we begin this morning with leave of absence. congressman anthony weiner is still refusing to follow calls to resign over lewd photos. but suddenly, he is requesting a temporary break from his job. he s getting professional treatment. this is more photos surfaced of the embattled democrat. nbc s brian moore reports. reporter: outside the new york office of embattled congressman, anthony weiner, a small but vocal group demanded he resign over a growing internet sex scandal. in order to be an effective leader, you have to be respected. reporter: hours earlier, tmz.com released a new batch of suggestive photos. supposedly self-portraits taken in a congressional gym. now, the congressman is being asked to explain his online conversation with a 17-year-old girl. top democrats have heard enough. we have made clear that he needs to resign. i don t see how he can proceed. reporter: at home in new york, some are standing by their congressman. if he were to lose his job, i