Outside group cites Senate Ethics Committee rebuke of Larry Craig in pushing for probe of Blackburn

A new Senate complaint filed by an outside group against Sen. Marsha Blackburn for flashing her congressional pin to a US Capitol Police officer is citing the conduct of former Sen. Larry Craig to argue that the Tennessee Republican should be investigated by the Senate Ethics Committee.

The two situations are markedly different -- namely that Craig pleaded guilty for disorderly conduct following a 2007 bathroom sex sting. But a left-leaning outside group sees a direct comparison to the two episodes, accusing Blackburn of also using her influence inappropriately -- this time to evade a potential traffic violation against one of her aides, though it's uncertain any probe of her conduct will take place. Craig was reprimanded by the panel for his actions during his infamous bathroom incident 14 years ago after he showed a police officer his business card, identifying himself as a US senator. "What do you think about that?" he said, according to the panel's 2008 public admonishment.