.

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+26 # Street Level 2012-07-16 20:24

I agree with you Holyone. Anthony did a lot of good for New York and it was a loss when he left congress.
You were lucky to be spared the media circus. The smartest thing he could do IMO, is to make a statement, ignore the muck-rakers and get back to work and not get dragged into time wasting crap like the President did over the "birther" issue.
We need him, he's a bulldog fighter and we need him.

+4 # SMoonz 2012-07-16 21:06

Anthony Weiner was in favor of The Patriot Act, in favor of extending the Patriot Act, in favor of the Iraq War, in favor of wiretapping, in favor of Guantanamo Bay... definitely not someone who should be missed.

-2 # Glen 2012-07-17 09:03

Thank you SMoonz. Good to hear from someone who keeps up with background issues rather than jumping on the wagon of blind support. The public persona of many folks in politics and high office is nothing when compared to their actions relative to the country at large.

+12 # dawn99 2012-07-16 21:31

Let men with PERFECT records of behavior talk bad about him. EVERY one else can shut up. He's got mad skills. He is human and flawed SOMETIMES. I want him back in the mix. He pro outweighs his con BY FAR

+7 # Phlippinout 2012-07-16 21:35

I would vote for him no problem. What consenting adults do with their cell phones is their business. An underwear bulge is not offensive to me.

+12 # tswhiskers 2012-07-17 07:39

I would amend that statement: What consenting adults do in private is their business. Unfortunately Weiner behaved very stupidly IN PUBLIC. He should have known that we are ALL interconnected online. However if he has the chutzpah to return to public life, I would support him. Given the continued arrogance and mad behavior of the Reps. we need him. At least he does not appear to be corrupt and though he obviously needs the limelight, he did have the interests of his constituents at heart. These days that's saying a mouthful.

0 # Gevurah 2012-07-17 11:33

A person in a public position IS bound by different standards.

Therewas NO excuse for Weiner to do his stupid, juvenile thing.

A public official must be like Caesar's wife -- beyond reproach. If he can't handle that burden, he should not be in government.

-19 # Trueblue Democrat 2012-07-17 03:09

Anthony Weiner is a pervert. New York and our nation are well rid of him.

0 # shraeve 2012-07-20 11:15

I don't care if he is a pervert with consenting adults. What is important is that he is a good public servant.

+12 # MEBrowning 2012-07-17 04:50

There are those in near-unassailab le positions of power whose deeds are far worse than Mr. Weiner's. I'm glad he is exploring a comeback, and I hope he decides to run for office. As Street Level says, we need him.

+6 # Barbara K 2012-07-17 05:07

Anthony was a great and dynamic Representative. While he may have sent some pics of himself, the more damning ones, I believe were hoaxes, and not sent by him or of him. All you had to do was watch his speeches to see that the Rs just railroaded him to get him out of congress. He was and is a great Democrat. The Rs have done much worse and were not railroaded out of congress. Like Senator who was carrying on an affair with a woman in Argentina and charging off his trips to visit her, yes, he was married. And Sen. Ensign who carried on with a woman on his staff and paid off her family and husband over $100,000 to keep it quiet (money donated by his R friends); and Senator Vicker who frequented Prostitutes and is still serving. These were all Republicans who tried to hide their actions and there are more. But the House felt so threatened by Rep. Weiner that they had to set him up and get him out. I hope he does make a come-back. I wasn't in favor of him leaving in the first place.

+7 # dick 2012-07-17 05:45

Ordinarily, mayor of NYC is not where progressive fighters can best serve. But with Occupy Wall St. gearing up for the next scandal, it might be a good platform for attacking banksters.
I wish Eliot Spitzer would return also. In a crisis atmosphere,
personal scandal would shrink (sorry Weiner). Others out front would make Obama conspicuous in his absence.

-7 # savagem13 2012-07-17 06:03

I've been a reader here for months but hadn't registered yet. I had to register specifically to respond to the comments of Street Level and Holyone. Are you kidding me? You are condoning this man getting back into politics? Out of all of the millions and millions of people who might be qualified to lead the city, you want to support this guy--a man who disgraced himself and his wife/family by texting photos of his member to near strangers? A person who would do this has psychological problems, period. A person with psychological problems does not belong in a position of authority in politics, period. We have phychopaths and people with unresolved family-of-origi n issues in positions of power in politics and business. Why do you think this country/this world is such a mess? Maybe after years of intensive therapy to figure out and learn to deal with his problems in a healthy manner--maybe then this guy will be ready to enter politics again. Not now. Please--stop making excuses for people with unresolved issues. I don't care HOW he votes. He has mental problems and it is HIS responsibility to deal with them before he attempts to take on the problems of an entire city/country.

