If she is going down for this let the the Johns go down as well. Release the list and let the chips fall. This is going to get out in the open one way or the other so ABC should just get it over with. I love seeing all of the conservative pundits basically go on rants about how releasing the names would be some moral violation. Isn't using an escort service a moral violation? If they really didn't do anything wrong why are so many people protesting so loudly?

Well, well, well, this should come as no surprise. Once again the adage about throwing stones and living in glass houses. I am sure we will never really see "the list"

I totally agree. Release the list.

And what would be even more humorous is hearing a liberal defend their freedoms no matter how egregious the acts.

At least we know that its not James McGreevey.

I think the list should be released so all can know who is involved. Especially if there are high government officials involved. (Which I'd guess there probably are).

Even though I do not agree that prostitution should be illegal, I think since it is, the public has the right to know. Especially since it is a federal lawsuit, and I pay my federal taxes.

ABC should just post the list and be reporters again. Not government whips like all media seems to be becoming lately.

Sadly all can fail in thier ideals. To call one a hypocrite opens up the countercliam of hypocrisy (hypocritical hypocrite?) Let the guilty fall for their actions. Name calling is as a somewhat immature action. Have you noticed that all can be called ahypocrite as some time? Hypocrisy is not setting a high goal, and failing to meet it. LET THE GUILTY FALL FOR THEIR ACTIONS, let us call the mis-deeds what they are, wrong.

If a news organization can release the horrible tapes and manifesto of the young man who killed so many at Virginia Tech, then this is a no brainer...

I think the media world has become scared to report the news. Our politicians are sooooo powerful these days and have so many people, organizations, and businesses in their pockets we can't get the 'real' news, only what Bush and his cronies want us to know. Only what makes them look good. No real news! This is real news folks! If they didn't take pubic office, I'd say "hey, leave them alone." But they did take it. Therefore, their lives are public. Of course they don't want us to know. Tough! It's our right as the Americans who elected them! ABC news has always been my #1 choice. I've always felt like they were different, than say FOX. I hope they don't fall into the norm as far as the news goes. Stand up boys and girls! Give us news!!

Expose them all. If they didn't do anything illegal why was Ms. Palfrey arrested? I knew some of them would hire lawyers to find loopholes. Their lawyers probably have been clients too. lol They are all dishonest liars, have committed crimes and should not be in positions of power over the lives of others. Their families deserve to know what kind of men they really are, even though it will be painful. Imagine the diseases they could bring home to their families. They probably are the type who brag about their illegal acts, harass women and call them derogatory names, meanwhile they are busy dialing up escort services. I can't wait to pop open a cold one and watch 20/20 Friday night. LMAO!!!!!

I for one won't be watching. Name them all or name NONE. And why only 4 years worth of records since this started in 93? Smear some, cover the butts of others? No dice. All or nothing. You lost a viewer until you do that.

How sad is all of this, we have our young boys over in Iraq fighting a losing battle and losing so many innocent lives and these crooked politicians are having the time of their lives, so they thought. Let no stone be unturned, expose them all ABC.
Do your job and work for the people of our nation.

Only the names of USAID officials should be released because they are hypocrits.

Kip,

The right that "we" have is to know who did is if public money was used.

if it was not the I agree with you "we" do not have any right to know who is on the lists.

Uhh guys? The client this lawyer is refering to is one of the madam's ex-employees. Not someone from The List. Read the article. Not to say I don't want to see The List in the light of day. But we should all pay more attention to what is being discussed before ranting.

well, americans are finally wakeing up to what the rest of the world knew all along, that these guys in power in washington, are nothing but crooks, for those who did not know the government is the biggest organize crime unit in the world, it's ok to gamble when they sanctioned it but not when you set up a site in another country, now they get caught with their pants down and they cry foul, like someone said earlier name names, post the list get back to reporting the news and not filtering it to apeased the Bushies and the likes.

These are not mutually exclusive perspectives. I absolutely agree that there is a strong voyeuristic component on the part of the public at large. However, I do also believe very firmly that holders of public office should be held accountable when they break the laws they have sworn to uphold. While I lament the former, it does not preclude the latter. (Whether or not the latter will actually come to pass, is a question about which I'm far more cynical, alas...)

It doesn't matter whether this is viewed as legal or illegal activity - No one should be above the law.

Enough of the Heidi's and Jeane's dragged through the media, courts and doing jail time - if the John's weren't buying there would be no sale.

If the Madame and her ladies go down, then it is only fair the John's go down too, every single, step of the way.

