This man, and anyone who even suspected what he was up to, should be prosecuted to the FULL extent of the law.

As a parent, this man is my worst nightmare. It makes me sick.

pig

We have all seen grown men and women who either tried to have sex with kids or did, get pulled into the spotlight and sent to jail.
Apparently, the rule of law does not apply to members of Congress.
They lie incessantly, they steal with impunity and now it appears they can have sex with children and that's OK too.
There clearly are two stes of rules in this country. One set for Congress and the President and one set for the rest of us.
This needs to change because, as of right now, we do not live in a democracy, we live in an oligarchy where the rich and powerfull can steal the bread from our mouths and our kids from our homes. How long are we going to put up with this?

This guy is dumber than the guys on "to catch a predator 23"...

What a creep.

He should be indicted and tried just like every sex offender.

It is an utter shame but not a shock. It is not surprising that the level of apthy among citizens is at a all time low. Politics is nothing more that choosing between a lesser of two evils.

Republican House leaders knew of Rep. Foley's e mails, or had reason to know, in 2005 and did not refer the matter to the Capital Police or FBI. Is this not contary to the law in some way?

The links to videos related to the Mark Foley story don't work.

Mind you, Foley was elected in 1994, the year of the Republican takeover of the U.S. House. In their "Contract with America" Republicans claimed they would "respect the values and share the faith of the American family." If the House leadership truly ignored this problem for a year as is alleged, then they (not the voters) should force themselves out on principle. Not going to happen, I am sure, but enough of this "we're the good guys" politicking please!

I am sure that because he is who he is, there is "nothing" will be done about his actions; and politically, it is also sad that the Republicans will of course, win all of their elections.

I have no idea what the world is coming to, there are freaks and sickos everywhere. Does no one else realize that we need to get this mess cleaned up now, or our children and their children don't stand a chance? It's awful, husbands killing wives and kids, mothers killing kids, kids killing kids...it's totally out of control.

What I find so interesting about this is the lack of regard for the safety of the children. Anytime adults display questionable conduct when interacting with a child bells and whistle's should ring out. There are so many people shifting blame, what I want to know is would they like a child in their family to have to put up with this type of behavior. Wouldn't they expect someone to act in a more timely fashsion and if not wouldn't they be rather shock to say the least six months after the fact.

Can you say Democratic House Majority in 2007?

As a victim of childhood sexual abuse, this makes me sick.

What disturbs me even more is that Foley is trying to blame his SEXUAL PREDATOR problem on alcohol. Liquor doesn't make one a child molestor.

This is plain sick and people like that are running the government and even pretend to protect the kids of this country.
Foley needs to be locked up.
I came to the conclusion the Republicans are nothing more than crooks, liars and child molesters.
God help us all!

Way Too Hilarious.

I feel sick... and with the Republicans knew 8 months ago and didn't do anything, I feel angry and betrayed.

This has been going on for years, and you should not let the Speaker of the house or anyone else get away with their spin "We just found out about this". These are our children and it is time that the news start doing their job and report the full news. Just a shame!

OMG!!!! ABCNews is really out front on this story. This is quite the bombshell.

Keep up the good work.

This is sad. Every American must put aside political affiliation and examine the seriousness of this event and carefully examine your vote come November. If our elected leaders don't have our interest, they should not betray our children in this manner. Foley and all those who knew about this event must resign or be removed in November.

What a sick piece of trash this guy is. I sincerely hope he is locked up for his actions. Guys that try to have sex with young boys don't usually fare too well in prison.

Also, he thinks he may be an alcoholic? One, if you're an alcoholic, you know. There's no thinking about it. Two, way to try to blame your behavior on the booze. Be a man and take responsibility for your actions, you sick pervert.

dont u mean instant messages show foley sought to rendezvous with page rather than emails?

WHY aren't they saying Foley's been online with OTHER THAN PAGES? If he's THAT bold .. to do this to kids who know who is he, then ... MySpace and others HAD to have had this going on, too. My ONLY REGRET is that DATELINE didn't trap him .. gosh, whatta show that would have been! Hastert and all the others should be charged with contributing to the deliquency of minors .. knowing all of this. AND may I ask why Hastert would "forget" that he was told one of his buddies was a pediphile. I would tend to REMEMBER THAT.

Why is not already in custody...Rehab for alcohol won't stop you from being a Pedofile. Arrest him!

The republicans who covered this sick crap up should resign. If they don't,then they are no better than Foley.

And now the GOP house leadership is claiming they knew nothing.

Right.

Where is all the integrity and "moral values" republicans love to claim? Oh,wait.....must have been another lie on top of all the other lies.

