Well, this pretty much establishes the kids were minors, making this a criminal issue. Certainly is a tragedy, for those Foley victimized. This guys gonna burn, and deservedly so. Plus, he wasn't even that smooth.

C'mon Repubs...let's see a defense!

"Uh, Clinton was worse"?

LOL...you guys define hypocrisy

Another example that those who scream the loudest about something are probably the worst violators behind the scenes!

Wonder if he'll get some mental health counceling? What a piece of scum of the worst kind. Preying on children is the lowest.

Another bit of upstanding behavior from the "Party of Family Values."

Our worlds just excactly like what the Bible says it is-

Jer. 17:9 says that

The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked;
Who can know it?

Umm. I do not see anyone defending this guy.

Please do not make this a political thing. That he's Republican has nothing to do with the crime he committed. Let's keep the focus on that, not on your politics. The fact that you'd use something like this as a weapon to stump for your party is pretty insensitive and sick. You're giving liberals (like myself) a bad name.

Well, they DO say in politics that the best way to lose an election is to be found in bed with either a dead girl or a live boy...
But the angle that he wrote the laws that he violated just astounds me. It just goes to show, yet again, that anything that a fiction writer can cook up will always be bettered by real life.

give me a break matt. Get off your stump and get real this could be anyone. Sexual pedophilia is not limited to a political party base. Lets get of the rhetoric and get the guy behind bars. That is what matters.

it has nothing to do with him being a democrat or a republican either way he is a sick man that clearly made sexual comments towards a minor. I am tired of hearing that the Democrats "conspired" to bring this up so close mid term elections. The fact is that it was brought up and that he needs to face the consequences.

I think it's more of a travesty that a man can become a state representative while still mistaking "you're" and "your"

Stop turning this into a political debate. It had nothing to do with his affiliation, just the fact that he was a sick man in power. Now he's removed, and hopefully he will be prosecuted. Get a life.

sad thing is, if he were a female high school teacher doing this, it would be a misdemeanor, especially if he claimed he was Bi-polar, which he probably will at some point

This isn't a dem/rep thing. It's a sick, twisted, criminal human thing. I can't think of one republican who won't be delighted to see this guy go down, and deservedly so.

Priceless...I hope they punish him to the fullest extent of the strict laws he worked so diligently to pass.

let's bring down all the pompous creeps in government who preach one thing and do another; all of them, from president cheney, w the wonder dog, and the rest of the self-righteous draft-dodgers who feel comfortable telling men to go and die when they were unwilling to do it during the vietnam war.

Ha. This makes the user comments on the original article pretty laughable. This isn't a Democrat vs. Republican issue people, and it's definitely not liberal propaganda. Both parties need a lesson in accountability. Let's quit pointing fingers and work together to keep criminals out of Washington.

hypocrite
1 : a person who puts on a false appearance of virtue or religion
2 : a person who acts in contradiction to his or her stated beliefs or feelings

I wonder why it boils down to a Democrat/Republican thing with everyone as if it means every other one is involved. Because he's a hypocrite? That's every one of them, guys.

It's not about which party can be more disgusting. This is a non-partisan issue.

I mean, the sex offender registry doesn't list political affiliation on it, does it?

But really... What's a pederast, Walter?

That is why he quit so fast. Evidence that shows he did it. Plus being on the Committe to fight such things he should have known better.

I am certainly not making excuses for the allegations against the Congressman. However, I will say this, unless the AOL technical team can provide electronic versions of these messages, or unless a forensic examination of the alleged victims' computers can verify the accuracy of these messages. The PDF file is just another possible Dan Rather incident. With all the ability to cut and paste, and fabricate documents, I would like to see some hard evidence provided by someone other than the alleged victims. It is very easy for someone to slander someone else with nothing more than a word processor and some fonts used by AOL.

There won't be any defense from Republicans, not after these messages. The earlier ones were pretty innocent, but these messages seem to be illegal and I don't want anyone like that representing me. I'm sure most other Conservatives will say agree.

If he broke laws - prosecute!

This is appalling and unacceptable but it wasnt our president who did this and dont forget about your great congressmen too like the one in Louisiana who had 100k in his freezer!

