Oh what a tangled web...

So, the president wants to look at everyone's email to prevent terrorism but can't manage to make sure members of his own party aren't victimizing young men who serve the government???? Are we really safer since 2001? The answer is no - certainly not from members of the ruling party preying on innocent young men. Is this what Bush meant when he said he felt his re-election was a mandate and he was going to go for it????? What a disturbing mandate.

Hastert, Reynolds and Shimkus MUST GO. They are the leaders. They do NOT deserve to stay in leadership office.

So why would the underling resign, but not Shimkus? Does SHimkus really think, after LYING and OMITTING key information that would have protected pages, he should continue to serve on the page board, let alone continue in the House at all? Shimkus, Hastert, Boehner, Reynolds--all need to go. Hiding and protecting a sexual predator preying on teens in the halls of Congress--it sounds like a sick soap opera. Too bad it's real, and it's convinced me not to vote Republican again.

Keep digging ! - it is all not out yet

Hastert should resign. Immediately. Yeah, it looks bad on the Republicans...but what's new?

why is foley not in jail

Sounds like they found their scapegoat!

All this tells me is that They knew they all knew and anyone who knew before ABC reported it should be kicked out of The House at the very least.To be honest they should all be doing the perp walk in handcuffs for this. Party of Morals are you kidding me.

Good. I'm glad heads are starting to roll over this cover-up.

But he still needs to answer the many questions regarding who knew what and when.

The more I see, the more I realize that the Republicans in Congress can't or won't even protect the children entrusted to their care. HOW can we expect them to protect us as a nation form those who wish us harm?

I'm from western New York, and I would like nothing better then to see Tom Reynolds booted from the House.

He is one of the biggest crooks in the republican party.

First of many domino's to fall....

It would be nice if once, just once, someone in the Bush administration would stand up and admit responsibility, instead of pointing fingers at others.

It'll never happen.

The article states that last spring, Fordham urged GOP leaders not to notify the full page board of Foley's bahavior.

If true, the Fordham's actions make him Foley's "enabler." Moreover, if the article is true, then the GOP leadership enabled Foley as well b/c they agreed to Fordham's request and kept Foley's actions under raps.

At the time the scandal broke, Foley was Rep Reynolds' chief of staff. In spite of Fordham's statements, I find it hard to believe that Fordham would have kept Rep Reynolds in the dark about his efforts on Foley's behalf.

The question is, aside from party-wide humiliation, what motive would Reynolds have to cover for Foley? Could the $100,000 in campaign money Reynolds received from Foley have anything to do w/ it?

Everyone one including the media who had any knowledge and withheld it should go down for this. What a mess.

David, amen to your comment -- yes, indeed they all should be doing the perp walk; and in handcuffs. If no one knew of this mess, then why would anyone be fired or forced to quit?

And shame on Drudge and all the right-wingers for blamming the victims -- teenaged boys.

When they first found out that he was making sexually inappropriate contacts with minors, they should have reported him to the police. It's that simple, people! These idiots in Congress have lost their moral bearings in the thin air of Washington, DC. Kick them all out!

I'm from Western NY as well and I would Love it if Reynolds was booted. Look he knew and even if he did talk it to the Speaker and nothing was done he should have pushed it further. That is his job so at the very least he neglected his duties. I don't think anyone deserves That type of Congress person.

It would be nice if once, just once, we'd see liberals able to accurately assign responsibility to the individuals involved, instead of blaming it all on Bush.

It'll never happen.

I mean seriously, exactly who in the Bush Administration can you even *imagine* being responsible for this? Cheney? Rove? Rice? Rumsfeld?

In all likelihood, not even Hastert knew about the IM's. Of course, Hastert should still go for being incompetent and ineffective in policing his members, but still, claiming this is somehow the responsibility of the Bush Administration is just absurd.

This nasty stuff is on both sides of the aisle. Whether it's inappropriate/criminal sexual behavior or dirty dealings involving money. I'd hope this incident inspires house cleaning and not the usual partisan finger-pointing.