One question I have -- undoubtedly most of the people on the list probably engaged in inappropriate behavior. But apparently her phone number was a local one. How can ABC be sure that every number on that list was made purposely. In other words, what if someone was trying to call Blockbuster, for instance, (as Howard Kurtz points out) misdialed a digit and got the madam? Or what about a somebody's son, living at home, makes a call while his folks are away. How does ABC verify, and do they even have an obligation to verify?

I personally am thrilled that you are sharing the names; the past three election cycle sand running up to the current administration all we heard-we will clean up the Oval office;The current administration used discriminatory issues to win elections; Foley-Haggerty and all the rest. Those who live in Glass Houses should never throw stones - Karma

Nate Mishkin -- Since she apparently gave only four years worth of records to ABC (which seems kind of odd), does the judge's order prohibit her from from giving ABC the rest? Again, it seems kind of odd that she would just give them partial records.

I've seen the names and photos of local people published in the paper when they were caught in prostitution stings, the scum in D.C. don't deserve better treatment.

There is far, far too much evil being hidden in Washington today. The politicians are basically thumbing their noses in our (the people, their bosses) face. Look around the office as I am now. How many people in a professional environment can do that and get away with it? I say “release the hound!”

I suspect that when all this comes out there will be embarrassment on both sides of the aisle. Sex certainly knows no idealogy. However, I see no reason to protect the clients that engaged in this business. If you are ashamed of your behavior, then you shouldn't be doing it in the first place. Besides, in this day of sexually transmitted deseases, wives have a right to know if their husbands are putting their health at risk as well as being unfaithful.

Stings to publically out the users are the modus operandi in these kinds of liasons, so ABC should drool out the names so we can put more faith in these kinds of pubic servants...dern spellcheck is down I see

I'm having a hard time waiting for your 20/20 show. I look forward to seeing the names of some of the pious government employees that have tried to lord it over us. I only hope ABC doesn't hold back too much or too long so the courts don't gag you before you get it all out. Keep up the good work, you owe us after that mockudrama you showed about the Iraqi War and the fake Clinton stuff you used. This goes a long way in redeeming yourselves in my eyes.

I think Brian Ross is doing the right thing. He is investigating the list, and he will report on what is newsworthy. If a politician, political appointee, or policy level civil servant is on the list, I think that easily qualifies as newsworthy.

As far as the poster who wouldn't want to hire a doctor or lawyer that patronizes prostitutes, why do you depend on others for this information? Wouldn't it just be easier to ask your doctor or lawyer yourself? Why this roundabout means of gathering consumer information when you haven't bothered to take the easiest and most direct route?

At any rate, I'm finding the lot of you who want an unabridged list released to be ethically challenged and in no position to criticize the ethics of Brian Ross or anyone at ABC.

Wow, reading the opinions of the common folk is very revealing on what is happening in our country, we complain and complain but when it comes down to it, we really don't do anything about it. I mean where were the american public nearly 4 years ago when they reelected this President and in doing so giving his cronies 4 more years of disgusting behavior, with no incentive to to clean up their act. Are we so blind? Can we not see that the politicians that we elect into office mirror ourselves and how hypocritical we are. No matter who will be exposed in this latest news fiasco, it will not change anyone's position in the long run, because the american people allows this to happen time and time again, so don't blame the Bible or put down morality, we as a people deserve what we get in Washington no matter what the political party may be, because we are those people we put in office.

Olga, it's beyond party lines...EVERYBODY likes to get laid...and why is whoring illegal anyway?

This is not news, it's just Ameican entertainment...

Hold on Olga. What is this "We" elected this administration?

I didn't vote for these yahoos and I was also busy warning people not to vote for these yahoos. But nobody listens to bleeding heart liberals these days. The fact is that half of this country is like this. Pretending to be something they are not while the only thing they care about is their mortgages and SUV and the lifestyle they live. This administration fed into the greed that half of all Americans seem to demonstrate in their carelessness of the consequences of mindless consumerism and immediate gratification. Which is essentially the forces at work here.

I did not elect these people. I will take responsibility for my country as an American Citizen but not for Gitmo, the Iraq War, the limiting of rights, the debt, the dead Iraqis, nor the lies of the WMDs, nor anything else this obviously depraved administration dishes out.

