Anthony Weiner Resignation Met with Cheers on National Television (Video)
Hecklers hounded the New York Representative after he announced that he was stepping down from Congress for a "sexting" scandal.
New York Congressman Anthony Weiner stepped down from Congress Thursday following a three-week scandal dubbed "Weinergate" in the media.
Local stations in New York broke into programming for Weiner's press conference, which was widely broadcast on cable and broadcast channels.
Weiner said, "I am here again to apologize for the personal mistakes I made" and spoke fondly of his contituents and his position,"There is no higher honor in democracy than being sent by your peers to the House of Representatives. I have never forgotten my neighbors."
After saying, "I am announcing my resignation from Congress," cheers went up and several hecklers made rude remarks about Weiner's sexting scandal including, "Are you more than 7 inches?"
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The embattled Democratic Representative told friends he would step down after facing controversy for sending nearly-nude photos of himself to six women on Twitter, the New York Times first reported. Multiple media outlets broke coverage shortly after to report similar stories.
Weiner reportedly spoke with Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chairman Steve Israel and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi Wednesday to announce his decision.
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He had become the butt of late-night jokes for his raunchy text messages, which ABC News first reported. The net paid one of the women Weiner corresponded with between $10,000 and $15,000 to license the photos, texts and messages, The Hollywood Reporter confirmed earlier this month.
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House Speaker John Boehner told Fox News he had not yet received a resignation letter early Thursday, but that once he did, it could be read on the House floor. A resignation would mean New York would hold a special election to replace him.
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Weiner's photo and text indiscretions (he is married to longtime Hillary Clinton aide Huma Abedin, who is pregnant) sparked the Twitter trending phrase #Weinergate.
The Weinergate scandal erupted earlier this month when Weiner said his Twitter account had been hacked after a 21-year-old college student said she received a photo of a man in grey briefs and nothing else -- which was posted on Andrew Breitbart's blog, BigGovernment.com. When asked on MSNBC if the photo was him, Weiner said, "You know, I can't say with certitude. My system was hacked. Pictures can be manipulated, pictures can be dropped in and inserted."
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A few days later, he held a press conference to apologize and admitted that it was indeed him the photo. Later, more explicit text messages and photos were released on various networks, including several shirtless ones that were reportedly taken in the U.S. House of Representatives gym.
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