Danger is my surname
July 24, 2013 10:58 AM Subscribe

After gossip site The Dirty posted explicit Facebook chats between NYC Mayoral frontrunner Anthony Weiner (pre viou sly) and a young Democratic organizer who initially wrote to castigate him for his original scandal, he was forced to acknowledge that "his habit of sending racy messages to women had persisted long after his resignation." The New York Times has called for him to drop out. So has the Wall Street Journal. So have his opponents, somewhat predictably, for obcuring the issues with "a never-ending sideshow." His support is dwindling, but a lingering question is: will (and should) voters even care?
posted by Potomac Avenue (230 comments total) 8 users marked this as a favorite

And I forgot the most interesting link I think, the Times background of how the most recent exchange went from outrage to an online affair.
posted by Potomac Avenue at 11:03 AM on July 24, 2013

For completeness sake the Times has a mastercut of all his apologies so far.
posted by Potomac Avenue at 11:05 AM on July 24, 2013 [1 favorite]

On the one hand, his wife doesn't seem to care, and she's got a greater interest in his behavior than I do.

And, after all, Mark Sanford hiked the Appalachian trial and managed to get elected to Congress.

There's a good point to be made about privacy and people being complicated and all that.

But still, I sort of expect people in positions of authority to at least be accountable to themselves and not be so fucking strange.
posted by Pogo_Fuzzybutt at 11:07 AM on July 24, 2013 [7 favorites]

Should voters even care?

I was thinking about just this thing earlier today. Should voters care that a politician flirts with younger woman outside his marriage? Not at all. Should they care that he casually lies about it? Yes. Should they care that he is willing to perjure himself to avoid this flirting coming to light? Absolutely.

I wish no one bothered to ask politicians questions about their sex life, so that they wouldn't lie in response, and then I wouldn't have to care.

In the case where the politician says: "Yep, did that, so what?" My response is just: "As you were."
posted by 256 at 11:08 AM on July 24, 2013 [34 favorites]

"Flirts with" is one way to describe sending unsolicited pictures of your peen.
posted by Justinian at 11:08 AM on July 24, 2013 [14 favorites]

What's going to kill him is 'Carlos Danger.' Ridicule is deadly.
posted by mojohand at 11:09 AM on July 24, 2013 [4 favorites]

If you're like me and find this entertaining in a horrible sort of way, the good news is that his ego is the swelling mass that will keep him in the campaign
posted by angrycat at 11:10 AM on July 24, 2013 [2 favorites]

Here's the thing (IMHO). Christine Quinn (who will likely win the Democratic nomination easily if Weiner's not in the race) is largely responsible for the closing of St. Vincent's Hospital, has a terrible record on animal rights, and refuses to say we should get rid of stop and frisk. So, a lot of us who vote in New York will willingly and happily vote for Carlos Danger.

This is what upsets me so much about this. I had so much hope for him as a politician because of his values. I totally supported him running for mayor. But I don't think he can come back from this, I just don't. I mean, I guess people gonna people, even if they're politicians. He clearly has some problems he needs to address and perhaps needs to fall farther before he can address them.
posted by sweetkid at 11:11 AM on July 24, 2013 [2 favorites]

I'm wondering if some day we'll actually have out poly politicians. If we do, we'll probably look back with deep embarrassment on how:

early 21st century politics required Wiener and his wife to pretend to have a monogamous relationship, and on how
Wiener has been / is being hounded out of politics for being poly with a weird kink for sexting.

posted by You Can't Tip a Buick at 11:12 AM on July 24, 2013 [4 favorites]

In Weiner's case, at least one of the "inappropriate exchanges" came directly as the result of a constituent contacting him in his official capacity as a Representative, which I'd really rather not have any of my* elected officials doing on company time.

* -- I am neither a resident nor voter in the New York 9th Congressional district or New York City, so it's academic in this case.
posted by Etrigan at 11:12 AM on July 24, 2013 [15 favorites]

The guy clearly has self-control issues up the wazoo and is a lying liar who lies which doesn't strike me as ideal mayor material. The fact that his wife is standing by him is neither here nor there; she's not the city he's hoping to run. (In between taking shots of his penis?)
posted by lesbiassparrow at 11:12 AM on July 24, 2013 [10 favorites]

sweetkid, ITA. I mean, when Rachel Maddow goes after you as a liar, that's when things be bad.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 11:13 AM on July 24, 2013 [3 favorites]

I promise not to steal money or send xeroxs of my junk to interns. Can I be mayor of NYC now?
posted by ishrinkmajeans at 11:13 AM on July 24, 2013 [4 favorites]

Is it so much to ask for a mayor who can manage to keep his penis off the evening news? Sorry Weiner, no vote from me. Not crazy about Quinn, either, so I still have some deciding to do. Disappointing field overall.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 11:13 AM on July 24, 2013

Vote ishrinkmajeans September 10th!
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 11:14 AM on July 24, 2013 [6 favorites]

ishrinkmajeans, if you get rid of the horse carriage rides in Central Park I will vote for you.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 11:14 AM on July 24, 2013 [2 favorites]

This sort of thing is often a big deal to voters. Though I am one to give a good deal of leeway to politicians and their kinks as long as they're not wagging their fingers over how those kinks are bad for society/the children/family values, etc.

Still... get that thing under control already.
posted by 2N2222 at 11:15 AM on July 24, 2013 [1 favorite]

If David Vitter can be a senator, then Weiner should stay in the race, despite stiff opposition.
posted by Renoroc at 11:15 AM on July 24, 2013 [1 favorite]

I MeMailed ishrinkmajeans to ask about his position on stop and frisk and he sent me back a picture of a horses wang with the caption "STOP AND FRISK THIS" (at least i hope it was a horse)
posted by Potomac Avenue at 11:15 AM on July 24, 2013 [30 favorites]

I vow to replace all horse carriages in central park with human pony carriages. Less animal cruelty more human cruelty.
posted by ishrinkmajeans at 11:17 AM on July 24, 2013 [24 favorites]

1.early 21st century politics required Wiener and his wife to pretend to have a monogamous relationship...

Is there evidence that the Weiners have an open, polyamorous relationship, or is this conjecture?
posted by Atom Eyes at 11:17 AM on July 24, 2013 [5 favorites]

What's up with this guy.

Like I said last time, I can't vote for a guy who is either trying to sabotage himself or is too incompetent to keep his philandering out of the press.
posted by Ad hominem at 11:18 AM on July 24, 2013 [14 favorites]

All gossip and and the human interest angle aside, as a pure matter of governance, how could this not be a distraction from the work at hand? It's a position of considerable responsibility which demands the office-holder's full attention, and Weiner isn't in a position now to give that.

Once the personal stuff takes centre stage, city business isn't addressed -- or at least, not adequately. (See: Ford, Mayor Rob.)

This dick-pic business is personal, between Weiner and his wife. But here, as with any job, if the personal overtakes one's ability to focus on the job, that's the real problem.
posted by Capt. Renault at 11:19 AM on July 24, 2013 [2 favorites]

I doubt a politician would ever admit a poly relationship, but it's certainly possible that he has one. It's equally conjecture to assume that he's cheating (unless he's said something to the contrary that I'm not aware of.)
posted by painquale at 11:19 AM on July 24, 2013

I think poly is a derail. I think he just likes the attention from the sexting. Not entirely sure it's even about infidelity.
posted by sweetkid at 11:21 AM on July 24, 2013 [3 favorites]

The best response to this I've seen was a tweet yesterday wondering if his true fetish is actually public apologies.

Advantage:Danger!
posted by billyfleetwood at 11:22 AM on July 24, 2013 [44 favorites]

USA TODAY: Pressure builds on Weiner

Seriously?
posted by Big_B at 11:22 AM on July 24, 2013 [16 favorites]

if I were a voter in this election, my only concern would be the seeming indication of Weiner's idiocy for getting busted again for this juvenile ridiculous behavior.
posted by supermedusa at 11:22 AM on July 24, 2013 [1 favorite]

I give you the Carlos Danger Name Generator.

Sincerely,

Lorenzo Evil
posted by flyingsquirrel at 11:22 AM on July 24, 2013 [9 favorites]

Jorge Hazard!
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 11:23 AM on July 24, 2013

Your name: Diego Trouble
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 11:24 AM on July 24, 2013 [1 favorite]

Mariano Sly?
posted by brundlefly at 11:25 AM on July 24, 2013

Lorenzo Jeopardy? That's a bit disappointing to be honest.
posted by Bulgaroktonos at 11:25 AM on July 24, 2013 [1 favorite]

My sexting name is Climate Change, but I got it from the Irresponsible Media Practices Are Destroying the Future Name Generator.
posted by gerryblog at 11:25 AM on July 24, 2013 [21 favorites]

I really wish we had an opportunity to separate sexting as a sex act from the consent issues here. People shouldn't cheat, and people shouldn't try to engage people in sex acts without their consent, and people certainly shouldn't use government time and resources to do the above, but most of the prurient attention here doesn't seem focused on any of that.

