The Page Scandal

In late 2005, Rep Mark Foley (R-FL) had sexual email and instant messager conversations with a 16 year old male page. Foley resigned yesterday.

It seems Republican House leadership knew of this almost a year ago. "Chairman of the House Page Board, Rep. John Shimkus (R-IL) interviewed Foley last year about some of the contacts with the page. The House clerk, who is also a member of the Board, was also present. Speaker Hastert's office was informed of the interview, but according to GOP leadership sources who spoke to Roll Call, Hastert himself was not informed."

Yesterday, House Majority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) told the Washington Post, he had learned of Foley's behavior this spring and that he told House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-IL) then. Today Boehner he changed his story saying he couldn't remember if he told Hastert. Think Progress has a timeline.

Apparently at the time, Republicans choose not to punish Foley in any way. Sounds like the Catholic Church doesn't it? Oh and the only Democrat on the House Page Board (Dale Kildee, D-MI), wasn't told about any of this. The House Ethics Committee is now investigating the whole thing, but they've done next to nothing lately.

said Rep. Mark Foley, R-FL Sep 1998 on Bill Clinton: "It's vile, It's more sad than anything else, to see someone with such potential throw it all down the drain because of a sexual addiction." In the House, Foley was one of the foremost opponents of child pornography.

With Foley giving up his seat, it seems the Democrats have a better chance to win another seat in the House.