Posted at 9:30 am CDT
David Lightman of the Hartford Courant reported today on the new Foley factor in the fall campaign for control of Congress -- a factor that could offer a particular boost for women running for office.
Read why, in the article below or at this link.
THE FOLEY FACTOR
By DAVID LIGHTMAN
Washington Bureau Chief
WASHINGTON -- Investigations into who knew what about the Mark Foley sex scandal have just begun, but Democrats are busily trying to make the blowup a cornerstone of their campaign to retake control of Congress.
The incident fits snugly into a general theme the Democrats have been pushing for months: Republicans tolerate a "culture of corruption" and promote moral values but do not practice them.
The Foley controversy is expected to be of particular benefit to one specific group of congressional candidates: the 97 Democratic women who are vying for office, including Connecticut's Diane Farrell.
Analysts see political gold for women in the scandal surrounding Foley, a Florida Republican who sent lurid computer messages to young congressional pages. GOP leaders - mostly men - are facing pointed questions over when they knew about the messages and what they did about it.
"Women are seen as the protectors of children, and this is the kind of thing they would not have let go," said Debbie Walsh, director of the Center for American Women and Politics in New Brunswick, N.J.
Farrell, who is challenging Republican Rep. Chris Shays in the 4th District, has a particularly close tie to the situation: Her daughter was a Senate page in 2002.
"As a mother, I expected that the well-being of my daughter and all these youngsters were being protected by all the members of Congress," Farrell said. "This apparently was not the case for a number of years."
Women are helped, Walsh said, not only because they are regarded as more sensitive to children, but because they are perceived as outsiders and agents of change.
"At any moment when a system is seen as corrupt, broken and people are looking for change, they look for someone who's not the standard issue congressperson," she said. "Women don't even have to open their mouths. They just look different."
In addition, "women can identify with [the Foley allegations] because most have experienced this kind of thing as teenagers themselves," said Marie Wilson, president of the White House Project, a nonpartisan group that helps train women for political jobs.
As a result, women are citing their roles as parents and stressing their records as fighters for child safety. On Saturday, Minnesota House candidate Patricia Wetterling, whose son Jacob was abducted 17 years ago and never found, will give the Democratic Party's weekly radio address.
The Connecticut race getting attention from Foley-watchers is the Shays-Farrell battle.
Last Saturday, the day after Foley resigned, Shays was one of the first Republican members of Congress to ask why GOP leaders did not act sooner. "If they knew or should have known the extent of this problem," he said of his colleagues, "they should not serve in leadership."
But early this week Shays was getting new pressure. American Family Voices, a group that deals with economic and health issues, made automated calls to voters in 50 congressional districts, including those represented by Shays and Reps. Nancy L. Johnson, R-5th District, and Rob Simmons, R-2nd District.
The group would not say how many calls were made. They charged that GOP leaders "covered up for a child sexual predator" and urged people to call Shays' office and "demand he stop the coverup."
Shays reiterated his views Tuesday and added that he would not vote for any leader who "knew or should have known about Mark Foley's conduct." Shays' stance satisfied American Family Voices. "Our goal was to have Congressman Shays do what he did," said spokeswoman Hayley Zachary.
The House now has 67 women - 43 Democrats and 24 Republicans. One hundred thirty-nine women - 97 Democrats and 42 Republicans - are candidates for House seats this year, while 12 women - eight Democrats and four Republicans - are vying for Senate seats.
Some analysts see advantages for Republican women candidates as well as Democrats.
"It will help any woman who has a reputation built on integrity," Wilson said.
But in several close races, Democratic women are hammering their female opponents over the issue.
In Ohio, Franklin County Commissioner Mary Jo Kilroy is demanding that Republican opponent Deborah Pryce, fourth-ranking House GOP leader, "come clean" about "what she knew and when she knew it." Pryce has asked for a full investigation of allegations against Foley.
New Mexico Attorney General Patricia Madrid is accusing incumbent Republican Rep. Heather A. Wilson, a member of the congressional page board for three years, of not doing her job. Wilson's campaign has said the charge has no basis, and Wilson is giving to charity money that Foley donated to her campaign.
Colorado state Rep. Angie Paccione has called on incumbent Republican Rep. Marilyn Musgrave to press House Speaker Dennis Hastert to step down over claims he had information about Foley's conduct long before it became public.
It's unclear how much, if at all, the Foley incident will swing these and other races.
But the pollsters and analysts sense it's a potential factor, and Democrats are pushing hard to keep the incident in the public eye.