Instead, we seem to care that Weiner's particular sexual interest is "weird." (Of course, it's not actaully that unusual, but keeping that aside for the moment). The press is calling it "shenanigans", Weiner's apologizing for his "habits", and so forth. And that's the part that I think can really be damaging. When a 14 year old sends topless photos of herself to a classmate, and that classmate spreads it around the entire school, we've as a culture decided her "life is over" and that she should have known what she was getting herself into. I don't see why either of those have to be the case, why we've decided that sending a photo like that is infinitely less forgivable than forwarding it to all your friends.

It's just another sex act. One that has the advantage, in the 21st century, of not spreading STIs or causing pregnancy. One that you shouldn't do without your spouse's consent, or shouldn't spring on someone unsuspecting. But one which between consenting adults (or, in the aforementioned case, consenting adolescents of appropriate ages) shouldn't be this big of a pervert siren.
posted by Apropos of Something at 11:25 AM on July 24, 2013 [11 favorites]

It seems to me it's as much about power as it is about sex which is what sets off my creeper bells. I say this as a licensed amateur psychotherapist.

Sincerly,

Ariel Gamble
posted by Potomac Avenue at 11:26 AM on July 24, 2013 [3 favorites]

I would have voted for him before all this came out, because hey, (other than being a lying adulterer,) he seems like he's a decent guy with a rational perspective and truly gives a damn about this city and doing right by his constituents.

But ugh. Very frustrating. This city has real problems. Budget crises. Infrastructure issues. Class divides. We have a current mayor that has all but pissed on the poor and is helping push out the middle class. In addition, Bloomberg's covered the MTA's ass repeatedly, instead of demanding much needed reform. We also need education reform and a better police department.

We don't need this shit. We need a mayor who can focus, and his sex scandals and lack of control would be a huge distraction. And who's to say they wouldn't still be a problem once he's in office. It's not as if we haven't seen that problem in Gracie Mansion before.

And yet, I don't want to vote for Quinn. This is very disappointing.
posted by zarq at 11:27 AM on July 24, 2013 [2 favorites]

Cesar Threat sends greetings, and opines that the presidential ticket of Carlos Danger and Ron Mexico would be well-nigh unstoppable.
posted by jquinby at 11:27 AM on July 24, 2013 [5 favorites]

My sexting name is Climate Change,

It wasn't me baby, it was Climate Change!

"Oh crap well since Climate Change doesn't exist I guess you're off the hook again."
posted by Potomac Avenue at 11:27 AM on July 24, 2013 [5 favorites]

The problem isn't that the guy likes a little strange; even in Puritan America lots of cheating scoundrels are successful politicians. The problem is we're seeing pictures of his dick. Discretion is still a requirement, whether you're married or not. It's like when your president used to smoke pot and snort the occasional rail; yeah, we all know, but let's not talk about it. The problem here isn't that it's a weird sex act, it's that it has become a public act. It's not clear that's even his fault; surely some responsibility goes to the recipients who shared the photos?

Maybe all the New York Mayor candidates should post dick pics. Just so voters can make an informed choice. Women candidates will require some creativity.

I don't much area about Weiner; the real tragedy to me is the way Eliot Spitzer blew himself up. He did amazing work as the NY Attorney General, prosecuting Wall Street abuses in the early 2000s. We need more of that kind of governance and I at least am willing to overlook some prostitution, if his explanation comes with appropriate sympathy and comments on sex workers.
posted by Nelson at 11:27 AM on July 24, 2013 [2 favorites]

What galls me about this whole stupid mess is that apparently he sexted again, after stepping down from Congress. It's one thing if additional past transgressions come to light, but these happened after he asked for our forgiveness.

The best response to this I've seen was a tweet yesterday wondering if his true fetish is actually public apologies.

I think there's some truth in this. Even more creeper bells.
posted by flyingsquirrel at 11:28 AM on July 24, 2013 [2 favorites]

I think poly is a derail. I think he just likes the attention from the sexting.

Yeah, this. If he were actually in a polyamorous relationship and had a brain nearly as big as his ego, he'd have learned from having to resign from Congress that he at least needs to be the slightest, tiniest bit smart about it. Finding someone who's willing to be in a discreet poly relationship with a public figure wouldn't be that difficult.
posted by Etrigan at 11:28 AM on July 24, 2013 [1 favorite]

Well, I took a look at the latest messages in question and they sure don't read as a non-consensual exchange, what with her talking about masturbating to him and hoping they can get together and fuck and all. Or does that somehow not count because he never got her a condo?
posted by mobunited at 11:28 AM on July 24, 2013

ThePinkSuperhero: "Jorge Hazard!"

José Enrique Hazard! :D
posted by zarq at 11:29 AM on July 24, 2013

Should voters care that a politician flirts with younger woman outside his marriage? Not at all. Should they care that he casually lies about it? Yes. Should they care that he is willing to perjure himself to avoid this flirting coming to light? Absolutely.

Are there any studies that show that lying about one's relationship predicts anything about whether one would lie about different matters? I thought that evidence suggests that character traits like honesty (meant to apply to many domains) are not very scientifically reputable and not very predictive of behavior. It's normally morally permissible for people to lie about their sex lives, and we don't think of it as a manifestation of a character flaw; I don't think a politician is less trustworthy in general if he lies about sexting.
posted by painquale at 11:30 AM on July 24, 2013 [1 favorite]

I don't much area about Weiner; the real tragedy to me is the way Eliot Spitzer blew himself up.

Take heart, looks like he's going to be NYC Comtroller. I'm not voting from him (like Gloria Steinem said in the NYTimes, this is just a target of opportunity), but people seem to be excited.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 11:31 AM on July 24, 2013

The problem is we're seeing pictures of his dick.

Unless you're one of the subject women in this whole affair or you, I don't know, spend time on the Internet where somebody does a lot of link bait-and-switching, you're choosing to see pictures of his dick. Following this story relatively closely, I still haven't.
posted by Apropos of Something at 11:32 AM on July 24, 2013 [1 favorite]

And, after all, Mark Sanford hiked the Appalachian trial and managed to get elected to Congress.

It's okay if you're a Republican
posted by Gelatin at 11:33 AM on July 24, 2013 [1 favorite]

Unless you're one of the subject women in this whole affair or you, I don't know, spend time on the Internet where somebody does a lot of link bait-and-switching, you're choosing to see pictures of his dick.

Not all of the women in the whole affair chose to see those pictures. There are real consent issues here that are being obscured by the tittering, as mentioned upthread.
posted by gerryblog at 11:33 AM on July 24, 2013 [3 favorites]

What's going to kill him is 'Carlos Danger.'

He should just go ahead and change his name. You can't tell me "Carlos Danger" wouldn't get more votes on the ballot than "Anthony Weiner."

Mayor Carlos Danger will rid Metro City of the Mad Gear Gang. He's a bad enough dude to save the president!
posted by straight at 11:33 AM on July 24, 2013 [8 favorites]

painquale: " It's normally morally permissible for people to lie about their sex lives, and we don't think of it as a manifestation of a character flaw;"

It's not universally considered permissible when the person is married, and many groups generally do see lying about sex as a character flaw. Latinos in particular supported his resignation from Congress over the sexting scandal.
posted by zarq at 11:34 AM on July 24, 2013

I give you the Carlos Danger Name Generator.

The day I need a widget to generate a "Carlos Danger"-inspired sex-chat name for me is the day I lay down my keyboard and tweet no more.
posted by straight at 11:35 AM on July 24, 2013 [4 favorites]

For me it's like you don't date people who are assholes to waitstaff. You don't vote for people who have this weird penis/brain loop going on that consumes so much of their psyche
posted by angrycat at 11:35 AM on July 24, 2013 [39 favorites]

Should they care that he casually lies about it? Yes.

I lie about things that aren't anybody else's goddamn business all the time. When it's none of your business, you are not owed the truth.

Not all of the women in the whole affair chose to see those pictures. There are real consent issues here that are being obscured by the tittering, as mentioned upthread.

I don't know about the others, but the woman who leaked to the Dirty told ol' Carlos she liked his dick pics and also gave perhaps an easy to miss consent signal: "fuck me baby."
posted by mobunited at 11:36 AM on July 24, 2013 [4 favorites]

Talking Points Memo had the best headline/riff on Weiner's apology:

"My truth is that I am a horndog."
posted by The Confessor at 11:36 AM on July 24, 2013

She grimaced and set her phone down. "We need to tread lightly here," she said, scowling. "Danger."

"What kind of danger?"

"The worst kind." She massaged her forehead. "Carlos Danger."
posted by COBRA! at 11:36 AM on July 24, 2013 [18 favorites]

What Apropos of Something said.
posted by Vibrissae at 11:36 AM on July 24, 2013

NYT has a pretty good online widget with a rundown of the mayoral candidates
-sincerely, Marcelino Violence
posted by rmless at 11:37 AM on July 24, 2013 [1 favorite]

Not all of the women in the whole affair chose to see those pictures.

