Nude dip puts congressman in spotlight

22 Aug 2012, 12:33 pm   -   Source: AAP
The tabloid press in Britain and the US have pounced on the story, with the New York Daily News blaring online, 'NUDES FLASH!' and describing Yoder as a 'skinny-dipping pol.' (File: AAP)

The tabloid press in Britain and the US have pounced on the story, with the New York Daily News blaring online, 'NUDES FLASH!' and describing Yoder as a 'skinny-dipping pol.' (File: AAP)

Republican Kevin Yoder acknowledges many of his constituents are wondering what he was thinking when he took a skinny dip in the Sea of Galilee.

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A Kansas congressman's 10-second naked plunge into the sea where the Bible says Jesus walked on water has prompted apologies, head-shaking and the kind of attention no politician wants.

Republican Kevin Yoder is all but certain to keep his seat despite any embarrassment arising from last year's incident in Israel because Democrats haven't fielded a candidate against him.

But the freshman Republican acknowledges many of his constituents are wondering what he was thinking when he took his "spontaneous" skinny dip in the Sea of Galilee in August 2011.

Other lawmakers on the trip also went into the water at what's considered a holy site for many Christians and Yoder said their actions earned them a rebuke from House Majority Leader Eric Cantor.

But Yoder was reportedly the only one who wore no clothes.

"It's certainly not an incident that I'm proud of," he said on Monday.

"It is something that was obviously a mistake on my part and I want folks in the district to know that I'm apologetic for it."

The tabloid press in Britain and the US have pounced on the story, with the New York Daily News blaring online, "NUDES FLASH!" and describing Yoder as a "skinny-dipping pol."

Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney and running mate Paul Ryan criticised Yoder's behaviour during an interview with a New Hampshire television station.

"I think it's reprehensible," Romney told WMUR-TV.

"I think it's another terrible mistake by individuals."

Kansas Democratic Party Chairwoman Joan Wagnon called Yoder's behaviour "inexcusable" and said if the incident had occurred in Kansas, he would be forced to resign.

Citing the 36-year-old congressman's repeated apologies, Kansas Republican chairwoman Amanda Adkins said the incident shouldn't overshadow his work.

Another Kansas Republican, US Sen. Jerry Moran said, he believed "something stupid occurred, and I think from time to time people do stupid things."

US House records show at least 22 Republican congressmen and staff were on the eight-day trip sponsored by the American Israel Education Foundation, a charity whose mission includes educating politicians about the importance of the US-Israel relationship.

It included meetings with the prime ministers of Israel and the Palestinian Authority and more than two dozen other events.

The swim happened after a dinner at a restaurant. Yoder said it was dark and members of the party jumped into the Sea of Galilee individually, not as a group.

He said he and his wife, Brooke, who was with him, had wine with dinner, but "alcohol did not play a role."

"It was a spontaneous moment where other members of Congress were jumping in," he said.

"I made the mistake of diving in. I was in for about 10 seconds and got back out."

Swimming in the lake is permitted but public nudity is not.

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