It Takes a Sex Scandal("If Democrats can’t win now, they’re doomed to become modern-day Whigs.")

Newsweek ^ | Oct 3, 2006 | Howard Fineman

[kellynla]

An Iraq war that has cost us nearly half trillion dollars—and the good will of the world—might not have done it. Runaway federal spending that allowed the national debt to reach $8.5 trillion might not have done it. George Bush’s low approval ratings, the lack of comprehensive immigration reform, the historical pattern of an anti-incumbent “six-year itch” in presidencies, the cascade of stories about administration ineptitude and dissembling and congressional financial and lobbying corruption—none of these issues seemed destined to end the Republicans’ 12 year reign in Congress.

Then came the Foley Scandal. If the Democrats can’t take the Hill now, they deserve to go the way of the Whigs.

Real Americans outside the Beltway don’t look at politics the way we do here. I call Washington the Cave of the Sightless Fish: we hear everything, see nothing.

In the real world, families don’t care about abstract “investigations” into “who knew what when.” While the Beltway is trying to figure out whether Speaker Denny Hastert can save his job (he is dangling by thread), the real world is focused on children: in this case, the 16-year-old congressional pages.

[chiller]

f voting Republican this election ensures this immoral crop is destroyed, vote Republican.

Thank you, thank you, thank you for reminding us of what must happen and what I've been after for years; the destruction of this immoral bunch of FPOS. CRUSH 'EM. I'M HACKED OFF !

[Gordongekko909]

This isn't much of a sex scandal. There's no sex.

[seasoned traditionalist]

What's this? I thought the Dems were ahead and taking the House was a cinch and winning the Senate was a likely prospect! What's this about the Foley scandal putting the Dems over the top? Is the MSM admitting the Dems didn't have it sewn up before? I'm so confused!

I'm not. The MSM has been "suggesting" and hoping for a sweep in both chambers for weeks/months now.

They were secretly hoping that the "power of suggestions" would work and so many Conservatives/Republicans (Yes, there is a difference) would just give up and stay home.

However, the pols (both external and internal) began to worry the Dims and they had to resort to their usual bag of sleaze/slime/dirty tricks.

Even with all this, I'm cautiously optimistic (somewhat akin to the feeling I had in 04 just before W beat "The Snake) that we will eke out a slight victory and keep control of the House and Senate.

With regards to the the RATS, its apparent that they are at the point of pushing the:

[antonico]

I wish it was that simple - we both know conservatives never would vote for democrats. But the Liberals know what they knew in 2000, 2002 & 2004 - they MUST get rid of conservative votes. Their goal here is to get us digusted with ours so we stay home, which is the only way they can be helped.

And talk about hypocrites? Foley has to quit? What about the scandals regarding Murtha (ABSCAM), Jefferson (Cash In Freezer); McKinney (Assault - voters fired her, not the Dem Leadership) and Frank, Studds, et.al.? None of these ever resigned, or was even asked to by the Dimwit Leadership. These people are insane.

Interesting their method is the same: in 2000, call Florida for Gore with Bush voters in the panhandle still voting; 2002 & 2004 - send out ringers to over-inflate "exit polls" to try to suppress Republican Turn Out. This scandal crap is more of the same. NOW is the time we need to understand their motives, and flock to voting booths en masse election day.

[frankjr]

Thanks to Bill Clinton, this so-called sex scandal seems pretty tame.

[Bahbah]

If they [the emails]were so benign why did they warn Foley to have no further contact with the boy in question?

Because the parents requested it, Howard.

And if they did warn Foley, why didn’t they launch an investigation?

Because there was nothing on which to launch an investigation as determined by several news organizations and the FBI. Howard, you are a dishonest hack. Have you no shame????

[proxy_user]

"....the real world is focused on children: in this case, the 16-year-old congressional pages.

Why should we care about them? They knew the score, and knew how to tell Foley to get lost. They're 16, not 6.

This is what every young person should know, and be taught. If an older man or woman comes on to you, give him or her the brushoff.

[what's up]

The dims October surprise

Can't wait to see what surprise Rove has up his sleeve in the next week or two.

Dims are finished.

[TexanToTheCore]

although much is being made of this today, it appears to me that it isn't going to go anywhere. I think we are handling it well.

Just like a Democrat to try to make hay over scandal that features part of the mai agenda for the Demo party: Homosexual rights.

[Billthedrill]

I do find it amusing that the author anticipates first winning on the strength of an attempted buggery scandal and only then explaining what the Democrats' policies actually are. If any. It doesn't strike me as particularly politically astute, and its implication, that the former is truly somehow more important than the latter, is frightening.

[okie01]

If the Democrats can’t take the Hill now, they deserve to go the way of the Whigs.

Is this Howard Fineman's way of saying, on behalf of the MSM, "We've done everything we could do. Now, you're going to have to get votes"?

I don't think I've ever seen a pre-packaged scandal with its own marketing campaign before.

[Soul Seeker]

A week ago I wasn't going to vote for my Republican Congressman because he supports amnesty.

Obviously I've done a 180.

The Dems can be thanked for that. They let a pedophile remain in office at the expense of the safety of kids all for a political stunt. They've seriously ticked me off.

Everyone vote Republican. Fund Republicans. Recruit votes for Republicans. Not for them precisely, but because one political party (Democrats) did something so low..so immoral they need to be banished from the political spectrum.

[John Lenin]

These idiots think this is going to change the election, it isn't. The RATS have no message other than 'were not Bush' and there is a war going on. RATS will be in for a big disappointment come day after the election.

[Let's Roll]

Correct me if I'm wrong on my timeline (I can't be off more than a day or so) but I think Foley resigned over the weekend.

TODAY, I get the usual smarmy recorded phone message from "Family Values Inc" or some such organization, telling me that Speaker Hastert and other Repulican leaders have protected a child molester.

And they insist this wasn't coordinated?

No Family Values hack, whoever sat on the IMs for months or years was protecting a child molester.

[finnman69]

Howie just sounds a little worried.

[John Lenin]

the real world is focused on children: in this case, the 16-year-old congressional pages.

[TexanToTheCore]

Is it just me or has this scadal just gone lame?

I think this was the big October surprise and it looks to me as if it is trying to walk on three legs.

[kellynla]

"What hypocrisy"

Exactly!

the same Nancy Pelosi who is faking her outrage today ENDORSED Gary Condit for reelection!

And Congressman Gerry Studds was involved with a 17-yr. old male. And the 'Rats did not demand his removal. In fact, Studds went on to be REELECTED!

not to forget Ted Kennedy & Barney Franks!

So this faux outrage by the 'Rats falls on DEAF EARS!

[okie01]

If Foley were a Democrat and it was Pelosi calling the shots, I wonder how Howard Fineman would recommend she play it...

[Mr. Buzzcut]

Right, Middle America will respond to this scandal by voting in droves for the pro-gay party.

Who knows -- if the Dems take over someday Foley's predations might be perfectly legal!