Sorry that my writing was unclear. I meant to say exactly that. To clarify: there are definitely people who didn't choose to see his dick, but if you're just a person on the Internet watching this story, or a "citizen of New York" or whatever, you're choosing to click on that link that promises a picture of Carlos Danger's dick.
posted by Apropos of Something at 11:37 AM on July 24, 2013

This guy is not just engaging in casual extra-marital affairs -- aside from the obvious narcissistic quirk of relentlessly photographing his cock, he exploits his power and position within the Democratic party to aggressively pursue women he has not met and without their, at least initial, consent. I'd say this behaviour is more than enough to make him unfit for public office -- even before we get into the pathological lying and how entitled he seems to feel toward holding public office in the first place. Weiner needs a second crack at governance like we need another picture of his dick.

Rather than mourn over the one good candidate that let us all down now that the right-wing ideologue has open gates to the mayorship, we might ask instead why a disgraced Congressman with a history of lying and a penchant for bullying still became the only "credible" Democratic candidate. Could it be because privilege always looks out for its own?
posted by Catchfire at 11:37 AM on July 24, 2013 [20 favorites]

I had so much hope for him as a politician because of his values

What values would those be? Sexual compulsions aside, Weiner has a track record of getting his face in front of a camera while accomplishing nothing. At least Chuck Schumer moves away from the mic to breathe in once in a while.
posted by Inspector.Gadget at 11:38 AM on July 24, 2013 [4 favorites]

The guy's political career was nearly torpedoed by the sexting nonsense... and he couldn't stop. He's basically a super-ambitious asshole whose dick pictures jeopardized his future... but that wasn't enough to change his behavior.

There are a lot of candidates running for mayor this year, you need to have some way of shortening the list.
posted by leopard at 11:38 AM on July 24, 2013 [1 favorite]

Unless you're one of the subject women in this whole affair or you, I don't know, spend time on the Internet where somebody does a lot of link bait-and-switching, you're choosing to see pictures of his dick. Following this story relatively closely, I still haven't.

I've been following it probably less than you have, but I presume you've at least seen the outline of his dick via that Twitter shot that broke the whole story open, including Jon Stewart's joke about how he'd been Weiner's roommate, and that was clearly not his dick.
posted by Etrigan at 11:40 AM on July 24, 2013

flyingsquirrel: "I give you the Carlos Danger Name Generator."

From the site:

Correction, July 23, 2013: An earlier version of the Carlos Danger Name Generator suggested incorrectly that the Carlos Danger Name for Anthony Weiner is Armando Catastrophe. The Carlos Danger Name for Anthony Weiner is Carlos Danger.
posted by jquinby at 11:41 AM on July 24, 2013 [20 favorites]

The Carlos Danger Name for Anthony Weiner is Carlos Danger.

YE! I quoted that to someone else today over on the Facebook. It is the single greatest thing I have read all week.
posted by flyingsquirrel at 11:42 AM on July 24, 2013

I suppose this drama increases chances of a Democratic mayoral candiate runoff? Who do we think it'll be? Quinn and....Thompson? Per NYTimes, under New York State law, if no candidate in a primary for citywide office gets 40 percent of the vote, there is a runoff two weeks later between the top two candidates. At this stage of the mayoral campaign, most political analysts expect that the Democrats, with multiple major candidates, will have a runoff, and that the Republicans, with a smaller field, will not.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 11:44 AM on July 24, 2013

Catchfire: "we might ask instead why a disgraced Congressman with a history of lying and a penchant for bullying still became the only "credible" Democratic candidate."

What exactly do you mean by 'credible'? Name recognition? He has that. If you're saying he's the only viable candidate, that's not true.

There are several other Dem candidates in the primary race. Including Christine Quinn, Bill de Blasio, William Thompson and John Lui, all of whom are recognizable names to many New Yorkers. However, Weiner has high visibility, and political views that will probably resonate with many New Yorkers.
posted by zarq at 11:46 AM on July 24, 2013 [1 favorite]

Bulgaroktonos: "Lorenzo Jeopardy? That's a bit disappointing to be honest."

Please don't be a Desi Downer.
posted by boo_radley at 11:50 AM on July 24, 2013

zarq, I was responding to the sentiment expressed above that Weiner really let them down with this, or that they would "happily vote for Carlos Danger" if it meant keeping Quinn out of office.
posted by Catchfire at 11:51 AM on July 24, 2013

This guy is not just engaging in casual extra-marital affairs

Agreed. Setting aside the privacy issue, there's a genuine question about this man's attitude toward women and how he relates to them. New York should be wary of electing those attitudes to the mayor's office.
posted by cribcage at 11:52 AM on July 24, 2013 [7 favorites]

What I meant was at this point, six weeks or so out from the vote, de Blasio, Liu et al don't have the votes to come anywhere near Quinn. So, it's not credible that they will.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 11:52 AM on July 24, 2013

It is hard for Weiner. Obviously, all the blood is rushing to his head. But then again, he has a number of balls in the air, leaving everyone to wonder if the public will go soft on him, or if his campaign will peter out. If you ask me, the whole hairy mess is nuts.
posted by 4ster at 11:56 AM on July 24, 2013 [24 favorites]

Nice, my Carlos Danger name is Marcelino Death

My thing is going to be sending mustache pics. Click on the link and boom, mustache all up on your screen.
posted by Ad hominem at 11:58 AM on July 24, 2013 [3 favorites]

Catchfire: "zarq, I was responding to the sentiment expressed above that Weiner really let them down with this, or that they would "happily vote for Carlos Danger" if it meant keeping Quinn out of office."

Ah. Okay.
posted by zarq at 11:58 AM on July 24, 2013 [1 favorite]

I got the name "Marcos Scourge".
posted by boo_radley at 12:01 PM on July 24, 2013 [1 favorite]

Mi nombre es Peril, José Enrique Peril.
posted by Samizdata at 12:01 PM on July 24, 2013 [1 favorite]

Shit, I want to vote for that statue of Horace Greeley over by Macy's because that neckbeard is dope.

Bronze never lies.
posted by Ice Cream Socialist at 12:02 PM on July 24, 2013

Wife pointed out I used my nickname -- with my given, I got "José Enrique Threat"
posted by boo_radley at 12:02 PM on July 24, 2013

There was somebody in my life -- the husband of a longtime friend -- who engaged in exactly this sort of behavior, compulsively and seemingly with reckless disregard for his family or his future. It was a genuine compulsion, an addiction, and he admitted that the sex itself was typical unsatisfying, but he was hooked to the whole process.

It's wildly damaging to everyone around him and humiliating for him, but, then, addictions tend to be wildly damaging and humiliating. I'm not sure I ever took sex addiction seriously as thing until I saw how out of control this fellow was. Weiner put himself in treatment after his resignation, and there was some argument about whether he was genuinely a sex addict or just an asshole. Based on the fact that he continued it after his resignation, so recklessly that it may have scrubbed his mayoral run, I'd say he's got a real problem.
posted by Bunny Ultramod at 12:03 PM on July 24, 2013 [11 favorites]

Yeah, I don't really care what private affairs elected officials are carrying on*; I don't think lying to your spouse and lying to voters are the same thing. But they ARE in the same ballpark, and in this case, Anthony Weiner trotted out his huge public apology, admissions of wrongdoing, firm commitment to change, blah blah blah, and then got caught again.

There are a number of trouble signs here. He lied to voters. He can't control his compulsions. His uses his power/position/name to solicit sexual encounters with young women. He is SO DUMB in carrying out these activities -- in the wake of being caught once, in the wake of Petraeus, in the wake of Manti Te'o -- that he can get tripped up and exposed AGAIN by a 20-year-old** with basic internet access. YOU ARE TOO DUMB TO BE MAYOR if a box propped up by a stick with a snickers bar under it is all that's needed to entrap you. He's like a convenience-store robber who shows his ID to steal beer. TOO DUMB. Like, even Rod Blagojevich was a little more sophisticated than this. TOO DAMN DUMB.

*Unless they are running on restricting sexual behavior for others, in which case I think their own sexual behavior is of at least some public interest.
**I don't know if this one is a 20-year-old, just that he is so dumb he COULD get caught by a 20-year-old.
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 12:07 PM on July 24, 2013 [33 favorites]

Ariel Verboten

how does it know I'm German?
posted by Hairy Lobster at 12:10 PM on July 24, 2013 [1 favorite]

In the case where the politician says: "Yep, did that, so what?" My response is just: "As you were."

I don't care if they hump hippos, as long as the hippos have consented, but when they're all up in my business worrying about what I'm doing with my uterus, and they can't seem to stay out of other adult's bedrooms, then I'm pissed. Besides, you know when they can't admit their little peccadilloes, they're just lying sacks of shit anyway. Frankly, I think if you're running for office, you need to disclose your tax returns for the last ten years, your lifetime misdemeanor or felony records, your driving records (DUIs), and your sexual proclivities. That might prevent a bit of holier-than-thouism.
posted by BlueHorse at 12:10 PM on July 24, 2013

How much different would his life path have been with a different last name?
posted by gottabefunky at 12:12 PM on July 24, 2013 [8 favorites]

I don't have a stake in the mayoral election, but I never knowingly vote for dumb.