I agree, the list should be released. No better way to clean up corruption and ethical hypocracy in Washington than shining a bright light on it.

interesting, the ad at the top of my page is for bras and undies. are we a little obsessed with sex? ya think? the conservative religious right think that if they control your sex life, they control you. perhaps they are correct? maybe that's why they have to pay for it or steal it away from children! sad day in america! perhaps they are the ones who need to be controlled. i guess that's why we vote!

student in tn...

theres some difference between the latest washington powerbrokers of the past 4 years (or so)
and those of the more distant political past.one outstanding difference ,since politicians of old KNEW they lived in glass houses,they didnt throw too many stones but evidently todays bright and upcoming hooker hiring politico has never heard that maxim.

its one thing to be holier than thou,but if you talk the talk,you must be able to walk the walk,as they say. from mark foley on down its just one debaucle after another for the moral majority,and i think ms palfrey just wanted to let the mainsteam in on one more,just for good measure. more than 4 years of records might make some of her actual FRIENDS look bad,imo.

although im not so sure democrats as a whole (aka liberals) are generally held to such a high moral standard as the republicans/conservatives,who mostly purport to be the moral conscience and compass for this country.

How can ABC, having obtained the list, release it only selectively?

It's either news or it isn't. (I think it is).

I don't see how a news organization can put itself in the position of trying to decide which people on the list get "outed" and which don't.

On what journalistic merit would such selective release be made? I mean, they're either on the list, or they're not, right? ABC has already named one, and he's resigned.

To be perfectly honest about it, I think this entire scandal is repulsive. I mean, thousands are dying in Iraq - and we're sitting here gnashing our teeth over who got laid.

I understand the outrageous hypocrisy of it all - but really, we shouldn't give a damn who's on the list.

But it's out. So - now, why play favorites?

I don't see anything wrong in releasing some of the names. Didn't the republicans run on familiy values and morals? Didn't they feel that a sexual encounter was enough to impeach a president, and let's not say it was because he "lied". If they had houded him on this he would haven't had to try and cover it up. I would be interested in seeing if any republican preaching others follows "Do as I say, not as I do".

Can you release the names from White House? It will be a bigger shock if another big fish in the net.

ANYONE connected to an anti-gay, "pro-life," "protecting marriage," or "family values" platform or administration should have his name released.

If a guy hasn't preached or profited-from a platform or set of policies that are inherently privacy-invading, then he should have a right to his own privacy, since he's not invading anyone else's.

Well it seems that its all over Washington and if they can find out who is on the list then maybe the people will see that our find WDC group is all about "COVERUP" That is why the judge ordered her not to give the names, but hahaha she beat him to the punch. A very smart lady! Im sure she knew that would happen and that is why she got the list out before she was told not to. Like all in our Congress and others they will do anything to protect themselves from a crime and all they are is a bunch of catch me if you can people. Im sure the judge was told by higher ups to issue the order.

Hearing funny stories about sex, babies, heroes, idiots (Bush, Cheney, Rove, Rice) are what we demand from a responsible new service; don't stop the movie during intermission or you'll have real riot!

Oh please please please reveal the list.

I'm sure everyone will deny any wrongdoing (money for sex) and that's just the point.

What goes on between adults, even when it involves money, is no one's business but their own.

The "johns" will deny everything... so they'll be OK.

Ms. Palfrey will make her point... sexual fantasy is not illegal and there is no evidence of paid sex...

And, best of all, even though they deny it, a bunch of powerful Republicans will be revealed as the hypocrites that most of us already knew they were, since paid sex or none, I'm pretty sure their churches and faith communities don't support the use of escort services for massages and fantasies, any more than they support their use for prostitution.

All is for the best in this most perfect of perfect worlds.

I'm sure she sent the list to other organizations as well. If ABC does not publish it it will be "leaked". Unavoidable.

Why do so many of you people think that the media only reports the positives about Bush? Can someone name a few? Iraq is always on the news - it definitely is NOT good news for him. Gonzales is also on the news - NOT good news either. Karl Rove, global warming, high gas prices,immigration.... are all bad news for the administration. Economy is doing good, but it always ends up in the back pages.

PUBLISH THE LIST ALREADY! ABCNEWS cannot possibly be placed under any legal restrictions which would prevent it from publishing the list. Just do it already, expose the hypocrites among us, and then let us get on to more important business.

Bush will go down as the worst President of all time. He should be credited for single-handedly destroying the Republican party. I'm not a Republican but at least had some respect for it when they stood for fiscal responsibilty. Republicans are now the big deficit, big war, anti-environment, send us all to la la land party.

Free Deborah Jeane Palfrey. Legalize consensual acts between consenting adults in private and vote Libertarian!

Prostitution should be legal. This is all much ado about doing it. There are good reasons not to consort with whores but nothing other than that should govern this. It is only a subsidy to organized crime.

