U.S. Rep. Anthony Weiner, who has been under fire after admitting to inappropriate communications with women online, has decided to seek treatment "to focus on becoming a better husband and healthier person," his spokeswoman said Saturday.
While the New York congressman seeks treatment at an undisclosed location, he will take a "short leave of absence" from Congress, Risa Heller said in a statement.
A Democratic source, familiar with conversations among Weiner and Democratic leadership about his fate, did not know what specific type of treatment Weiner, 46, would undergo.
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and the chairmen of the Democratic National Committee and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee called for Weiner to step down in separate statements earlier Saturday.
The congressman has resisted calls to resign.
If Pelosi is calling for him to go, he's playing musical chairs with no chairs in sight and the music about to stop for good. I think I'm being very generous when I say his odds of returning to the House are 50/50. It looks like the police investigation in Delaware is the last straw.
We'll see how this turns out. My gut says this break becomes permanent. There's just too much "oh, and another thing I forgot to tell you" post-presser for him to get the benefit of the doubt any longer.
Steve M. argues Weiner would survive this mea culpa if he were a Christian Republican from the South seeking forgiveness. Alas, as a Jewish Democrat from Brooklyn, I agree that playing the "seeking help" card won't work. His rabbi will know better. This is one of those "Dems get held to higher standards" things...and I can't say he doesn't deserve the full business from On High.
I hate to see him go. But my money's on him not returning to Congress if I had to place a bet right now.
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