Signed,
Enrique Gamble
metafilter username: enriqamble

And someone here needs to take Carlos Danger as a sockpuppet account.
posted by kimberussell at 12:13 PM on July 24, 2013 [1 favorite]

It's the compulsive nature of the behavior that bothers me, and I also seriously wonder what he's getting out of repeated public apologies, forcing his wife to publicly address it, etc. It feels like being forced to participate in his exhibitionism.

And he's so fucking bad at using the internet. I think we should start holding politicians to a higher standard there.
posted by Lyn Never at 12:14 PM on July 24, 2013 [3 favorites]

How much different would his life path have been with a different last name?

Or a different party affiliation?
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 12:15 PM on July 24, 2013 [2 favorites]

How much different would his life path have been with a different last name?

I'm going to go ahead and guess he has been made fun of for his last name his entire life, despite the fact that its a fairly typical German and Jewish name (it means "wine merchant" in Yiddish.) I'd rather make fun of him for the name he chose (although it is sort of awesome) than the name he was born with.
posted by Bunny Ultramod at 12:16 PM on July 24, 2013

Huma.
Huma.
HUUUUUMMMMMMMMMMAAAAAAAAAA!

WHAT?

Carlos Danger Zone.
posted by Rangeboy at 12:16 PM on July 24, 2013 [20 favorites]

He should probably run for Governor of Virginia. We will apparently at least consider anyone.
posted by 4ster at 12:17 PM on July 24, 2013 [1 favorite]

I think it's less 'compulsive nature' than 'man, is the surveillance on this guy tight". He can't even fool around without getting outed.

If I knew the opposition was keeping tabs on me, I'd go all "performance art" on them. Make 'em waste resources when there's no real intent to run...

"Carlos Danger". Man, this is like Andy Kaufman level mindfuck.
posted by mikelieman at 12:17 PM on July 24, 2013 [2 favorites]

ishrinkmajeans: "I vow to replace all horse carriages in central park with human pony carriages. Less animal cruelty more human cruelty."

But only for people who are really really really into it, know what I'm saying...
posted by symbioid at 12:21 PM on July 24, 2013 [1 favorite]

He should probably run for Governor of Virginia. We will apparently at least consider anyone.

Good point. While we put his sexual peccadilloes under a microscope, American Taliban slip under the radar across the country. Liberal prudes are working just as hard to destroy America as the conservatives, it seems.
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 12:21 PM on July 24, 2013 [1 favorite]

Blazecock Pileon: "How much different would his life path have been with a different last name?

Or a different party affiliation?"

Then it would be unsolicited dick pix to other men/boys.
posted by symbioid at 12:22 PM on July 24, 2013 [1 favorite]

Wife pointed out I used my nickname

Try adding a space... anywhere. It changes the name completely.

I'm beginning to doubt the scientificness of this whole name generator thing anyway. I might just have to think of my own. Or possibly outsource it to Detroit.
posted by Blue_Villain at 12:24 PM on July 24, 2013

Dick Pix for mayor!

Vote Dick Pix 2013!
posted by Ice Cream Socialist at 12:25 PM on July 24, 2013 [1 favorite]

NYMag Daily Intel has a piece on his narcisscism:

At this point, it seems pretty clear that the same traits that drove Anthony Weiner back into politics prematurely are exactly what made him promiscuous with young women online: He’s short on impulse control and long on self-regard. Perhaps the most revealing tidbit in his latest back-and-forth was when he asked his new 22-year-old admirer if she’d ever checked out the pictures of his erect penis now freely circulating in cyberspace, thanks to his previous indiscretions: Sadly, my pics are out there to look at. Have you ever?

(Indeed she had, she said, and declared herself “quite impressed.”)

He’s not mortified by those pictures, in other words. He’s proud of them.

posted by Eyebrows McGee at 12:26 PM on July 24, 2013 [4 favorites]

If you enter 'Carlos Danger' into the Carlos Danger Name Generator, it returns 'Felipe Menace'. And when you enter 'Felipe Menace' it returns 'Antonio Scourge'.

I just don't know, man. I am losing faith in the Carlos Danger Name Generator. Nothing makes sense anymore.
posted by fikri at 12:27 PM on July 24, 2013 [3 favorites]

I don't care how much he hashes up his own life as long as he takes care of the city. Just like I couldn't care less about how morally upright Quinn is, because I find her policy proposals to be disagreeable.

Poor De Blasio

But seriously, someone who makes a habit of doing stupid, selfish and irresponsible things in their personal life is, at the very least, far more likely to make similarly dumb decisions on the job.
posted by showbiz_liz at 12:27 PM on July 24, 2013 [2 favorites]

First I used my IRL name, and that was gave me a boring result. Then I used my MF name and it is somewhat better.

Yours,
Ernesto Evil
posted by computech_apolloniajames at 12:27 PM on July 24, 2013

I could care less about who he's (consensually) sexting, but I couldn't vote for someone who's so willing to be public about his stupidity. At least learn to hide that shit till you get into office. As it is now, he falls into the "does not deserve my vote because dumbness/arrogance" category for me.
posted by rtha at 12:28 PM on July 24, 2013

I'm Benicio Hidden Driveway. I send you a pic of my toe, it's weird, looks like a little crooked gremlin finger, vote for me please.

and look at my toe.
posted by Divine_Wino at 12:30 PM on July 24, 2013 [2 favorites]

I keep getting Nervous Farter. Is this borked?
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 12:30 PM on July 24, 2013 [2 favorites]

Nope.
posted by Bunny Ultramod at 12:31 PM on July 24, 2013

Poor De Blasio

The fact that nobody, even on the left, wants to consider DeBlasio a real candidate because he's too smart and nice and openminded is making me crazy. Maybe he should release a sex tape?
posted by Potomac Avenue at 12:32 PM on July 24, 2013 [3 favorites]

The Onion's take is very good: Man With Widely Circulated Penis Pictures Not The Most Humiliated Person At Podium

(Also, fellow NYers: I'm not giving up on DeBlasio, and you shouldn't either! You don't have to settle for Christine Quinn.)
posted by neroli at 12:35 PM on July 24, 2013

Santiago Stealth would never be so indiscreet.
posted by [expletive deleted] at 12:36 PM on July 24, 2013

Eyebrows McGee: "YOU ARE TOO DUMB TO BE MAYOR if a box propped up by a stick with a snickers bar under it is all that's needed to entrap you. He's like a convenience-store robber who shows his ID to steal beer. TOO DUMB. Like, even Rod Blagojevich was a little more sophisticated than this. TOO DAMN DUMB."

BlueHorse: "Frankly, I think if you're running for office, you need to disclose your tax returns for the last ten years, your lifetime misdemeanor or felony records, your driving records (DUIs), and your sexual proclivities. "

...

Candidate Application

Name: Carlos Danger
Office for which you are declaring your candidacy: Mayor
City: New York
Party Affiliation: Democratic Party
Have you ever been arrested? No.
Have you ever been convicted of a crime? No.
Do you have any moving violations on record with the State of New York?  No.
Do you have any moving violations on record in any other US State?  No.
Have you previously held public office? Yes 
If "Yes" please list position: Congressional Representative (NY 9th District) 1999–2011 
Check one of the following: I...  [] still hold this position  [] was voted out of office  [] executive appointment expired  [✓] resigned in disgrace 
Tax forms attached? Yes
Sexual proclivities? Have you seen Caligula?

posted by zarq at 12:37 PM on July 24, 2013 [6 favorites]

Mr. Squirrel just texted me and told me he's now to be referred to as Mariano Death.

I cannot wait to go home.
posted by flyingsquirrel at 12:40 PM on July 24, 2013 [4 favorites]

Ooh, I'm "Diego undefined" thanks to the trailing-space tip.
posted by jepler at 12:41 PM on July 24, 2013 [1 favorite]

(Also, fellow NYers: I'm not giving up on DeBlasio, and you shouldn't either! You don't have to settle for Christine Quinn.)

Ha, googling just now I found this: De Blasio, with heavy heart, advises Anthony Weiner to resign
posted by showbiz_liz at 12:43 PM on July 24, 2013

I'm beginning to think Weiner doesn't even care about public office. He is just thinking about how awesome "Mayor of New York" will look on his fetlife profile.
posted by Ad hominem at 12:44 PM on July 24, 2013 [2 favorites]

Think piece: does “Carlos Danger” help or hurt Weiner with Hispanic voters.
posted by DynamiteToast at 12:48 PM on July 24, 2013

The bit in this exchange that's most telling to me is when the woman he's corresponding with remarks, "I can't believe someone like you would pay attention to someone like me...It's literally a dream come true."
posted by Borborygmus at 12:49 PM on July 24, 2013 [1 favorite]

I just realized that the way I posted that it looks like an actual article. Sorry if anyone got excited and then found out it was just a tweet.
posted by DynamiteToast at 12:49 PM on July 24, 2013 [1 favorite]

Much like the Rent, the Number of Times This Guy's Erection Has Fucked Up His Career Is Too Damn High.
posted by delfin at 12:49 PM on July 24, 2013 [4 favorites]

Slate just said my sexting name is "Todd Lokken."
posted by the_bone at 12:54 PM on July 24, 2013 [10 favorites]

The thing I keep coming back to is that how full of yourself do you have to be that you'd willingly cripple the credibility/mental wellbeing of the woman you supposedly love and cherish and have children with? Is it more important to you that you're texting your junk to staffers rather than your wife being able to sleep at night?

