Rep. Anthony Weiner rejected Democratic leaders’ private and public calls for his resignation Saturday, choosing instead to take a leave of absence from the House to seek professional treatment amid an online sex scandal that the head of the party called a “sordid affair.” 
 
 Democratic National Committee Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, (D-Fla.), House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Rep. Steve Israel, the chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, turned on Weiner the day after it was revealed he had contacted a 17-year-old Delaware girl through social media. Though Weiner, Delaware police and the girl’s family say there was nothing indecent in the back-and-forth, the development added intrigue to the New York Democrat’s confession on Monday that he sent sexually charged text messages and photographs to six women over the past three years. 
 
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 reset VIDEO: Weiner’s teary presser POLITICO 44 
 
 For now, his vow to remain in office stands, but he didn’t appear dug in: He left open the possibility, for the first time, of leaving, with a statement that suggested he needs to be in a better mental position to make a decision about his future. 
 
 “Congressman Weiner departed this morning to seek professional treatment to focus on becoming a better husband and healthier person,” Weiner’s office said in a statement provided to POLITICO. “In light of that, he will request a short leave of absence from the House of Representatives so that he can get evaluated and map out a course of treatment to make himself well. Congressman Weiner takes the views of his colleagues very seriously and has determined that he needs this time to get healthy and make the best decision possible for himself, his family and his constituents.” 
 
 But the mass abandonment from party leaders means Weiner will go it alone if, after reflection and treatment, he believes he can salvage a once-promising career in which he used bombastic floor speeches, frequent cable television appearances and, ironically, an understanding of the power of social media to become an icon for national progressives. The story of Weiner’s political career hasn’t yet reached its conclusion, but the onetime protagonist is now cast as the antagonist. 
 
 The decision to seek treatment buys Weiner time, but the statement from his aides suggests he might still quit rather than return to Congress after his leave of absence. 
 
 Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), the former DCCC chairman and top Democrat on the House Budget Committee, added his name to the list of Democratic officials who have called on Weiner to resign. “Anthony Weiner’s repeated violation of the public trust is unacceptable,” Van Hollen said. “He can best advance the issues he fought for by resigning immediately.” 
 
 In addition to Wasserman Schultz, two former DNC chairmen, Ed Rendell and Tim Kaine, have said Weiner should step down, as have several of Weiner’s rank-and-file congressional colleagues. 
 
 However, Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), the No. 3 Democrat in the Senate, and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) both approved of Weiner’s decision to seek treatment and did not call for his resignation. 
 
 Schumer, Weiner’s former boss, said: “I am heartbroken. For those of us who are longtime friends of Anthony Weiner, his wrongful behavior is distressing and saddening. It’s clear he needs professional help, and I am glad he is seeking it.” 
 
 Gillibrand said: “My heart is with Anthony’s wife and family. My office will work to ensure all the constituents of the 9th congressional District are fully served during any leave of absence by Congressman Weiner.” 
 
 On Friday, FOX News reported that Wilmington-area police had visited a Delaware teenager to discuss Weiner’s electronic exchange with her. 
 
 Though Weiner and the girl’s family have told news outlets that there was no sex-related communication, the revelation that he carried on a discussion of any kind with a 17-year-old girl pumped more life into a scandal that has now spanned three weekends. ||||| Anthony Weiner takes out his dirty laundry, gets cheers from onlookers amid sext scandal 
 
 Joe Marino for News Congressman Anthony Weiner leaves his Forest Hills, Queens, apartment. 
 
 Take our Poll Wave Goodbye, Weiner Should Rep. Anthony Weiner resign over Twitter scandal? Yes, he should step down and end this. No, he's been a good politican for more than a decade. I don't know. 
 
 Scandal-scarred Congressman Anthony Weiner took out his dirty laundry Saturday - and was roundly cheered by onlookers as he walked to his local dry cleaners. 
 
 
 
 The embattled lawmaker reiterated that he will not step down, even in light of revelations that he exchanged tweets with a 17-year-old girl. 
 
 
 
 "I have no intention at this time," Weiner said outside his Queens home before walking to the laundromat. "This is ultimately a decision for my constituents." 
 
 Weiner has been the center of intense political speculation - and the butt of countless jokes - since he admitted to sending lewd online messages to at least six women. 
 
 SEE IT: ANTHONY WEINER'S SEXTING PALS 
 
 One of the recipients - a teenager in Delaware - is a minor and was interviewed by police Friday. She told cops that nothing inappropriate happened and no charges have been filed. 
 
 
 
 "She has spoken," Weiner said. "I think the record is pretty clear - nothing explicit, nothing indecent, nothing inappropriate." 
 
 Weiner emerged from his Forest Hills home and strolled down Austin St. toward Smile Austin Cleaners, flanked by camera crews as he dropped off a load of laundry. 
 
 Two people yelled "Don't go Weiner!" while another shouted, "We support you." 
 
 
 
 The embattled Congressman briefly stopped to address the reporters following him during his short walk. 
 
 
 
 "I've made some serious mistakes here but I'm going to try to get back to work," he said. "These were personal failing. I'm going to try to redeem myself." 
 
 Weiner's pregnant wife, Huma Abedin, is currently in Zambia, traveling with Secretary of State of Hillary Clinton. The lawmaker would not confirm that he spoke to Clinton or her husband to ask for forgiveness. 
 
 
 
 "I've had some conversations with people," said Weiner, who refused to say more. 
 
 
 
 Weiner's political future remains unclear. Though many leaders of his own party have called for him to step down, he finally received some key support from Rep. Charlie Rangel Friday. 
 
 
 
 Rangel, who survived a tax scandal a year ago, insisted that Weiner had not done anything illegal and should not resign. 
 
 
 
 Recent polls show that Weiner, 46, still has the backing of the majority of his Queens-Brooklyn district - and heard some of that support during his six-minute walk. 
 
 
 
 "Don't resign!," one woman yelled as Weiner stepped into a Sovereign Bank to use an ATM. "I still want you to be mayor!"
– Another bad day for Anthony Weiner: Nancy Pelosi and other top House Democrats told him to resign today, reports Politico. Weiner has insisted he would not do so, but the shift from Pelosi, Steve Israel, and Debbie Wasserman Schultz will ratchet up the pressure significantly. They released statements within minutes of each other. “Congressman Weiner has the love of his family, the confidence of his constituents, and the recognition that he needs help,” said Pelosi. “I urge Congressman Weiner to seek that help without the pressures of being a Member of Congress.” In a metaphor-heavy stroll earlier, Weiner carried his dirty laundry to the laundromat and got quizzed by media along the way in Queens, notes the Daily News. "I'm going to try to redeem myself," said Weiner, who got shouts of support from several people along the way. It came before Pelosi's statement, and Weiner reiterated he had no plans to resign. As for reports of his tweets to a 17-year-old: "She has spoken. I think the record is pretty clear—nothing explicit, nothing indecent, nothing inappropriate."