Foley has made Reynolds NY district in play for dems

[Herman Munster]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061001/ap_on_go_co/foley_reynolds

WASHINGTON - Rep. Thomas Reynolds (news, bio, voting record), head of the House Republican election effort, said Saturday he told Speaker Dennis Hastert months ago about concerns that a fellow GOP lawmaker had sent inappropriate messages to a teenage boy. Hastert's office said aides referred the matter to the proper authorities last fall but they were only told the messages were "over-friendly."

Reynolds, R-N.Y., was told about e-mails sent by Rep. Mark Foley (news, bio, voting record) and is now defending himself from Democratic accusations that he did too little. Foley, R-Fla., resigned Friday after ABC News questioned him about the e-mails to a former congressional page and about sexually suggestive instant messages to other pages.

Democrats charged Reynolds did far too little and said more digging should be done. "Congressman Reynolds' inaction in the face of such a serious situation is very troubling, and raises important questions about whether there was an attempt to cover up criminal activity involving a minor to keep it from coming to light before Election Day," said Democratic National Committee spokeswoman Karen Finney.

New York Democrats hoping to unseat Reynolds blasted the congressman, saying they call into question the Republican's values. "Mr. Reynolds knew about these allegedly inappropriate e-mails from a fellow congressman to a minor for months and didn't lift a finger," said Blake Zeff, a spokesman for the state Democrats.

[bullimiami]

1. oh I would call them over friendly alright. way over.

[NMDemDist2]

2. sweet! that puts two house seats seriously in play over this n/t

[Jackpine Radical]

5. Only 2? Why isn't Deny Hasturd in rouble over this?

[KharmaTrain]

No Real Challenger And A Very Red/Safe District

But it could have a big impact on the open seat in the 6th district...Tammy Duckworth...whose running against a scumbag who worked for Hastert and DeLay.

Gym Teach Denny's complicit in covering up what appears to be a violation of federal law. To see his fat ass frog marched will do me just fine.

[Beetwasher]

20. Nope, Hastert DOES Have A Challenger! John Laesch!!

http://www.john06.com/donate

And this could very well put this seat in play. Hastert may very well have to at least step down as Speaker over this.

[Jackpine Radical]

21. With any luck the Speaker gig won't be an issue for the Puggies

anyway after the end of the year.

[KharmaTrain]

25. Sadly Doubtful

The Democratic party in that area was all but non-existant until a couple years ago. I lived in the district and would vote in the Repugnican primaries as those were truly the general election. I'm aware of Mr. Laesch and donated money to his campaign for some in-state support, but this district is one or two elections away from really being in play.

I'm in the 8th...a formerly red district where we got rid of Phil Crane and his alcoholism, but it took a lot of work. Many of us now are working with Seals in the 10th and Duckworth in the 6th to see if we can swing one or both of those districts. Then, hopefully, it's on to getting rid of Hastert and Weller.

Hastert's in some of the most conservative turf in Illinois...he could (and probably will) be implicated in this mess and a good chance he could be dumped as speaker, but the people in Yorkville, Aurora, DeKalb & Elgin will vote for him nonetheless. Wish it wasn't so.

The good thing is the large amount of us former City dwellers and the large Hispanic population that has moved into that area. Problem is the party infrastructure is so poor it has a long way to catch up, but I'm confident in time it will.

Cheers...

[Beetwasher]

26. Dude, Hastert Will Be Extremely Luck If He's Not Forced To Resign

Read the front page of the NY Times and W. Post. Game on.

[KharmaTrain]

27. Yes...Game On, I Said He May Be Forced To Resign

...as Speaker...but dare I say that he won't lose his house seat over this. Sorry...that district is THAT red and Hastert's delivered a lot of pork. There's virtually no Democratic party in that district...so any real challenge would require flying in an entire campign staff and then shovel millions onto TV time in Chicago. Not impossible, but that's asking a lot this late in the game.

Hopefully Hastert will be forced to step down in embarassment and just resign. Maybe this can repeat what happened in the 5th district when Rostenkowski was convicted...he was defeated by a Repugnican...who held that seat for just one term until Blagovovich took the seat back and now it's held by the beloved Rahm Emanuel.