Because, fuck that.

Carlos Danger: Since I have a very unique first name, I tend to get a very generic answer on these types of thing, but not today, thanks to Slate!

-Felipe Smash
posted by Sphinx at 12:55 PM on July 24, 2013 [1 favorite]

Dear AskMetafilter:

Why do voters always want scumbags or meanies who take away their benefits? Nice guys like me have no shot. It's totally unfair! They are all bitches. Anyway I bought this book called "Peacocking for Beginners" by a Pick Up Artist named "Slick Willie" and hopefully it will teach me a few things about how to stop being such a pushover with the voters! So my question is: what's the best crime to be charged with to make myself into a real man's candidate? Mail fraud? Unlicensed Cryptography? Feel free to write your answer in Spanish, Catonese, Greek, Urdu or Romulan.

posted by deblandsioNY to human relations (0 answers total) [add to favorites] 6 users marked this as a favorite [!]
posted by Potomac Avenue at 1:01 PM on July 24, 2013 [6 favorites]

In Weiner's case, at least one of the "inappropriate exchanges" came directly as the result of a constituent contacting him in his official capacity as a Representative, which I'd really rather not have any of my* elected officials doing on company time.,

Well, elected officials are public servants, so...
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 1:02 PM on July 24, 2013 [2 favorites]

Well, elected officials are public servants, so...

Sure, Weiner just has an enlarged philosophy on constituent services is all.
posted by DynamiteToast at 1:05 PM on July 24, 2013 [2 favorites]

Is there some sort of loophole which will allow his penis to run for mayor? At this point, his member is both more popular and has a higher approval rating than the man himself.
posted by A god with hooves, a god with horns at 1:06 PM on July 24, 2013 [2 favorites]

Well, elected officials are public servants, so...

They're elected to serve, not service. Crucial distinction there.
posted by Etrigan at 1:06 PM on July 24, 2013 [4 favorites]

Crucial distinction there.

Not in the dungeon.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 1:07 PM on July 24, 2013 [1 favorite]

Is there some sort of loophole which will allow his penis to run for mayor? At this point, his member is both more popular and has a higher approval rating than the man himself.

Probably more recognizable, as well.
posted by DynamiteToast at 1:07 PM on July 24, 2013 [1 favorite]

In case y'all can't tell, this is my favorite news story in a while.
posted by DynamiteToast at 1:08 PM on July 24, 2013 [1 favorite]

My favorite story is the drunk 47 year old guy who swam across the Detroit river from canada on a dare. He got arrested but the kicker is that in an interview he wanted to make sure they said he made it across so he could win the bet.

Someone FPP that.
posted by Ad hominem at 1:18 PM on July 24, 2013 [5 favorites]

Narcissism, you say? Lyndon Johnson insisted that everyone in his immediate family have the initials LBJ, going as far as nicknaming his wife "Lady Bird" to get the job done. I'm shocked to discover politicians are narcissistic.
posted by Apropos of Something at 1:18 PM on July 24, 2013 [1 favorite]

Hmm LBJ and my father had something in common.
posted by sweetkid at 1:19 PM on July 24, 2013

(I don't mean narcissism just the name thing sorry Dad.)
posted by sweetkid at 1:20 PM on July 24, 2013 [1 favorite]

You know, this might just get out the "Zero Fucks Given" vote...
posted by mikelieman at 1:29 PM on July 24, 2013

If Weiner makes it through the primary, will the "Rent is too high" guy have the balls to out-crazy Weiner? Will it involve seeing said balls?
posted by DynamiteToast at 1:31 PM on July 24, 2013

Apparently my sexting name is "Benedict Cumberbatch."*

Anyway, I recall the first scandal and the wave of relief that swept through knowledgable people in the democratic party. Weiner is one of those people who is good at self promotion and absolutely nothing else, and I detest those kinds of people. Right now, he is leading in the polls (or at least was) based solely on Clinton money and the literal fact that because he tweeed pictures of his dick around, his campaign will get free publicity that others' will not.

So, in short, fuck that guy. Hopefully this sinks him for good.

As for the remaining candidates, word from the activist circles is that Quinn cannot be trusted and that DeBlasio is absolutely the best choice, progressive in his own right, quick and hands-on in handling problems, and not beholden to Wall Street.

So there you go. DeBlasio.

*actually it's "Jaime Death" which is 100% acceptable
posted by Navelgazer at 1:31 PM on July 24, 2013 [6 favorites]

Smiling grimly, unable to resist his competitive urges, Eliot Spitzer slowly, keystroke by keystroke, types into Twitter's signup screen: J-U-A-N-_-P-E-L-I-G-R-O
posted by COBRA! at 1:35 PM on July 24, 2013 [7 favorites]

I just put "Bill DeBlasio" into Slate's Sexting Name translator and it came back with "Benedict de Spinoza, Philospher of Enlightenment" which was weird.
posted by Potomac Avenue at 1:36 PM on July 24, 2013 [6 favorites]

Navelgazer: "Weiner is one of those people who is good at self promotion and absolutely nothing else, and I detest those kinds of people."

I live quite close to his former congressional district and a number of friends actually live there. Have heard a number of stories from those friends about ways he and his office went above and beyond for the people he represented. From straightening out INS difficulties to helping someone stave off a foreclosure just long enough to get back on their feet. None of that stuff was publicized. His constituents needed someone to step in, so he did. My impression is that he was a decent representative when and where it mattered.
posted by zarq at 1:37 PM on July 24, 2013 [4 favorites]

That was my impression, too, zarq, which is why I wrote about my disappointment and yet people gonna people bit upthread.
posted by sweetkid at 1:38 PM on July 24, 2013 [1 favorite]

José Hazard. I love it.
posted by Strass at 1:38 PM on July 24, 2013

*nod*
posted by zarq at 1:39 PM on July 24, 2013

My favorite story is the drunk 47 year old guy who swam across the Detroit river from canada on a dare. He got arrested but the kicker is that in an interview he wanted to make sure they said he made it across so he could win the bet.

Someone FPP that.

Done and done.
posted by Etrigan at 1:43 PM on July 24, 2013 [4 favorites]

Hey, I'm another Marcos Scourge! This thing is unoriginal!

Okay, seriously, this dude is too stupid and compulsive to put it away. Despite being a politician, married to a hot wife, with a last name where the jokes write themselves for doing shit like this. (I always wondered why he never changed his last name. Apparently because he's just obsessed with his weiner and probably LIKES that.) I wouldn't vote for him because he's an IDIOT. And in general, the dude gives me the creeps and I do not get what anyone "likes" about him. Or why you'd marry him, other than for settling.

There are a number of trouble signs here. He lied to voters. He can't control his compulsions. His uses his power/position/name to solicit sexual encounters with young women. He is SO DUMB in carrying out these activities -- in the wake of being caught once, in the wake of Petraeus, in the wake of Manti Te'o -- that he can get tripped up and exposed AGAIN by a 20-year-old** with basic internet access. YOU ARE TOO DUMB TO BE MAYOR if a box propped up by a stick with a snickers bar under it is all that's needed to entrap you. He's like a convenience-store robber who shows his ID to steal beer. TOO DUMB. Like, even Rod Blagojevich was a little more sophisticated than this. TOO DAMN DUMB.

SECONDED.
posted by jenfullmoon at 1:45 PM on July 24, 2013

Haven't we already had a scandal in New York City with the last famous joker named Carlos D?

Enough already, sheesh.

Signed,
Gilberto Badass
posted by droplet at 1:45 PM on July 24, 2013 [1 favorite]

> If you enter 'Carlos Danger' into the Carlos Danger Name Generator, it returns 'Felipe Menace'. And when you enter 'Felipe Menace' it returns 'Antonio Scourge'.

Well, sure. I mean, if your name is Carlos Danger, then Carlos Danger isn't a very good pseudonym, is it?
posted by savetheclocktower at 1:50 PM on July 24, 2013 [1 favorite]

Carlos Danger Zone.

Phrasing!
posted by gern at 1:55 PM on July 24, 2013

Stay classy, NY Post.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 1:58 PM on July 24, 2013 [1 favorite]

Did this get posted yet? For Women in Weiner Scandal, Indignity Lingers
New York Times - June 24, 2013.
posted by Squeak Attack at 1:58 PM on July 24, 2013 [2 favorites]

Stay classy, NY Post.

