Report: Weiner Checking Himself In For “Treatment”

The New York Times passes on a report that Congressman Anthony Weiner is checking himself into a treatment center:

Two senior Democratic officials said on Saturday that Mr. Weiner was planning to check himself into a treatment center.

Let me guess, it’s “sex addiction.”

Update: Here’s the story from the Times, just posted on its website:

Representative Anthony D. Weiner planned to check himself into a treatment center on Saturday after House Democratic leaders, including Nancy Pelosi, called on him to resign and suggested he needed psychiatric counseling.

A spokeswoman for Mr. Weiner said he would request a leave of absence from the House and seek treatment, but provided no further details.

“Congressman Weiner departed this morning to seek professional treatment to focus on becoming a better husband and healthier person,” said the spokeswoman, Risa Heller. “In light of that, he will request a short leave of absence from the House of Representatives so that he can get evaluated and map out a course of treatment to make himself well.

“Congressman Weiner takes the views of his colleagues very seriously and has determined that he needs this time to get healthy and make the best decision possible for himself, his family and his constituents.”

In other words, he’s not resigning and he thinks he can ride this out. Frankly, I think this virtually guarantees that his district disappears when the New York State Legislature finishes with redistricting.

Also, it’s worth noting that this “leave of absence” thing is meaningless. Weiner is a Congressman until he resigns, retires, or loses an election, and Members of Congress take time off for medical treatment all the time (See e.g., Joe Biden, Arlen Specter, and, most recently, Gabby Giffords).

UPDATE (James Joyner): I’m reminded of what may possibly be the last funny episode of “South Park.”

FILED UNDER: 2012 Election, US Politics, , , , , , , ,
Doug Mataconis
About Doug Mataconis
Doug Mataconis held a B.A. in Political Science from Rutgers University and J.D. from George Mason University School of Law. He joined the staff of OTB in May 2010 and contributed a staggering 16,483 posts before his retirement in January 2020. He passed far too young in July 2021.

Comments

  1. anjin-san says:

    Run and hide. Not impressive.

  2. TG Chicago says:

    Sex addiction is real, and actually, Weiner’s conduct seems right in line with it. Not sure why the scare quotes are needed.

    Of course, if you have any sort of addiction that is getting in the way of your life, you’re probably not a good candidate for public office.

  3. JKB says:

    Going into treatment just after they find the 17 yr old? Sounds like somebody is working on his penitence for the plea bargain negotiations. Or could it be he’s been given an ultimatum?

  4. Tano says:

    working on his penitence for the plea bargain negotiations

    Huh? What crime has he committed?

  5. As I’ve pointed out several times in the past, I’m bothered by the increasingly common practice of representatives and senators abandoning their post for extended periods and expecting the seat to be held vacant until they return. The people of Weiner’s district have a right to representation, and if he’s not capable of fulfilling that role, he needs to make way for someone else.

  6. Lgbpop says:

    Huh? What crime has he committed?

    Good point; none yet that we know of, but with his level of veracity if he says he committed no crime I’d start looking harder. Until one surfaces, though, he’s not any more guilty technically than Barney Frank or Mark Foley were. I say let him stay in office, as testament to the big-tent philosophy the Democrats say they espouse. (He can be the tent pole.) He certainly represents their ideals.

  7. John Burgess says:

    I couldn’t give a rip about Weiner. I’m far more concerned about whether this idiot will hurt the reputation of Oscar Meyer and their fine products.

    Weiner = dick = wiener

  8. Tano says:

    if he’s not capable of fulfilling that role, he needs to make way for someone else.

    Problem is, is that if he resigns, the seat will be empty for many months before a campaign and election can take place. Even longer if there are primaries, rather than backroom deals to determine the candidates.
    By the time you hold a special election, Anthony could be completely cured.
    🙂

  9. anjin-san says:

    He certainly represents their ideals.

    Yea. If he was a decent guy, a Republican, he would just dump his wife and marry the girl half his age. Respectable like…

  10. AllenS says:

    Let me guess, it’s “sex addiction.”

    WTF? He wasn’t having sex. He’s nothing but a creep.

  11. John Burgess says:

    @anjin-san… Can I guess?

    How about Ted Kennedy?

  12. JKB says:

    @Tano – I did not say he’d committed a crime but then it is early. I certainly hope he was smart enough not to send images to a 17-yr old, or accept images from her. However, given the state of child internet exploitation laws, if he was anything but disinterested polite, he could have run afoul since those laws are written very broad. Or, his actions could simply be a threat to a Dem platform or cause in the exploitation of children via electronic communications.

    In any case, it certainly seems he’s been counseled to build up a defense of some kind.

  13. An Interested Party says:

    The idea of trying to pin this kind of behavior on one political party is rather foolish, not to mention hypocritical…for Anthony Weiner, we have David Vitter, for Ted Kennedy, we have Newt Gingrich…as if Democrats alone or Republicans alone have an exclusive monopoly on this kind of thing…