New Yorkers split over Weiner, 33% think other Congress members are the same

At a press conference on June 6, New York Rep. Anthony Weiner admitted sending a lewd photo, along with his past online communications with at least 6 women over 3 years.

Following his confession, New Yorkers are split in their opinions toward Weiner's resignation.

A poll finding from SurveyUSA for WABC-TV says 46% of New Yorkers prefer Weiner to resign, while 41% wants him to stay in office, and 13% unsure. .

According to a NY1-Maris Poll released Tuesday, 51% believe Weiner should stay, while 30% said he should resign, and 18% unsure.

Prior to his photo scandal, Weiner was heading toward a run for mayor of New York City in 2013.

The NY1-Maris finds 56% of registered voters did not want Weiner to run for mayor, while 25% said they did, and 19% unsure. In WABC's poll, 11% said they would actually vote for Weiner if he did run, and 43% said they would vote against him. 45% needed more time to think about it.

More than 60% of those surveyed in Maris' poll believed Weiner's behavior was unethical but not illegal. 13% believed he did nothing wrong, while another 13% said it was illegal.

At the media conference held on Monday, Weiner repeated he was not going to resign. I don't see anything that I did violates any rule of the House, nor his oath of office.

None among 21 Democrats in the New York delegation, CBS reports, are telling Weiner to leave. Rep. Edolphus Towns said Tuesday that he respects Weiner's honesty and integrity. Towns said Weiner's resignation is a personal matter between the Congressman and his family. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, however, was far less supportive. He told reporters on Tuesday, I wish there was some way that I could defend him but I can't.

While Weiner's lewd photo scandal has fueled the media and angered the political circle, the general public seems to tolerate his behavior, perhaps because their view of it as a common practice for politicians. 33% of WABC surveyees said they think other members of Congress behave just like Weiner, and 31% think worse than Weiner.

Bad luck for Weiner. If the House comes up with a two thirds majority vote for expulsion, Weiner could be forced to resign. In the history of the House, only five members have ever been expelled, and none of them for sexual scandals.

Earlier this year, Rep. Chris Lee resigned right after the uncovering of his topless photograph sent to a woman he met on Craigslist.

Whether Weiner survives the public shame and succeeds in clinging to his seat, the recovering of his career and reputation will face a great challenge.