There is more that will come out in the next few days, By the end of the week Hasert will step down as Speaker, BANK on it. Watch the new tomorrow.. Peace.

It would be helpful if ABC, in posting these instant messages, clarified if these messages were all to the same boy or if they are different boys. I think it would help to alleviate some of the confusion about this. The e-mails were sent to Boy 1, the previously revealed IMs to Boy 2, these to Boy 3 or Boy 2, for example.

The way it's stated, it all sounds like it's to the same person, but clarity, either way, is needed on the part of ABC.

Nice work, Brian. Foley is a degenerate, shielded by his own political party. Hastert knew, lied, and is now covering his tracks (too late?). Everyone involved in this scandal within the Republican Party will be running for the exits, just like Abrahamoff scandal...

RE: Foley
Yes, if it's proven he was harrassing young interns, whatever criminal charges should be pursued. However, I find it interesting that the democrats are acting like they wouldn't be doing exactly the same as the republicans, which is cover their behinds and saving a seat!!! I'm a registered voter who is never polled so the polls done for any subject mean nothing to me. My voice isn't heard in them. All politicians will do whatever necessary to cover their behinds--democrat or republican!

This shows how vulnerable are the childrens now a days. People those supposed to protect the society and people, are the sex offender. My question is how many of this kind of incident get reported! In this modern society, in the name of freedom we are making available all our vulnerable population to the disgraceful immoral people. This is becoming a berberic society of power.

So who had the IM's? The GOP didn't - ABC News got hold of them.

Who gave them to ABC? Is this an "October surprise?" Did any of the Democrats thumping their chests here see the altered emails ABC is using to base the story on? Who altered them? Who sat on the IM's until now?

Why don't journalists ask these questions repeatedly?

The people have a right to know, after all. Question the timing.

Lauren: I'm not sure the difference between e-mails and IM's is enough to warrant a screaming post about inaccuracy. To most of the public, the two are virtually the same. Also, the above story identifies the transcript as "messages" and refers to "internet messages" as well as e-mails. Since the story does involve both e-mails and IM's, it seems that the terms might be interchanged without losing the basic accuracy of the story. With everything there is to be upset about in this developing story, and given the content of the messages, the difference between e-mails and IM's just doesn't seem that important.

Oh yeah, it's ABC and the democrats fault that Foley has a thing for children. These aren't young interns, they're children.

Are you serious? Did someone just compare this to Monica Lewinsky?

Monica was *22* years old. In other words, old enough to buy a gun, get drunk, gamble... and have an affair with a married man.

In contrast, the teenage boy in question here wasn't even old enough to get a credit card.

Republican or Democrat- it does not matter. This is not a partisan issue- the guy has a problem and needs serious help, and has broken the law. Rather than trying to start a battle here, why can't we find a better way to identify and arrest criminals- regardless of party affiliation?

Its not like the Democrats Haven't had similar scandals.

Shame on Foley for tarnishing his party his lack of discretion.

Shame on the Democrats for making this a political issue.

It's so strange that Brian Ross admitted that the pages, involved with the sexual Instant Messages, told him that they never told anyone about it, therefore the GOP couldn't possibly have known about the IMs. Since then, Ross has stooped to calling everything "e-mails" or "internet messages" so he can insinuate that the GOP might have known about it. These are INSTANT MESSAGES!! These are what no one knew about! Stop pretending otherwise! Brian Ross is intentionally confusing and misleading the public!

How can people bring up Clinton? First of all, Lewinsky was an ADULT. Not a child. Foley is a pedophile, Clinton is a man. I'm not saying Clinton was right, but what he did with a consenting adult is so far removed from what Foley has done. Foley is a criminal. Just because you're a republican you defend him. If he were a democrat you'd be screaming 'hang 'em high'! This is what's wrong with America. People will defend criminals because of partisanship. Party before country. America will never be truly great until this festering problem is addressed. And now Foley is an alcoholic all of a sudden? Isn't it funny how every Republican in legal trouble blames their crimes on alcohol? What a joke. Does this mean I can rob a bank and not go to prison because my defense is 'I'm a drunk'? Republicans have some house cleaning to do - this is disgusting. I'd say the exact same thing if a Democrat did the same filthy disgusting thing as Foley.

Republican or Democrat- it does not matter. This is not a partisan issue- the guy has a problem and needs serious help, and has broken the law. Rather than trying to start a battle here, why can't we find a better way to identify and arrest criminals- regardless of party affiliation?

