Politics and rhetoric align in Craig case

Republicans seem to be falling over themselves to separate themselves from Idaho Sen. Larry Craig in the wake of the disclosure of his guilty plea to disorderly conduct for allegedly seeking gay sex in a Minneapolis airport bathroom. (How could you make this stuff up?)

I found this item in today's Washington Post, and it got me to wondering:

"Any resignation would clear the way for Gov. C.L. 'Butch' Otter, a Republican, to name a replacement who would serve until the end of Craig's current term in 2009. Lt. Gov. James Risch and Rep. Mike Simpson were among the possible replacements, according to the GOP activists, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly."

My question is this: Given the razor-thin margin that Democrats have to control the U.S. Senate, would the GOP be so quick to treat Craig like toxic waste if, say, Idaho's governor was a Democrat who likely would appoint a "D" to replace Craig?

Just wondering.