And as long as they do, and races stay tight, their women candidates could benefit.
"In an election this close," said Gary Jacobson, professor of political science at the University of California, San Diego, "anything can have an effect."
David Lightman is Washington bureau chief for the Hartford Courant, a Tribune Co. newspaper.
• 
• 
• 
Comments
GOP is in huge trouble here. The Leadership of the Republican had safe seats not now the Democratic in thier states have taken the lead by 8 points. Here at home Hastert who was at 70 percent has dropped to 50 percent after the Floey story broke. This is a GOP study.
Posted by: Dale Peters | October 6, 2006 10:31 AM
Denocrats have to try to keep the Foley thing in the public eye, because they have nothing to run on....except gay bashing and macacca.
Democrats can't talk about the issues because they don't have answers.Smart Americans don't care about Foley and the macacca thing, they care about safety from terrorists and how much money they have left after taxes to support their family.
Paulo
Posted by: Paulo | October 6, 2006 11:12 AM
I hate all of the divisiveness. I believe it plays into the hands of the two parties at large (who have both shown great irresponsibility with the public trust) -- the great philosopher (Rodney K.) once again comes to mind , "can't we all just get along ??"
I may not even vote this year and as a veteran and a father it hurts me to say that. If I do vote, I'll pinch my nose and vote what my conscience tells me is a lesser of evils.
As far as 3rd and 4th parties go, there's a cool guy named Kinky Friedman running against Rick Perry in Texas for governor. He actually wants to address some of the serious problems such as border control realistically.
But I've looked at the polls and tracking and the inside analysis and he's up against what every 3rd and 4th party is up against -- you cannot win these elections without millions and millions of dollars worth of TV time because people are too heavily influenced by that media and the networks are in a position to basically name their price -- therefore money is everything in winning an election -- therefore money is everything in getting in power or staying in power, therefore the only ones we are likely to see in power in our lifetime are the sleezes that will do anything for money (and then say anything to pretend they didn't) and then of course, they'll attack anyone who questions their party and blame everything on the other party.
Posted by: tom | October 6, 2006 11:23 AM
Mark Foley is a Sexual Pedator/Pedophile,and the Republican "leadership" covered for him,and took his money.
People like Juanda on here, are still trying to convince us otherwise.
Posted by: John E. | October 6, 2006 11:54 AM
GOP leadership is involved in a cover-up on Foley's follies.
Mark Kirk (IL-10) is assistant majority whip, part of the GOP leadership.
What did Kirk know & when? Enquiring minds in the Tenth District want to know...
Posted by: Hawkeye | October 6, 2006 12:14 PM
I will have to say that I feel the postings on the blog has gotten very slow. Takes a little fun out of it. No big deal, just seems less fun!
Posted by: bill r. | October 6, 2006 12:22 PM
For all of you people out there who might be worried about Mark Foley the person,don't be.
I suspect that he will sign a book deal,movie rights,have highly payed public speaking engagments,and will probably be hired by Fox News to do occassional commentary for BillO',and Seanitty.
Posted by: John E. | October 6, 2006 1:13 PM
Foley knew he had a problem and was just trying to handle it by turning over a new Page
Posted by: LFREEMAN | October 6, 2006 2:57 PM
to John E. -- Foley could also come out of the closet (oops too late) and go on the talk show circuit with washed-up celebrities like Lance Bass -- but there's probably more money on the conservative talk shows so that is the more likely -- maybe he'll do both -- Really , does anyone watch B.O' reilly anymore ????? none of my independent or conservative friends have taken him seriously for many moons (if ever) and I don't think liberals even have fun anymore criticizing him because he's so illogical it makes your head spin - Sean H. however, still seems to have a stable following. He loves to dwell on double standards of the dems and many dems seem intent on feeding him endless supplies of fuel (of course, he never mentions double standards of the republicans which in and of itself is a double standard).
I still pity Foley a little -- I hate what he did but I have a feeling he's probably been through things in his life we would not wish on an enemy.
Posted by: tom | October 6, 2006 2:58 PM
Paulo...Americans fear what they are told to fear. What they will learn is a different story.
They will learn the folly of this war...and like the democrats....will pay for that someday.
Posted by: bill r. | October 6, 2006 3:26 PM
Moderator, is it really okay to another poster a "Tard," obvious slang for mentally retarded?
Seems pretty unfairly offensive to me.
