Nevada GOP officials add to Craig criticism

WASHINGTON -- Nevada Republicans on Thursday joined a growing chorus of GOP lawmakers calling for the resignation of Sen. Larry Craig, R-Idaho, who pleaded guilty this month to lewd behavior in a Minneapolis airport restroom.

"Senator Craig has admitted guilt and should step down," Rep. Jon Porter, R-Nev., said.

Rep. Dean Heller, R-Nev., said, "Individuals who are elected to a public office should hold themselves to a higher standard. Any United States senator found guilty of public lewdness should step down."

Porter and Heller went further than Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev., who said it would be best for the Senate and the Republican Party if Craig resigned, but did not call for him step down.

"I wouldn't put myself, hopefully, in that kind of position like that but if I was in a position like that, I think that's what I would do (resign)," Ensign said in Reno.

"He's going to have to answer that for himself," Ensign said. "I think the pressure will continue to build."

On Thursday, Sens. Norm Coleman, R-Minn., and Susan Collins, R-Maine, each turned over to charity $2,500 in campaign donations they had received from Craig's political action committee. Coleman and Collins face tough races for re-election next year.

Earlier this week, Sens. Norm Coleman, R-Minn.; and John McCain, R-Ariz.; and Rep. Peter Hoekstra, R-Mich.; said Craig should resign.

In addition, Senate Republican leaders, a group that includes Ensign, have stripped Craig of his committee seniority and has called for the ethics committee to investigate

The crisis engulfing Craig is a problem for Ensign who, as chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, is responsible for recruiting and re-electing Senate Republicans in 2008.

Craig, who is up for re-election in 2008, has said he will announce in the fall whether he will run again, but support among his colleagues is rapidly eroding.

Craig was forced to step aside as ranking Republican on the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, and from his seniority posts on the environment and appropriations subcommittees.

A spokesman for Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said Craig will continue to serve on the committees and will be allowed to vote and take part in hearings.

Serving as the top Republican on a committee or subcommittee carries leadership responsibilities that party officials do not want to entrust to Craig under the circumstances.

"You should not be in a position of leadership, especially because he admitted guilt," Ensign said of Craig.

Craig's spokesman Sidney Smith said the GOP lawmakers "have a right to express themselves," but added, "We're not going to get into an argument on that right now."

Craig said Tuesday he had committed no wrongdoing and shouldn't have pleaded guilty. He said he had only recently retained a lawyer to advise him in the case, which threatens to write an ignominious end to a lifetime in public office.

Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., seemed to be following the political axiom never to interfere with one's adversary while he's destroying himself.

Reid declined to say whether Craig should continue to serve as senator.

"This is a matter between Senator Craig, his family and Republican leadership," Reid aide Jon Summers said.

A spokesman for Rep. Shelley Berkley, D-Nev., said she was not available for comment.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.