“Embattled New York Rep. Anthony Weiner’s prospects for political survival dimmed precipitously on Wednesday with the appearance on the Internet of an X-rated photo said to be of the congressman — and the first calls from fellow Democrats for him to step down…

“The Associated Press has not been able to independently confirm that the photo is of Weiner. On Wednesday, spokeswoman Risa B. Heller noted in a statement that Weiner had said at a news conference on Monday that he ‘has sent explicit photos. To reiterate, he has never met any of these women or had physical contact with them.'”

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“A Democratic legislator familiar with discussions with and about Weiner told CNN that Weiner’s colleagues are telling him he should resign ‘to preserve his own dignity.’

“The congressman, who spoke on condition of not being identified by name in order to discuss private conversations, said the public call by Schwartz was part of a stepped-up effort to force Weiner out. According to the source, the effort includes private and public calls explicitly telling him it’s time to leave Congress.

“‘There is increased resentment by his colleagues that far from having a press conference where he was going to tell the truth and roll with the flames, the flames are just getting worse and he’s dragging us through it,’ the source said. ‘We really thought by now, after the press conference, we would be able to talk about the Republicans’ Social Security privatization bill and instead we keep talking about Anthony Weiner. And people are getting angrier and more resentful.'”

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“A person close to Mr. Weiner said he still is determined to hold onto the seat he first won in 1998. But Democratic aides said that if he continues to resist calls to resign, the situation could reach a boiling point Monday when House members return to Washington.

“The controversy has become a national embarrassment for Democratic leaders, who have come under fire from Republicans for not moving more aggressively to demand Mr. Weiner’s departure. Senior Democratic leadership aides expect more colleagues to come forward in the next few days to call on Mr. Weiner to resign…

“‘Maybe his political career is over, but I’m sure he’s going to have a show on television,’ predicted the senior Democratic staffer.”

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“Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-N.Y.) has failed to help his party financially in past election cycles, which is another infraction on the growing list of Democratic grievances with the lawmaker.

“Weiner is known as a lone wolf in the Democratic caucus and has a history of failing to pay his dues to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. Members are required to contribute based on a scale taking into account factors like time in Congress, whether a member is in leadership and the lawmaker’s campaign needs…

“That failure to be a team player for House Democrats is now coming back to haunt Weiner as he faces increasing pressure to resign.”

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“Publicly humiliated Huma Abedin won’t ditch her lecherous husband, and is actually working overtime to help salvage his gravely wounded political career, a close friend told The Post.

“She even hunkered down with disgraced Rep. Anthony Weiner in a New York hotel Monday night — an incredible show of support just hours after a blubbering Weiner confessed to three years of sleazy online flings…

“‘They are still talking all the time about what to do [to survive the scandal],’ the source said, adding that they plotted his political comeback while at the hotel.”

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