Reply #51: "I will continue my effort to clear my name in the Senate Ethics Committee —

[rodeodance]

In his statement, Craig said he will not run for a new term next year.

But in the meantime, he said: "I will continue my effort to clear my name in the Senate Ethics Committee — something that is not possible if I am not serving in the Senate."

The ethics committee has already signaled it is reviewing the facts of Craig's case, taking the step after the Senate Republican leadership requested it.

Craig's decision to stay and fight raises the strong possibility of public hearings — virtually certain to be televised live — centered on the issue of gay sex.