Posted on 10/11/2006 9:04:02 AM PDT by IrishMike
There were all sorts of things Republicans could have done last week to better handle the fallout from the Mark Foley scandal. They could have taken responsibility immediately for their mishandling of the initial warnings about Foley. They could have had key staff and members of Congress — probably Rep. John Shimkus, the head of the page board — resign over the mistakes. They could have avoided all the internal sniping and appointed a respected outsider to get to the bottom of the facts. They did none of that, and it has made their position much weaker than it had to be in the ongoing firestorm. But there is no fixing that now, and only one option for the party going forward: to fight back, and fight back hard. No more defensiveness, no more mumbled explanations, no more apologies. This doesn’t mean Republicans should flail around with unproven theories of how Democrats have been pushing the story. Instead, it’s time for righteous indignation, one of the most powerful forces in politics when properly applied.
Republicans should say, “Yes, of course we wish we had found out sooner about Foley’s perversion, but there was no question of his staying as soon as it become clear what he was doing, and we resent any attempt to smear our party with the disgusting wrongdoing of one twisted man.”
They should contrast their treatment of Foley — who left after it became clear he had been sending sexual messages to pages — with the Democrats’ tolerance of former congressman Gerry Studds (who had sex with a 17-year-old male page), current congressman Barney Frank (who had a relationship with a male prostitute who ran a prostitution ring out of his apartment), and Bill Clinton (who had oral sex with an intern in the Oval Office).
(Excerpt) Read more at article.nationalreview.com ...
just look at this Top Ten list from Rush's sight:
10. Sen. Daniel Inouye. The 82-year-old Hawaii Democrat was accused in the 1990s by numerous women of sexual harassment. Democrats cast doubt on the allegations and the Senate Ethics Committee dropped its investigation.
9. Former Rep. Gus Savage. The Illinois Democrat was accused of fondling a Peace Corps volunteer in 1989 while on a trip to Africa. The House Ethics Committee decided against disciplinary action in 1990.
8. Rep. Barney Frank. The outspoken Massachusetts Democrat hired a male prostitute who ran a prostitution service from Frank’s residence in the 1980s. Only two Democrats in the House of Representatives voted to censure him in 1990.
7. Former Sen. Brock Adams. The late Washington Democrat was forced to stop campaigning after numerous accusations of drugging, assault and rape, the first surfacing in 1988.
6. Former Rep. Fred Richmond. This New York Democrat was arrested in 1978 for soliciting sex from a 16-year-old. He remained in Congress and won re-election—before eventually resigning in 1982 after pleading guilty to tax evasion and drug possession.
5. Former Rep. John Young. The late Texas Democrat increased the salary of a staffer after she gave in to his sexual advances. The congressman won re-election in 1976 but lost two years later.
4. Former Rep. Wayne Hays. The late Ohio Democrat hired an unqualified secretary reportedly for sexual acts. Although he resigned from Congress, the Democratic House leadership stalled in removing him from the Administration Committee in 1976.
3. Former Rep. Gerry Studds. He was censured for sexual relationship with underage male page in 1983. Massachusetts voters returned him to office for six more terms.
2. Former Rep. Mel Reynolds. The Illinois Democrat was convicted of 12 counts of sexual assault with a 16-year-old. President Bill Clinton pardoned him before leaving office.
1. Sen. Teddy Kennedy. The liberal Massachusetts senator testified in defense of nephew accused of rape, invoking his family history to win over the jury in 1991.10. Sen. Daniel Inouye. The 82-year-old Hawaii Democrat was accused in the 1990s by numerous women of sexual harassment. Democrats cast doubt on the allegations and the Senate Ethics Committee dropped its investigation.
Maybe Clinton paid Lewinsky off to take the spotlight because in reality, maybe a different person was in the Oval Office one night...
I reject that premise. Democrats knew more than Republicans. Democrats sat on it. Democrats have used this for political gain. Foley resigned as soon as it came out. Republicans, as a group, have nothing to apologize for.
I say we fight back hard and say THAT.
Heehee...
Just do what Shays did.
Say is it really as bad as a sitting senator who killed a woman?
bttt
Are you thinking Hillary and Monica?
Fat chance. Pubbies bring a knife to a gun fight.
I couldn't agree more. Fight back and fight back HARD!
Fight like you are 40 points behind.
Right on, ClearCase.
The good news is that the Democrats and their MSM allies have already overplayed this hand and will continue to flog this dead horse until the "mushy middle" gets thoroughly sick of it and the right is completely energized to strike back.
The best players on the GOP team are the Democrats and the Media.
I was listening to cBS radio news this morning at 0700 and there was no mention of Foley - FINALLY!
Even if he's not reelected that remark is going down in history.
Statement of the day !
Not only should the public be reminded of these cretins but every Pub should put down the 5 issues that the GOP will pursue as a national campaign: 1. conserv court appointees2. border enforcement 3. permanent tax cuts 4. strong military with continued war against Islamofascism 5. deficit reduction via increased tax receipts
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