Posted on 10/04/2006 6:38:58 AM PDT by pabianice
In a curious way, the former Rep. Mark Foley (R-Fla.) scandal will be to the Republican congressional leadership what the Monica Lewinsky imbroglio was to the Clinton presidency.
After all the boring scandals — Whitewater, Hillary’s investments, Paula Jones, Travelgate, the FBI files, the Rose Law Firm’s billing records — the Lewinsky scandal seared into everyone’s consciousness. Those who failed to read the many volumes of Whitewater documents published by The Wall Street Journal or who despaired of following the paper trail that led to the Travel Office firings could easily grasp the simple facts of Clinton’s dalliance with Monica. Nothing complicated. Nothing subtle. Easy to understand. And so the Clintonian penchant for scandal became universally known and has been an enduring part of his legacy.
Now, after the lobbyist travel scandal and the Abramoff favors for legislators and the growth of earmarking and the financial scandals that have faced Reps. Randy “Duke” Cunningham (R-Calif.), Alan Mollohan (D-W.Va.), Jerry Lewis (R-Calif.), Bob Ney (R-Ohio) and a host of others, there is finally a simple sex scandal for everyone to focus upon. Nothing complicated about this one either.
It is not that the voters believe that all congressmen are child molesters, nor is it the details of what Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) knew, and when he knew it, that makes this scandal so important. Its centrality stems from the sheer arrogance and hypocrisy it demonstrates both on the part of Foley himself and his colleagues who hushed up the affair until it burst onto the public stage.
One more pious member of the Moral Majority, one more legislator who makes a career out of fighting for “values” and crusading to protect children turns out to be a hypocrite and an abuser himself!
One more congressman, a sponsor of legislation to help children, a member of the caucus on abused and exploited children, has abused and exploited them himself. The gap between what Foley professes and what Foley did is so huge that you can sink the entire Republican majority in both houses into the gap.
And once again, the arrogant leaders of the Congress circled the wagons and looked the other way to avoid investigating or even recognizing the child abuser in their midst.
The details don’t matter much. Who really cares if Hastert only knew that Foley had asked a kid for his photograph or if he knew more about the e-mails that were flying around. And who cares if the Democrats had their own part in the scandal by taking no action and protecting a colleague until right before the election?
None of that really matters.
What is important is that all of the venality and hypocrisy, so evident when congressmen hire their wives or freeload on trips paid for by lobbyists or cram the budget with unjustified earmarks or encourage their sons and daughters to become highly paid lobbyists cashing in on their special access — all of those misdeeds, have suddenly acquired a poster boy: Rep. Foley!
Rep.Tom Delay’s (R-Texas) misdeeds are far too boring, in the same way that Whitewater was boring. The paper trail is hard to follow and the accusations murky.
But there is nothing murky about what Foley did and the voters will find the story interesting and easy to follow. Despite this, however, it is not Foley who is sinking his party. Its own misdeeds have already sunk it.
Bill and Monica. Foley and the pages. What we are watching now is the vindication of Karl Marx’ comment that history repeats itself — the first time as tragedy, the second time as farce.
Well okay then. FReepers from the above states need to get busy and inform their friends and neighbors of what the alternative will look like for America. VOTE REPUBLICAN.
Actually, a lot of American League pitchers have batting averages courtesy of interleague play and postseason games - they are usually worse than National League pitchers, who have to bat on a more regular basis.
That being said, I think we agree on the toe-sucker's prognostication ability or lack thereof ;-)
I have been asking around work, my friends, and family ...
I get one response and one response only :
"WHo is Mark Foley?"
That was followed by this from about half
"Big deal he is not my congressman."
We may have a winner!!!!
Comments section, post #6
http://polipundit.com/wp-comments-popup.php?p=15288&c=1#comments
FYI, you may have heard this, but Selena Zito with the Pittsburgh Tribune Review (I’m pretty sure that’s right) called in on a local (Birmingham,Alabama) talk radio program this morning. She said a major story might
break today that a high ranking Democrat knew about the Foley matter and she hinted there was coordination with ABC, probably through George Stephanopoulos to release the story. (Not taking away from what a disgusting creep Foley is, but considering the reaction by the Dems to the
story, this would look pretty bad for them IMO). Zito said she had a few more facts to verify, she does not want to report anything until she’s absolutely certain.
She also said other “outings” would most likely occur before the election
and would further hurt the Republicans although she said Democrats would
probably be affected as well.
I’m paraphrasing what she said, this is basically the gist of it. When the
talk radio host asked when this might come out, she said he would be her
second phone call.
