John McCain, colleagues call for Craig's resignation; White House is 'disappointed' in Craig matter

Two Senate Republican colleagues, including John McCain, called today for Sen. Larry Craig to resign. The White House, too, expressed disappointment in the case of the Idaho Republican caught in a men’s room undercover police operation.

Arizona Sen. McCain and Sen. Norm Coleman of Minnesota, the state where Craig was arrested, became the first senators to join Rep. Peter Hoekstra, R-Mich., urging Craig’s resignation.

McCain told CNN the decision was Craig’s to make, “but my opinion is that when you plead guilty to a crime, you shouldn’t serve. That’s not a moral stand. That’s not a holier-than-thou. It’s just a factual situation.”

“I think he should resign,” McCain said.

Coleman said in a statement, “Sen. Craig pled guilty to a crime involving conduct unbecoming a senator.”

Meanwhile, Idaho's Gov. Butch Otter offered support for Sen. Larry Craig today. “Larry is a good man who has done a lot of good for the state of Idaho and he’s a colleague and a friend,” Otter said.

Otter said he and first lady Lori Otter spoke to Craig and his wife Suzanne.

“I told him, ‘Larry, I’ve made a few mistakes in my private life that slopped over into public news and you’re going to find out really quick who your friends are, but I want you to know that Lori and I are your friends.' ”

In 1992, when Otter was lieutenant governor he was arrested for driving under the influence. Otter was convicted of the charge and remained in office.

Otter declined to say whether Craig should resign.

“I’m not going to go there,” Otter said. “That’s up to him.”

Otter said it’s going to be a trying time for Craig.

“He’s a good man,” Otter said. “We all make mistakes, and he’s going to have to sort this thing out.”