Republicans are trying to place the blame for their corruption on anyone they can. So much for the party of personal responsibility.

Hmmm. Whatever Fordham knew, you can bet his new boss Reynolds knew. It's interesting that the word "Emails" is used instead of "Email". This would indicate that the Republican leadership knew about more than one Email. Yes, more heads should roll.

This another example of Congressmen and Senators from both sides of the aisle losing touch with reality. They have so much power no one challanges them. They believe they can control any issue in "their world" once it gets out into the "real world" they all look for scapegoats and places to hide. The staff that tries to protect them and do damage control from their excesses and egos get thrown under the bus.

Bush has nothing to do with the house of reps. its a seperate branch of gov

Jeani:

What does any of this have to do with the Bush administration?

I am also from Western New York and I would like to meet the Moron who decided it would be a good idea to use children as a shield during the Damien college interview..And if I am not mistaken that is a Jesuit college.OH MY GOD Have you no Morals

This just fits with everything else the power brokers do. They shift the blame to an underling and hope that the blowback is somehow mitigated by their hand-wringing and finger pointing. Fact is, they are all responsible and unless they do the right thing and resign, the populace is going to have to throw them all out. They will be hoping that the furor has died down and the voters have forgotten by the time an election results in unemployment. Better to remain in power and keep that money coming in than face the consequences now. Wake up people, you keep voting for these incumbent hypocrits, you get what you deserve.

This time it's a Republican mess, next time it will be the Democrats. None of these guys handle these things like they should, they all lie, cheat and cover up to protect their own behind. Don't be fooled into thinking any party is better than the other when it comes to covering up and protecting their dirty little secrets.

So why is someone who *repeatedly* warned Republican House leaders about Foley the one to now take the hit? It's like firing the whistleblower. Hastert, Shimkus, Reynolds and Boehner need to resign or be "fired" by the voters on November 7.

Someone in the Bush administration should admit responsibility for this? Reflexive much?

come on hastert! you are in charge and say you didn't realize the problem was that bad. "overly-friendly" is bad enough. you sure are quick to investigate other things...lewinsky, whitewater, etc..give me a break and resign.

There goes the theory that it was the Dems who knew last year and were holding it until now as an election ploy. The "Family Values" team scores again for hypocrisy.

I'm impressed with how quickly Squeaker Hastert boldly stepped forward (behind the scenes) and served up an underling for sacrifice at the political altar of spin and damage control.

Um, Jeani, what on earth are you talking about???

"Just once, someone in the Bush administration would stand up and admit responsibility."

Are you saying the White House is involved with this? That is a bridge too far.

And for once (unlike Democrats) someone DID ADMIT RESPONSIBILITY! Mark Foley!

You are all so blind.

What a sad statement of where this country is going,. How can we lead the rest of the world when we can't lead ourselves

The speed with which Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert demanded the resignation of Republican Foley raises a few questions. Was he already prepared for the day this dirty secret would get out?

Reynolds getting re-elected? Lets see what his constituents like to do -- support the party or support the innocent kids? Reynolds was responsible to keep the house Republican. You know he had a hand in this cover-up with Hastert.

So Fordham urged this be kept form the Board and who agreed to that? Alexander, Reynold, Hastert, Boehner, Shimkus...who?

That seems to be a HUGE red flag that there was more to this than simply "overly friendly" e-mails that Foley/Fordham didn't want to have investigated. That alone shoudl have demanded an investigation beyond just the "overly friendly" emails they had in hand.

This IS HUGE.

How can the Republicans say that they will protect the country in the war on terror, when they cannot even protect the children from the sexual terrorists? Yes, the party of moral values .... what hypocrites!!!

