Sunday, June 12th 2011, 6:26 PM
WASHINGTON - As a cache of embarrassing new photos appeared Sunday, Rep. Anthony Weiner finally began considering the possibility that he may have to resign.
A source close to the congressman told the Daily News that Weiner had been adamant about keeping his seat - even as the Democratic leadership urged him to quit amid daily new revelations of reckless sexting.
But the unrelenting media coverage, the demands he step down from his party's leadership, and the appearance of more humiliating photos made Weiner realize he may not be able to bull through the crisis after all, the source said.
TMZ published a new slew of squirm-inducing self-portraits, including several full-body shots taken in the House gym - some clothed, some not.
Several show Weiner showing off his naked body holding only his camera and his privates.
Another source close to Weiner said the congressman was surprised it took two weeks for the gym photos to surface.
Weiner shrugged off calls from top Democrats - including House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chairman Steve Israel and Democratic National Committee Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz - worrying more about what his rank and file colleagues think, a source said.
The source said one person Weiner would listen to is his mentor, Sen. Chuck Schumer. Schumer says he is "heartbroken" but has stopped short of telling Weiner to quit.
The other person Weiner will take advice from - his wife, Huma Abedin - is in Africa with her boss, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
Weiner is still convinced Abedin won't divorce him, and is still telling people she wants him to stay in Congress, sources said.
The lusty lawmaker is afraid of what Clinton, who has some experience with misbehaving husbands, may be whispering to Abedin, the source said.
The last two weeks have taken a toll on the congressman, who isn't sleeping and spends hours pacing his apartment, friends said.
He told his staff he was taking a few days off to be evaluated for mental health treatment and get some clarity.
Staffers say they expect he won't decide what to do until after his wife comes home Wednesday.
He is all-but-resigned to being redistricted out of a seat, a source said.
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