There was perhaps no bigger champion for Democratic initiatives and principles than Rep. Anthony Weiner. A staunch advocate for health care reform, worker’s rights and many other core middle-class values, he was in essence the ideal spokesperson for his Party. But as one of the only Democrats with the guts to tackle his opponents head on and not cower in the face of dirty tactics, he was a rarity among his colleagues who often times suffer from professorial-like tendencies. And it’s a shame that this latest online picture scandal has rendered him effectively neutered.

The biggest highlight from Monday’s confessional press conference shouldn’t be confined to Rep. Weiner’s admission of impropriety. Before the Congressman even stepped to the podium at the Sheraton, Andrew Breitbart — who many accused of leaking the first photo everywhere after receiving it — literally took center stage. For nearly 14 minutes, the provocateur condemned Weiner, the ‘liberal media’ and others, while insistently demanding an apology. During and after Rep. Weiner’s press conference, Breitbart continued to speak to reporters on the side as if he were the victim here.

Let’s be clear about one thing, Rep. Weiner’s actions are in no way, shape or form excusable, but we must remember that Breitbart is far from an innocent bystander. By his own admission, Breitbart drummed up the story after receiving the controversial twit pic from another user that mysteriously no longer exists. Instead of demonizing the press for questioning his motives, perhaps the conservative blogger should refresh his memory as to the previous ‘scandals’ he has uncovered.

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It wasn’t long ago that a grassroots organization focused on low to moderate-income families saw all of its federal funding stripped away and as a direct result filed for bankruptcy. ACORN, long focused on providing affordable housing for the poor and registering the disenfranchised to vote, was attacked by Breitbart and his ilk with what was nothing more than an edited and doctored video.

And even after the truth surfaced regarding this manufactured story, the damage was already done. If there’s any doubt as to this man’s motives, let’s remember that President Obama rode into office in ‘08 on a wave of ground support, and now one of the largest institutions to push for voter registration has been virtually destroyed.

Last year, former Georgia director for rural development for the U.S. Department of Agriculture watched as her professional and personal life was literally torn apart. Thanks to another intentionally edited and doctored video — brought to national attention by none other than Breitbart — Shirley Sherrod was ridiculed in the court of public opinion, forced from her job and banished into virtual exile.

In a racially insensitive and clearly inflammatory maneuver, the man who now so openly demands apologies, failed to ever express any remorse for his involvement in tarnishing Sherrod’s good name and attempting to portray her as biased when she exemplified the polar opposite .

Breitbart was never truly held accountable for his actions, and has been able to continue in his calculated smear campaigns to destroy anything he disagrees with.
An all-out assault was also recently declared against NPR after another ‘sting camera’ allegedly caught the station’s execs making disparaging comments about the Tea Party. And the list unfortunately goes on and on.

The only concerted thing that Breitbart’s actions have consistently proved is that any lone wolf with a camera can fabricate a story or target an individual/entity that threatens their version of ‘the truth’. And the conservative agitator is more than willing to hype the story and attempt to take down the person(s) supposedly involved.

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Rep. Weiner took full responsibility for his actions this week and never stated that Breitbart was the one who hacked into his account. Yet and still, Breitbart insisted that the story be about his ‘vindication’ and his dislike of ‘liberal journalists/blogs’ who actually hold him accountable for his words. If this was never about Breitbart, then he should have never stepped onto that stage or taken questions from reporters.

Rep. Weiner clearly has some serious issues to deal with personally, but let’s not misconstrue his physical weaknesses for his tremendous political track record. As one of the strongest champions for the people, he is an advocate who never steps away from a battle drawn on social lines. Unlike most of his Party who consistently want to ‘rise above’ murky and questionable tactics from the right, he knows how to stand up and take them on.

If Democrats have any hope of winning in 2012, let’s hope they learn not only from Rep. Weiner, but from Breitbart as well — sometimes you just have to fight fire with fire.