Last one for me today-

I like what Num. 32:23 says-

But if you do not do so, then take note, you have sinned against the LORD; and be sure your sin will find you out.

Check out those words- and be sure your sin will find you out. Yup, the word of God lives on !

As a conservative, there's no defense at all from me. Let this guy fry. No excuses. If this stuff is true, I for one won't be trotting out a left wing conspiracy. Sexual predators should never walk the street again, regardless of party-religion-nationality or sexual orientation.

There is nothing to defend. His legislation to protect kids is real however, it got passed, it protects kids etc. What this guy was doing will likely get him in jail however. talk about throwing away a career.

This is really sad. Its an example of a gross abuse of power. It shouldn't be seen as a partisan issue, though when reading about it I can't help but feel a bit of irony.

Michael Savage just said that Foley shouldn't have had to resign, and he made the Clinton comparison. Claaaaaasssssy.

Some morons here make this a Repub vs. Dem issue. He's a pedophile. It doesn't matter what his politics are. Lock him up and anyone else who's a pervert from either side of the isle.

Republicans won't scream about conspiracy theories or smear campaigns. They won't stand behind him just because he has an (R) next to his name. They will express their disgust and demand that he be held accountable, period.

If they can prove that these internet chats came from the congressman, I will be the first Republican in line to ask that he be prosecuted to the fullest extend of the law.

This is improper behavior from ANYONE, no matter what party line they tow.

Foley should be tried convicted and do hard time with no special privilages. Put him in the general prison population. This is a huge betrayel of the public trust.

Delay, Ney , now Foley. Looks as though another Republican cut and running. Who's next?

Let's NOT make this political. It is wrong no matter who the person is, race, gender or religion. Start bringing up Clinton and you show you care less about prosecuting the guilty, and the minors that are effected than your party affiliation. That in iteslf is sick. I am a conservative republican and if this man is guilty, I hope he is prosecuted and serves a lengthy sentence for his crimes once convicted.

Yesterday, I agreed with the people who thought this guy was out of line. Who would even have TIME to chit chat with some kid like he was doing?? Meaningless bunk!
Well, so much for all those naive people who thought he was :"just taking an interest."
Think how "bullet proof" he must have felt, to dare to do such things. Just think about that.

No, this isn't a dem/rep issue. My political beliefs begin with the premise that all politicians are snakes.

I haven't been disappointed yet.

>>C'mon Repubs...let's see a defense!

Defense? Please. Let the guilty be punished, says I. Lock him away. And I think my fellow "Repubs" would agree.

no defense from this republican. put him away for a long time.

WHERE ARE THE APOLOGISTS NOW?

EGG ON YOUR FACE. OWNED!

This guy is disgusting, Republicans should be ashamed.

The speaker of the House (Hastert) who is a Republican did not attempt to defend his resignation. There are good Republicans and bad republicans just like there are good Democrats and bad Democrats.

For what it's worth, this man is human and to err is human. He made a mistake but he did the right thing in resigning. Let us learn from his mistake and build a better future for our kids. Let us not politicize or victimize anybody.

FYI : definition of a "pederast:

ped·er·ast (pd-rst) (Websters)
n.
A man who has sexual relations, especially anal intercourse, with a boy.

C'mon Dems. no one is going to defend this scum bag. he deserves everything he's gonna get. How about you show the same intellectual honesty in condemning criminal elements within your own party (i.e. Rep. William Jefferson D. Louisiana....Mr. Cash in my freezer).

I agree, why would a Republican want to defend this action. The guy is a disgrace. I doubt you will see any Republicans offering this guy a pardon. At least he saved us the trouble of tossing him out.

(gee) get a clue. to make this a partisan issue cheapens it. it's a human issue. when charged,foley should be given a trial and if found guilty - prosecuted to the full extent of the law (problem is, politicians have a way with getting away with crime too much, don't you think - gee?).

As a conservative, I agree with Steve. A true conservative typically is principled and thinks this is wrong -- whomever does it. This guy should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law....and we need to reform the rest of Congress. Give the country back to the people, not these self righteous hacks...of both parties!!!

