Reaction To Weiner's Resignation Mixed Among Constituents; Analysts, Politicians Also Weigh In

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- As Anthony Weiner formally announced his resignation Thursday afternoon in the wake of his sexting scandal, his constituents in Brooklyn and Queens had mixed reaction to his decision.

Inside the El Greco Diner in Sheepshead Bay, the midday lunch crowd put down their sandwiches and forks to listen to their congressman resign.

"I thought he should stay where he is because other people did the same thing and they didn't get no problem," Sal Moon told CBS 2's Pablo Guzman.

"I think it's the right decision he is making. I believe some people may support him. Politically it's the right decision," Kurt Thomas said.

After his initial claim of being hacked on Twitter to his earlier news conference in which he admitted to sending lewd photos to multiple women before and after his marriage, some said Weiner had no choice but to resign.

1010 WINS' Al Jones Speaks With Constituents In Forest Hills

"As a public figure, I guess the right thing to do would be to step down. If it was a doctor or something, who would care?" one Forest Hills resident told 1010 WINS' Al Jones.

Other constituents in Queens almost seemed willing to show Weiner the door.

1010 WINS' Carol D'Auria reports: Constituents Say Weiner Needed To Resign

"It was just such an embarrassment to the community," Linda Miranti said. "He can't really represent us with problems like that."

Still others, expressed sympathy for Weiner and didn't think he should have quit despite the media circus and outcry from politicians, including many in the Democratic Party.

WCBS 880's Peter Haskell reports: Constituents Say It's Time For Weiner To Go

"I think he should have been standing up for his rights," JoAnn Marcheti said. "I'm disappointed. I like him."

"I don't like what he did, but he was a very good congressman," Traci Nagy said.

POLITICIANS REACT TO THE RESIGNATION

Members of Congress reacted to Weiner's announcement, including Long Island Republican Peter King, who had many battles with the Democrat on the floor of the House.

"For his own good, Anthony Weiner had to resign. He would've been totally ineffective in the Congress. Obviously he needs help, I hope he gets it," King told reporters.

Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-NJ) said that "while none of us is perfect," elected officials still had "an obligation to yourself, your family and the rest of this institution to be straight forward and tell the truth."

House Minoirty Leader Nancy Pelosi, who previously demanded a resignation, issued a statement saying she was praying for Weiner and his family.

"Congressman Weiner exercised poor judgment in his actions and poor judgment in his reaction to the revelations.  Today, he made the right judgment in resigning," Pelosi said.

Steve Israel, the Chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, was also pleased with the congressman's decision.

"Anthony's decision to resign is right for him and his family, our party, and our country because we have serious work to do in Congress," Israel said.

1010 WINS' Stan Brooks reports: Ed Koch Says Weiner Could Make A Comeback

Former New York City mayor Ed Koch said now that Weiner has decided to resign, the congressman should try to redeem himself by getting involved in public service and show contrition.

"I'm not suggesting that he go to a leper colony -- that's for the 1800s -- but there's something here in the city that he can find where he can render public service to some group in our society," Weiner said.

Koch also didn't rule out a comeback for the disgraced politician.

"His life is not over," Koch told 1010 WINS' Stan Brooks. "He didn't commit criminal acts…but they were foolish, childish acts and certainly unacceptable in someone who wants to represent the public."

Koch said Weiner's acts are indicative of a "juvenile personality problem."

ANALYSTS SAY WEINER'S DECISION WAS 'INEVITABLE'

Analysts said he decided to go because of the mounting pressure from all sides. Weiner's resignation had to happen said Doug Muzzio, professor of public affairs at CUNY's Baruch College.

WCBS 880's Rich Lamb reports: Political Analysts Say Weiner's Resignation Was 'Inevitable'

"It was inevitable because it would never end that Anthony Weiner would be a public joke," said Muzzio.

Democratic political consultant Hank Sheinkopf said Weiner couldn't help but hear the chorus of calls for him to go.

"The pressure was coming from members of his own party, from members of the Democratic conference in the U.S. House of Representatives, from former President Clinton and from President Obama," said Sheinkopf. "Now that's pretty significant."

Sheinkopf said this is what happens when presidents, one past and one present, put the squeeze on someone.

BREITBART SAYS WEINER-GATE GOT 'GROTESQUE'

Conservative blogger Andrew Breitbart, who posted the infamous crotch shot and shirtless photos of Weiner on his site BigGovernment.com, said it didn't have to come to this.

"When we got the first tweet that showed him in the grey underwear, which at this point is PG, almost Disney and Pixar-esque compared to what has come out since then, I thought that he could probably survive this thing if he handled it properly," Breitbart told 1010 WINS. "But this thing just got so grotesque, so quickly."

Breitbart said Weiner's resignation was a wise decision.

"I think that if he had owned up to this on day one or day two he probably would have been able to have kept his job," he said. "We learn, yet again, that the cover-up is worse than the crime."

Breitbart said he is not sure what lies in Weiner's future. He said unlike former Gov. Eliot Spitzer, who moved on to get a job with CNN following his sex scandal, Weiner's behavior does not put him in a position to go on television commenting on politics.

We want to know what you have to say. Click here to share your thoughts

In:
• Forest Hills
• Sheepshead Bay