CNN: Aide: Head of House Democratic Campaign Committee Rahm Emanuel heard of Foley e-mails in 2005

[DeepModem Mom]

Aide: Democrat leader heard of Foley e-mails in 2005
December 9, 2006

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The head of the House Democrats' campaign committee, Rep. Rahm Emanuel, had heard of former Rep. Mark Foley's inappropriate e-mails to a former male page a year before they became public, a campaign committee aide told CNN.

Foley, a Republican, resigned after the scandal broke. House Speaker Dennis Hastert and other Republicans have suggested repeatedly that some Democrats knew about the e-mails earlier than they have acknowledged, but waited till midterm elections approached to bring up the issue.

Emanuel's campaign committee aide said Friday that the Illinois Democrat was informed in 2005, but never saw the correspondence and did not have enough information to raise concerns. The aide said Emanuel took "no action" because his knowledge was "cursory" and little more than "rumor."

The aide's acknowledgement differs from the flat "no" Emanuel gave in October when asked -- during an interview on ABC's "This Week with George Stephanopoulos" -- if he or anyone on his staff knew of the e-mails before the scandal broke.

The e-mails surfaced when House Democratic staffer Matt Miller sent a copy of them to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee's communications director, Bill Burton, in fall 2005, according to an investigative report released Friday.

Burton told Emanuel about the e-mails but did not tell reporters, the aide said....

http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/12/09/foley.emanuel/index.html

[JackBeck]

1. Can we say "October Surprise"?

I always tell people that I like to keep things in the front of the back of my mind, just in case I ever need to play that card.

[Pale Blue Dot]

2. Goodbye Rahm?

I not sure how I feel about this yet, but I believe that if these allegations turn out to be true, then the Democratic leadership needs to deal with this swiftly and decisively.

[KittyWampus]

19. what allegations? That Rahm heard a rumor and had no way to investigate it?

Oh, and if it turns out to be true that your beating your wife, then your family needs to deal with this swiftly...

[Tellurian]

33. Yep, misery loves company..

and if the repukes can make this smear work for them, well then, it's a good thing!

Hastert is 100% responsible for accepting the blame for doing nothing to protect teenage pages.

[No Exit]

3. Wow....

If this story is a shot by repukelicans to try to pretend that their scandals (not only this one, but the Abramoff scandals, too) really weren't outgrowths of their own highly corrupt party, then I hope this story turns out not to be true, and dies a quick death.

But if this is an isolated incidence of a democrat having "known"--the same way numerous republicans "knew"--then I don't care if this story blows up, because I have long viewed Mr. Emanuel with a jaundiced eye.

I don't like his apparent denigration of Howard Dean; I don't like what I heard was his deliberate sabotaging of anti-war candidates; I don't like what I perceive to be his cynical dedication to money, money, money (that is, democratic legislators being in the pocket of "the big money" entities such as bankers, massive corporations, rogue nations, etc. Shouldn't we leave the kowtowing to such entities to the republicans? They're much more suited for it.)

[ellenfl]

4. i am not a rahm fan, either.

however, if he did have concrete evidence and brought it into the open, he would have been accused by the rw of politcizing it. damned if you do and damned if you don't. definitely a no-win situation.

ellen fl

[Kagemusha]

5. The above sounds far from concrete evidence.

Sounds like what would be roundly accused as being a smear with no basis in truth.

[rocktivity]

14. DING DING DING! Kagemusha, you're our grand prize winner!

The above sounds far from concrete evidence.
ROFL--are they SERIOUS??? I thought the Repubs on the page committee didn't tell the Dems out of fear that they might "politicize" the issue! However, a Dem who hears a rumor he can't substantiate should be considered an accessory after the fact? More to the point, can you imagine what the Rethugs and the MSM would have done to Rahm if he HAD tried to investigate the rumors? This story doesn't deserve to be dignified with a response--talk about a weapon of mass distraction!

:rofl:
rocknation

[KittyWampus]

20. what disgusts me are the DU'ers who've already posted and seem almost HAPPY for an opportunity

to throw Rahm under the bus.

