Posted on 02/04/2011 5:31:12 AM PST by icwhatudo
Former Republican U.S. Rep. Mark Foley, a pariah with many in the GOP after he abruptly resigned in a 2006 Internet sex scandal, is slowly regaining acceptance with some local Republicans.
Foley spoke to a Palm Beach County Young Republicans meeting last week -- his first time headlining a GOP event since his resignation -- and on Tuesday he introduced new U.S. Rep. Allen West, R-Plantation, at the grand opening of West's district office in West Palm Beach.
Foley's resignation over sexually charged e-mails to male former congressional pages came less than six weeks before the 2006 midterm elections. Many Republicans said Foley's disgrace contributed to the Democratic wave that swept away GOP control of the House and Senate that year.
There was criticism when the Young Republicans announced via Twitter and Facebook that Foley would be speaking at last week's meeting in West Palm Beach.
"Have you people lost your minds?" one critic tweeted.
But Young Republicans President Jackie Fay said Foley was a hit.
"He was amazing. Charismatic. He has a great message and touched on so many different things and seamlessly did it," Fay said. "He's enthralling to listen to."
Foley has been reentering the public spotlight over the past year. He launched a talk radio show last year and flirted with a run for the nonpartisan mayor's office in West Palm Beach. He also was on the host committee last year for a fund-raiser for Republican Sharon Merchant's failed state Senate bid.
His recent speaking invitations represent a more visible partisan presence for the former congressman.
"It obviously feels good to have people care enough to ask me to do it," Foley said.
Palm Beach County GOP Chairman Sid Dinerstein was among Foley's harshest critics after his 2006 resignation and publicly urged Foley not to run for mayor in West Palm Beach. Dinerstein said he'd rather not see Foley run for office again ("Google never forgets," Dinerstein said), but wishes him well personally.
"He remains very charming and engaging," said Dinerstein, who attended the West office opening where Foley spoke. "The anger that I had for about two years is gone."
What? Is the GOP a section of Hollywood now where people who totally ruin their careers are foisted on the public time and time again?
I’m shocked that West would allow himself to be seen in the same room with him.
For the GOP to ID itself with that pervert is monumentally idiotic.
Rep. West... please... step away from the perv.
The Stupid Party lives up to its name and reputation.
A resounding NO.
Mark Foley..you mean the man who helped pelosi become speaker..no thank you..
Is jackie fay gay, sure sounds like it.
I agree 100%. It is very disturbing that West would be in any way associated with this disgusting pervert who helped make Pelosi Speaker of the House. I would have expected this from some Republicans, but not West.
If Colonel West has any teenage sons, I hope he knows to keep them away from Foley.
Seems like the GOP is determined to blow it and hand congress back to the Socialists.
Well, let’s give him a piece of our minds.
West is new to politics but I can’t believe he doesn’t know Foley’s rep.
https://west.house.gov/contact-me
>> Mark Foley... regaining acceptance with some local Republicans
That’s utterly insane.
The republican party is darn near as rotten as the ‘rats.
‘and on Tuesday he introduced new U.S. Rep. Allen West, R-Plantation,’ -—————
OUTRAGEOUS
I was so outraged at the use of George Bennett saying Alan West of the R-Plantation...I called, oh yeah!
Well, let’s give him a piece of our minds.
West is new to politics but I can’t believe he doesn’t know Foley’s rep.
https://west.house.gov/contact-me
-—————————How about contacting the racist who printed that he’s from the “R-Plantation”......the person who put this tripe out there, his name is George Bennett.
ALL gays should come out of their closets. Otherwise, they are just like so called “moderate muslims”, refusing to stand up for their so called convictions.
If being gay is just another lifestyle (choice, in my opinion), then stand up for what you believe. It is possible to be a gay Republican or even a Conservative. While I disapprove of homosexuality (on religious grounds) it's none of my business what goes on in their bedroom, nor theirs in mine.
If gays really believe that homosexuality is genetic and that there is nothing wrong with being gay, then why hide in the closet?
If Foley wants to align himself with the liberal gay agenda, then his attempt to return to politics should be opposed. He shouldn't be opposed just because he is gay.
Did George Bennett say that Congressman West was from an “R Plantation” or did he merely state that Congressman West’s hometown is Plantation, Florida? Because that’s where the Congressman lives. In articles, it is very common to include a parenthetical with a congressman’s party and town of residence after his name, such as “Mario Díaz-Balart (R-Miami”) or “Alcee Hastings (D-Altamonte).”
I just read the line from the article, and the author clearly was stating what Congressman’s West’s party and hometown are, only he used an appositive instead of a parenthetical:
“on Tuesday he introduced new U.S. Rep. Allen West, R-Plantation, at the grand opening of West’s district office in West Palm Beach”
So, no, the author was not saying that Congressman West was a slave in a Republican plantation.
Oh, I get it-Foley...Blow..haha
That sucks.
Yep.
Give them one month in DC and they turn into instant RINOs.
I’d love to hear his explanation.
GOP=Gay Old Party
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