+4 # billeeboy 2012-07-17 16:22

Woe! What anger! What Weiner did is no different than what millions of Americans do every day. It is not perverted. Times have changed and social communication has changed. Get over it. Weiner would be a fine Mayor. Sorry I don't live in NYC so can't vote for him. As much as I admire Spitzer his is a very different situation - his "transgression" was hypocritical as he was leading a public campaign against the very behaviour in which he was engaging.

+3 # Glen 2012-07-17 06:08

Far be it from me to be judgmental offhandedly, but Weiner did have an opportunity to "make a statement" and/or defend himself. Those in public life do not have the luxury of being lascivious or an exhibitionist because it is too easy to get caught and lose all credibility, not to mention damaging those close to you and denigrating the dignity of your career.

If Weiner wants to continue his career in politics, great, but please keep that thing in the pants.

0 # shraeve 2012-07-20 11:25

Some people are naturally more lascivious than others, just like some people are naturally female, or gay, or physically small. None of these things should disqualify someone for public office, because they are irrelevant.

-10 # savagem13 2012-07-17 06:35

Barbara K--so you condone this guy's behavior by saying there are Republicans who are doing worse and getting away with it? STOP accepting and condoning the "lesser of two evils." What is WRONG with people that they can accept people in positions of power who are so clearly dealing with mental-health issues in their personal lives? If they cannot even deal with their own families in a healthy way, why would you think they are capable of dealing with the problems of a city/state/coun try in a healthy way? Are people willing to overlook mental health issues in our politicians/bus iness leaders because they know they are overlooking their own mental health issues? Has EVERYONE on here cheated on/disgraced a spouse so they are willing to accept the same behavior in their leaders? I don't get it. It seems like common sense to me--if someone is incapable of dealing with personal issues in a healthy manner, they are incapable of leading others in a healthy manner as well. Weiner needs intensive therapy. Maybe THEN he will be capable of effective political leadership. Without it, there is NO WAY he can be dealing with his public life in a healthy way any more than he's dealing with his private life effectively.

-8 # savagem13 2012-07-17 06:42

Sorry for the double post--but Barbara K--stop settling for the lesser of two evils. Didn't your parents ever teach you, two wrongs don't make a right? The Republicans who are abusing their power and engaging in immoral activities do not deserve to represent us any more than Weiner does. We--the American people--deserve BETTER than this! We deserve emotionally and mentally healthy people in office who are capable of making decisions from an adult, objective place--not people who have failed to deal with the damage that mommy and daddy have done to them. We DESERVE role models who are upstanding citizens--not child/men who are still dealing with issues/burdens handed down by their families of origin.

+3 # Barbara K 2012-07-17 08:21

savagem13: Since both of my parents are gone, I would appreciate it if you keep them out of your postings. Did it ever occur to you that that was a set-up? He did not send that pic, nor was the organ his. His account was hacked just to take him down. He may have sent some pics, but the ones I've seen were not obscene. Anthony was a powerful Dem in the House and the Rs were trying every dirty trick in the book to get him out. He chose to leave rather than have the assaults continue and to let his wife be harmed. She didn't want him to leave.

+7 # Majikman 2012-07-17 07:51

There's a huge difference between sexual predators and stupid, immature peccadilloes. I couldn't care less that Anthony got caught in an embarrassing act between consenting adults, or that Spitzer used his own money for his playtime.
There's no equivalency between those Dem's and someone like Sen Vitter using campaign funds for his playtime, or Gov.Sanford using tax payer funds for his Argentine trips or Sen"wide stance" legislating against gays.
Weiner was an attack dog for progressive values and I'd vote for him in a NY minute.

+4 # Barbara K 2012-07-17 08:24

Majikman: I sooooo agree with you. People who were not paying attention to politics don't know how he was set up. He is a great Dem and I'd be proud to have him represent me. The Rs bad behaviors were much worse and they chose to stay and should have been forced out.

-3 # Glen 2012-07-17 10:48

Barbara, Clinton was also set up, but that didn't mean he didn't have major issues, regardless of what he did of value for the country. Look deeper into both Weiner's and Clinton's careers and you will find some pretty bad stuff, also, that was definitely NOT good for the country.

SMoonz comments concerning Weiner and his support of some nasty government policies tells you a lot. Same with Clinton. Remember NAFTA? His bombing southern Iraq and Africa? And so forth.

Gotta do more than listen. Ya gotta research.

+2 # Barbara K 2012-07-17 10:53

Glen: I lived thru it. lol.

0 # shraeve 2012-07-20 11:29

Weiner's suitability for public office should be evaluated on the basis of his votes, not on his sexual tendencies.