The question here is if Hastert's seat is in play...not if he'll be forced to resign.

On edit: I see this scandal putting other districts in play...ones with closer races. See the post on Reynolds...who sits dead red in this mess.

[Beetwasher]

28. He's Got A Real Challenger in John Laesch

I can almost guarantee you his seat will be in play over this ESPECIALLY if he's forced to resign. Just watch.

[KharmaTrain]

30. Watch? I'll Help!!

As I say, I'm familiar with the campaign, but it's too soon to tell how this will affect the local situation. Although my wife was at a Girl Scout meeting today in Lake County and all the women there were abuzz about the "sex predator in Congress". They know that much, but can they connect the dots to a Hastert? Just questions.

Remember, many here thought the CA-50th was a slam dunk when Cunningham was convicted and a poor Democratic GOTV effort cost us what many thought was a sure seat.

I'd love to see Hastert's district in play and will throw a few more bucks John's way tonight...I hope you prove me wrong.

[Beetwasher]

31. Cool!

I already threw him some bucks tonight too! BTW, you should check out how he's already jumped on this!!! He's going for the jugular.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2006/9/30/212758/946

[KharmaTrain]

35. Hastert Has Other Scandals, Too

Like the land deal that make him a quick couple million. I first met this scumbag in 1986 when he replaced the late John Grotberg (who I thought was a nice guy). I recently found an interview I did with Gym Teach Denny during his first full election...and I still remember what a smug and arrogant asshole he was. While Grotberg would regularly come on the radio and take any and all callers, Hastert didn't want any part of that and started sending a tape of a program he pre-recorded with his Press Secretary...this is what we were expected to run. I got lots of free tape that way.

I'm curious how the Daily Herald will play this...a major voice in politics in this area. They've been very supportive of Democrats in this area in recent years.

Thanks for the interaction. Let's kick some Repugnican ass.

Cheers...

[Pachamama]

38. And then there is the scandal involving Hastert that Sibel Edmonds knows

about re. to Turkey and lobbying groups and connections to 9/11.... :eyes:

[me b zola]

29. That's what I'm saying!

Someone alerts Hassert that another Rep has had "overly friendly" contact with children and he doesn't go to the police? Hassert has got to pay a price for this.

[Imagevision]

39. Rep. Thomas Reynolds accepts $100,000 contribution from Foley

Now this is the same Rep. Thomas Reynolds correct?!!

[Beetwasher]

3. Yes! That's How You DO IT Ladies And Gentlemen!

That is how it's done.

[ClintonTyree]

4. I wish......

he's in a pretty red area of New York though. I doubt it will jeopardize his position.

[MissWaverly]

11. oh, no, the moral majority does not condone child molesters

or those who are their enablers, it's one thing you can count on conservatives to reject.

[UrbScotty]

14. He's already in jeopardy - see post #6 below (nt)

[ShortnFiery]

15. Oh, I think if a few of those IMs are presented often, even this

RED area will send a harsh message to republican parents with sons in H.S. - they will be disgusted with their Reps lack of oversight.

Even if these hard core Republicans don't vote Democratic, they just may STAY HOME. That's worth working for ... worth a good college try. :-)

[UrbScotty]

6. A poll (pre-resignation) showed the race within the margin of error

From Politics1:

NEW YORK - CD-26: Congressman Tom Reynolds (R) - 45%, businessman Jack Davis (D) - 43%, Christine Murphy (Green) - 8%. (WGRZ-TV/SurveyUSA). Update: The NYS Elections Board disqualified Murphy from the ballot on Tuesday.

The absence of a Green - plus the recent developments - only spell good news for Davis! (Let's just not get too cocky)

[Herman Munster]

10. i didn't know it was this close

well stick a fork in him, he's done now.

[UrbScotty]

12. Well, you don't want to take it for granted (nt)

[Jackpine Radical]

13. Aw, Geez. Another Puggy financed (no doubt) Green spoiler.

Well, this far out the greens usually poll better than when things get serious. Har to believe 8% wanna throw away their vote & elect another piggy Puggy.

[Mr_Spock]

17. Did you notice the Green was disqualified?

I actually heard this last Wed or so on Ed Shultz show - good news for sure...

