# Rep. Mark Foley resigns over e-mails to teenage boys -- repercussions? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [September 30, 2006, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rep-mark-foley-resigns-over-e-mails-to-teenage-boys-repercussions/374735 "2006-09-30T14:28:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2006, 7:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rep-mark-foley-resigns-over-e-mails-to-teenage-boys-repercussions/374735/61 "2006-10-01T07:16:10Z")
_Talking Points Memo_ also has some input far too long and substantial to cut and paste here, the hamsters would never forgive me, they are subtle and quick to anger. [http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/](http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/) A lot more detail about who said what when, and pointing out the contradictions. Way, way too much to reproduce here, but heartily recommended. One excerpt of special interest: > [@](#): > > …I’ve been at this blog racket for almost six years. And usually you’ve got to really pore over the details to find the inconsistencies and contradictions. So I’m not sure I’ve ever seen this big a train wreck where leaders at the highest eschelons of power repeatedly fib, contradict each other and change their stories so quickly. It’s mendacity as performance art; you can see the story unravel in real time. > > Just consider, Denny Hastert has repeatedly said he didn’t know anything about the Foley problem until Thursday. But two members of the leadership – Boehner and Reynolds – say no, they warned him about it months ago. Hastert got Boehner to recant; Reynolds is sticking to his guns… Our story so far: Hastert and Boner are tangled up in each others storyline. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2006, 7:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rep-mark-foley-resigns-over-e-mails-to-teenage-boys-repercussions/374735/62 "2006-10-01T07:45:53Z")
[QUOTE=Wee Bairn] Any chance this will make Republicans more tolerant of homosexuality? [/QUOTE] Stop the jokes, you’re killing me! No way will this make anyone more tolerant. It’s a disgusting story about a man in a position of power harassing teenage boys. The fact that the man happens to be a Republican Congressman won’t make Republicans more tolerant of gays. If he was doing good things and hanging out with conesnting adults, maybe you could say a few people would learn tolerance from this story. I heard about this story on Friday, but the coverup part is new to me. This is getting more and more repugnant. ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2006, 9:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rep-mark-foley-resigns-over-e-mails-to-teenage-boys-repercussions/374735/63 "2006-10-01T09:24:34Z")
[QUOTE=jayjay] That link isn’t going where you think it’s going. [/QUOTE] Oops, here: [GOP Leader Rebuts Hastert on Foley Reynolds: Speaker Knew of E-Mails in Spring](http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/30/AR2006093001265.html) ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2006, 9:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rep-mark-foley-resigns-over-e-mails-to-teenage-boys-repercussions/374735/64 "2006-10-01T09:33:57Z")
[QUOTE=Marley23] …I heard about this story on Friday, but the coverup part is new to me… [/QUOTE] And fast, man, was that _fast!_ First heard the story running some errands onn Friday about 2 pm, little squiggle of a story on the radio, phrased in such a way as to suggest a big deal was being made out of not much. And by the time I got to PBS for my Gwen Ifil fix (hot! hot! _hot!_), he had already resigned! Man, that is _breathtaking_ speed! Whisper, rumor, story, gone! ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2006, 10:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rep-mark-foley-resigns-over-e-mails-to-teenage-boys-repercussions/374735/65 "2006-10-01T10:15:14Z")
The first repurcussion is the effect on Foley’s seat. In order for the GOP to keep the seat, people are going to have to push the button with Foley’s name on it. That isn’t going to be an easy sell. I would be quite surprised if the Republicans hold the seat. How this impacts nationally is going to depend on the scope of the coverup. We will know more as the week wears on, but now it seems like the House leadership is in full damage control mode as it looks more and more like this was an open secret. Should this smell of a widespread coverup by Republicans, then perhaps a handful of closely contested seats will fall into the Democratic column. ---