Foley is not in jail because no crime has been committed - at least none have been alleged. FBI has never arrested, or charged, or prosecuted anyone, ever, for simply sending instant messages or emails of a sexual nature. The set up stings and arrest people when they show up for a sexual encounter. No One has alleged that has occurred yet. Further, none of the messaegs I have seen have Foley specifically requesting such. Yes, no denial he is slime - but partisanship asside (impossible today), if he wasn't a congressmen, this wouldn't even be an issue unless he specifically attempted to rendevous with the underage person in a state where the age of concent is 18.

I'm not defending Foley, but tthe real question here is when did the DEMS know about this story?! Brian Ross even admits he knew about this since August and was "TOO BUSY" because of Katrina and 9/11. Seems a little too convenient that he just now got around too publishing this.

At least Monica Lewinsky was of legal age.

It's amazing how desperate the democrats are to 'make' this a story. There must really be nothing else for them to talk about this close to the election. hmmmmm?

The republican involved, Foley, did take responsibility & resign, right?

Reynold's has been defending Fordham all week. Why isn't Reynold's taking any responsibility for the actions of his chief of staff, who, while working for Reynolds, went to Florida to weasel on Foley's behalf.

1st, The FAMILY and the KID requested that nothing be brought up nor discussed in DC, they only asked that Foley be QUIETLY contacted and asked to stop emailing the kid.
2nd. What does the Bush Admin have to do with this?
Before you ignorant people put messages on blogs, get educated first.

If Foley was a school teacher, he would already have been cuffed and thrown into jail. But then, school teachers don't have the money nor the power held by our 'leaders'. Shame on the system that protects the perp and tosses the victim to the wind. If Foley beats this due to 'alcohol' then anyone who commits a crime can simply blame alcohol and get away with it. That includes DUI offenses.

Why are republicans blaming democrats regarding the timing on this? All they had to do was tell the truth when they found out, and the Democrats would have had no 'surprise'. It's their own fault. All this group of republicans ever does is lie, from the top down.

Hastert must go NOW. Unless GOP leadership wants this thing to fester and fester ruining the mid-terms. Which, come to think of it, may be the strategy. Then they could blame the bad election results on Hastert/Foley and avoid any dialogue on Iraq, terrorism, security, schools, health care, WOW, this is a genius ploy!

Why isnt Foley in Jail..its totally not fair...just because he used to be a Congressman he gets special treatment..if it was some other "regular" guy he'd be in a cell somewhere RITE NOW...remember he was the law...hes not ABOVE the law. He should face charges just like everybody in soeiety is accountable for.

Mobi-What this has to do with the Bush administration is many, many things...pattern of lying from the top down. (Condi "I dont remember that meeting")pattern of wrong people in wrong jobs(um, everyone). Sexual perversion, Abu-Ghraib, Foley, rape and murder of 14 year old Iraqi girl and her family. Cover-up after cover-up. And these are just a few "minor" things Mobi...But, you keep thinking they are right, I love it. Please, oh, please nominate Condolescence Rice for Pres...Please

Hastert and the Rep majority group all need to resign. Making a senior staff take the heat is a cop out.

I think that Jeani got those involved in this mess in the House of Representatives mixed up with the Bush Administration as many others will easily do as well because this do nothing congress provides no over-site of the executive branch in which they appear to be working for the White House as Bush administration loyalists instead of working for the people. I would confuse them for Bush appointees instead of ELECTED OFFICIALS too!

I guess it's tough being morally superior to everybody when push comes to shove and it's time to put your money where your mouth is.

Power is all these people care about.

Hastert should resign. Immediately!

This is incredible that the GOP is not taking this more seriously, or should I say, fatally. Out of a job, out of there, pronto. I am a Republican but I have gone Purple. This is hideous for President Bush to back Hastert and for the GOP to continue to cover. I am tired of it, and I want them all out of Office. This was a Pedophile, a Congressman, dangit. Every one of them that knew should be frog marched back home, and now. I, for one, am sick and tired of being treated like I am a moron. Is there ONE FBI AGENT out there that will NAIL these crooks to the wall. PLEASE! Do it for the love of your Fellow Countrymen and their children!