[Jackpine Radical]

22. Yes, I heard but forgot.

It WAS a Puggy-financed operation & she got her ass kicked for nomination signature irregularities IIRC.

[Mr_Spock]

16. Disqualifying the Republican helping Green candidate was a big deal

That and doubt's about whether Republicans even care about law & order any more make this a very possible pickup.

[alcibiades_mystery]

32. Fucking Green is killing us there

And I voted for Nader in 2000 (NY State, little at stake, also voted for Senator Clinton over Little Ricky Lazio...on the Working Families Ticket ;-)), so it takes a lot for me to say something like that...

[UrbScotty]

40. Note that he was DQ'd. (nt)

[Moochy]

7. G.O.P. Leaders Knew in Late ’05 of E-Mail

http://www.nytimes.com/

And also from the times, the reason i made this posting, was to link to the house/senate race website they have.

Very cool...

http://www.nytimes.com/ref/washington/2006ELECTIONGUIDE.html?currentDataSet=senCALCULATOR

[Judi Lynn]

8. Can always hope! Thanks for the news.

http://inside.c-spanarchives.org:8080/cspan/Pictures/Persons/053797/053797-191534.jpg

[ClintonTyree]

23. Reynolds is such a disgusting pig!

I hope he gets the crap beat out of him. He's in my neighboring district and he's always sticking his big pig nose in our business. I can't STAND the fucking cretin! Please, New Yorkers, get RID of this pig!

[kestrel91316]

9. "The messages were 'over-friendly' " - - - gee, you don't say?

And I betcha there are OTHER messages that they haven't dared to release because they are even MORE "over-friendly".

Spanking it? Lotion? Woodie? Pros and cons of using a towel?????

[me b zola]

33. I think that there is more evidence too

First they released the tamest of e-mails and Foley said that he was seriously considering resigning. The following day more implicit e-mails were released, Foley resigns immediately. Oh yeah, there's much more implicit evidence out there.

[cal04]

18. Poll reveals Congression race is just about a dead heat

A new poll out shows the race in the 26th Congressional District is just about a dead heat. The contest pits veteran Republican incumbent Tom Reynolds against Democrat Jack Davis, an Erie County businessman.

The poll was conducted between last Monday and Wednesday, among 491 likely voters in the 26th Congressional District. The district stretches from Erie County east to parts of Monroe County and the numbers show Reynolds and Davis running virtually neck and neck. Democrat Jack Davis is a self-made millionaire who has a factory in Akron, Erie County. He started his business in his garage in 1964. He's financing his own campaign.

Republican incumbent Reynolds, who served in the state legislature before being elected to Washington, is seeking his fifth term in the house.

(snip)
It shows Congressman Tom Reynolds with a 45% to 43% lead over Jack Davis.

http://www.10nbc.com/index.asp?template=item&story_id=20304

[AX10]

19. K & R!

[last1standing]

24. Plausible deniability.

"You see, I guess I didn't really phrase the problem very well when I said the e-mail was 'overly friendly', so I can't blame hastert for not thinking it was serious But I did try to alert him so you can't really blame me, either".

This has been used so many times I can't believe people still fall for it. On the other hand, people will believe anything so long as it fits in with their comfy concept of the good Christian republican. Just wait and see, they'll use this "miscommunication" to justify their inaction. They don't give a damn about the safety of children, not even the children of their supporters.

[gatorboy]

34. Now see. This is why Dean's 50 state plan could really work.

Because you never know when something like this is gonna blow up. And when it does, you'd know that you have the tools to really fight for that seat, instead of sending them to sure thing elections.

[KharmaTrain]

36. Uh Oh...Foley and Hastert Connection Top Story On Chicago Local News

The headline on the NBC affiliate is putting out the questions about what did Hastert know and when did he know it. They're also looking into Shimkus role in this slime.

Could be game on!!

[no_hypocrisy]

37. Is this the Tom Reynolds whose staff calls up doctors' offices, lawyers'

offices, and other businesses to tell them that they have been "selected" to be a "National Business Leader", and that for stipend, these recipients can go to D.C. to get their awards at a dinner and all they get is a plaque and press release?