CNN 2011-06-09

So, everything Weiner has worked for could be in jeopardy 1 now. And if you ask Steve Kornacki about this sexting scandal, well, he says, hey, no surprise here. It's pretty much a reflection of Weiner's personality. Steve is a news editor at Salon 2.com.

All right. Steve, you've covered this guy. You know his reputation, tell us more.

Well, I mean, not so much his reputation on what he does in his personal life but just sort of his reputation for how he handles himself in politics. And I think when you consider this scandal against that, it starts to look like the question really starts to come out, you know, why would he really want to stay in politics right now? Because he's been in the House for 13 years, he was elected in 1998.

And he's given everyone the impression who's watched him closely since then that he's really not interested in being a day to day member of the House. He's not interested in working behind the scenes to craft legislation, to come up with strategy to push things through the House, to build rapport 3 with his colleagues.

He is interested in using the seat to run for mayor of New York. He already ran once. He wanted to run in 2009, got pushed out by Mike Bloomberg and has been running for 2013 since then. And he's wanted to use the seat really to kind of be a TV star, to really get on TV and he's been one of the most visible talking heads for the last couple of years. And then that was sort of tied in with running for mayor as well.

And I just think, in the wake of this, running for major is really basically out right now, at least for 2013. You look at the television side of it, I think he's really kind of got to be contrite 4 and low profile for the next，I don't know year or two. I'm not sure what the sort of statute 5 of limitations is on that. So, if you take away the television aspect and you take away the mayoral campaign, there isn't much left to the congressional career of Anthony Weiner. And I think at that point, you wonder, does he even want to stick around? Or if he does, will he just have to totally reinvent, you know, sort of his role in Congress?

Well, but can he reinvent his role? I mean, listening to you, it sounds like he really didn't do much but sort of pump his ego 6 and try to be on television all the time. Should he just resign? Do you think he'll resign? What do you think of him saying, "I'm not going to resign"?

Yes. I mean, I think, and most politicians in this situation, their initial instinct is not to resign. And we'll see what happens in a week or two.

But I think that the more significant question, if he doesn't resign in the next few days or in the next few weeks, the more significant question is: what happens a year from now? Because New York state is due to lose two congressional seats in the redistricting process before the 2012 election. There's really a limited number of seats within the state that are at risk of being, you know, sort of eliminated.

Anthony Weiner's has always been one of them and I think a development like this, when you consider that he really doesn't have that many friends in politics, that many friends in Albany where this decision is going to be made, even within his own party . I think this development makes it much more likely that his district is going to be eliminated next year, which will leave him with a choice, do I run for re-election in a district that I really can't win or do I kind of, you know, do I call it a day then?

I think that's the real thing to look forward to right now.

We'll be watching. Steve Kornacki, always good to talk to you. Thanks, Steve.

So, I'm curious, I mean it's your football coach that actually geared you toward teaching during this time. How did he talk you into it, and why teach right now and go back to your high school during this lockout date? What does it mean to you?

It means a lot. I originally planned to come back to spend time with my son. Especially since during the season, I don't get to see him much. But once Coach Lewis threw the idea out there and a couple friends also lobbied for that idea. I, of course, wasn't hesitant to pursue the opportunity to teach.

And you're definitely not doing it for the money. I mean, you're making 90 bucks 7 a day. So, I'm curious. It's like -- we see how much football players make. And now you're seeing how hard teachers work and what they make. Has this made an impact on you with regard to how we should all treat and respect and look at our teachers?

Definitely.The teachers definitely are not compensated 8 how they should be. They do a lot of work, put in a lot of hours, and manage 20 to 25 kids in a classroom for multiple periods throughout the day. It's a difficult task.

I can just imagine. Now, I know how close you are with Coach Tim Lewis. I mean, this is who you played for when you were in high school. You've come back. He's still there. Does he have you talking to kids about staying in school? I mean, your hopes are to go on to law school. Are you able to be more than just a teacher, but also a mentor 9 and a buddy 10 to these kids?

Yes, I foresee myself as a buddy, a mentor to these kids. Especially when he has me talk to certain kids that are not necessarily focused in school or they're having a tough time in classes. Wants me to talk to them about how sports is not the only answer. There's different answers out there. I talked at career days and everything else, in regards to Moneiesburg  and other schools around this area.

Well, you have definitely lead by example. Graduated from Notre Dame 11. Great player, thinking about law school, and now giving back by substitute teaching during this lockout.

David Bruton, thanks so much for talking with us. Those kids are really lucky to have you.