And mainly that's because of their cartoon version of political reality. Never mind what Rahm did or didn't do. So many DU'ers just HAVE to have the drama and chance to hate other Democrats.

[Kagemusha]

28. I speak as no fan of Rahm myself but, the guy had nothing here.

I'm not ignorant of the fact that to the extent something was done at all, the story was handed to two Florida newspapers, and THEY sat on it, because they thought they had nothing, too. Not enough, at any rate.

The responsibility to act is of the person who KNOWS something is wrong, not the person who HEARS something MIGHT be wrong, with no real evidence. Pages are under the care of the Speaker, not the head of the campaign committee of the minority party. Wasn't his job, wasn't his insider knowledge, wasn't his fault.

[Kagemusha]

36. FYI for accuracy

Apparently this staffer named Miller is the one who sent the e-mails to the two Florida newspapers. Rahm's media man, a Mr. Burton, who made Rahm AWARE of the e-mails, sat on them completely. Miller sent them to the newspapers above and a little further (for all the good it did him) because he was way too knowledgeful in the ways of Congress to think that the page board or the ethics committee would do squat about them.

My info comes from this blog post below but I'll stay agnostic on the editorial tilt on what Rahm should do. My point is the same - Rahm isn't responsible for the page fiasco, but if he indeed was misleading and mendacious to the public like a "typical politician", that's on him.

http://downwithtyranny.blogspot.com/2006/12/rahm-emanuel-should-resign-from.html

[ellenfl]

31. rahm emanuel, imo, is of the dem machine and, like

most repugs, is more interested in keeping power than listening to the citizens who employ him. again, just my opinion.

i am no fan of the dnc either but i heartily back gov. dean. the dem machinery is NOT our friend . . . again, my opinion.

ellen fl

[No Exit]

6. If he heard something about it, seems it would've behooved him to look into it.

And, considering that Emanuel is a person of considerable cutthroat political savvy, he may have looked into it.

Suppose he did discreetly inquire into what he heard--back in 2005. Judging from what we know now, it seems he would've found a shameful series of attempts by Foley to "groom" underage pages, but not to rape or have sex with underage pages. Is it possible that he then decided that, while Foley's actions were dangerous, the danger had not yet reached its peak? Is it possible that Emanuel (or any other democrat who may have known something in 2005) took a calculated risk to hold his cards, and then helped to time the story to break at the critical moment when it did break?

If that's what happened, I'd have mixed feelings. I have long been thankful that the story happened to break at the particular time that it did: there is no doubt that this Foley matter was a whirlwind which did much to help turn the tide against the repukes, just at a critical moment on the eve of the election. Unlike some others, I haven't been resistant to suggestions that democrats helped break the Foley story: if they did, I applaud them! Dirty tricks? Tough shit, republicans! Republicans DESERVE to be the victims of "dirty tricks".

But if some young page had been seriously hurt by it... obviously that would have been horrible. It doesn't appear that any young page was SERIOUSLY injured by Foley's shenanigans. Foley created a very dangerous situation, but for whatever reason, it seems no page ended up being positively destroyed by the situation. For that, I'm very thankful.

[aquart]

8. How do you propose he read Foley's email?

Really. How do you suggest he should have gone about it?

But thank you for your concern that heaps blame for this scandal on a Dem who merely HEARD something.

How many things do you think are "heard" daily about Dems with no evidence whatsoever?

[No Exit]

9. Pardon me for straying from the "Rah Rah Team!" camp for a moment

and simply trying to speculate about the possible truth or untruth of a news story which was posted above.

The story says there are claims that Emanuel HEARD ABOUT Foley's e-mails to some page or pages. HEARD ABOUT. IF--did you get that?--IF, IF, IF, that is what happened, then maybe the PAGE showed the e-mails to someone who showed them to Emanuel or his staff.

"Foley's e-mail" is not just "Foley's". Obviously, whatever Foley sent via e-mail ended up in SOMEONE ELSE'S e-mail. That someone else was free to show it to whomever he pleased.