With the media bias the way it is in America today, it will be interesting to see if the only outed politicians will be Republican. I vote for a bipartisan outing....you never know...Bill and Hillary may both show up on the list.

Her records go back to 93, yet she only releases the last 4 years worth? Who's protecting who here?

My guess is they'd find a lot of calls from the White House from 1992 thru 2000, and the lawyers don't want it to get to that point.

Wow, 90% of these posts are just anti-Bush. It seems the only point they want to make is their hate for all things Bush.

I hope they don't release the list. The First Lady would be crushed.

Let it all out! When all those Washington weasels start wheeling and dealing and ratting each other out, we'll see who the real 'ho's are.

Regardless whether or not those who utilized her service used public moneys, the sheer fact that this woman is on trial shows she's running something illegal. Since that is the case, and our leaders are supposed to uphold the law, it's only fair that we are told when they are not. Clinton didn't use taxpayer money to get his groove on...we are subjected to more and more laws that this administration piles on us. If we have to be watched all the time, it's only right they are too.

Release the list.

Why do most people assume the names on the list are mostly or only Repubilcan/conserative? That's not a logical assumption.

I think that sex and corruption is the only bipartisan agenda in DC these days.

Well, let's get it all out in the open!

Golly sakes.... this whole or hole subject needs some cleansing daylight.... name names....

LOL Al...I bet you and some hardcore clinton supporter were on exact opposite sides of the fence a few years back and you just dug out his old message and reposted it. Blah blah going and all we're concerned about is who got laid. So, so familiar. When are you people going to wake up, open your eyes, and realize YOU are the hypocrites for defending this stuff (in this case and in Clinton's) simply because the accused happens to be in your party of preference. Wake up America. DEMAND BETTER POLITICIANS. Don't elect a Giuliani or a McCain. Don't elect an Obama or another Clinton. Open your eyes. If you are all about free market, small government, personal responsibility, and the federal government doing what it was SUPPOSED to be doing and providing for the common defense, there's a candidate in the running right now that fits that bill. And guess what Republicans (now now dems, don't make it a reason for not voting for him), he's in your party. Vote Ron Paul, Texas-R for president. This is the closest you will ever see to a politician that is the exception that proves the rule. A stand up guy with a solid voting record for freedom and personal choice and privacy.

PRINT THE NAMES.

ONLY THE GUILTY FEAR EXPOSURE.

You shouldn't be worried IF you don't have anything to hide!

Do you think ABC News would publish the names of journalists if they were on the list? I have a hunch they might skip over those names.

But then again, I'm stupid for even mentioning that because journalists don't have the ability to make war on other countries or create massive spy networks aimed, for some strange reason, at their own population.

It isn't necessary to release the names, we all know who they are. I do hope information on safety in sex is available as these perpetrators or Johns, are engaging in the same act with their dealings with their constituents !

I would strongly suggest that ABC release those names TODAY before they get receive an injunction that stops them from doing it at all.

You must know that hundreds of lawyers in town are drafting up motions right now to stop the release of this list.

If you wait till Friday, this list will never see the light of day.

Publish the entire list or publish none, but do not "mine" it based on some subjective criteria of what is newsworthy.

Does it matter anynore, there is so much corrpution in our goverment we could be another Iraq country.

Wow what a great way to spend tax money "Mr. Federal Gov't". Lets bust a bunch of middle-aged men paying for "happy endings". It could be used a whole lot better, like bombing Iran back to the 7th century where they belong.

all phone records should be taken away from ABC. After all they will be violating privacy rights.

Interesting the first comments today here. What if ole slick's DC phone number is on the list. I guess the reason some people think the names will be Republicans is because the list was given to ABC. Sorry folks but some of you are going to be suprised..just like we knew something about Sandy Burger! So what!Nothing is going to change.

Be assured, ABC will finesse their slant on this story to cover for liberals also on "the list." Anyone recall 4 years ago when Democratic Party honcho Bob Beckel was caught and humiliated on another escort's "list"? It seems that story was quieted over by the network sympathizers. Journalism is over. It's merely a tool to feed a political fetish.

There could never be democrats on a list like this. They are all upstanding citizens.

If small-time "johns" can be named in our local papers, so can these rich ones.

Since 90% of DC are Democrats, the chances of this list being 90% Democrats is more than possible. Let the names begin!!

Oh yeah and Robert, I wouldn't find pictures of aliens landing on the White House lawn half as surprising as picutures of some of these so-called "gods" I keep hearing people talk about.

Look, at the end of the day, the public wants transparency in government. To ask otherwise is to invitge corruption. Publish the list.