Oh, snore. They can do WAY better/worse than that.
posted by showbiz_liz at 1:59 PM on July 24, 2013

Wow, my dad's sexting name is Antonio Badass. That's badass.
posted by Strass at 2:01 PM on July 24, 2013

Some days this website is positively indistinguishable from MySpace.
posted by cribcage at 2:03 PM on July 24, 2013

Wow, my dad's sexting name is Antonio Badass. That's badass.

Smart move, now you'll know if your dad starts trying to sext you.
posted by DynamiteToast at 2:04 PM on July 24, 2013 [1 favorite]

I live quite close to his former congressional district and a number of friends actually live there. Have heard a number of stories from those friends about ways he and his office went above and beyond for the people he represented. From straightening out INS difficulties to helping someone stave off a foreclosure just long enough to get back on their feet. None of that stuff was publicized. His constituents needed someone to step in, so he did. My impression is that he was a decent representative when and where it mattered.

Interesting. Very different from what I've heard, but good to know.

This sounds much like what I've been hearing about DeBlasio, who hasn't proven himself too dumb and narcissistic to be trusted with a cell phone, let alone a city.
posted by Navelgazer at 2:07 PM on July 24, 2013 [2 favorites]

Some days this website is positively indistinguishable from MySpace.

Dad?
posted by Potomac Avenue at 2:08 PM on July 24, 2013 [2 favorites]

cribcage: Some days this website is positively indistinguishable from MySpace.

So how come you get the stylesheet that renders the whole site to look like ThePinkSuperhero's profile page, but none of the rest of us do?*

*No offense, TPS.
posted by Len at 2:14 PM on July 24, 2013 [1 favorite]

Former Rep. Anthony Weiner still holds a slight lead for the Democratic primary for New York City mayor, but challenger William Thompson may fare best if the race turns to a runoff, according to a new poll (the poll was taken just before the press conference)
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 2:15 PM on July 24, 2013

I opened my inbox this afternoon and it seems as Spirit Airline sent out a marketing email "The Weiner Rises Again!" A special vacation 'package'.

*also I'm not a fan of Spirit Airlines at all, but keep up with marketing emails as it is my job. Sigh...
posted by hillabeans at 2:19 PM on July 24, 2013

My sexting name is Captain James T. Cock of the USS Sin-terprise.
posted by fungible at 2:19 PM on July 24, 2013 [3 favorites]

My sexting name is Captain James T. Cock of the USS Sin-terprise.

I'll have to introduce you to my friend Jean-Luc Dickhard.
posted by COBRA! at 2:22 PM on July 24, 2013 [4 favorites]

Any sufficiently dangerous Carlos is indistinguishable from MySpace.
posted by A god with hooves, a god with horns at 2:23 PM on July 24, 2013 [4 favorites]

I'm really looking forward to the erection results.
posted by jenkinsEar at 2:23 PM on July 24, 2013 [1 favorite]

I submit that it is unreasonable to reject a politician for lying.
posted by Mack Twain at 2:28 PM on July 24, 2013

Huma Abedin for Mayor
posted by homunculus at 3:22 PM on July 24, 2013 [2 favorites]

Dan Savage has been saying on his podcast that the pushback against Weiner is actually a reason to vote for him... to show society that one's online sex life and private affairs (in many senses of the term) are not to be held as character vices that need to get in the way of one's public job. In the future, all sorts of political candidates are going to have scandalous pics from their teenage years surfacing, and we're going to have to learn to cast a blind eye on that stuff and recognize that it's private, and not meant for us. Weiner's just the first to hit the invasiveness of the Internet; we can either demand that candidates keep it in their pants, or accept that this stuff will happen with increasing frequency and not be busybodies. I was curious if these new indictments would have changed Savage's mind, so I checked out his Twitter feed. He approvingly links to this piece of Andrew Sullivan's, so I guess not. It's a good article.

I have to say that I find the argument pretty compelling. I don't see that he's made any mistakes other than looking terrible in the public eye. And sure, that can be reason enough to not vote for someone: being unable to maintain a public image might signify a kind of incompetency. But if you think he hasn't shown incompetency in other arenas, then evidence for his general incompetency goes down quite a bit. Someone can be an idiot in some domains but not others. Voting against him solely because of this scandal, then, is voting against him because he's eroded trust in the eyes of everyone else, and given the flightiness of public trust, I'm not sure that's important.
posted by painquale at 3:38 PM on July 24, 2013 [2 favorites]

Dan Savage is not the One True Patron Saint of Sex Wisdom.

I am 100% pro-poly, pro-swinging, pro-fucking-everyone-you-want. That does not change the fact that I think Weiner behaved like an absolute idiot, violated women's boundaries by sending unsolicited cock shots, used his position of power to get some of them to participate, and lied repeatedly about all of this. This is not a simple case of a man being harangued by prudes over his healthy sex life.
posted by showbiz_liz at 3:57 PM on July 24, 2013 [26 favorites]

Dan Savage is not the One True Patron Saint of Sex Wisdom.

I didn't mean to suggest that. I just wanted to present his argument and say that I found it compelling.
posted by painquale at 4:00 PM on July 24, 2013

Sorry- I guess I jumped the gun because I know a lot of people who basically take everything he says at face value, and it gets on my nerves. But I know that not everyone who reads him thinks that.
posted by showbiz_liz at 4:06 PM on July 24, 2013 [2 favorites]

But if you think he hasn't shown incompetency in other arenas...

I think he's shown that he sexually objectifies women, that he does it habitually, and that he is pretty quick to steer interactions in that direction. I don't know if there's enough evidence to condemn him as an individual, but there is definitely enough evidence that I'd be very uncomfortable with him as mayor of New York—both in terms of his personal interactions with constituents and staff, and in terms of his policy influence as executive.

You can certainly rebut this argument if you disagree with it. It's just my opinion. But it's disingenuous and not rebuttal for Dan Savage or anyone else to characterize voting against him "solely" because of this scandal as if that's necessarily a shallow reaction to headlines. It isn't.
posted by cribcage at 4:09 PM on July 24, 2013 [7 favorites]

I'd be more on board with such a view if Weiner hadn't given that ridiculous interview with the NY Times about how he'd worked through all of this stuff through therapy and now he and his wife had closed the book on all that. Why be such a careless liar unless you totally despise the electorate as morons? Or are an addict, in which case he should probably deal with that before he tries to run such a huge city.
posted by lesbiassparrow at 4:10 PM on July 24, 2013 [5 favorites]

all sorts of political candidates are going to have scandalous pics from their teenage years surfacing

And some of them continue to act like idiot teenagers at age 48. After resigning from Congress over related idiocy in the recent past.
posted by Nelson at 4:26 PM on July 24, 2013

But it's disingenuous and not rebuttal for Dan Savage or anyone else to characterize voting against him "solely" because of this scandal as if that's necessarily a shallow reaction to headlines. It isn't.

Fair enough!
posted by painquale at 4:26 PM on July 24, 2013

Gross media coverage on this story. Every headline I saw was all HUMA, BRIGHT IN THE SPOTLIGHT OF DEBILITATING SHAME!!! Like...maybe she doesn't care if her husband sends pictures of his ding-dong to other women. Maybe the idea kind of turns her on. Maybe she is super super sad and heartbroken over the whole thing. No clue. But I don't understand why the non-cheating wife is supposed to publically immolate herself in a bath of humiliation or whatever.
posted by threeants at 5:02 PM on July 24, 2013 [5 favorites]

Antonio Salchicha?
posted by Omon Ra at 5:11 PM on July 24, 2013

Oh god I have spent the last half hour using Carlos Danger generator names in the Pacific Rim jaeger generator and everything is glorious
posted by elizardbits at 5:12 PM on July 24, 2013 [7 favorites]

I don't understand taking or sending dick pics.
posted by Charlemagne In Sweatpants at 5:40 PM on July 24, 2013 [4 favorites]

I think he's shown that he sexually objectifies women, that he does it habitually, and that he is pretty quick to steer interactions in that direction.

Then, of course, there's the (actual, not candidate) mayor of San Diego who can't seem to control his impulses either. And lies about it. After apologizing.
posted by rtha at 5:46 PM on July 24, 2013

Spitzer and Wiener made a critical mistake in resigning originally. It is much easier to forgive someone for being a bit of a cheater or a rogue, than a quitter.
posted by humanfont at 5:48 PM on July 24, 2013

I'd almost rather have the slate of teabag nutballs we have in Ohio than the set of warmed-over also-rans that are running for NYC mayor
posted by jpe at 5:56 PM on July 24, 2013

" Like...maybe she doesn't care if her husband sends pictures of his ding-dong to other women."

she said she did. maybe she's a liar like her husband, though.
posted by jpe at 5:57 PM on July 24, 2013

One time showed that he was stupid and skeevy.

A second time, after getting caught, shows - well, you tell me what it shows.

Certainly it will be a mess of undying embarrassment to his infant child of a kind that I would never want my offspring to suffer.

Spitzer and Wiener made a critical mistake in resigning originally. It is much easier to forgive someone for being a bit of a cheater or a rogue, than a quitter.

