NYT: Former Pages Describe Foley as Caring Ally

[jefferson_dem]

October 2, 2006
Former Pages Describe Foley as Caring Ally
By RACHEL L. SWARNS

<SNIP>

But despite Mr. Foley’s warm demeanor, two former pages said they later became aware that the lawmaker might have a darker side. Mr. McDonald said rumors flew about sexually explicit Internet conversations between Mr. Foley and several pages who had left the program. “I was disgusted, but I was not surprised when these revelations started circulating,” Mr. McDonald said.

<SNIP>

Matthew Loraditch, who worked as a page with Ms. Gallo and Mr. McDonald in 2001 and 2002, said a supervisor had once casually mentioned that Mr. Foley “was odd” and that he later saw sexually explicit text messages that Mr. Foley had sent to two former pages after they left the program.

But Mr. Loraditch said he was never warned by program supervisors to stay away from him. “He was friendly,” said Mr. Loraditch, who maintains a Web site for alumni and attends Towson University in Maryland. “He would talk to us more than some other members would.”

The relationship between Mr. Foley and pages in the class of 2001 and 2002 was so close that he stood up on the floor of the House to commend the young men and women for their service. In that speech, Mr. Foley noted that his eyes were welling with tears and that many of the young pages were weeping. He mentioned several of the high school students by name, describing a handwritten note to celebrate one young man’s graduation and a lunch with another at Morton’s steak house.

“You all have proven without a doubt that you are not only courageous Americans but wonderful young people,” Mr. Foley said on June 6, 2002. “I salute you and I thank you and I hope you will join me too in saluting everyone in the page program that has made this year a resounding, phenomenal learning experience and success for you. God bless you all.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/02/washington/02pages.html?hp&ex=1159761600&en=84ba552ce1390908&ei=5094&partner=homepage

[Straight Shooter]

1. Ted Bundy was described as a nice guy by the people he didn't kill. n/t

[kestrel91316]

7. And he was probably nice to the people he killed, too, until

he had them right where he wanted them.

[Straight Shooter]

8. You're right.

He charmed everybody. That's why he got away with it for so long. Plus he had smarts.

[MannyGoldstein]

2. No Question About It

He had their back...

[daleo]

3. Other than that, how did you like the play Mrs. Lincoln? n/t

[grytpype]

4. That Foley is one sick mother.

He's like some demented Scoutmaster.

He sure did tend to take jobs that would put in him contact with the pages.

[Matariki]

5. Why did he call them 'courageous' for working in Congress?

Oh yeah. There are wolves like him in congress.

[kestrel91316]

6. "Mr. Foley’s warm demeanor" - uh, NYT, that's called

flirting by some and grooming by others. Whether it was also what's known as groping remains to be seen.

Just like "overly friendly". Deliberate understatement.