Even as he was embattled by the bulge in his skivvies, he ignored those high-level calls for his resignation. He held out for three weeks as lean and hungry New York pols cast lots for his garments.
Weiner is out because a woman who dances buck-naked for tips claimed to be so grossed out by his sexual innuendos and lies that she felt compelled to "set the record straight." This from a woman who reportedly made a living by having sex on camera with any stud du jour that central casting sent her way.
The moment she and attack attorney Gloria Allred appeared behind a bouquet of microphones Wednesday, we knew that Weiner was soon to be "the former."
"I think Anthony Weiner should resign," she read from a prepared statement, "because he lied to the media and the public.
"If he told the truth, it might not have turned into this."
Really? What would it have turned into? When a congressman admits to posting pictures of his nether regions on the Internet and talking dirty with women he's never met, his seat is no longer safe.
Are we to believe he was in more trouble for what he covered up than what he exposed? I don't think so.
"If he lied about this . . ." Lee said as her voice trailed off.
Usually, when a lowlife takes the high road, it rings hollow. But Lee pulled it off (you'll pardon the expression) with aplomb. Allred, who represented several of Tiger Woods' playmates, stood by offering moral support. Later she embraced Lee and cooed something soothing into her ear.
Allred told reporters that Lee went into hiding after Weiner urged her to lie. It may have been her longest period under cover since her career began.
She told reporters that she repeatedly resisted Weiner's attempts to take their 100 email and Twitter posts in a sexual direction, preferring instead to talk about politics. He also gave her career tips.
Something worked. She left her news conference for a flight to Atlanta where, according to published reports, she was paid three times the normal fee for her work as a "featured dancer."
Anyway, it's over. He's out after performing one final public service.
"Today," he said above the whirr of the photographers' motor drives, "I'm announcing my resignation from Congress so my colleagues can get back to work, my neighbors can choose a new representative and, most importantly, that my wife and I can continue to heal from the damage I have caused."
I'm not trying to defend this guy. New York City, Washington, and the World Wide Web are better off without him. He will soon be forgotten.
But I'm trying to figure out how a guy like Louisiana Sen. David Vitter can get caught cavorting with prostitutes and get re-elected while a man who had virtual sex becomes an instant pariah.
Vitter, who once raised his voice in righteous indignation at every perceived moral breach, was embraced by the party of family values because his resignation would have given a Democratic governor the right to name a successor.
Vitter admitted that he had been guilty of what he called "serious sin." But given a choice between a serious sinner and an Obama Democrat, the good people of Louisiana gladly chose the former.
Come to think of it, maybe a prudish ex-porn star is at least as good a judge of character as the party of Lincoln and the voters of Louisiana.
Send email to smithel@phillynews.com or call 215-854-2512. For recent columns: www.philly.com/ElmerSmith