It's awful that the right-wing will not accept that is illegal conduct. No one should ever harm a child. Republicans, stop trying to defend this stuff. You should be angry about this. This is not Bill Clinton or events of 1983. This now, and it's horrible. There is more to come out about this crap -- I'm understanding that it was a ring of pedators in Congress. We'll see. And I hope the ring is broken and everyone goes to prison. Stop this and protect children....

As far as I am concerned this isn't a party issue. This man did something wrong, the extent of those actions are for the legal system to discern. As for the cover ups, that too could be illegal. But no one should fool themselves that only republicans do this, or that the democrats are "just as bad". This isn't a party issue.....the guy is a creep...pure and simple. The greater concern is will anyone provide counseling for the child or children the man may have injured?

A pervert is a pervert. If this guy had done basically the same thing on the internet on the "To Catch a Predator" show, the cops would have arrested him. Doesn't matter what party he belongs to. But now because of his political power he'll get a pass, because he's "ill". BS.

Hey SRF:

"At least Republicans kick wrong doers OUT".

The republican leadership has known about this for months and didn't do a darn thing. And last time I checked they didn't kick him out. He resigned. The only thing the republicans have done is run for cover.

I'm sure this is not just a Republican or Democrate problem. It is an issue of someone in power thinking they are above the law and can act however they like. All of Washingtion could use a good cleaning out.

Sounds like we're living in Rome, doesn't it? The Barbarians are at the gate and our "leaders" are too busy at the orgy to care.

Adding insult to injury, he is the chairman of some committee on 'Expoited Children'. I think he did what he did sort of make sure there are exploited children to justify the work of this committee.
I wish he burns in hell.

Great work Foley... Is this an October surprise? Waiting for Karl Rove to respond.

Nevertheless, yes there has been some indescretions within both parties, but come on. Foley helped push through legislation to protect underage kids; and now he's trying to pick one up!!!

Sadly, this is one more thing Republicans haven't dealt with, and Gay Republicans can't come out of the closet for fear of upsetting their base. Watch the Republicans try and spin this thing as something GAY, which isn't what molesters are.
They're straight men attracted to kids!!!

Why is Foley not treated like any other e-net pervert/ I think that he should do jail time like anyone that has done the things he has. I think that there is a big cover up

How could anyone in such a high profile, and powerful position do such a STUPID thing?

Gee, how come when I go to the Foxnews website you have to search to find any stories related to this scandle. The top story on the "politics" page is about the 1st district race. WHAT A JOKE!! CNN is not much better. GO MSNBC and ABC. More facts please!!! I can't wait to hear what Keith Obermann has to say tonight. ;)

What are we doing allowing vulnerable teens to serve as pages (servants) in a Congress filled with middle-aged letchers? It's tantamount to a master-slave situation, and it's time to end this 20th century form of servitude. Since they are not doing any legislating, members of Congress have nothing but time on their hands to think of ways of getting at these youngsters. Have we not learned any lessons from the Studds and now Foley escapades to stop this silly and useless program, which taxpayers are financing?

I honestly don't know what is more disturbing -- what Foley did or the people here who are (a) implying it's OK because Dems do it too or (b)saying it's just election politics because of the timing.

The Republican brainwashing is so pervasive in some people that they cannot even think clearly anymore. I weep for this country's future if the hard right can't even acknowledge THIS as a failure in the Republican ranks.

now he blames it on alchohol,why give us alchoholics a bad name?

Disgusting. This guy should be fried as well as the GOP leadership who know about this MONTHS ago and did ... nothing. Ah, shades - AGAIN - of GOP hypocrisy.

Hmmmmmm ... what's that saying? Power corrupts? Me thinks that most of the GOP IS corrupt. Throw the bums out.

Matt Drudge is blaming the victims. "these were not innocent babies" and "they were egging him on" I knew it was just a matter of time.

I think it is astonishing that an issue like this has become a battle between so-called "liberal" and "conservative" affiliates. Don't people realize that those labels, and the division of America into two camps, is the result of marketing efforts by our two parties? Doesn't this issue transcend that? Shouldn't we be taking intensified action to protect the pages and all kids?
Even worse than mixing up Instant Messaging and Email is the mixing up of pedophilia and homosexuality. I know lots of gay and lesbian people, and couples, who are great parents and who would never, ever victimize a kid. First an imbecile like Foley joins the camp of people who hate gays and now his actions are reflecting badly on them. Unfair, doubly unfair. America, we can do better than this.

Oh the hypocracy. I'll leave it to you all to decide who i'm talking about.

