Tipsheet

Craig Can't Withdraw Guilty Plea

From RollCall:

Hennepin County District Court Judge Charles Porter on Thursday denied Sen. Larry Craig's (R-Idaho) motion to withdraw his guilty plea to disorderly conduct charges following a June incident in a Minneapolis airport bathroom. Craig has said he would resign from the Senate if he fails to overturn his plea.

Watch video on the judge's ruling here.

Update: 4:05 - This video is worth watching for comedic reasons, at least.  As the Washington Post's Paul Kane reports, he passed four bathrooms on his way from Craig's arrival gate to the scene of the crime ...

Update: 4:32 - Hotline reports:  "Sen. Larry Craig (R-ID) said in a statement he's 'extremely disappointed' in the ruling and "innocent" of all charges. Craig: 'When my term has expired, I will retire and not seek reelection" (release).

Update: 5:17 - "Idaho Sen. Larry Craig defiantly vowed to serve out his term in office despite losing a court attempt to rescind his guilty plea in a men's room sting. Craig had earlier announced he would resign his seat by Sept. 30, but had wavered when he went to court in hopes of withdrawing his plea." - Wall Street Journal, 10/4/07