Boise chamber welcomes Larry Craig at luncheon; he receives two standing ovations

Retiring U.S. Sen. Larry Craig came before a friendly audience Tuesday at the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce and received two standing ovations for his 28 years of work in Congress.

No one mentioned the sex sting operation in a Minneapolis airport that snared Craig in 2007.

Craig is leaving the Senate when the 110th Congress ends Jan. 2 after serving there for 18 years. He told the audience that he has formed a consulting company, and he told a TV station that he is still considering whether to appeal his latest legal defeat in the sex-sting case.

"Senator Craig has done more for this state than most people realize," said Mark Bowen, the Chamber's chairman and the vice president and area manager of CH2M Hill, the engineering company. "I know he's had issues, but I would hope that people would take the high ground and thank him for his service."

About 60 people attended the luncheon. Several were former staffers or campaign workers.

Typical forums with members of Idaho's delegation draw about 200 people.

Bowen thanked Craig for his work supporting highway funding, protecting Mountain Home Air Force Base and funding for the Boise Airport's new control tower.

Craig said he has formed a consulting company and will work with a group in Washington, D.C., on issues including the endangered species act, clean water, clean air - "all those things that are going to be good for our future and Idaho's future," he said. He did not name the group.

Craig declined to speak with the Idaho Statesman at the luncheon.

Craig told the Chamber one of his legacies will be the effectiveness of his office in dealing with constituent concerns.

"We developed a reputation that if you wanted a job done, you went to the Craig staff," he said.

Before the luncheon, Craig told KBCI-TV (Channel 2) that he was still considering whether to continue appealing his guilty plea to disorderly conduct arising from his arrest in the gay-sex sting. He has tried in Minnesota courts to have his plea overturned. The Minnesota Court of Appeals turned him down last week. Craig could appeal to the Minnesota Supreme Court.

"We looking at it," Craig said. "I'm moving on ... I've got a new businesses started in Washington and a business started here. I can't look back."

Bill Roberts: 377-6408