Geez people... Why is everyone so excited to expose hypocrites? Don't we all fail to practice what we preach? Don't we all tell our kids not to do things we do (or did). We all fail. We all do the wrong thing. So...if I tell you what is right and do wrong I'm a hypocrite and you would love to expose that fact? Why? To justify your failures? That's your problem...not mine.

Actually, we don't all fail to practice what we preach because some of us don't preach. Especially when the preaching is made upon untenable moral or political ground. Therein lies the diff.

If you do the time with these chicks, pay the piper baby!!!!

The reason people assume it's chock full of Republicans is because every study shows that they get it more often than democrats (they also donate much more $). I think it comes down to talking about something versus doing something.

Release the whole list from all years, not just the last four. That's the only way to assure that the info is legit without any agenda. My personal hope is that David Gregory is on that list.

Geez buhk, you sound like a Republican. "Just because I do something illegal or immoral doesn't mean I should have to answer for it!"

I think every one of those names should be released. If it were a list of poor smucks you can believe it would be all over the place. Go ahead post it. Let's see the names of the politicians Left and Right, the K Street lobbyists, the lawyers, the power brokers, the journalists, the Reverends...

This could be fun, everyone thinks it's great when it's the other guys' ox getting gored.

On the other hand, be careful what you wish for because you might just get your wish.

Don't ya love the way just about everyone ASSUMES the list is a DC "who's who" for the Republican Party; as if Democrats never get involved in illegal activities (Barney Frank, Jefferson, Feinstien, etc).
I can't wait to see how your tune changes to "wheres the respect for Privacy" if names like Clinton, Obama, Reid, Pelosi, Kennedy, Stephanopolis, Rather, Gore, and Murtha end up on the list.

I would agree Buck. All of "Washington" is a slithering slime hole. This isn't new though. Remember the first presidential Messiah Kennedy. What's different today is that it a whole lot easier to expose it all. I'm all for it. Public embarrassment is one of the most powerful tools a societial group has to enforce societal norms. (I won't say morals and values for obvious reasons :^) )

I've also noticed how the obvious Republicrites on this post are now whining when their boys are getting called on the carpet for blatant failures on the whole "morals and values" issue. "Don't pick on us!" But I say, Mission Accomplished! Freedom's on the March!

HAHAHAHAHA!!!!!

Reading the comments from liberals just confirms how they have no other agenda then to hate George Bush. They immediately bring up his name even though he has nothing whatsoever to do with this. Some liberals on here are so confident that only names of Conservatives are going to come out that I hope they are ready to chastise the names of the liberals on the last as fast as they are to chastise Conservatives before the list is even released. It's a shame the list only goes back 4 or so years and not all the way back to the beginning, 1993. I'm sure some of Clinton's cronies names would be on it. Did Monica Lewinsky work for the D.C Madam???

This scandal gives us another peek at how the Administration has been staffed with people who can't live their lives the way they have preached we should live our lives.

We already know that the Clinton Administration had their scandals. But they did not come into office to tell us how to behave.

The Johns and the whores are both equally guilty. Publish the list. The government isn't going after the Johns.

I for one would favor legalized Prostitution. But since we make it illegal, lets make both parties public and make them both pay with public shaming.

Let the chips fall where they may.

While they have no problem destroying reputations belonging to commoners, the Washington media is significantly more circumspect about soiling those belonging to the bi-factional ruling party. This media-political complex is much more interested in protecting its own than in reporting the truth or even making money.

After all, a little silence at just the right time can be worth a lot more than a scoop or two.

I bet ABC will post only certain names.
Can anyone say AGENDA

student in TN, the phone records show the amount and TIME of the call. it would be hard to accept a call from someone lasting more than a minute or happening multiple times in a month were *accidents*, so detecting suspect "mistake calls" is actually quite easy.

We need to know each and everyone of these weasels. How many politicians, police officers, and corporative slime balls are involved and setting up a double standard for their families and the rest of society. You know what I am more concerned is the safety of the lady to be honest. I doubt that she is not safe behaving like a rat. I doubt that these patriarchs allow a lady to destroy what these patriarchs all their lives worked hard for. I am sure they deserved a little break, right? :-))) (their wives sure deserve a break too).

Not sure what I am missing, but this company, and many more like it, advertise and list their information in the yellow pages. Escort services are not against the law. Ms Palrey, as she claimed, ran the legal service. She is sueing her employees that breached their agreement and cost her the business. Why, other that to smear, would you think you should see who used a leagl services when no crime ha