DNC: Where’s The Outrage?

[MaineDem]

For Immediate Release
October 2, 2006
Contact: Stacie Paxton/Mark Paustenbach - 202-863-8148

Where’s The Outrage?

Washington, DC - In the wake of a scandal involving Republican Congressman Mark
Foley’s inappropriate and criminal communications with underage Congressional
pages, it is clear that the leaders of both the GOP House re-election committee
and the Speaker of the House knew that Foley had engaged in behavior that was,
at best, highly questionable. According to ABC News, a Republican staffer
warned pages about Foley five years ago. Statements from House Republican
leaders indicate that they knew of Foley’s behavior but did not act to stop
Congressman Foley at the time that they first learned about the inappropriate
emails.

When questioned over the weekend and this morning, White House officials seem
to be standing by the House leadership team that refused to investigate Foley
and apparently tried to hide his inappropriate activities. The incident further
raises questions about whether or not the chair of the NRCC, the GOP Speaker of
the House, or other Republican leaders who may have known about the emails and
the earlier concerns about Foley shared this information with the Bush White
House? Why has the White House refused to take a stronger stand and call for
the resignation of Republican leaders who allowed a sexual predator to remain
in their midst?

“Just what are the GOP’s values when they chose to protect their power in
Congress over protecting our children who work on Capitol Hill?” said
Democratic National Committee Press Secretary Stacie Paxton. “Why is the White
House protecting its Congressional Republican leadership instead of standing up
for the children involved and asking the tough questions about who else knew
about this criminal activity involving minors that was apparently covered up?
Was the White House informed of Foley’s actions months, even years ago? Will
the White House ask for the resignation of Republican leaders who failed to
protect minors from a sexual predator? Where is the outrage and where is the
leadership from the Bush White House? The American people deserve leaders who
put the interests of the American people ahead of their own political party.
Democrats remain committed to honest and ethical government.”

GOP House Leadership Knew About Foley Emails

NRCC Chairman Tom Reynolds Knew About Foley Communications. According to the
Associated Press, Congressman Tom Reynolds’ spokesman confirmed that Reynolds
had been informed by another Congressman that the boy had complained about
Foley’s inappropriate communications “months ago.” According to the report, the
allegations first came to light in late 2005.

But, Hastert Says He Didn't Know About Foley Emails. The spokesman for Speaker
Dennis Hastert, Ron Bonjean, said the top House Republican had not known about
the allegations...Hastert said Friday he had asked Shimkus to investigate the
page system. “We want to make sure that all our pages are safe and the page
system is safe,” Hastert said.

Then, Boehner Says He Told Hastert in Spring 2006 - At Least Until He Changed
His Mind. “House Majority Leader John A. Boehner (R-Ohio) told The Washington
Post last night that he had learned this spring of inappropriate ‘contact’
between Foley and a 16-year-old page. Boehner said he then told House Speaker
J. Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.). Boehner later contacted The Post and said he could
not remember whether he talked to Hastert.”

Now, Hastert Says "I Don't Remember It, But That Doesn't Mean It Didn't
Happen." "Congressman Tom Reynolds in a statement issued today indicates that
many months later, in the spring of 2006, he was approached by Congressman
Alexander who mentioned the Foley issue from the previous fall. During a
meeting with the Speaker he says he noted the issue which had been raised by
Alexander and told the Speaker that an investigation was conducted by the Clerk
of the House and Shimkus. While the Speaker does not explicitly recall this
conversation, he has no reason to dispute Congressman Reynold's recollection
that he reported to him on the problem and its resolution." Speaker Hastert's Office, 9/30/06]

GOP Staffer Warned Pages 5 Years Ago About Foley. “A Republican staff member
warned Congressional pages five years ago to watch out for Congressman Mark
Foley, according to a former page. Matthew Loraditch, a page in the 2001-2002
class, told ABC News he and other pages were warned about Foley by a
supervisor. Loraditch, the president of the Page Alumni Association, said the
pages were told ‘don't get too wrapped up in him being too nice to you and all
that kind of stuff.’”

But, The Bush White Continues To Defend GOP House Leadership
President Bush: Values, Responsibility And Family Commitment Are Important. “In
this world of change, some things do not change: the values we try to live by,
the institutions that give our lives meaning and purpose. Our society rests on
a foundation of responsibility and character and family commitment.” s Remarks at the 2004 Republican National Convention, 9/2/04]

White House Press Secretary Tony Snow: "Simply Naughty Emails." White House
Spokesman Tony Snow downplayed Foley's conversations with underage House pages
were simply "naughty emails." On CNN this morning, he said, "Yes, look, I hate
to tell you, but it's not always pretty up there on Capitol Hill. And there
have been other scandals, as you know, that have been more than simply naughty
e-mails."

Bush Counselor Dan Bartlett Said House Leaders Were “Very Forthcoming.”
Yesterday, on ABC’s “This Week,” Dan Bartlett, President Bush’s White House
counselor, “said he thought the House Republican leaders have been ‘very
forthcoming’ and that the White House learned of the matter ‘when the American
people learned.’”

White House Press Secretary Tony Snow: Let’s Get The Facts.
“Question: If it turns out that the leadership knew or had reason to know what
Congressman Foley was doing in those emails, should they be forced to resign?
Snow: I don’t get calls for resignation, especially when it comes to members of
the House. People have to figure out what happened here. * Let’s figure out
what the factsare. Let’s take it one step at a time.” America, 10/2/06]

###

Paid for and authorized by the Democratic National Committee, www.democrats.
org. This communication is not authorized by any candidate or candidate's
committee.

[libhill]

1. Well that clears the air -

and now the Repukes can get off Clintons case, because the Lewinsky affair was just "naughty behavior"....

[louis-t]

2. No, Hastert said he "hadn't seen" the e-mails.

He has NEVER said he didn't know about them.

[MaineDem]

3. I've been listening to him very carefully

I agree with you. He's been very careful how he words things.

Expect to hear more from the DNC regarding this.

[AtomicKitten]

4. why intervene when they are imploding?

this is one time standing back and watching the fireworks just might be a good idea
when all the facts are out, the Dems will be fully armed to punctuate this October surprise