Via Politico:
Lawmakers attributed Weiner’s failure to survive the scandal to a unique combination of factors: The racy pictures and texts were publicly available, he lied privately, publicly, proactively and repeatedly, and he had alienated many of his colleagues over the years with abrasive conduct, including a propensity to treat them and his own staff poorly.
Other than a handful of close friends who spoke up for him behind closed doors, no one was anxious to help break his fall.
On Thursday, political professionals marveled at Weiner’s decision to gather the media once again just so he could announce his resignation.
Perhaps he felt a commitment to the many liberals who had encouraged him to stay in office on cable television programs and in blog posts and Tweets.
Actor Danny DeVito had encouraged him to stay in office and progressive television personalities attacked his detractors by noting that other lawmakers had been allowed to stay in office after committing acts of malfeasance and sexual misconduct.
Perhaps Weiner just couldn’t stand not to win one more media cycle.
Either way, the denouement was classic Weiner: Live and on national television.