Posted by: Bill | October 6, 2006 4:12 PM
I agree with you, Tom. It seems to me like Foley's biggest crime was being a homosexual. That's what he's being politically roasted for now. I realize his IM and e-mail conversations were crude and bordered on harassment, but it doesn't seem like he ever acted on them, Thank God. Just seems like a fantasy world he needed to get through every day.
It's isolating in the extreme to be a closeted homosexual in the regular workaday world, I can only imagine how bad it must be in the world of republican politics. Unfortunately, this little episode will set gay republicans back at least another 20 years.
Posted by: Bill | October 6, 2006 4:16 PM
Bill,
I concur -- on the question of the insulting posting. It's gone.
We welcome a comment in replacement which lacks the personal assault.
Posted by: Mark Silva | October 6, 2006 4:16 PM
"As far as 3rd and 4th parties go, there's a cool guy named Kinky Friedman running against Rick Perry in Texas for governor. He actually wants to address some of the serious problems such as border control realistically."
tom,
Smaller 3rd, 4th parties work best in a parliamentarian system rather than a republic.
In our winner take all system you waste your vote when you vote your conscience, unfortunately.
In a parliament system a coalition can unite to elect a PM.
It would be an advantage to do it that way, in my opinion, but it would take another revolution. Won't ever happen.
Too British, I guess.
Posted by: C.Morris | October 6, 2006 4:29 PM
Sure Paulo, Democrats have nothing to run on as long as you ignore all the Republican failures like Iraq, Katrina, Abramoff, torture, secret prisons, illegal domestic spying, war profiteering, incompetence, and corruption.
Posted by: Tom O | October 6, 2006 4:29 PM
Bill,
That's tom, not Tom you are responding to.
Got to be careful, or you will lose track of who's who.
Posted by: C.Morris | October 6, 2006 4:34 PM
Right Paulo, all the GOP has to do to diffuse the Foley thing is remind America about the war... uh-oh.
Bill, Tom, I agree, Foley is more pathetic than he is dangerous or evil.
Posted by: Juanito | October 6, 2006 4:35 PM
billr...."Americans fear what they are told to fear?"
On this left wing blog I respect your posts more than others because you speak with "some" soundness of judgement,but Americans don't need anyone to tell us what to fear.
When the two planes flew into the Twin Towers and The Pentagon...us "dumb" Americans knew who and what to fear!Keep your head in the sand,if you want,or come out and defend this Great Nation!
Grow a hair my lefy friend!
Paulo
Posted by: Paulo | October 6, 2006 4:35 PM
Bill,
If the slang/insult used previously was offensive to you or anybody else, I certainly apologize. It is absolutely painful to read anything Paulo has to write and I cannot believe he is even remotely serious. I am hoping Paulo takes my advice, and the advice of many others, and picks up a book or two to better educate himself on the talking points he keeps falling back upon.
Posted by: Bubba | October 6, 2006 4:42 PM
Tom O, running against the republicans isn't having something to run on. Be careful, it's a trap the party's fell for before.
Posted by: Bill | October 6, 2006 4:53 PM
Thanks, Marc. Have a good weekend.
Posted by: Bill | October 6, 2006 4:56 PM
Bill, Foley's biggest problem with Republican leaders or Fox News anchors or Republican voters may be that he's gay, but that is NOT why he is in the news. It was his extemely inappropriate messages to young congressional pages. I'm not buying this "gay" spin any more than I bought Hastert blaming this on Clinton. I'd never heard of Foley before this and couldn't care less what he does in private with consenting adults. But I don't think congressmen, regardless of party or sexual orientation, should mess with underage pages.
Posted by: Tom O'Brien | October 6, 2006 5:01 PM
I propose we limit our hard insults to the elected baffoones, chimps, slime bags, liars and immoral jack asses, as well as the public talking heads on the air waves, etc.
Reserve normal rough treatment for us'uns.
Posted by: C.Morris | October 6, 2006 5:11 PM
Paulo,
You are part of the problem, buddy!
You are 'afraid of the terrorists' all the time, so you are willing to give up our freedoms.
Bill R, Dale P, John E. , Bub, me, others; WE ARE NOT AFRAID! (Emphasis only)
Get it? Don't be so afraid all the time, friend. It's just Mephisto Rove jerkin' your strings.
Posted by: C.Morris | October 6, 2006 5:39 PM
Tom O'Brien, I agree 100% that it was morally reprehensible and wrong for him to have discussions about what he wanted to do sexually with teenagers. That's just REALLY screwed up. But I have to at least give him credit for not acting on any of his awful thoughts and merely engaging in fantasy discussions. That's not much credit, mind you. I don't think he's a sexual predator, that's all.
