Peas in a Disingenuous Pod

Craig was equally deceptive.

Instead of telling his family, Senate colleagues and his constituents about the arrest, Craig pretended that nothing had occurred. He also concealed his Aug. 1 guilty plea, which he had signed, dated and submitted by mail.

Idahoans would still be in the dark about the whole sordid mess had not the newspaper Roll Call been tipped off and on Monday published the story of Craig's case. As the Idaho Statesman said in an editorial calling for Craig's resignation, the senator lied "by omission" and violated the public trust by not disclosing his arrest until the story broke 77 days later.

Ironically, this week, both Vick and Craig publicly apologized for having embarrassed their supporters and their families. But consider what they said.

Craig asserted during a news conference in Idaho on Tuesday that in spite of his guilty plea he was not guilty. He said that he decided against fighting the charge because of "stress" caused by a "witch hunt" conducted by the Idaho Statesman, which was looking into rumors that he was gay.

Vick, for his part, described his years of pitting pit bull against pit bull as a "mistake" caused by his being "immature."

They still have a way to go before they can claim redemption. That's also why we haven't heard the last of them.

Craig is on a downward slide toward the end of his career, which could be announced as early as today. But he will leave behind a legacy of more than his House and Senate voting record. The story of Larry Craig and the Minneapolis airport restroom stall will be a major chapter in his political obituary.

Vick, over the long haul, will fare no better. To save himself, he's got to squeal.

Read his signed plea agreement with the government. The charge to which he pleaded guilty carries a maximum penalty of five years in jail. The prosecution, however, recommended a sentence of 12 to 18 months. Why? Because in exchange for the more lenient sentence, Vick agreed to provide testimony and evidence against others in the illegal dogfighting business -- just as his three co-defendants agreed to rat him out.

Vick's plea agreement gives him no wiggle room. If he fails to cooperate to the government's satisfaction, the deal is off. That could lead to the prospect of Vick spending five years behind bars -- an outcome that would virtually kill his chances of returning to the football field.

In the weeks ahead, Larry Craig and Michael Vick will jointly occupy a space of shame and humiliation all their own. For that, both have themselves to thank.

kingc@washpost.com