President Obama seemed to indicate support for a re-election bid for New York ex-Rep. Anthony Weiner, saying the disgraced former member of Congress has a chance of bouncing back.
“Obviously, it’s been a tough incident for him. But I’m confident that they’ll refocus, he’ll refocus, and and he’ll end up being able to bounce back,” Mr. Obama said Friday.
“I wish Rep. Weiner and his lovely wife well,” Mr. Obama added.
Mr. Obama said Mr. Weiner remains an exception amongst congressional lawmakers, adding that a vast majority remain focused on serving constituents.
“The vast majority of folks are doing the right thing, and are focused on their work,” Mr. Obama told ABC.
Mr. Weiner, who announced his resignation Thursday, faced numerous calls to resign, including a call from the White House, where President Obama suggested he step down after additional lewd photos of the New York Democrat emerged.
“The President feels, we feel at the White house this is a distraction,” the White House said at the time. “Obviously as Rep. Weiner has said himself, his behavior was inappropriate. Dishonesty was inappropriate.”
White House Press Secretary Jay Carney seemed to echo President Obama’s message, saying the White House remains focused on job creation and revamping the nation’s economy.
“When the president was asked about this … he expressed his opinion, but he also made clear that this is not an issue that he has been focused on because he has obviously much more significant priorities,” Mr. Carney said. “And I don’t really have anything to add to that.”
Meanwhile, the focus has shifted to whether Mr. Weiner will return to Congress or seek the upcoming seat in the New York mayoral election, a seat many had predicted was Mr. Weiner’s to lose before the scandal erupted.