What the heck is up with all the repubs trying to bring up a 23 year old incident? Is there a moral equivalency meter, so a Republican pedophile (in 2006) is OK since there was once, many years ago, a Democrat who did something similar? That excuses Foley? That excuses Hastert and the Boehner and Shimkus and Reynolds? For shame. It's like a child saying "but Johnny did it too, 23 years ago." Pathetic and sniveling behavior, but what do we expect from Republicans. . . . they are the party of personal responsibility and family values, oh yeah . . .

On the radio this morning Rush Limbaugh stated that Foley only sent a few emails and didn't do anything outwardly sexual, trying to downplay the incident and casting it as a Democratic Party smear compaign launched to gain an advantage in the upcoming election. I don't know why this became public at this time and I really don't care. The fact is that if Foley wrote the emails quoted above, he is a sexual predator and a pedifile; he and those in a leadership position who were aware of his proclivities need to be held accountable. Forget the smoke screen Rush (and other Republicans) and look at this issue for what it is.

To the various GOP apologists above:

Listen to yourselves!

As someone who lives in Foley's district, this disgusts me so much that I am definitely not voting for the name "Foley" or his replacement.

It's obvious the leadership had some knowledge and should have sent it to the FBI a long time ago.

1.) The republican leadership admits to being aware of an email a year ago in which foley asks a minor, among other things, to send him a picture. Would you have continued to let this man be chairman of the House Caucus on Exploited and Missing Children? Without further investigation?
2.) IM is _NOT_ as instant as you think. If you think that the IM's that you send back and forth disappear after you log out, read your terms of agreement. The contents of each and every IM is stored on a server, and is considered the property of (for instance) AOL. There is no reason to believe these are "made up".
3.) Bill Clinton was impeached. As far as I know, all of the other instances (Gerry Studds, et. al) of inappropriate behavior were just that, and between consenting adults. This is looking more like a feloney, and against 16 year olds.
4.) Democrat or Republican, if this was YOUR son or daughter, how would you feel about the leadership of the house in these circumstances?

This isn't a political issue, nor is it a sexual orientation issue..this is a PEDOPHILIA (kids) issue. These pages are minors and he's an adult. It's a PROBLEM...folks go to jail for a long time when they're pedophiles. The Catholic church would be a good source of information, considering the number of alleged incidents they've had to deal with. Sexual predators who go to jail don't have an easy life, even murderers aren't fond of them.Most often when you find a pedophile you find images. Let's see if a search of his computers yield pix. To even begin to believe that others knew that he was molesting/soliciting children and DIDN'T REPORT it is reprehensible...regardless of party affiliation or election cycle.When everyone GETS IT...HE WAS SOLICITING CHILDREN. by his own incinuation.

This is not a Dem or Rep issue..... This is one sick man.... and they can be and probably are in both parties.....

As a Republican (and a House Page), I implore the House/Senate leadership and the Justice Dept. to investigate and punish Foley and any of his perverse, disgusting, subhuman compatriates to the fullest extent possible.

Let's look at the facts here folks. There's no evidence that Foley ever engaged in any sex acts with a minor, although that remains to be seen. The fact is that the age of consent in most states is 16. Although it varies widely. What this guy did was unethical and wrong, but it was not illegal. This is all just overblown sensationalism in an election year.

People people people ...

While the age difference between Foley and the page is disturbing, this incident does not qualify as pedophilia.

The legal age of consent in DC is 16.

I don't like the man, and this whole thing is bit skeevy, but it is what it is. if you don't like the law, then change it.

I feel I should point out again that the media is widely reporting these as emails. They are not. They are instant messages from AOL Instant Messenger.

I can't get over the ones who want to "shoot the messenger" - Brian Ross - as if he is somehow out to get the Republican Party. My God people look at yourselves! We have a potential child molester here and the Republican leadership COVERED THIS UP! They are the same ones who COVERED for BUSH on Iraq. They covered for big oil and they coverd for no-bid contracts and YOU ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO LET THEM HAVE A FREE HAND AGAIN????? Oh - that's right - they will protect stem cells from murder and protect us from gays getting married.

This is not what I have in mind when I think about protecting family values

Funny thing is that in europe (and probably most of the world), this wouldn't be a problem, because age of consent is 16 (or 15 or even 14). The US probably has the highest age of consent in the world. This scandal may be scandalous in America, but the rest of the world is shrugging and laughing again at American prudishness.

