With Lott Gone, Larry Craig Is Last Singing Senator
It was awkward enough that President Bush was yukking it up with Trent Lott in the final hours of the Mississippi Republican's Senate career. Bush, after all, kicked Lott to the curb, supporting his removal from leadership after the senator's infamously ill-fated remarks hailing Strom Thurmond's 1948 segregationist presidential campaign.
But this week, it was all fun and games as Lott resigned. Lott says Bush even joked that he may want to team up with the Mississippian in the lobbying sector in less than 13 months when he's out of a job. To which Lott, sharp tongued as ever, suggested a name for their imaginary lobbying firm: ""What does 'Breaux and A Lotta Bush' sound like?" (The joke is a reference to the potential lobbying marriage between Lott and longtime friend John Breaux.)
(Lott recounted the conversation to our colleague Paul Kane, who himself was too stunned to ask what the president's reaction was.)
Lott also got a lot of ribbing and roasting from his Senate GOP colleagues during a tribute on the floor - including from former fellow Singing Senator Larry Craig - who is now officially the last member of the now-defunct but forever famous Singing Senators.
The Singing Senators, as seen on the web site of "celebrity vocal coach" Renee Grant-Williams. In back from left to right: John Ashcroft, Trent Lott, James Jeffords, Larry Craig. (myvoicecoach.com)
But Craig put joking aside and had a misty tone to his serenade as he recounted how he and Lott, together with then-GOP Sens. John Ashcroft (Mo.) and Jim Jeffords (Vt.), found their second calling.
"All four of us developed a very unique relationship that no other Senators shared," Craig said. "We found out that we could sing together and that in doing so, we could not only have fun ourselves, but that other people, sometimes with a smile, would suggest they enjoyed listening to us."
They were simpler, happier times.
"The smile, the joy, the fun we had of singing the kind of songs we sang in a way that Senators are just not supposed to do," Craig said wistfully. "For in the end, Senators are like an awful lot of other folks out there--we are human."
Craig is one human who, surreally, remains on Capitol Hill despite announcing his intention last summer to resign over his airport men's room mishap. The last of the Singing Senators plans to ring in the new year in California with his wife. He's taking her on a much deserved vacation.
They're heading to Pasadena, home of the famous Rose Bowl - not to watch the game, just to see the parade. Craig said they want to see "where the floats are made."
Meanwhile, it appears Craig is serious - this time - about retiring when his term ends in January 2009. He ushered Idaho Lt. Gov. James E. Risch (R) around the Capitol this week, introducing him as "the next senator from Idaho."
By Mary Ann Akers |
December 20, 2007; 4:36 PM ET
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Posted by: Tim B | December 20, 2007 4:58 PM
Larry Craig singing solo, "I'm a man eater".
Posted by: ewe | December 20, 2007 6:38 PM
Well, if Butch Otter becomes the next Senator from Idaho, we
can at least breathe a sigh of relief about certain practices.
He is just a regular Republican guy - no weirdness, known or unknown. He's for the monied class. And there is plenty of money in Idaho.
The fact that he will be in the minority will be good for he will
be likely to actually legislate, instead of dictate. If the current
neo-con evangelical Republicans prevail (which, thank God, they won't) he would still be a voice or rationality. Altho, voice or not, he would support them and vote for what they wanted.
Like I said, a regular Republican. Opportunistic and always out
for the money. Nice, funny guy though.
Posted by: cms1 | December 20, 2007 6:39 PM
Does anyone know where I can get my hands on a Singing Senators CD? eBay has yet to offer one and I've been looking for a copy for the last few years
Posted by: rise1 | December 20, 2007 6:47 PM
Any word yet on whether that Singing Senators/Kiki & Herb lounge tour is going to kick off next year?
Posted by: dirrtysw | December 20, 2007 9:25 PM
What does he sound like with his mouth full?
Posted by: oldherkyload | December 20, 2007 11:52 PM
"What does he sound like with his mouth full?"
awbrabawbrabawbrabawbrabawbrab
Which translates to "wanna tax cut with that?"
Posted by: Anonymous | December 21, 2007 12:52 AM
The last of the "secret" gay GOP choir.
