I find it amazing that die-heart Republican zealots are actually blaming Brian Ross for exposing this sickening issue. They, myopic as ever, seem to think this is some type of Democratic conspiracy. Please wake up.....this country is headed in the wrong direction with the current leader(?) in Washington.
Foley should be prosecuted, along with those who protected him, to the fullest extent of the law. Hasert did not know the extent of the problem? Give me a break.

This is just great - the fox is guarding the chicken coop. If the congressional leadership has any knowledge of this type of behavior it should act immediately, and without mercy. It is bad enough the amount of power members of congress have on a daily basis let alone a pedophile with this kind of power. The time has come for this country to decide to protect our children - life prison terms for repeat offenders - possible federal penalties. Step up law makers clean your own houses

Absolutely one of the most despicable stories about the hypocracy of leaders that I've ever heard. As bad as accounts of so-called Christian ministers of any religion who have molested and/or talked dirty to young people (or who have just been plain immoral like Jimmy Swaggard and Jim Baker). This man Foley should go to jail for his terrible example, his careless handling of his authority, and his breaking of laws meant to protect kids from such acts.

A. Castellano

"A former senior Republican official in Congress says Foley was one of a handful of members and staff whose behavior with pages was being closely watched."

What???
How many more sexual predators do we need to be worried about?

that really is disgusting. if pages (especially teenage boys) who want to please and do well have to put up with this absolute crap, what has the world come to? foley better not get off because of his "alcoholism" and he better pay for creeping out and soliciting young boys who were just trying to do their job and get ahead in life. he is an absolutely despicable disgusting excuse for a man.

If the man did this, he is very troubled but I have another question:

How were investigators able to access these emails? Did the receipients save them - or is everything we have ever emailed available somewhere? That could be a good story too.

Why didn't Brian Ross bring this information to law enforcement as Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) did when they were given the e-mails? If Ross and ABC News care about the safety and welfare of children, they'll come forward with everything they know and provide reasons why they suppressed this information until now.

My God have the Republicans done enough damage already? Is anybody so stupid to keep them in power? They will do ANYTHING to stay in power.

Absolutely! One of a "few"? What the HELL does that mean?

Amen to Dave......exactly what does it take for congress to act against congressional criminals and predators? We ought to be getting the names of these additional offenders, and they should be ushered through the same doors Foley last used. It's time for a major housecleaning too, and it should start at the top.

i was sickened and outraged by the transcript!he is definetly a pedophile and needs to go to prison for a long time,if it is found that anyone else had prior knowledge and did nothing they need to be charged as well.

Are these the same Republicans who dragged this country through 'Lewinsky-gate' in the name of family values? Where are the conservative pundits who rage about the weakness of Democrats and their inability to protect Americans? I guess pedophiles don't pose as much of a threat to Americans as terrorists - at least not in an election year.

I have been a republican my entire life, and so has been my family for generations.

God help us to protect our children from these pedophiles.
The GOP knew for years and did nothing to protect our children.

I don't know what good will come from a liberal house, but heaven forbid we leave those creeps in control any longer. We owe it to our children to protect them from these sleezy pedophiles.

This is the Republicsn version of "Text and run"

As a crime victim advocate for my local county district attorney's office, I unfortunately have seen such predatory behavior and much worse. Whether text messaging or email, predatory behavior against juveniles is not only immoral, it is a violation of law. Such conduct cannot be excused by drug abuse (alcohol is a drug), or mental illness. The damage caused by such behavior can have life-long effects for victims.
I hope that those children and their families affected by Mr. Foley's abusive behavior sue him for all he's got, and perhaps hold those other federal officiels in charge of the page program financially responsible for their failure to advocate for and protect the children involved.
I trust the legal system will act appropriately. And if not, we need to ask, "Why not?"

Immoral People
When interviewed by the media, Foley mention that people who use the internet to solicit sex are sick, sick people. What he really was doing was describing himself. The real crime is being perpetrated by the Republican leaders that tried to cover up the immoral incident and protect the 52 year old congressman rather than protecting the vulnerable children (pages) that innocently depend on the safety provided by these same Republican leaders. How ironic. Now, Republican leaders are rushing to meet to find a replacement for Foley, yet they never rushed to meet to protect the children. These Republican leaders must be held accountable and responsible for this crime.

If ABC News could get copies of these e-mails, then Republican leaders could have too. Five years ago pages were warned about Foley. Hastert and friends have no excuse.

What would have happened to the Republican leadership if ABC did not uncover this scandal!? They were going to probably continue to watch closely his and others behaviors. This is unbelievably disgusting.......

Oh, this is just great. He was one of the congressmen "whose behavior with pages was being closely watched." Wow, that inspires so much confidence in our leaders. [/sarcam]

This is a really disturbing case, but I think we need to keep digging until we get to the bottom of it. More victims need to come forward. We need to hold Foley and everyone who aided his actions to the highest legal and ethical standards, as members of Congress must be. The people must guard the sanctity of our institutions vigorously... something that hasn't been happening. Let's turn this ship around, people.

Good question -- leaving aside the past for a moment, think of the future -- what other sexual predations are the Republican leadership currently hiding?