P.S. When I see Sean Hannity on Fox cover for a Pedophile, I know this Party is in a world of delusional denial! I don't appreciate it one bit. FOX should FIRE him too.

Can anyone tell me what this situation has to do with Clinton? Last I heard, Clinton didn't break any laws, and didn't do anything with nayone underage.

And what did the White House really know about this, and when?

"It would be nice if once, just once, someone in the Bush administration would stand up and admit responsibility, instead of pointing fingers at others.
It'll never happen."

-Excalty, I thought "liberals" are the only ones who blame their actions on others. I guess we all do it, but that is ok too.

It appears that the weapons of mass destruction have finally been found...they were in Florida.

I listen to conservative radio just to see what the other side is saying. They claim Dem's knew about this before it came out, ALSO. "also" isn't that an admission of some kind of guilt?

No double standard.

Compare a relationship between consenting adults vs. a congressman sexually harsaassing underage children.

Who's the bad guy?

Remove head from sand... Lewinsky was not 16, she was 22. Clinton is not a pedophile, Foley is. I'm sure the GOP was going to go public with this info AFTER the election...right? Your guys were protecting and covering for a pedophile...nice. Get with it.

Greg<

The las time I looked adultery wasn't against the law but child molestation was and is. Stop comparing Clinton this pedophile.

So whatever happened to Gerry Studds? Ahh how soon we forget.

Why don't you check Foley's immigration status? Maybe he's illegal. Then finally his "fellow" Republicans would see a reason to throw him out...

You can't possibly be trying to compare a consentual, adult relationship that was really only the business of those involved (and arguably spouses of those involved) to a sexual predator of yung boys, can you? Must not be a parent.

Typical GOP - Do as I say, not as I do.

231 years ago

“It is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope. We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth—and listen to the song of that siren, till she transforms us into beasts. Is this the part of wise men, engaged in a great and arduous struggle for liberty? Are we disposed to be of the number of those, who having eyes, see not, and having ears, hear not, the things that so nearly concern their temporal salvation? For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it might cost, I am willing to know the whole truth; to know the worst, and to provide for it.”
PATRICK HENRY, speech to the Virginia Convention, Richmond, Virginia, March 23, 1775

It is a shame when the Republicans don't practice what they preach. DO AS I SAY, NOT AS I DO.
Does anyone out there want to vote Republican????????????

Foley should change his party affiliation to Democrat. Then like Gerry Studds, he can have sex with underage pages and get praise from the hypocritical Democrats.

How many years did Studds serve as a Democrat Representative after it was revealed he had molested underage pages? 14 years. Democrats are too hypocritical to warrant a single vote from any honest voters.

what does clinton getting impeached have to do with a congressman being a sexual predator for underaged boys?

Well, here we are. Studds, a democrat, who had sex with a sixteen yr old page in '83 stayed in his seat until retirement in '96. Barney Frank who admitted he lived with a male prostitute who was running a ring out of Frank's own townhouse is still in office. If others have to resign like Foley, let's take Frank out as well. No double standard!

Question:

What's worse?

1. Having a congressman writing suggestive e-mails to pages.

2. Having a congressman, who is a known alcoholic, driving around Washington - drunk as a skunk.

What's the difference between 1 and 2:

1. Resigned and went to rehab.

2. Went to rehab and refused to resign.

For Republicans, deviant behavior is something to be ashamed of and the basis of resignation. Such people are not fit for office.

For Democrats, it's a badge of honor.

Talk about hypocrisy!

If you think Republican voters don't see the hypocrisy, and aren't ticked off about it, then watch what happens in November. Democrats are in for a shock.

There are no similarities between this pedophile and Bill Clinton. True our former president has a weakness for women as do many other men with power both left and right but Foley is a pedophile. I wonder how long it will take the right wingnuts to stop invoking Clinton every time one of theirs gets caught with a hand in the cookie jar?

greg, the difference between this and Clinton is that what Clinton did was immoral only by virtue of his relationship with is wife. The only arguable "victim" in that case is Mrs. Clinton, who is an intelligent sophisticated woman and can take care of herself.
Foley, on the other hand, has victimized a minor which is a *crime* and is a moral absolute, regardless of his marital status. And, it seems his party has enabled him to continue this victimizing behavior.