Posted by: GOPLovesC | December 21, 2007 1:33 AM
i recommened that larry live on a complete 'protein' diet. it can be obtained in many ways, at many places, pubic, er, public or private. it gives his cheeks, the ones above his 'depends' a ruddy complexion. does he 'sing' or 'singe'? with larry, it's always someone, er, something!-jenny
Posted by: jenny craig | December 21, 2007 11:26 AM
I was fortunate? enought to see "wide-stance" Larry's emotional farewell to Trent on C-span. It was painful to watch. The man has no shame.
Posted by: willandjansdad | December 21, 2007 11:53 AM
He sings soprano, yes?
Posted by: Rubber Ducky | December 21, 2007 1:23 PM
Not only can Larry Craig sing like a queen, but he's also a diva in belly dancing.
Posted by: bekabo | December 21, 2007 2:44 PM
There's a gay pride parade at the Rose Bowl? Who knew?
Posted by: dan, Reality, USA | December 21, 2007 2:49 PM
"I want to see where the floats are made." Is that some sort of gay code for I'm going to sneak away from my wife while she's asleep at the hotel and find my own kinda fun?
Posted by: Larry | December 21, 2007 2:57 PM
I guess that ol wide stance Larry will just have to hum now?
Posted by: LWT | December 21, 2007 4:51 PM
Tap Tap, Cough Cough, tap, wave hand, cough
Posted by: Bobby Flay | December 22, 2007 12:23 PM
larry craig can bend over and take it like a man
Posted by: listats | December 25, 2007 10:27 AM
It may be Sens. Ashcroft, Jeffords and Lott's second calling but it was the third calling for senator Craig. He second calling was in the washroom and it was not the nature calling.
Posted by: Jan Besseling | December 27, 2007 4:31 AM
I can`t understand why all you liberals haven`t objected , complained , or even cried "discrimination" , because "your queer boy" Barney Frank isn`t part of this ? Where`s your ACLU when you need them !!
Posted by: Barry Jones | December 27, 2007 12:34 PM
Larry Craig remains a liar and an embarrassment to his constituents and the great state of Idaho.
Posted by: Mike | December 28, 2007 1:48 PM
Senator Craig accidentally learned how to sing and reach those high notes when he first encountered the "Boys from Boise" and got his first poke.
Posted by: paiaso | December 28, 2007 9:56 PM
We are so happy to see that the comments here are no more sophisticated than comments made on blogs in Florida. These singing nutjobs have done a lot of damage to our country leaving us with little to sing about.
To a happy, peaceful, Democratic year in 2008.
Posted by: ALotofLaughs | December 29, 2007 11:34 AM
It's just like some Republican, homophobic malcontent to compare closeted, in-denial and dishonest Senator Craig with out-in-the-open, corageous and truthful Representative Frank.
This tit-for-tat comparison is emblamatic of the right who use the well-worn "they are too" or "they did it too" mantra to attempt to conceal their own warts.
Posted by: David | December 29, 2007 3:53 PM
Did the inging senators do Broadway Show Tunes?
Posted by: mary | December 30, 2007 1:30 AM
Everyone in Idaho is ashamed of our infamous Senator Craig. Even more importantly, though, our system now must accept the charge to legislate or judicate a means by which he and others like him are quickly removed from office and taken off the public payroll when they truly breach the public trust shamelessly? If we don't seize the moment now to correct this extreme failing, shame on us! Larry is an outrage for his lying and other deceits which should summons all to support change. Therefore, I recommend we hold the feet of every national legislator to the fire until they effectively follow through and stop his kind of outlandish abuse!
Posted by: Stan Smith | December 31, 2007 12:46 PM
An admission of guilt is an admission of guilt, Senator Craig. Changing your stance on that simple fact will never wash. You're a big boy now.
Posted by: Justin Waldman | January 1, 2008 4:09 AM
Can Larry still belt out a tune with his belt undone and his pants around his ankles? Inquiring minds in the nation's bathroom stalls want to know. I suppose he doesn't have to actually belt out the tune; he'll just have to be able to hum very deeply. Maybe he could be corporate spokesperson for GM and the Hummer!
Posted by: GCE | January 2, 2008 9:02 PM
Quick follow-up: couldn't find Craig, but I can still belt out a good tune with my pants around my ankles and my dick in a hole in the wall
Posted by: GCE | January 4, 2008 6:35 PM
The comments to this entry are closed.
With retirement bearing down on him, Mr. Craig is to be commended for holding a wide stance on his intentions.
Now the Singing Senators have a gaping hole just begging to be filled by three Senators who are up for a firm challenge with Larry Craig.
etc.