I am not accusing Emanuel of anything. I am speculating on whether the article is true or not, and am then extrapolating (from each individual "what if"), in order to speculate as to what might have happened in any of a number of various possible scenarios.

You don't need to come charging at me like "Shock and Awe", to defend Emanuel--that is what you appear to be doing. Do you think I wasn't literally doing a happy dance when democrats took over both houses of congress? I was. Do you think I am not ecstatic about the fact that the repukelican slime/theft machine has finally been curtailed? I am. Emanuel was/is part of the victory. He is not my favorite democrat, but I prefer democrats to republicans. Please, there's no need to go into Rahm-defense overdrive.

[w4rma]

17. The way I see it, the tactics he ended up using got rid of Foley, brought the nation's attention to

the problem and either got rid of or discredited Foley's enablers.

The course that was chosen had the maximum effect and has the best chance of protecting the pages for the longest period of time due to the attention that is being and has been focused on the problem.

[aquart]

7. A rumor he "heard'?

He hadn't read the emails. Had not seen anything concrete. The rumors that fly about congressmen and their proclivities........not uncommon. Without evidence in hand, he would be smearing a poor innocent guy.

Not a fan of Rahm but this is crap.

[jamesinca]

10. I am not a fan of his either

That is putting it mildly for me. I think Madame Speaker Pelosi should run him through the ethics committee. Make him confess to anything he ever did, including saying Howard Dean does not speak for me, or rejection of the 50 states plan. Just sacrifice him!!!!!! Then we can say we are the party of ethics and responsibility. 2 birds one stone, we come out cleaned and we get rid of Rahm. As of now this is still all just rumor, but that is how we show we are serious as a party, we don't wait for an actual crime to occur, we prevent them.

[KittyWampus]

22. Too bad, I hoped you were being sarcastic. With Democrats like you, we don't need any opposition

[Cessna Invesco Palin]

27. Well, thankfully...

...our party is run by adults who would never contemplate such a hideous, counterproductive, vindictive, nonsensical option.

[rebel with a cause]

30. OMG

"Make him confess to anything he ever did,......we don't wait for an actual crime to occur, we prevent them."
I hope you did not really mean this the way it sounds. Just because I don't agree with someone, does not mean I want them destroyed. That is what the people in power are doing. They are arresting people that say they would like to do something and putting them away as if they had done the deed. Maybe you had better watch "Minority Report" again. And "SACRIFICE HIM"! Why are we sacrificing people? Is the media our god that we have to sacrifice someone to them so they will spare us?

Rahm is not one of my favorite people, and he is from my home state, but I believe in doing what I think is right, not what will make me look good. :rant:

[jamesinca]

11. I am not a fan of his either

That is putting it mildly for me. I think Madame Speaker Pelosi should run him through the ethics committee. Make him confess to anything he ever did, including saying Howard Dean does not speak for me, or rejection of the 50 states plan. Just sacrifice him!!!!!! Then we can say we are the party of ethics and responsibility. 2 birds one stone, we come out cleaned and we get rid of Rahm. As of now this is still all just rumor, but that is how we show we are serious as a party, we don't wait for an actual crime to occur, we prevent them.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

21. unfortunately,

I agree with you. I just don't like DLC-Rahm trying to hijack our nomination process for president. BUt, you are right. There is not even a whisp of smoke here, much less fire.

[AtomicKitten]

12. Oh, dear God NO!

This alleged scandal involving Rahm Emanuel is so heinous, so egregious to our delicate sensibilities that it surely outweighs in gravity the Foley underage page cyber-diddling and the fact that the Republicans covered it up.

Thank God for such top-notch investigative journalism.

[KingFlorez]

13. Are they that bitter and desperate?

No one knew a darn thing but the GOP leadership and they know it, this is just their way of trying to retaliate.

[rodeodance]

15. darn darn darn

[brentspeak]

16. If I didn't know better, from the way this article is written, you'd think that

it was Emanuel himself who sexually pursued underage male pages. More desperate corporate media kow-towing to Republican demands for "balance" in their political coverage.

