Anyone who saw the press conference held earlier by Sen. Larry Craig, R-Idaho, probably believed he was going to step down from his position at the end of September.

His reputation shattered after it became public that he pleaded guilty to a men’s room sex sting in the Minneapolis-St. Paul airport, Craig had announced he would give up his senate position so he could seek legal options to reverse his plea. He appeared to recognize that his situation was a huge distraction politically to his party and state, and his removal from office seemed the best step to take.

Now, October is upon us – and Craig has changed his mind and remains in Senate, at least until he has exhausted his legal fight to clear his name.

Since his personal mess hit the media, Craig has felt the media frenzy. Even when he tries to speak on other matters important to him and his constituents, the news stories still concentrate on his personal problems and give little attention to his political message.

Meanwhile, fellow politicians circle like sharks in water. Within his own party, few of his peers support him and the Republican party has said stepping down was “the right thing to do.” In Idaho, Gov. Butch Otter has a long line of possible contenders he could appoint to replace Craig.

And then there is the national politics scene: An Associated Press story this week emphasized that the Democrats and environmentalists see this all as a great opportunity to promote salmon recovery on rivers in the Northwest, such as the Snake River. “First, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada asked federal regulators to require passage for salmon and steelhead for relicensing of the Hells Canyon Complex, a series of dams on the Snake River between Oregon and Idaho,” said the AP story. “Meanwhile, Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., has asked her colleagues to undo Craig’s bid to use a federal spending bill to dictate water flow for Snake River fish.

“Salmon advocates were thrilled at the actions of the two western Democrats, which they say could go a long way to protect and restore salmon and steelhead in the Snake River Basin, which spans Washington state, Oregon, Idaho and Wyoming,” said AP.

Unfortunately, even if Craig successfully convinces a judge to allow him to withdraw his guilty plea, the damage is already done. Craig no longer has his power and respect in Washington, D.C., where Idahoans and Western farmers need him to protect their interests.

More importantly, he no longer has the respect of many of his past supporters in Idaho.

Idaho’s agricultural interests need someone politically powerful and focused on them. They can’t afford to have someone distracted by personal problems that question his morals, character and sincerity.

If Craig really cared about Idaho – and not just his own self-preservation – he should step down immediately from the Senate. It will take time for a successor in Idaho to earn power in the Senate, but changes must be made.

It’s also time for others, such as Sen. Gordon Smith of Oregon, to step up and be more forceful and vocal in advocating for the agriculture, timber and mining communities in the West.