It did happen. But what happened? Improper comments were made but there was no request to meet for sex and no sex actually occurred. No nude photos exchanged.
Depending on the community from which the IMs originated (age of consent in DC is 16) there may have been nothing illegal about a relationship between the couple, no matter how distasteful it may be (homosexual, age disparity, mentor/student relationship).
The Democrats are trying to use this story to go after GOP leadership. They are not just attacking Foley. So it is "not over".
Democrats are claiming "Republicans knew and did nothing". Hassart has said he had not seent he IMs. This Democrat claims to have possessed the IMs and "did nothing". Blows the DNC talking points out of the water.
Next to discover is how where these messages obtained? Page who turned them over for evidence or hacker snooping around?