**Author:** ![Uzi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/91b2a8/32.png) [@Uzi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uzi)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2006, 11:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rep-mark-foley-resigns-over-e-mails-to-teenage-boys-repercussions/374735/66 "2006-10-01T11:39:00Z")
[QUOTE=elucidator] But what if the porn is produced by computer graphics without any actual involvement by children? [/QUOTE] I think it is already illegal. I’m pretty sure it is in Canada although Google is being difficult today, so I can’t find a link. Here’s one for the US, though: [Center for missing and exploited children](http://www.missingkids.com/missingkids/servlet/PageServlet?LanguageCountry=en_US&PageId=2451) I’m sure there are few people in government (in all nations and parties) who are actually there to try and do some good. Now I may not agree with their politics, but I think that is mostly not relevant. I understand they are doing what they think is best and it probably corresponds somewhat to what their constituents want. So, I think there are some ‘good’ republicans right now sitting with their heads in their hands wondering “WTF!”, “Can’t you keep it in your pants for the time you are under the microscope all politicians are subject to?”. I’m sure there were ‘good’ democrats back in Clinton’s day thinking the same thing. And I wonder why the political leaders don’t wake up to the fact that if they get wind of such wrong doings that they should take steps to confirm or deny it using those agencies setup to investigate such matters. We all know what it sounds like with everyone trying to get their stories straight, but wouldn’t it be much better for those same people if they could honestly say that they knew about the rumours and did something about it? I suppose we could assume they are telling the truth, but given past performance in such matters who believes them? Only actions count at this point. ---
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2006, 12:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rep-mark-foley-resigns-over-e-mails-to-teenage-boys-repercussions/374735/67 "2006-10-01T12:53:59Z")
[QUOTE=Uzi] And I wonder why the political leaders don’t wake up to the fact that if they get wind of such wrong doings that they should take steps to confirm or deny it using those agencies setup to investigate such matters. We all know what it sounds like with everyone trying to get their stories straight, but wouldn’t it be much better for those same people if they could honestly say that they knew about the rumours and did something about it? I suppose we could assume they are telling the truth, but given past performance in such matters who believes them? Only actions count at this point. [/QUOTE] What, you mean like GOP leadership saying eleven months ago “this is potentially a criminal violation involving a minor under our care and probably shouldn’t be investigated by people in the accused own party who have a conflict in interest in making sure they don’t get hit with scandal. Being a potentially criminal matter involving a minor, we got the FBI involved immediately.” Nah. Why’d they do that? ---
**Author:** ![Uzi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/91b2a8/32.png) [@Uzi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uzi)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2006, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rep-mark-foley-resigns-over-e-mails-to-teenage-boys-repercussions/374735/68 "2006-10-01T13:06:12Z")
[QUOTE=Dangerosa] Nah. Why’d they do that? [/QUOTE] Probably because they have worse things in their closets to worry about and don’t want to set a precedent. Kind of sad really. ---
**Author:** ![Apos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/838e76/32.png) [@Apos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Apos)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2006, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rep-mark-foley-resigns-over-e-mails-to-teenage-boys-repercussions/374735/69 "2006-10-01T18:26:53Z")
Heard this somewhere, and it’s brilliant: Dennis Hastert says, “No one could have anticipated a breach of the Levi’s”. ---
**Author:** ![Loopydude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e56c9b/32.png) [@Loopydude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loopydude)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2006, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rep-mark-foley-resigns-over-e-mails-to-teenage-boys-repercussions/374735/70 "2006-10-01T18:36:16Z")
Perhaps I’m too jaundiced in my view of the present Republicans in particular, and humanity in genernal, but I think it entirely possible Hastert could survive this…because he’s Dennis Hastert. He can only be censured or otherwise reprimanded if those with the capacity to do so are willing to, which they quite conceivably might not be. At the absolute _least_, the Republicans are going to try to entomb the matter in concrete until after November. The “liberal press” and their take on it matters little or none to the constituents. I see this as an extended period with Excedrin written all over it, for certain, but a career killer? Nah, not if the Republicans keep a majority. ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2006, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rep-mark-foley-resigns-over-e-mails-to-teenage-boys-repercussions/374735/71 "2006-10-01T18:42:31Z")
[QUOTE=Loopydude] I think it entirely possible Hastert could survive this… [/QUOTE] Yeah, all we _know_ he’s done is lie to the American people about a sex scandal. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Apos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/838e76/32.png) [@Apos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Apos)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2006, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rep-mark-foley-resigns-over-e-mails-to-teenage-boys-repercussions/374735/72 "2006-10-01T19:06:29Z")
