The Left Coaster: Comment on Foley Send IMs To Page During Iraq Funding Vote In 2003

Comments: Foley Send IMs To Page During Iraq Funding Vote In 2003

Hastert is now on right wing talk shows blaming *DEMOCRATS* for the Foley mess.....yes, thats right.....he's calling it an election year trick! If only the Dems were so clever. The problem, of course, is that Foleygate has been going on with Hastert's nod and wink for years.

Posted by T2 at October 3, 2006 02:14 PM

T2, Katherine Harris made that mention also!

The spin is amazing from the party of hypocrisy!

Posted by Seven of Six at October 3, 2006 02:23 PM

Steve O,

I wondered this:

If Hastert knew about Foley, is it not logical to conclude Cheney knew? After all, Hastert is the House Speaker and has lots of contact with Veep.

So, if Cheney knew, it's logical to conclude Bush must've known too.

The entire Republican Congress is like a fraking NAMBLA committee!

Posted by Christopher at October 3, 2006 02:38 PM

I love how Hastert and Co. are saying this is a Democratic smear job. Come on, boys, we didn't make Foley talk dirty to teenage boys. The facts apparently have a liberal bias once again! But one more time, the Dems didn't make Foley IM teenage boys. Where is the personal responsibility? Why is it never the Reps fault? How can they be the party in charge and be so victimized?

Posted by ann at October 3, 2006 02:41 PM

Oooops. October surprise isn't starting too well.

Another question...
Why can't we outsource our government and get something better for the money we spend?

Posted by Alex at October 3, 2006 02:55 PM

Foley is blaming alcohol for his bad decisions. Was he drunk during the floor vote? No wonder we get such bad governance out of these clowns.

Posted by Dianne at October 3, 2006 03:22 PM

How can they be the party in charge and be so victimized?

Better yet, what about their claim as the party of personal responsibility?

Posted by Jim Faith at October 3, 2006 03:34 PM

I am truly nauseated. Does anyone know if Foley was married? kids? thanks

Posted by annie at October 3, 2006 03:34 PM

Foley's attorney is saying in a news conference this hour that his client was molested as a child by a "clergyman". This admission comes from his early treatment for an alcohol problem for which Foley claims to be seeking treatment. It has been noted elsewhere that his treatment might be at a clinic run by Scientologists--that is not confirmed however.

On a day when the killer of Amish school-children is connected to a suicide note in which he claims to have been a molester, it really does seem this nation is deviant from bottom to top.

Posted by gtash at October 3, 2006 03:43 PM

As if the Democrats were clever and daring enough to have arranged the Foley debacle. They haven't had that kind of low-down saavy since LBJ.

I wonder how Denny would explain how the Democrats tricked him into having 3 (or is it 4 now?) different versions of his story over the weekend. Just like those evil Dems to have held their mind-control powers in reserve until now, I guess.

Oh, and annie, several reports have described Foley as 'single', in that wink-wink 'we mean gay' way.

Posted by biggerbox at October 3, 2006 03:52 PM

As numerous people have pointed out, I wish the Democrats were competent enough to pull off something like this as Hastert charges. Alas, we know that ain't the case. (Nice try, GOP. But in this case, your ability to beat the Democrats into gutless submission is backfiring on you.)

Posted by phil from new york at October 3, 2006 03:58 PM

"So which GOP House member was sitting next to Mark Foley in 2003?" The guy looking over at Foley's blackberry with his hand in his pocket might be on C-Span tapes.

Foley's attorney, Roth, has just disclosed that Mark was molested by a clergyman when he was 15 thru 17. Well that takes him off the hook! And if the clergyman was a democrat, I guess that does make it a cheap election trick.

Posted by TIKI AL at October 3, 2006 03:59 PM

The 'it's an election year stunt by the Dems' talking point is ludicrous on its face, given that we now know that the Republican leadership knew about it at least a year ago, and major news organizations for several months at least. It wouldn't be happening right now, if they'd only done the right thing when they had a chance, right?