Disagree. Spitzer did good work as a prosecutor and his current going for Comptroller shows a sense of proportion between his talents and his, I hope humbled, ego. Certainly haven't heard of any second offenses since his public shaming. Weiner by contrast is a tiresome blowhard and long time cheap jack pol. Doubt it ever occurred to him that something along the lines of dogcatcher might be more his speed.
posted by IndigoJones at 6:03 PM on July 24, 2013

I can only hear Carlos Danger in H Jon Benjamin's Archer voice.
posted by Charlemagne In Sweatpants at 6:30 PM on July 24, 2013 [3 favorites]

It is much easier to forgive someone for being a bit of a cheater or a rogue, than a quitter.

Especially if they quit to rehabilitate themselves....and get caught doing it again.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 6:34 PM on July 24, 2013

Spitzer did good work as a prosecutor

Spitzer worked hard to demonize the very crime he was committing, a crime for which he paid no (legal) consequence. Weiner's no gem—as I've argued in this thread—but I'm amazed anybody would argue his failings are worse than Spitzer's. If we're comparing a liar to a lying hypocrite, I know which one I'd take.

And by the way, that doesn't even get into the nonsense about refusing to divulge tax returns because it would "compromise" his business partners. As if that's an excuse that should make voters feel better about what he's not telling them.
posted by cribcage at 6:41 PM on July 24, 2013 [2 favorites]

Eduardo Badass here.
posted by bunderful at 7:17 PM on July 24, 2013

Hey MeFi, you're looking hot tonight.

8===D

posted by nowhere man at 7:52 PM on July 24, 2013 [1 favorite]

For me it's like you don't date people who are assholes to waitstaff.

On a related note, as a former congressional staffer (not for Weiner, thank god, but I know people who have worked for him), I would like add that Weiner has a reputation for being extremely mean to his staff - screaming and throwing fits and insane amounts of micromanaging and just general unpleasantness. There was a lot of turnover in his office and people who left always had horror stories, so basically everyone on the Hill knew about it. There are a lot of things I like about him as a politician, but he's not just some nice guy with a weird kink; he's kind of a jerk.

Also: the weirdest piece of political-ish memorabilia that I own is a party favor from his engagement party that says "Huma & Tony" on it. I was not present at this party and I do not entirely recall how it ended up in my possession, but it continues to amuse me.
posted by naoko at 8:04 PM on July 24, 2013 [3 favorites]

According to the name generator, my Carlos Danger name is Dario Threat.

I think I prefer Daria Threat, actually. </child of the 80s>
posted by Lexica at 8:17 PM on July 24, 2013

Osvaldo Menace. I like that.
posted by Anhedonic Donkey at 8:53 PM on July 24, 2013

He's not sick, but he's not well.
posted by Redfield at 8:53 PM on July 24, 2013 [3 favorites]

I think I prefer Daria Threat, actually.

Somebody's going to post the Audrey Plaza Daria trailer today, right?
posted by Charlemagne In Sweatpants at 9:11 PM on July 24, 2013

John Oliver’s Epic Takedown Of Weinergate Pt. 2: Give Up Politics And You’ll Be Free To Be ‘Internet Sex Freak’!
posted by homunculus at 9:34 PM on July 24, 2013 [5 favorites]

My wife and I got cross-wise over this thing because I gave her the outline of the story and she was like, "That was a couple years ago." And I was like, "No but I just read this." "But it was a couple years ago." "Yes, but I just read this, and then on the radio." "... ?" "Yeah, like he did it again." "Oh. Wow."

And after that it's like, "C'mon, guy, what the fuck?" I think of guys I've known who would engage in this kind of compulsively stupid shit and man, I feel for his family.

- Añibal Badass
posted by From Bklyn at 9:53 PM on July 24, 2013

Before going to bed I'll just add one point which should be pretty obvious but isn't often mentioned.

At almost every level of politics you will find actually honest and decent people who are involved because they care deeply about policy and about making government work for people.

The reason you don't hear about them as much is because they spend almost all of their available time doing their jobs with passion and dedication.

And the reason there aren't more of them in positions to do more good is because pieces of shit like Anthony Wiener crowd them out.
posted by Navelgazer at 10:30 PM on July 24, 2013 [9 favorites]

There's a wide range of what people consider unacceptable marital infidelity (um, read AskMe?!), and polyamory is only one model of non-monogamy.
posted by desuetude at 12:00 AM on July 25, 2013

If there was a Anthony Weiner name generator would Carlos Danger return Anthony Weiner?
posted by like_neon at 12:53 AM on July 25, 2013

I think he's shown that he sexually objectifies women, that he does it habitually, and that he is pretty quick to steer interactions in that direction. I don't know if there's enough evidence to condemn him as an individual, but there is definitely enough evidence that I'd be very uncomfortable with him as mayor of New York—both in terms of his personal interactions with constituents and staff, and in terms of his policy influence as executive.

Any indication he's done it 'on the clock' and with co-workers, rather than just cruising the internet? I mean, "Personal Life" and "Professional Life" distinctions are important. And 'sexually objectifies women' describes marketing plans for beer companies, so I'm not sure it's a personal fault.

If all his PERSONAL communication is taken off the table, is there still anything to complain about?
posted by mikelieman at 4:08 AM on July 25, 2013

Spitzer worked hard to demonize the very crime he was committing, a crime for which he paid no (legal) consequence.

Yeah, it was all about prostitutes and had nothing to do with the way Spitzer fucked Hank Greenberg like no-one ever fucked Hank Greenberg, and Hank Greenberg's payback.

Spitzer warned everyone about AIG, and no-one listened. Then the economy tanked and AIG....

grrr... arrgh...
posted by mikelieman at 4:11 AM on July 25, 2013 [2 favorites]

If all his PERSONAL communication is taken off the table, is there still anything to complain about?

The fact that he gave a sequence of nauseating interviews talking about what he had learned about his mistakes and used those to launch a revamped political career based on him having put sending pictures of his penis around the internet behind him, all while he was doing the exact same things as before while giving the interviews? It'd be one thing if he'd just said 'nope: still photographing the old willie and sexting people, take it or leave it, I'll be a great mayor', but he didn't. He voluntarily lied several times in sequence to try and regain political office. That's not really ideal behaviour for a mayor, I'd say.
posted by lesbiassparrow at 6:31 AM on July 25, 2013 [6 favorites]

There's a wide range of what people consider unacceptable marital infidelity (um, read AskMe?!), and polyamory is only one model of non-monogamy.

This sentiment shows up in a lot of these conversations, and I don't see how it's remotely relevant here. His wife said, "It took a lot of work and a whole lot of therapy to get to a place where I could forgive Anthony." What evidence do you have that any of Weiner's behavior was acceptable in the context of their marriage?

No offense to anybody, but I think this sentiment usually pops up when people identify with somebody's circumstance. Maybe two other people have an arrangement where this behavior is acceptable, but every indication we have is that it wasn't, here. (Added to which, even if your wife doesn't mind you pursuing strangers, it's still fair to examine how you pursue them.)
posted by cribcage at 7:09 AM on July 25, 2013 [9 favorites]

I've never really believed in sexual addiction before, but I'm starting to believe in it now. And also that what he is doing is profoundly self-destructive. I don't think people are always trying to destroy themselves with their addictions, but I think he is. It would make me feel bad for him if I had any sense of him as a person, but all I can think of is the damage he is willing to do to others while he destroys himself.
posted by BibiRose at 7:44 AM on July 25, 2013

mikelieman: "I mean, "Personal Life" and "Professional Life" distinctions are important. "

While he may not have been cruising the internet on "company time," he certainly used his role and his position in order to start these relationships, which may just be gross and/or creepy in some situations ("I'm a quarterback in the NFL, here's my penis!") but in a political official raises questions about abuse of public office. He also set himself up to be blackmailed, which is a real and serious concern for public officials. Private lives are private, but when public officials' private lives create a possibility of blackmail, that is a breach of the public trust and undermines the very purpose of citizen government. Politicians can have private lives, and they can do stupid stuff in their private lives, but if you do something in your private life where you're going to have to pay someone off to keep a secret -- well, now it's public business, now you've given someone enough leverage over you that your probity as public official is rightly in question.

I mean, honestly, they teach this in "tiny local official ethics orientation." If you do something stupid that might end in blackmail, that is a super-big deal. Choosing to run for public office means that you do have to be a little careful about your private life, because it has implications for your public service. That's the reality of the system. Nobody made him run for office. It's a peculiar job with peculiar concerns, but he chose it, and it's no surprise that certain parts of his life are under unusual scrutiny -- certainly no surprise after he had to resign from Congress about it the first time around.
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 7:52 AM on July 25, 2013 [7 favorites]

>>"There's a wide range of what people consider unacceptable marital infidelity (um, read AskMe?!), and polyamory is only one model of non-monogamy."

This sentiment shows up in a lot of these conversations, and I don't see how it's remotely relevant here. His wife said, "It took a lot of work and a whole lot of therapy to get to a place where I could forgive Anthony." What evidence do you have that any of Weiner's behavior was acceptable in the context of their marriage?