I think the vast vast vast majority of Americans have no idea who Hastert is. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2006, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rep-mark-foley-resigns-over-e-mails-to-teenage-boys-repercussions/374735/73 "2006-10-01T19:15:28Z")
[QUOTE=Apos] I think the vast vast vast majority of Americans have no idea who Hastert is. [/QUOTE] Hopefully that will change in the next week or two as this story breaks… ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2006, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rep-mark-foley-resigns-over-e-mails-to-teenage-boys-repercussions/374735/74 "2006-10-01T19:55:36Z")
[QUOTE=Apos] Heard this somewhere, and it’s brilliant: Dennis Hastert says, “No one could have anticipated a breach of the Levi’s”. [/QUOTE] Yeah, sure, _someone_ is going to Hell for this atrocious pun, but not you,huh? Just “heard it somewhere”. Sure. Right. Let’s check the reservation list…hmmmm. Yes, here it is, “ **Apos** , Circle Nine, Section 3554, Sub-Section 24443, Roasting Spit 245.” Cya there! So long as we are discussing hilarity ensuing, this from Newt Gangrene on FoxGnaws… > [@](#): > > …Well, you could have second thoughts about it, but I think had they overly aggressively reacted to the initial round, they would have also been accused of gay bashing… (Video available at ThinkProgress, which you should be checking every hour or so anyway…) > **[ThinkProgress](https://thinkprogress.org/)** Droll. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2006, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rep-mark-foley-resigns-over-e-mails-to-teenage-boys-repercussions/374735/75 "2006-10-01T20:05:54Z")
[QUOTE=Squink] Yeah, all we _know_ he’s done is lie to the American people about a sex scandal. 😉 [/QUOTE] He can just call it a “youthful indiscretion” and everything will be fine. ---
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2006, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rep-mark-foley-resigns-over-e-mails-to-teenage-boys-repercussions/374735/76 "2006-10-01T22:56:09Z")
[Denny Hastert asks Justice Department to investigate icky Foley e-mails](http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061001/ap_on_go_co/congressman_e_mails). I’m sure Alberto will leave no stone unturned. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2006, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rep-mark-foley-resigns-over-e-mails-to-teenage-boys-repercussions/374735/77 "2006-10-01T22:59:58Z")
Can anyone say “alternative interrogation methods”? ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2006, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rep-mark-foley-resigns-over-e-mails-to-teenage-boys-repercussions/374735/78 "2006-10-01T23:10:29Z")
“What did the Speaker know, and when did he know it?” Golden oldies… ---
**Author:** ![SCSimmons](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e495f1/32.png) [@SCSimmons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SCSimmons)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2006, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rep-mark-foley-resigns-over-e-mails-to-teenage-boys-repercussions/374735/79 "2006-10-01T23:34:34Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > Frankly, I don’t see how Hastert can survive this . . . [QUOTE=BrainGlutton] [Here’s how:](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dennis_Hastert) Quote: The Congressman from Illinois’s 14th congressional district, John Groteberg, did not run for a second term in the 1986 election due to a terminal illness. Hastert was nominated by a Republican convention to succeed him. He faced Democratic Mary Lou Kearns, the coroner of Kane County. Hastert initially ran a sluggish campaign, but eventually the district’s strong Republican lean (the 14th has been held by Republicans for all but four years since its formation in 1903) prevailed, and Hastert won with 52 percent of the vote. He has never faced another contest nearly that close, winning reelection nine times with more than 70 percent of the vote. As for hanging on to the speakership . . . I rather think he’ll keep it unless the Dems win control of the House. [/QUOTE] I grew up in that district. Hastert’s been their representative in Congress since I was a wee lad–and I ain’t young. Unless he, personally, is found with a dead girl or live boy (as the saying upthread goes), he’ll be their representative as long as he keeps running. I’ve met him–he used to be an upstanding, forthright, reasonably honest politician. Can’t imagine what the hell happened. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2006, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rep-mark-foley-resigns-over-e-mails-to-teenage-boys-repercussions/374735/80 "2006-10-01T23:43:10Z")
He fooled you. No shame in that, that’s what they do. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rep-mark-foley-resigns-over-e-mails-to-teenage-boys-repercussions/374735.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rep-mark-foley-resigns-over-e-mails-to-teenage-boys-repercussions/374735.md?page=5)