Asia-Pacific

Obama says he would resign if he were Weiner

(Agencies)
Updated: 2011-06-14 09:19

US Congressman Anthony Weiner (D-NY) speaks to the media in New York in this June 6, 2011 file photo. [Photo/Agencies]

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama, increasing pressure on Rep. Anthony Weiner to quit, said Monday that "I can tell you that if it was me, I would resign."

In a rare foray into a congressman's ethical conduct, Obama told NBC's "Today" show that Weiner's sexually charged photos and messages online to several women was "highly inappropriate."

"I think he's embarrassed himself. He's acknowledged that. He's embarrassed his wife and his family. Ultimately, there's gonna be a decision for him and his constituents. I can tell you that, if it was me, I would resign," the president said in an interview to air Tuesday morning.

Obama said public service "is exactly that, it's a service to the public. And when you get to the point where, because of various personal distractions, you can't serve as effectively as you need to at the time when people are worrying about jobs, and their mortgages, and paying the bills, then you should probably step back."

Rep. Nancy Pelosi, leader of Obama's Democratic party in has urged Weiner to quit, as have several other Democrats including party chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz.

House officials told The Associated Press that the ethics inquiry is not yet extensive, and committee leaders have not indicated whether they will order a more intensive staff investigation. The officials requested anonymity because the committee has not announced the staff inquiry.