This abuse is not new. Gerry Studds (D) from MA was having relations with one of his Pages back in the 80's. He didn't even resign!

So, the president wants to look at everyone's email to prevent terrorism but can't manage to make sure members of his own party aren't victimizing young men who serve the government????

You have that a bit backwards. Democrats won't allow looking into terrorists communications, but have no problem publishing email between two Americans.

What a shame.

Last time I checked the democrat congressman with $90,000 in his freezer had not resigned or been asked to leave by the minority leader so don't tell me this is a one party thing.

Unfortunately, I no longer believe the Republicans are any more moral than the Democrats. This lack of morality seems to pervade all levels of government. Everyone is into "power"; no one seems to want to do the right thing. What has our country become? It's frightening.

One can only hope the momentum from the fallout of this scandal continues building as the linchpin that ushers out the slime from the halls of congress in November, and returns the Republican party to it's proper place, as a minority, fringe politcal movement.

"Think about how stupid the average person is, then realize that half of us are stupider than that," George Carlin.

There is no connection between Clinton's impeachment and this pedophile and those who covered up for him. The issue is a pedophile in a position to prey on young boys and the other members of his party who covered for him.

DNC and MoveOn.Org could not be happier with ABC's effort and timing on this story. Typical leftwing crap. Since when is the left and the democrats bugged about inappropriate sex?

I am surprised noone seems to have interviewed Trandahl so far. His role seems pivotal. As Clerk of the House, he oversaw the day-to-day operations of the page progra. He resigned his position Sept. 30, 2005, right around the time the complaints from the 16 yr.old page about Foley's "sick sick sick" emails would have been given to Alexander's office. If anyone knows what the House leadership's real take on this was, it seems like Trandahl would be the one, as he left in November, right when Alexander was first questioned by the St. Petersburg Times about the emails.

The Republicans seam to have the, if it good "claim it" and i9f its bad "blame it" strategy. Now we know that the GOP was trying to get ABC not to air the actual text. I wonder why? How can they blame Democrats for his actions? Democrats didnt force the Republican to call ABC! They had a strategy to hide this "sick" behavior from the public

It has to do with Dems wanting everyones heads, always forgiving thier own, and withholding info until weeks before an election. They cannot get elected on merrit, so that withhold criminal info until it benefits them. Who ever was holding one to this 3 year old material, a dem or the media, should be the ones going to jail for aiding in the ongoing criminal activity.

It would be nice if once, just once, someone in the Bush administration would stand up and admit responsibility, instead of pointing fingers at others.

No one in the administration has a thing to do with any of this. Do you not know there are 3 branches of government?

Family Values,,,,,Shame on the GOP!

This whole thing stinks.

The Republicans who head the legislative and executive branches of our government are leading our country to its ruin.

It makes me sad.

Hmmmm....speaking of timing bobster, have you noticed gas prices have dropped .75 cents a gallon in the last two months? Coincidental timing? NOT!

Yes, let's compare Clinton and Foley, shall we? Clinton had consensual sex with an adult and we spend millions of dollars and years of our time focussed on this. Could we have disrupted Bin Laden in this time period? Potentially, but we'll never know. Republicans had an immoral, adulterous target, and wanted to be known as the values party which would restore integrity to government.

Foley wrote sexually predatory emails and instant messages to teenage boys while passing legislation criminalizing such activity. This is called 'hypocrisy.' Instead of years of investigation, Republicans seek to shift blame to the media, for politicizing this event and claim its a conspiracy it was released before an election cycle. Why? Because that is exactly what they did with Clinton, and it worked just fine.

So, if the Repubs are the values party, why not investigate these truly criminal actions? Republicans politicized values and then can't live up to their own standards. That is not the fault of the Democrats.