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Weiner Resigns Amid Controversy

MELISSA BLOCK, Host:

This is ALL THINGS CONSIDERED from NPR News. I'm Melissa Block.

ROBERT SIEGEL, Host:

NPR's Joel Rose was there.

JOEL ROSE: There was no sign of the tearful Anthony Weiner who rambled for close to an hour at his last press conference, the one where he admitted to lying about the illicit photos and messages he sent to a range of women. Today, Weiner spoke for less than five minutes, and he got right to the point.

ANTHONY WEINER: Unidentified Man #2: Thank God, pervert.

ROSE: Weiner made the announcement in front of what was supposed to be a friendly audience, at a senior citizen center in Brooklyn where he first ran for city council more than 20 years ago. But the event went off script when hecklers interrupted the press conference, including one who was intent on asking about Weiner's physique. Still, many in the crowd seemed disappointed by his decision to step down, including Angela Sorge(ph) of Midwood.

ANGELA SORGE: I think he should have stayed in there, and it would have died down eventually. Somehow, I think he still could do his job, but I think he gave up too easily. I think the pressure was just too much. I don't know.

ROSE: Donna Bossalovich(ph) has liked Weiner since he was an aide to Senator Chuck Schumer.

DONNA BOSSALOVICH: I still like him, but I'm very, very disappointed, obviously, in his lack of judgment. And I really feel that it's a terrible shame because I think that he probably could have made a difference, and he would have had a bright future, and he threw it all away. For what?

ROSE: Joel Rose, NPR News, New York. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.

Joel Rose is a correspondent on NPR's National Desk. He covers immigration and breaking news.