GOP corruption reaches new heights
Another Republican member of Congress has left in disgrace:
Foley's departure from Congress and decision not to seek reelection creates a problem for Florida Republicans. Foley will stay on the ballot and any votes he receives will go to the Republican nominee (under Florida election law) but it's unlikely that many voters will feel comfortable casting their vote for Foley after the wave of negative press subsides.
Democrat Tim Mahoney now has a very real shot at winning, and the GOP's prospects have taken another hit.
But there's another dimension to this scandal that is just becoming known:
Rep. Mark Foley, R-Fla., abruptly resigned from Congress on Friday in the wake of questions about e-mails he wrote a former teenage male page.Foley resigned because traditional media outlets obtained transcripts of instant message conversations Foley had with underage Congressional pages that included sexual advances. (You can see for yourself here).
"I am deeply sorry and I apologize for letting down my family and the people of Florida I have had the privilege to represent," he said in a statement issued by his office.
His departure sent Republicans scrambling for a replacement candidate less than six weeks before midterm elections in which Democrats are making a strong bid to gain control of the House.
Foley's departure from Congress and decision not to seek reelection creates a problem for Florida Republicans. Foley will stay on the ballot and any votes he receives will go to the Republican nominee (under Florida election law) but it's unlikely that many voters will feel comfortable casting their vote for Foley after the wave of negative press subsides.
Democrat Tim Mahoney now has a very real shot at winning, and the GOP's prospects have taken another hit.
But there's another dimension to this scandal that is just becoming known:
The page [who conversed with Rep. Foley] worked for Rep. Rodney Alexander, R-La., who said Friday that when he learned of the e-mail exchanges 10 to 11 months ago, he called the teen's parents. Alexander told the Ruston Daily Leader, "We also notified the House leadership that there might be a potential problem," a reference to the House's Republican leaders.So Dennis Hastert knew about this, but did nothing? That's asbolutely unacceptable. Hastert has some serious explaining to do. As for Foley, if he is truly sorry about his actions, then he will donate his entire multimillion dollar reelection warchest to charity.
Foley was a member of the Republican leadership, serving as a deputy whip. He also was a member of the House Ways and Means Committee.