Furthermore, I think more pressure should be placed on the Republican leadership for an explanation of their role as an enabler for Foley's sexual predations by allowing him to remain as co-chair of the Caucus for Missing and Exploited Children, even after this evidenced surfaced, which followed years of questionable (to say the least) behavior.

Finally, isn't it just precious to see the 'party of accountability' play Twister with itself to avoid accepting any responsibility? Way to go fellas--nice 'leadership!'

Posted by cheSF at October 3, 2006 05:10 PM

"I love how Hastert and Co. are saying this is a Democratic smear job. Come on, boys, we didn't make Foley talk dirty to teenage boys."

Ann, that is percisely why it won't fly.

Posted by Judith at October 3, 2006 05:17 PM

And closer to home, what about our favorite Cali Closet Case?

Things have been looking up for accused child molester Jeffrey Ray Nielsen, the 36-year-old Christian conservative activist and lawyer with close ties to Republican Congressman Dana Rohrabacher and Scott Baugh, head of the Orange County Republican Party. Police say Nielsen took a 14-year-old Westminster boy as his sex partner in 2003 and maintained a huge cache of man-boy pornography.

check out Digby for the details...

Posted by cheSF at October 3, 2006 05:23 PM

And closer to home, what about our favorite Cali Closet Case?

check out Digby for the details...

Posted by cheSF at October 3, 2006 05:24 PM

"co-chair of the Caucus for Missing and Exploited Children"

CheSF, it is also interesting that the media fails time and time again to mention this fact. I suppose they don't want to remind the masses of this part of the story. I also hear that John Walsh is angry, as he was involved with Foley on children's issues and liked him.

Posted by Judith at October 3, 2006 05:25 PM

Why hasn't Foley been arrested?

Posted by Judith at October 3, 2006 05:56 PM

waynemadsenreport is saying Hastert had a little run in with under age prostitutes himself back on the late 70's or early 80's. Bush the first has had rumor's following him. Maybe that's why so many now are covering up for Foley. Widespread in the once grand old party. Seems like Bush thumbs his nose at US. Bolton hates the UN..He is the ambassador..Foley heads up Missing and exploited children's commitee. He likes underage boys. How high up does this go? Torture that is going on now has a lot of home erotica overtones. Jeff Gannon in the WH press corpse for 2 years and nobody notices. Do you have to be scuzzy to rise to power with the Cabal running our country?

Posted by molly at October 3, 2006 06:12 PM

Judith, I have no idea what John Walsh's politics are, but I do believe he is sincere in his cause. I hope that his silence cannot be bought or coerced, and that he will speak out against this abomination!

Posted by cheSF at October 3, 2006 08:05 PM

Christopher, I have tried to find out if he has made a comment on the scandal. Someone told me today that he was angry, because he had worked closely with Foley on the new laws pertaining to predators, and liked him considerably. I think John is a very dedicated and sincere individual, and I would think this scandal would rock his world.

You know, it all fits together. Good article on the Franklin Scandal.

The Franklin Scandal Tried in Civil Court

http://www.the7thfire.com/Politics%20and%20History/Bonacci_vs_King-Franklin_Scandal.htm

Posted by Judith at October 3, 2006 09:03 PM

I'm sorry, that was to you CheSF.

Posted by Judith at October 3, 2006 09:04 PM

Foley's excuses (gimmicks) for why he is a predator:

1. I am gay

2. I am an alcoholic

3. I was sexually abused

4. I have "behavioral problems"

Let me add one more:

5. I am a dirty old man who likes young boy meat.

Posted by Judith at October 3, 2006 09:21 PM

Let me add one more:

5. I am a dirty old man who likes young boy meat.

6. I never had any of them at my house except for a few cocktails.

7. I never had sex with one unless they were drunk.

8. Hey, all the other republi-cons do it.

9. When I'm out of treatment I plan to turnover a new Page in my life (thnx, Dave).

Posted by phidipides at October 4, 2006 07:36 AM

"9. When I'm out of treatment I plan to turnover a new Page in my life."

Let me add one more:

10. My new plan is to not get caught next time.

Posted by Judith at October 4, 2006 08:50 AM