No offense to anybody, but I think this sentiment usually pops up when people identify with somebody's circumstance. Maybe two other people have an arrangement where this behavior is acceptable, but every indication we have is that it wasn't, here. (Added to which, even if your wife doesn't mind you pursuing strangers, it's still fair to examine how you pursue them.)

Who's identifying/projecting with what where who here? I was disagreeing with the polyamory conjecture above. We don't have any evidence that his behavior was okay with his wife. My point was that we don't know what aspect crosses the line for what's okay within their marriage.

Because a) there's a lot of variation in what different monogamous couples personally and privately consider okay within their marriage and b) if they do have some permissible level of non-monogamous behavior, that doesn't mean that they're poly.
posted by desuetude at 8:57 AM on July 25, 2013

First, I'd like to thank the universe for allowing me to type "weiner danger" into the search bar in order to find this thread.

Second, Weiner Plummets In New Poll

posted by MCMikeNamara at 10:09 AM on July 25, 2013

How did they resist a "Weiner Thrusts Into Bottom Ranks" headline though.
posted by elizardbits at 10:12 AM on July 25, 2013 [4 favorites]

1) Because Josh Marshall runs a professional operation
2) Because Josh Marshall's professional operation wants to leave his commenters something fun to do.
posted by MCMikeNamara at 10:13 AM on July 25, 2013

News organizations: Polling numbers can be easily displayed in graph form, chart form, or even both. You're welcome.
posted by Navelgazer at 10:18 AM on July 25, 2013 [1 favorite]

Weiner estimates he sexted three women after resigning

He then provided a rough total of how many women he's engaged with sexually online. "It's not dozens and dozens," he said. "It's six to ten, I suppose, but I can't tell you absolutely what people are going to consider inappropriate or not."

Hey, if Toronto can have a crack-smoking mayor, maybe New York should have a cad. After all, it's not dozens and dozens.
posted by Nelson at 11:48 AM on July 25, 2013 [1 favorite]

Weiner's still ahead of DeBlasio. :C
Bill is nursing his shame by drinking an entire bottle of Yoohoo and reciting passages from Le Mythe de Sisyphe.
posted by Potomac Avenue at 11:57 AM on July 25, 2013

Ta-Nehisi Coates (as usual) nails it with this paragraph (emphasis mine):

There is something else at work here also -- a lack of compassion. Here is where I differ with many of my liberal and libertarian friends. I believe that how you treat people matters. It is folly to embarrass your pregnant wife before an entire nation. To do the same thing again is cruelty. And there is the promise of more to come. One argument holds that what happens between Weiner and his wife is between them. I agree with this argument. But cruelty is not abolished by the phrase "consenting adults." And the fact that the immoral is not, and should not be, illegal does not make morality meaningless. Huma Abedin has one choice. We have another. The choice should be made by voters -- there should be no sense that if not for the powerful editorial pages Weiner would have won. As a city we deserve to see who we are, and what we actually care about.
posted by MCMikeNamara at 12:02 PM on July 25, 2013 [12 favorites]

I promise not to tweet my meet.

Sincerely,

Inigo Verboten
posted by HyperBlue at 1:15 PM on July 25, 2013

After all, it's not dozens and dozens.

Yeah, but clearly he's working on that.

I'm so pleased to see his uh...droppage in the polls.
posted by jenfullmoon at 10:43 PM on July 25, 2013

Carlos Danger is a Miami shrink. Charlie (Carlos) Danger is the head of the Miami-Dade government's Building and Zoning Department. One of Charlie's co-workers tells me that Danger's demented wife believes Weiner is covering up for her husband. Will Weiner help save the real Carlos Danger's marriage by assuring Mrs. Danger that her Carlos is not the impulsive priapic schmuck at the center of this scandal? If Anthony did that, he would get my vote.
posted by abakua at 2:37 AM on July 26, 2013

Charlemagne In Sweatpants: "I can only hear Carlos Danger in H Jon Benjamin's Archer voice."

For me, it is the voice of that wonderful Swedish killing machine, Brock Sampson. Right after he lights a cigarette.
posted by Samizdata at 7:07 AM on July 26, 2013

Hey, if Toronto can have a crack-smoking mayor, maybe New York should have a cad.

Friendly reminder to Torontonian arrivistes that Washington DC did it first!
posted by elizardbits at 8:44 AM on July 26, 2013 [2 favorites]

yea that was really depressing. Political situation in DC is never that funny to me.
posted by sweetkid at 8:46 AM on July 26, 2013

Oh, New Yorker cover artist, you complete me.
posted by dirigibleman at 9:55 AM on July 26, 2013 [5 favorites]

I think too often separating the private lives of politicians from their public lives has meant not caring whether they behave with honor towards those closest and most vulnerable to them, often especially towards women.

I don't have patience for that. Character is character. Yes, someone may lack character and still be an effective politician, and may even be a better or less worse choice than their rival, but that is not a reason to pretend that character doesn't matter and should never matter in voting decisions.
posted by Salamandrous at 7:59 PM on July 26, 2013 [3 favorites]

Fox Panel Unearths ‘Real’ Anthony Weiner Story: A Muslim Brotherhood Conspiracy
posted by homunculus at 6:49 PM on July 29, 2013

Clearly the pressure has gotten to at least one member of the Weiner campaign.
posted by Cash4Lead at 8:36 PM on July 30, 2013

She... callled her a slutbag and a twat. On the record. I can't believe it. How can that be?
posted by Justinian at 11:36 PM on July 30, 2013

Oh, I see. She thought it was off the record not on the record. That's a really, really lousy excuse. "I only meant to call you a slutbag behind your back!"
posted by Justinian at 11:38 PM on July 30, 2013

Morgan also expressed disbelief that Nuzzi criticized her credentials.

Well. I'm not some twentysomething intern, and I'm perfectly happy to criticize Morgan's qualification to serve as a communications director based on what appears in that article.

She sucked. She like wasn’t good at setting up events. She was clearly there because she wanted to be seen. Like it was, like, terrible and I had to like - she would like, she would just not show up for work.

After we get a handle on not referring to a former staffer as a "fucking twat" when you're on the telephone with media, let's talk about the word "like."

Yet another perfectly sound reason to oppose Weiner's candidacy based on this scandal, yet having nothing to do with privacy issues: if his campaign employed this person as communications director, who would his administration hire?
posted by cribcage at 12:27 AM on July 31, 2013 [4 favorites]

From TPM
"It was wrong and I am very sorry, which is what I said tonight when I called and emailed Olivia to apologize,” said Morgan.

Oh my god. THAT must have been a fun email exchange. Seriously Morgan comes off as unhinged in that conversation. The Daily News story was very thin and not even that interesting. Shoulda just said "no comment" on that one. Ms Communications Director. Geez.
posted by torticat at 12:54 AM on July 31, 2013

Much like the Rent, the Number of Times This Guy's Erection Has Fucked Up His Career Is Too Damn High.

Rent is too damn high guy has advice for Anthony Weiner: Sell ‘Carlos Danger’ dildos!
posted by homunculus at 1:59 PM on August 2, 2013 [1 favorite]

Every Dick Pic Search Ever: A Graphic Analysis. We take a scientific lens to Google Trends for the latest wiener-y pictures.
posted by homunculus at 9:15 PM on August 2, 2013

Sydney Leathers guide for sexting with politicians.
posted by josher71 at 7:31 AM on August 6, 2013

josher71: "Sydney Leathers guide for sexting with politicians."

This creeps me out. She came on to him knowing that he was married, had a young child and had a problem with infidelity. And now she's cashing in and encouraging other people to seduce married politicians?
posted by zarq at 8:00 AM on August 6, 2013 [1 favorite]

Indeed. She sounds brilliant and lovely, too.

Why does having a sexting affair with a married man or even doing porn make someone a "bad person"? Give me a break. I'm not a war criminal.

I counted five serious logical flaws with this bit before I lost interest.
posted by cribcage at 8:55 AM on August 6, 2013 [1 favorite]

Just read the Dan Savage thing and I think he's actually saying something more subtle than "the whole dickpix thing shouldn't bear on whether you vote for him":

I'm not saying New Yorkers have to elect Weiner. But we do have to get the fuck over him, we have to get the fuck over it, just like we had to get over pot. Once upon a time admitting to having used pot—or getting caught using pot—could end or derail a political career. At some point we realized that, fucking hell, if we disqualify everyone who has ever smoked pot from public life we were going to be left with social misfits and shit-talking liars. So we got over it.

(emph mine...) I think this isn't mutually exclusive with the position that in this case Weiner did abuse his power and then was a big ol' shit-talking liar about it. If he were (consensually) sexting people as part of foreplay and didn't have any kind of authority over those people and then was honest about it (whether that's "me and my wife have an arrangement" or "she doesn't like it and I'm trying to stop and in therapy but it's a process and I fuck up sometimes" or wtfever, but you need to defuse the possibility of blackmail) I think that'd be a different story.
posted by en forme de poire at 10:04 AM on August 13, 2013

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