[lakeguy]

18. oh, a dem from the minority party is supposed to come

out and accuse a rethug that he is having inappropriate relations with children. the evidence, a rumor.

the corporate press would have crucified him and Rahm would have had to resign right then and there. and, par for the course, he'd apologize a few times as well even though he would have been right.

clearly this whole thing is Rahm's fault and i'm sure he is buddies with abramhoff too:sarcasm:

[Igel]

23. If all he heard about was the e-mails, eh.

No big deal.

The guy's mother didn't want to take action on them. No huge scandal there, merely suspicions.

Now, if the media (and many, many others) hadn't confused the e-mails and IMs in the public's mind it would be clearer. IMs ... serious business. E-mails ... much less serious.

It's whether Rahm did anything about it after being told of the e-mails that's the question.

[Vinca]

24. Well, now that they've managed to reel in a Democrat,

this will be on the MSM front and center. Another interesting, but unrelated, note about the MSM. Why aren't they accusing the Republican rats going over the side as being in favor of "cutting and running?" The phrase used is "jumping ship." Grrrrrrrrrrrr.

[Strawman]

25. I wonder where this hit job is coming from

Republicans or disgruntled members of the Democratic caucus with a score to settle with Rahm. Neither would surprise me. The timing suggests the latter.

[Infinite Hope]

26. Republicans were still the ones who disclosed teh scandal, this doesn't change that. n/t

[Giant Robot]

29. Sure look into this

I have no problem and actually want this kind of stuff investigated, not just to keep up good appearances, but because Foley was a sexual predator and anyone helping cover up for him should at the very least start looking for a good defense attorney. If Emanuel knew something and did nothing, or helped cover this up, well then under the wheels of the proverbial bus he goes.

However...

This just feels too much like the Republican mighty Wurlitzer press machine saying that it is not just the Republicans who are dirty or doing bad things. It sounds so much like the Abramhoff situation and the response to it that it is not even funny. I half expect someone to mistakenly say Abramhoff here anytime now instead of Foley. The playbook is too easy to read now. Or they are too desperate and will try anything. Either way, this just stinks in my opinion, but sure look into it because these are very serious allegations.

[wishlist]

32. Dem suspicions are not relevant and had no traction before election either

Dems were powerless to do anything about Foley. This is a pathetic attempt to steer blame away from Foley and Hastert and will go nowhere.

[Kagemusha]

35. Emanuel was quite misleading, however.

I don't seriously think he could've done anything, but I read Greenwald's blog post (edit: http://glenngreenwald.blogspot.com/) on this and it's hard not to see his point - Emanuel was pressed as to whether or not he was aware of the e-mails, and he still denied it. That was false. He was aware of them but had not seen them. Truthiness above truth.

I find that issue wholly separate about having a realistic shot at doing something about this without stronger evidence. Like I said earlier in this thread, the difference is, it wasn't Rahm's job. The people whose job it was, didn't do the job, disgustingly so.

[MODemocrat]

34. Why do we tend to blame everyone except the perpetrator, Foley?

Foley checks into rehab, and the blame for his sordid acts, falls on everyone else. I'm not saying it is right to cover up for him; but after all, he is the one who's guilty of taking advantage of these young men. Mark Foley should have to pay the price, not get rewarded with a pension from the taxpayers
for resigning. That's the very least he could have done. He should have to face a court under oath.

I'd like to hear Rahm's side of this story before forming an opinion on his guilt!

[Kagemusha]

37. Because pedophiles are aided by society's embrace.

And if you haven't noticed, the ethics committee report came out and said there was negligence, but no individual is at fault, or should be punished. Not even Rahm Emanuel.

[MODemocrat]

38. I don't understand why society embraces these kind of people

We're supposed to protect children and young adults, not aid and abett the perpetrators! Foley needs to
be treated like the pedophile he is, not swept under the rug. :evilfrown: :mad:

My sons and daughter were very open with their Dad and me; and would have probably told us if something like this happened to one of them. My husband would have probably been in a lot of trouble, because I know he would have tried to get revenge.

[Vidar]

39. Cool. I'd love to get rid of Rahm.