Defying GOP Leaders, Rep. Trey Radel Won't Resign After Rehab

[alp227]

Source: NPR

It was November when Republican Trey Radel, a first-term congressman from Fort Myers, Fla., was charged with cocaine possession — a misdemeanor in Washington, D.C. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to a year's probation.

A few days before Christmas, fresh from a month in rehab, Radel held a news conference with his wife by his side. He apologized and said that alcohol, not cocaine, is his main problem, and that's what he was treated for.

But the main point of his news conference was to say that he would not step down from Congress.

"I love what I do," Radel said. "And I'm going to return to what I do, what you sent me to do in Washington, D.C — which is working for you and your family."

Read more: http://www.npr.org/blogs/itsallpolitics/2014/01/02/259221494/defying-gop-leaders-rep-trey-radel-wont-resign-after-rehab

[TwilightGardener]

1. Only Democrats slink away in shame. David "Diaper Shitter" Vitter, Mark Sanford...

Shamelessness is a hallmark of Republicanism.

[factsarenotfair]

3. It's also a trait of sociopaths. n/t

[Thinkingabout]

2. Anthony Weiner did not commit a misdemeanor in his deal but pressure came and he

Resigned. It us a double standard and the GOP continues to re-elect the same goofballs.

[cosmicone]

4. It is our fault

We do not beat the drums loudly nor do we engage in continuous protests to attract media attention to make sure everyone in this asshole's constituency knows that he was sniffing cocaine.

It is all about manipulating media - if we had sizable demonstrations in front of his office in Washington and in Florida, he would be forced to resign.

Unfortunately, there are far too many nutbaggers out there to take his place.

[rurallib]

6. I doubt you could beat the drums loudly enough

he won't quit. He is an entitled white guy. No doubt he believes he really did nothing wrong and could care less what voters care.
Until they vote him out. Then there will be something wrong with them.

[QuestForSense]

7. He's speshul!

[Maraya1969]

12. Yea before this he was a news caster. The guy likes the lime light. Or the slim light if I may.

[Fred Sanders]

5. Trey Redel was apparently also sent to Washington to commit drug crimes by the electorate?

[tanyev]

8. Oh, he only uses cocaine when in a drunken stupor.

Well, that's alright then.

[Comrade Grumpy]

14. He and Rob Ford could party together.

[savalez]

9. Trey Radel's press conference!

[riversedge]

10. He still wants drug testing for welfare recipiants but

also wants them for the politicians. Wonder if he knows some users on the Hill??

[Maraya1969]

11. That man can go fuck himself. He is one of the stooges that voted against gun control

He is a piece of crap that represents my area and when his time is up, (not sure 2014 or 2016) I will go way out of my way to get rid of that bastard. Him and Rick Scott have been nothing but pain for Florida.

[Enrique]

13. good for you, Trey

we need you there in Congress, as an example.

[cstanleytech]

15. We should all send Trey some powered donuts to show him our support.

Those should cheer him right up.