+3 # Jaylu 2012-07-17 08:08

To me, one of the saddest things to happen in politics is the story of Rep. Weiner. He is a force to be reckoned with in the political arena, and I could imagine him going as far as he wants to go in government.

What he did was immature at worst. Our kids do it. But it was enough to get him out of the loop, and I know ultra-right wingers were glad.

Fame and power are tough to deal with. It's just too much adrenaline for most people who hold office today. They're in the same space as sports figures and movie stars. Anthony Weiner pledged to get help in treatment for sexual addiction on the day he stepped down. All schoolboy pranking aside, this man is a nation builder. We need to welcome him back, because few of us would want the job, if we're honest about it.

Maybe politicians should just wear their pants backward?

-6 # savagem13 2012-07-17 08:58

Barbara K--he was set up. Is this conjecture on your part, wishful thinking, or do you have evidence of this?

Jaylu, maybe politicians should be required to undergo a psychological evaluation and therapy if necessary before they are allowed to make decisions that affect millions of other people.

+5 # Barbara K 2012-07-17 09:32

I saw interviews with him, and I saw programs about the situation on channels I can trust. But I don't owe you anything and I see you are attacking several people on RSN.

+1 # ABen 2012-07-18 09:33

Barbara K, seems you pricked a rather touchy balloon--well done!

-8 # savagem13 2012-07-17 09:14

Jaylu--"Our kids do it?" That's what you come up with? They are KIDS! They are SUPPOSED to be immature. This is a full-grown man who was in a position to make decisions that will affect millions of other people. He humiliated his wife. He let his constituents down. Can't you see the difference?

-5 # savagem13 2012-07-17 16:42

Barbara K--I am not attacking PEOPLE--I'm attacking poorly supported positions and immature, uncritical thinking. There's a difference.

+2 # ABen 2012-07-18 08:34

savafem13; speaking of uncritical thinking, please look in the mirror. To address your several points, what Wiener admitted to having done was boorish and rather juvenile but clearly no psychopathic. The person to whom he sent the pictures (an e-mail "friend") was surprised but not offended (her words). The hurt he undoubtedly caused his wife is no one's business or concern but theirs. His constituents obviously didn't feel disgraced or betrayed (maybe a bit embarrassed) since 56% didn't want him to resign. History is replete with figures who were capable of outstanding public service while dealing with far more significant personal issues. People make mistakes. Intelligent people learn from those mistakes. Compassionate people forgive and move on. Wise people recognize this paradigm and value the better person who emerges from it.

-1 # savagem13 2012-07-19 04:12

ABen--I suggested that there are many psychopaths in control of our government at present. I didn't suggest that Weiner was one of them. I suggested that he needs therapy before he is capable of effectively leading our nation (or a city) in a healthy, adult manner. Psychopaths do not benefit from traditional therapy, ergo I wouldn't suggest that Weiner engage in therapy if I felt he were a true psychopath (which I do not). Take a look around you. Do you like the America that you see? If not, maybe it's time that we change our thinking. Maybe it's time to stop assuming that a person is capable of immature, impulsive behavior in his/her personal life but can succeed in pulling it together to act like a mature, rational adult in business/politi cs. This doesn't even make SENSE! A personal with unresolved issues is a person with unresolved issues--those issues will affect every part of his/her life, no matter how hard he or she tries to avoid it. Yes, people make mistakes. But this was a WHOPPER, and suggests that Weiner is capable of engaging in impulsive, immature behavior. Do you want him engaging in impulsive, immature behavior while in charge of a major American city? Again--look around you. Do you like the America that you see? If not, maybe we should consider changing our way of thinking.

0 # shraeve 2012-07-20 12:00

It is a common error of our time to believe that a person's sex life has a bearing on their ability to serve in public office. Sometimes it seems that America is being run by the Taliban.

Do I like the America I see? Absolutely not. But the private sexual behavior of people in public office has nothing to do with it. There were prominent people in America's past who had a disreputable sex life but who were good in their official positions. Ike had an affair with his driver, but Ike was a good president. JFK and LBJ are both highly regarded in many circles, yet neither was perfect in his private life. There are some highly regarded people in public life who are widely assumed to be gay. They just haven't come out. Grover Cleveland had a child out of wedlock, yet Cleveland was a good president. Thomas Jefferson had a long-time affair with his slave, and Jefferson is believed to have been one of the greatest men in American public life.

On the other hand, Ulysses S Grant was a good family man who was a total incompetent as president. Jimmy Carter was a good family man, but Carter was a failure as president. Richard Nixon had a spotless personal life, but was a total scoundrel as president.

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