The whole sordid Foley story got explained today in an article in the LA Times. It's forced me to reexamine some of my earlier thoughts and ideas about the man. Here it is for perspective. He seems more pathetic than dangerous to me, now.
http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/la-na-gaygop6oct06,1,3171322.story
Posted by: Bill | October 6, 2006 5:47 PM
Bubba.....don't cry lefties! I just made a factual statement,or did not two planes fly into the twin towers and one into the pentagon.
Sorry,if I offended anyone!
Should I get a slip and fall lawyer before I educate you on history and facts to this nutty lefty blog....good luck and good writing.
Polish off those tin-foil hats...election time is almost here!
Paulo
Posted by: Paulo | October 6, 2006 6:54 PM
Guys go to MSNBC here a issue bigger then Foley factor. Troops are asking why we are here. Shades of Vietnam when this starts. This is huge military is now asking why.
Posted by: Dale Peters | October 6, 2006 7:45 PM
STEREOTYPES
After several days of reading relentless posts about Foley I have formed the following impression:
It seems to me that most of the hysterical, antigay, homophobic, small minded and hateful comments came from those who place themselves in the Liberal camp.
Now I haven't actually counted and cataloged the posts, but that is the impression I have nonetheless.
Ain't nothin' more ironical than irony!
Posted by: Juanito | October 6, 2006 9:11 PM
*******Paulo News Alert*******
**National unemployment rate,down to 4.6%**
Low Taxes!
Consumer confidence...up!
Budget deficit Drops,by better than expected tax receipts!
******Dems Confused*******
******* Will try GAY BASHING ********
Paulo
Posted by: Paulo | October 6, 2006 11:46 PM
Let's see, is this election going to be more determined by the voters concerns about "terrorism" or the "safety of children"?
Please.
This is post 9/11. Children, the elderly, the disabled and people who work in sweat shops are the least of our concerns.
This scandal will get old in a week and then there will be a backlash and then there will the refocus on terrorism. I understand the White House is making the final edits on the next Osama bin Laden video, with a soundtrack that really kicks ass.
My money is on Wednesday, October 11th for the official release of the next BIN LADEN tape - might just be audio, though; with a double-live video to follow if that doesn't stem the tide.
Posted by: Bud McFarlin | October 7, 2006 7:04 AM
Mark...I understand your reason for removing "tard" however, I personaly find other rants like America-hating liberals,hezbocrats,defeatocrats, and such just as, if not more offensive. As a combat vet, I find anyone who questions my patriotism absurd.
I am not requesting you to monitor these out..but I would like the people who use these to realize that these also are very offensive to some. We can all be civil....when we want to.
Thanks!
Posted by: bill r. | October 7, 2006 7:28 AM
What most American don't realize is that there is NO BALANCE OF POWER within the Senate, House or White House. Further, it is all Republicans.
NO CHECKS, NO BALANCES ON GEORGE BUSH, NONE! This is why many people left and right are referencing him as HITLER!
Secondly, since the passing of the Patriot Act George Bush has ABUSED his powers, literally. He has the right to do anything to ANYBODY! READ IT! Look at the last minute additions to same. Look how many laws bush has over -rided.(AKA> george Orwell 1984 book)
Bush pushes bills through Hastate as his "GOFFER" man up on the HILL. Hastate alters any papers for BUSH. BUSH is a mad man gone OUT OF CONTROL!
Missions DONE:
obl = dead
the pipelines have been layed in Afghanistan = done
Reversed the currency in IRAQ the day we invaded = DONE. First barrel out was switched back to dollars.
11/1/2000 Saddam stated and I quote " All oil will be sold in euro's NOT dollars. The war started here.
We have complete all missions and NOW we are spreading the terror around the world, just look accross the pond at the attacks in the past.
d,f
Posted by: d,f | October 7, 2006 7:42 AM
Perception..Juanito...Perception!
Posted by: bill r. | October 7, 2006 9:51 AM
bill r,
Yeah, I admit it, it's subjective. It's MY perception of things.
Here's to civility!
Posted by: Juanito | October 7, 2006 10:58 AM
Paulo,
You seem to have this bigoted impression that terrorists are only of the Middle Eastern persuasion. Have you followed the news lately for the school-rampage-by-a-Zoloft-crazed-gunman-of-the-week event? Have you dug into what our government and corporations have been doing to other countries in the name of profit and greed with little thought to the peoples of thoses lands?