The self righteous, hypocritical SOB deserves everything he gets...

This guy got caught with a minor. He didn't confront the truth at all--he's been doing this for years. At least with Clinton, it was consensual between two adults. True, he lied but then why the hell was it our business?

Why would anyone compare Clinton lying to Foley? Clinton's lie was the worst part of the crime, had he admitted that he had relations with Monica he'd be embarassed but not prosecuted.

Foley lied about soliciting minors. He didn't resign to avoid embarassment but because he is about to be prosecuted for a criminal offense.

It'll be interesting to see if his prosecution and sentencing are similar to others who have been caught, or if he will get a lighter sentence.

Illegal activities and hypocrisy probably sums up most of our representatives.

I was a page in high school, but for the Senate side - this type of stuff was going on 10 years ago when I was there, and its a shame its still continuing. These boys never learn!

Please, let's hear some more of how this guy was such a wonderful person.

Well, the Dems had their scandals like this too. You know what happened? The voters re-elected the guy anyways. Check out Rep. Studds from Massachusetts: In 1983, U.S. Representative Jerry Studds of Massachusetts admitted having sex with a male teenage page.

Aren't people innocent until proven guilty? Yeah, thats right all you liberals, innocent until proven guilty. You're jumping to convict him just because he's a republican? What a sham you democrats are. Yes and it was eqaully shameful for republicans to convict clinton before a trial--even though he was guilty. If the guy really did this--then yes , he should burn, but let the jury decide and put away your partisan hatred and vitriol.

Um, don't get me wrong, what this guy did was inexcusable but 1) Why did the kid continue talking to him, If I was 17 year old boy, and some old dude was creeping me out, I would have ceased communication with him immediately 2) Why if this kid says he was creeped out did he seem to flirt back with him, something doesn't add up here.

If this was a woman doing this to anoter woman would she have to resign?

I'll agree that this isn't a partisan issue. It's simply a shame that someone with this little moral grounding was allotted so much power by our system.

to some people seen writing here: once again, you are letting the perverted, disdainful acts of a singular moron define a whole group of people (republicans) and their related character. Such uninspired, dim-witted partisan thinking is indicative of your level of understanding how the world works. Each group has its own.

"I'm sure the Republicans are gonna cry this is a smear campaign by the Democrats" No Republicans are gonna call for the maximum penalty of the law. There's more to life than your little us vs. them game.
When did Politics turn into the WWF?

Thank God ABC nailed this one. Shows that the media can still do some good in America. Foley needs to have the book thrown at him. No party politics are required here. I think even the most partisan Dem or GOP would condemn this. I mean, as much as I despise what Clinton did to Monica, at least she was over 18.

hypocrite
1 : a person who puts on a false appearance of virtue or religion
2 : a person who acts in contradiction to his or her stated beliefs or feelings

It is the hypocrisy that is so breathtaking among so many of these holier-than-thou, tell-us-how-we-should-live, defender-of-moral-values Republicans.

Makes me proud to be a liberal and delighted that Republican "family values" have blown up in their faces once again.

Sexual perversion knows no partisan affiliation. Those who suggest otherwise are just as dumb as this guy is sick.

Maf54: Do I make you a little horny?
Teen: A little.
Maf54: Cool.

So it made the teen 'a little' horny, almost sounds as if this kid was into it. Was he? Maybe he's not so innocent. I'll wait for the facts to come to light, we're only getting the media's sensationalized version of this story.

I'd like to point out that sex scandals between consenting adults is one thing. Soliciting underage children for sex is a totally different thing.

This is NOT a sex scandal, this is a PEDOPHILIA SCANDAL. What's wrong with you people.This man should be in prison, I don't care what party he is in.

UGH! This guy needs help.
I,as a Republican teen, do NOT defend this maniac. Even though he needs help with his problem, there is NO way he needs to stay in power trying to help others.

Dems never have sex scandals.

Which ones faced felony child molestation charges, as Foley will?

I'll wait.

The gay rags in Florida have had photos about Foley and his partner for a while. But this minor thing is new to me.