November 4, 2002 -- In a number of key U.S. Senate contests, it appears that Democrats have gained a decisive advantage in their efforts to expand their lead in the upper chamber.
According to polling completed Saturday night by John Zogby (the most accurate of published pollsters), Senate contests in Arkansas, Colorado, Minnesota, New Jersey and South Dakota have moved sharply toward the Democratic candidates in recent days. Here's the rundown:
Colorado: In a rematch of their contest six years ago, Democrat Tom Strickland has broken out of a 41-40 tie to amass a 53-44 lead over Republican incumbent Wayne Allard.
I think that Mr. Allard pulled out a victory.
South Dakota: Endangered Democratic incumbent Tim Johnson appears to have salvaged his seat from a strong challenge by Republican Congressman John Thune. Trailing 43-45 two weeks ago, Johnson now leads by a comfortable 52-47.
I think Johnson won this race by a razor-thin margin.
Minnesota: Despite the pep rally at Sen. Paul Wellstone's funeral, Walter Mondale has clung to a 50-45 lead over the GOP's Norm Coleman.
Oh yea, Senator Mondale!
Missouri: Democratic incumbent Jean Carnahan has stormed back from a 41-47 deficit to take a 49-48 razor-thin lead over GOP Rep. Jim Talent. She could still lose, but she's in strong shape.
Okay...
In Georgia, Republican Rep. Saxby Chambliss is locked in an unexpected 49-49 tie with Democratic incumbent Max Clelland.
This one wasn't nearly that close
On the other hand, the possible GOP upset in Georgia is offset by a late Democratic surge in Texas, where the GOP seat is endangered by a massive gain by Democrat Ron Kirk who is now at 48 percent nipping on the heels of Republican.
That sure turned out to be a squeaker...NOT
Oh my. It seems to me that within days this scandal will fall into the laps of the ones who blew it wide open: The gay lobby on Capitol Hill who are all for gay marriage and adoption. (so to speak)
Dick, go away.
Amazing that such a clear and concise point can sail so far over the heads of all the talking faces inside the Washington Beltway. Congressional elections are local. I don't choose who I vote for in Colorado based on the actions of some idiot in Florida. If Nancy Pelosi suddenly announced abortion was evil, same-sex marriage an abomination, it was time for the US to pull out of the UN, and Rush Limbaugh should be required listening in all high school civics classes...I still wouldn't vote for the democrat in my district, and I'd still crawl over broken glass to vote for the Republican who happens to share most of my values.
Even if the midterm elections were a national forum, the Democrats have given voters nothing to vote for. Nothing. Can anyone name a single issue the democrat party has announced a definitive plan on? People don't crawl over broken glass to vote against someone. And they don't decide not to vote because some politician they've never even heard of until a week ago turns out to be a freak. Washington is the political Beverly Hills of this country. It's full of big headed, self-absorbed clueless wonders who are hanging on by their fingertips to some vestige of a hope that the American public still takes them seriously. Meanwhile, in the daily election of American choice, both movie receipts and MSM finances are in a freefall. Go figure.
The ONLY Nail that Morris knows about is a TOE NAIL!!!
We need to stop blaming the messenger. I blame Foley. What he did was unconscionable. He may cost the GOP the House. What a dumbass sicko. No respect for himself or us, the GOP loyalists, to so abuse his position in the manner he did. It's just infuriating.
Well put. I haven't seen any evidence that Foley actually had sex with anybody. In Washington, DC, the age of consent is 16. When having sex with a 16-year-old is legal, are we to believe that talking dirty to a 17-year-old is a crime? Definitely cheesy, but criminal?
Ohmigawd! And what exactly did he do: exchanged salacious IMs with a minor and he has now resigned. I don't see this either having any legs or affecting the entire Republican House and Senate slates. So far it's been a tempest in a teapot, unless there is some really damaging info still being withheld.
Is there a word for the male form of "wh**e"?
Best to remind everyone that it is not enough to simply go vote. You must determine the vulnerable districts, even if they are not your own, and find ways to contribute there -- either with money or volunteer time or both.
Defiant voting is not enough this year. We have to work the phones.
TX, The Ron Kirk PC flavor of the month is similar to the bogus Harold Ford polls in TENN. It is all liberal fantasy.
I agree Owen, already on it.
You know, when you turn on the lights, you'll be amazed at the number of cockroaches scuttling for cover!
http://gatewaypundit.blogspot.com/2006/10/get-your-lawyers-foleygate-scandal.html
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