I suggest you take a broader, more educated look at the term terrorism, rather than just a GOP fear marketing tool that keeps simple minds from seeing the real issues that are right in front of them. Don't mean to be preachy, but just wish you would open your eyes and mind a bit.
Posted by: DD | October 7, 2006 11:06 AM
Dale, was that a report from your pal Keith Olbermann? The man who worked for Rupert Murdoch before getting fired? No axes to grind there.
Posted by: Bill | October 7, 2006 11:07 AM
Bill,I'm not sure what was in that article that made you change your mind about Foley being a predator.
What I came away with is that Foley was openly gay in his district,where everyone knew he was gay.And he lived in the closet in DC because of the repression Repubs have about gays.
He obviously was after the younger boys in DC,while his partner stayed behind in Florida.
Maybe your friend,Jarrito should read the article,because it totally de-bunks his mindless post about Dems having problems with gay people.
But,we all know"Independent"Jarrito always is looking for attention.
Posted by: Raving Loon | October 7, 2006 11:23 AM
What a joke....and we ahave a sexual predator inside the HOUSE OF REPUBLICANS!
Please EDUCATE BUSH!
Bush: Students, teachers must 'never fear for their safety'
POSTED: 10:09 a.m. EDT, October 7, 2006
http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/10/07/BUSH.RADIO.ap/index.html
Posted by: Please EDUCATE BUSH! | October 7, 2006 1:21 PM
Paulo!!!
The thought of you educating anybody about anything is slightly more scary than funny.
You did state a fact: planes flew into Trade Towers/Pentagon etc. Problem: It was in response to bill r's post about the right's fear mongering and the war in Iraq. But you know who and what to fear right Paulo? Just like you've been told. Iraq=Afghanistan, Saddam Hussein=OBL. And you're going to give us all a history lesson. Do yourself a favor and start on the reading list that we have compiled for you. Also, have someone explain "gay bashing" to you. You are obviously clueless as to it's meaning.
Posted by: Bubba | October 8, 2006 7:40 AM
Tom:
If you think Kinky Friedman is anything other than a whacked out blowhard, I feel sorry for you.
He makes Jesse Ventura look thoughtful by comparison.
http://stopkinky.blogspot.com
Quit looking for cowboys or rock stars and start looking for people with who have actually studied the nation's problems and advanced ideas to solve them.
But, I guess that's not exciting enough for you, is it?
OK.....whatever....maybe some NASCAR driver will run for president next time.
Posted by: rich | October 8, 2006 8:50 AM
Loon, et al. I take it back. Foley is a pedophile and should be in nail. Did you see this article in today's LA Times?
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-page8oct08,0,3896853.story?coll=la-home-headlines
Posted by: Bill | October 8, 2006 6:17 PM
Bill,yes,gets more disgusting by the day.
I agree,this guy needs to get arrested soon,and let's move on.
Posted by: Raving Loon | October 8, 2006 7:27 PM
Hey I'm not calling Kinky Friedman a great political choice -- he does however have a populist appeal because he doesn't dance around the actual border control issues for the purposes of pandering like the Republicans and Democrats do on that issue -- I'm just saying I followed his campaign out of interest and learned much of modern campaigning -- money trumps everything else and distracts government officials from doing a decent job running the government -- 3rd and 4th parties have no chance and the main two parties will continue to attack each other for being aligned way too tightly to both big business and special interest groups and in this case , they are both right.
Posted by: tom | October 9, 2006 8:35 AM
"...start looking for people with who have actually studied the nation's problems and advanced ideas to solve them."
Posted by: rich | Oct 8, 2006 8:50:27 AM
There are renegades and mavericks in both existing parties who could be the nucleus of a new party. In the same way that in 1860 practicing political professionals coalesced into a new party called the Republicans which supplanted the moribund Whigs, these folks could form a new party to supplant today's moribund You-Know-Who.
Hagel, Lieberman and McCain immediately come to mind, and I'm sure there are others. They'd have the gravitas and name recognition to pull it off. If something like that were to start (with a core of established respected professionals) I think it could grow into a viable party.
But then, wish in one hand and poop in the other and see which hand fills faster.
Posted by: Juanito | October 9, 2006 11:51 AM
is it me or do you think that paulo and juanito are the same person? they seem to think alike (or so it would appear from their postings).
he/they must've been assigned this blog by the Rove machine.
Posted by: zak | October 9, 2006 1:46 PM
zak,
Gimme a BREAK!
Posted by: Juanito | October 9, 2006 2:35 PM