I realize it's not gonna happen because it's too enticing for the media to resist, but we really should be using more accurate terminology here. Foley may be many things, but he is not a pedophile, at least not as far as we know. 16 and 17 year olds--no matter how many times the media refer to them as "children" for the sake of sensationalism--are sexually mature humans. It doesn't change the deplorable nature of what Foley did--particularly and especially as he was in a supervisory and mentor role with these youths--he should no doubt get what's coming to him and, yes, these boys were underage. But they were not "children." Foley's is very different than that of pedophile behavior, which skews considerably younger. But I suspect hysteria and sensationalism will win out, as usual.

I was sexually abused as a child and the nightmare never ends..it continues on and on..an emotional roller-coaster. I hope, for the sake of other children, Foley is sent to jail, where he belongs !!

As a parent, I find Foley's behavior to be disgusting. As a Republican, I find the actions of the party to be woefully inadequate. Hopefully, Foley will be treated as a predator by law enforcement.

That being said, it doesn't change my political viewpoint at all as my social and moral convictions don't change with the weather. I'm just sick that both political parties try to use whatever occassion to their own advantage, instead of standing on their own political ideas (or lack thereof).

It's ironic that everyone here tries to blame one mans sick personal dispositions on the Republicans. How about a little personal responsibility? Could it possibly be that the Republicans didn't actually do this, but Foley himself did? Oh, I'm sorry, Democrats don't fully grasp the ideals of "personal responsibility" as evidenced through Bill Clinton and many of your other leaders indiscretions. At leaste the Republican leadership is encouraging an investigation and possible prosecution here which is more than liberals can say. Can we say Republicans in '06?

Food for thought: If this was your child being emailed and IM'ed how would you feel? Both parties, Democratic and especially the Republicans who are in denial and making excuses, I challenge you to look at your children and just imagine how it would feel if it was your child being violated?

Mr. Foley should not be in rehab but in prison.

I hereby demand that ex-Congressman Foley donate his considerable war chest ($2 million +)to the Center for Missing and Exploited Children to fund investigations of pedophilic predators. I'm certain his many campaign contributors would not mind their donations going to such a worthy cause. Further, I call on Speaker Hastert and the House leadership to step down from their positions. If they cannot protect our children with speed and due diligence, then how can we expect them to protection of nation? Terrorism? I don't know of any greater terror than a member of Congress lusting after our children.

Careful on predicting "more to come"...

In today's world only ONE thing matters as to whether the American public cares, and therefore whether accountability happens:
The "one thing" is whether it stays the "top story". Today the tragedy in PA hit, and chances are CNN and others will "move on".
And their decisions as to "what matters" is all that matters to Americans with low attention span.
Look at Bill O'Reilly running nothing but "white girl from Alabama missing in Aruba" during the tragic tsunami.
Two things could happen: One, this could stay on top, and the non-Fox networks will be called "biased".
Two: Two, other stories will blanch this one, and nobody will be held accountable.

Remove all political labels and focus on the behavior: what he did is illegal. Abuse of power. Inappropriate communication with minors. This has nothing to do with gay issues. The man is ill. He is unable to relate to other gay men his age. As parents and members of our society, we must protect our children. We never know which wolves come in sheep's clothing.

WOW...now its a "ring of pedatators in congress" What about in the senate..is there a ring there? Maybe over at DHS too! Geeze we all in trouble.

Keep up the good work Brian. You are going to be attacked by Karl's Krew as a reporter with some Liberal agenda. Just remember, the only agenda you have is getting the truth out to the American people. Then again, the truth does seem to have a Liberal bias these days, doesn't it?

How can you compare Foley to Clinton - you ask ... well Clinton finally got caught cheating on his wife after such a long period and he LIED & LIED & LIED and didnt resign & is still Lying .. Foley got caught being a pervert, and he quit... I guess he figured that lying would not be good enough.... both of them have lost sight of moral values - if they ever had any as well as common decency and one other little important thing --they lost sight of their obligation of responsibility of office... No wonder the Dark side of the World thinks we are nothing but a modern version of Sodom and Gomorra and it seems that every time you open the pages of the news paper .. we prove them right !

This is a disgusting revelation, both the act and the "apparent" cover-up. It is sad that the party which owns the market place of ideas also, unfortunately, has a minor majority on scandel too. We should all starting voting in independant candidates, enough so that eventually Washingtonians start to get it and represent the public's interest versus their own.

First, this guy is sick and makes me want to throw up. He needs jail time and I hope it's under the laws he helped create.

Second, to be a republican and be called a crook, liar, and child molester also makes me sick. It's synonymous with saying that all liberals hate the US and blame the US for everything that is wrong in the world. Neither is true.

Wake up people, this ain't a republican or democrat issue, it's "our" issue. Stop the bashing for once and get real. Stop making everything a political issue!