Dem rspnse to W Saturday---Wetterling, from MN

[rodeodance]

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/07/us/politics/07elect.html?_r=1&th&emc=th&oref=slogin


.....The Democratic response to President Bush’s radio address on Saturday features a Democratic House candidate, Patty Wetterling of Minnesota, attacking House Republican leaders as ignoring warnings about Mr. Foley’s behavior, according to excerpts released Friday.

“Foley sent obvious predatory signals, received loud and clear by members of Congressional leadership, who swept them under the rug to protect their political power,” says Ms. Wetterling, a Democrat whose 11-year-old son was kidnapped 17 years ago and has not been found.

Republicans and their allies, including conservative talk radio hosts, have responded by rallying around Mr. Hastert and blaming Democrats and the news media for the frenzy.

Talk radio hosts, working off a list of talking points distributed by Republican Party officials, recounted how two decades ago, House Democrats stood behind Representative Gerry E. Studds, Democrat of Massachusetts, after he engaged in sex with a male page.

[ananda]

1. re STudds

Nobody in leadership knew about Studds pedophilia and nobody covered it up.

There's a huge difference between 1983 and what the Reep leadership did during
the past year or two regarding the cover up and protection of Foley.

Hastert and the other leaders involved need to resign and they need to be prosecuted,
now.

Sue

[Wickerman]

2. Nice work, Patty! She is gaining ground on Bachmann

and I expect to see her win with this chance to showcase her dedication to protecting children. As far as the crap on Studds from 2 decades ago? Come on, Studds was open about it, there was no conspiracy. Plus, even if you judge the behavior wrong, does that then allow the GOP to compound behavior by covering up actual Harassment and predatory behavior? The issues aren't remotely related.