The Daily Background

Ever since Republican Representative Mark Foley handed his resignation to Denny Hastert yesterday (by way of Jeb Bush, I hear) the question has evolved into more of a “what did Republican House leadership know, and when did they know it?” The answers to that question are ensuring that this does not just stay a one-day story. Below are the latest developments.

1. The Associated Press is reporting on four powerful Republicans in the House who are being forced to make “explanations” of how they didn’t take any action against Foley. It’s also been reported that House pages (typically middle school or high school males) were “warned” specifically about Foley. What does that mean? I suspect we’ll find out soon enough.

2. Democratic House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi last night proposed an ethics probe into Foley’s behavior, which was agreed upon unanimously. Pelosi wants a preliminary report in 10 days or less.

3. The original emails ABC News obtained which showed Foley asking for a picture of one of the House pages was dated back in fall of 2005, and were reported immediately by the page. Nothing happened though. Democrats were kept in the dark about a cursory (perhaps sloppy?) investigation into Foley’s conduct which happened last year.

4. Republican House Majority Leader John Boehner was told of allegations against Rep Foley. Hastert may have known as well, although Boehner is now denying that he told him (despite earlier having said that he told Hastert). The NRCC was privately alerted to the issue regarding Foley as well– indicating that Republicans saw Foley’s antics as a possible political problem– a year ago. And yet they still did nothing.

5. There are still over 30 pages of confiscated Foley emails which Republican leadership holds, but neither the press nor Democrats have access to yet. Are they covering Foley’s back or what is the deal with that?

P.S.- here’s the ABC News report video from last night.

Filed under: Z-TDB Blog