I'm really not sure I've ever seen such a bizarre story. Via McJoan at DailyKos I found this story at the Idaho Statesman, which, well ... there's really no explaining this ...

Roll Call, a Capitol Hill political newspaper, posted a voice mail tonight that Craig may have inadvertently left at a wrong number Saturday morning. In it, Craig says he changed the wording in his speech and that "this thing could take a new turn or a new shape."

Whiting confirmed that the message is Craig's. Here is the transcript of the message:

"Yes, Billy, this is Larry Craig calling. You can reach me on my cell. Arlen Specter is now willing to come out in my defense, arguing that it appears by all that he knows that I have been railroaded and all that.

"Having all of that, we have reshaped my statement a little bit to say it is my intent to resign on Sept. 30. I think it is important for you to make as bold a statement as you are comfortable with this afternoon, and I would hope you could make it in front of the cameras.

"I think it would help drive the story that I’m willing to fight, that I’ve got quality people out there fighting in my defense, and that this thing could take a new turn or a new shape, it has that potential. Anyway, give me a buzz or give Mike a buzz on that. We’re headed to my press conference now.

"Thank you. Bye."

For what it's worth I went to the Roll Call site and I didn't see any story about this. But setting that aside, it appears that Craig's precise phrasing really was highly significant and intentionally so. And it seems from the message that Arlen Specter was the one who got Craig charged up to try to stay in the senate.

Late Update: TPM Reader BR wonders about Arlen: "What the hell is Specter thinking? Is he trying to destroy the Republican party? Nothing could be worse for them then drawing this out or attracting any further attention to the situation. Or did Specter offer friendly encouragement not thinking Craig would take him seriously? Certainly a bizarre development. I hope he does reconsider though, and that LaRocco forcibly removes him next year."

Hard to say. I don't think it could have been quite the misunderstanding theory BR broaches. Because Specter did make a statement a couple days ago saying that he hoped Craig could fight the charges and be able to remain in the senate. At the time it struck me as a bizarre comment -- even by Arlen Specter standards -- because after all Craig had just resigned, or so we thought. But now it all fits together. What Specter was thinking with regards to the GOP, that I really can't say.