I agree with your first analysis, that it wasn't that the Rs didn't show up. As to the second, I don't think we've seen that data yet. Maybe, or maybe the Rs voted D. Regardless, it wasn't JUST the WH that "let this happen." Hastert "let it happen" by not kicking out William Jefferson; the Senate "let it happen" by allowing Trent Lott to be driven out of his position, but simultaneously NOT demanding that Francois RESIGN after his comments; and the WH "let it happen" by not demanding a REAL accounting of 9/11 with zero Clinton apologists on the committee. I could go on, but you get my drift.
Each of these set up one-sided attacks against Republicans, without any counterbalance against Dems. There is no way you can put a good spin on Foley; but you could have demanded that other pedophiles on the Dem side get the boot so that in the minds of the public the "corruption" was the same.
Agreed! The Republicans have been acting like they are the minority for the last 6 years! They let the dims and the MSM push them into a corner and frame the debate around Republican failures i.e. 9/11 Clinton failures, Abromhoff, Foley, etc...