The exchange occured in the Fall during an election (you don't have elections in the early Spring.)
Where did you get the idea he was 18 at the time of the exchange. Look again.
You really want to believe that he was under 18, don't you.
Why?
Where do you get that the IMs occured in the Fall and during an election? Do you mean because Foley referenced needing to go vote? That refers to his needing to go vote on the floor of the House, as in voting for legislation. Maybe you are referring to something I don't know about. In any event, no one is dating these IMs as going back to 2002 which was the last election prior to 2003.
Just can't give up, huh?
RTFA.
"The exchange occured in the Fall during an election (you don't have elections in the early Spring.)"
A lot of primary elections happen in the spring.