We should know by now that the republicans are liars. It's not too different than Bush saying he's fighting for freedom when he's really trying to limit freedoms. Yea Clinton was stupid but he was having a sexual encounter with a consenting, flirtatious adult. It ruined his chance to be a great president. Wouldn't it be great if this one event pushed the house out of republican hands.

He hasn't even been convicted of a crime in a court of law and everyone is lining up to lock him up and throw away the key. Let him have his day in court and if he’s convicted the he should be burned.

"Dems never have sex scandals, oh, except for"

This isn't a sex scandal, most of which involve consenting adults. This is pedophilia.

I am hoping the DNC can press this and take FL as another seat.

I am sure whoever gets put in will have his own skeletons Red or Blue. But any chance to get control over Congress and stop George "Il Duce" Bush from making more of a mockery of us on the world stage and get the War on Terror refocused, I am down with that.

I once did an article on sexual molestation of minors. The detective I spoke to said that in all his thousands of cases, he'd never prosecuted a case of an openly gay man. It was virtually all married heterosexual men, even when the victim was a boy. I also spoke to a summer camp director who said that the openly gay counselors were, almost uniformly, some of the most gifted he ever knew (and that he'd NEVER had a "sexual" problem with any of them).

So I always think it's REALLY depressing when I read about policies like the Boy Scouts' ban on openly gay men: it unfairly discriminates against and demonizes openly gay people, while doing nothing to actually protect kids, and actually may make things worse by creating a false sense of security.

This guy should fry. Period.

This isn't a Reb/Dem issue. This guy is a sexual predator and should be in jail.

My only question is the timing of the release of this.

Why so soon before the election?

So he is guilty until proven innocent? That's funny, I thought in America it was the opposite...
or maybe it's "innocent until some weasely reporter says he's guilty".
Get ahold of yourselves people. This is exactly why our founding fathers didn't set us up as a pure democracy. He'd be burned at the stake by you people before getting a fair trial.

There are wolves among us everywhere. Let's not blame the sheep.

It gets worse? Public disgrace is not nice.

This is one sick puppy. The democrats are just as bad. They don't see this as a child predator, they see this as a sure-win for a congressional seat.

Right out of the gates on the blogs, they are celebrating this as a victory. That is just sick.

I don't think I've heard of anyone defending this guy from either side. He did something wrong, he got caught, he resigned, and now he'll probably go to jail. Everything seems ok to me, and I'm a guy who voted for Bush in the past two elections. Funny how some people take the actions of a single man and use it to attack an entire group of people (read: Typical hypocritcal Republicans).

There is a BIG difference between this and Clinton. Clinton was having sex with an ADULT. This guy is a pedophile....

You waste so much time arguing back and forth about Dem/Rep and lib/cons. IT'S POINTLESS! The problem is not which party is in government, the problem is government. People keep thinking - if we pass more laws, we will be better protected; we can rely on the government. All they are doing is abdicating their liberty in return for nothing. No law will protect minors on the Internet. Only proper education and parental supervision will. That's not up to the government or any party. It's up to us.

I voted for this guy many years ago (I'm a Democrat, and I thought he seemed decent and would give him a chance).

In 2000, when he defended Bush's move not to count the votes in Florida, I knew I had made a big, big mistake. Who ever heard of a congressman, in America, that doesn't want to make sure that the vote count is accurate?

After that, I thought he was just a spineless sheep following directions, I didn't realize he was a pedophile.

And oftentimes, to win us to our harm, the instruments of darkness tell us truths, Win us with honest trifles, to betray us in deepest consequence.

Where is the outrage from republicans. A leader who is involved in setting up laws to protect children is a man who children need protection from. Hypocrites!!!!I believe republicans have some dark secrets and that is why they set laws. They know their own evil self.

For heaven's sake! Look at you, turning this into a partisan issue. Foley is evidently a sick man. It doesn't matter what side of the political spectrum a pedophile is on. They all need to be removed from society in a permanent fashion.

A pervert is just a pervert. This isn't an issue on party vs party. Get a life people! Quit trying to divide this country and unite in grilling this guy for what he is, a simple pervert. Nothing more!

I am a conservative republican and I could care less if this guys is a republican or a democrats he should be castrated.