Think Progress

Hastert Holds Meeting On Foley Scandal, Democratic Member of Page Board Excluded»

The House leadership continues to treat Foley’s predatory advances towards underage pages as a partisan issue. The Note reports that Speaker Dennis Hastert held a meeting today “to review ways to protect pages” but did not include Rep. Dale Kildee (D-MI), the Democratic member of the three-person House Page Board:

The Speaker will continue his effort to rid the GOP majority of Foley’s taint by meeting with the Clerk of the House, Rep. John Shimkus (R-IL), and his staff today to review ways to protect pages while they are serving in the nation’s Capitol. The Speaker will also discuss how Congress can protect pages after their program concludes.

The Clerk of the House, Karen Haas, is a former aide of Hastert’s. Both Hastert and Shimkus are part of the problem. They were both told about Foley’s inappropriate behavior in late 2005 and did virtually nothing to stop it.

This meeting will not “rid the…majority of Foley’s taint.” It simply reinforces the notion that the House leadership is more interested in protecting themselves politically than protecting the children under their care.




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64 Responses to “Hastert Holds Meeting On Foley Scandal, Democratic Member of Page Board Excluded”

  1. lw Says:

    This scandal gives whole new dimensions to the term “CYA”.


  2. dxwoods Says:

    I could have done without the reference to Foley’s “taint”. Thanks for that visual. That’s almost as bad as HuffPo leading with the “spank you, very much” excerpt.


  3. dxwoods Says:

    I could have done without the reference to Foley’s “taint”. Thanks for that visual. That’s almost as bad as HuffPo leading with the “spank you, very much” excerpt.


  4. Bob's+Your+Uncle Says:

    This scandal gives whole new dimensions to the term “CYA”.

    Comment by lw — October 2, 2006 @ 1:46 pm

    Or “See Ya!”


  5. Exley Says:

    Hastert is a fool. This is just the lastest proof of that. His inane defense of William Jeffereson earlier this year was another manifestation of his idiocy. He has always been in way over his head. He should resign.


  6. thingwarbler Says:

    Just curious — where is the publicly stated outrage from Dale Kildee on all this? He’s made to look like a complete idiot (which he may well be for all we know), but couldn’t he at least put out something that loudly announces that the Democrats had deliberately been left out of the loop on this and that it is therefore an entirely GOP problem with the GOP leadership covering up a GOP paedophile in the ranks?


  7. Will+OBGYN+for+Food Says:

    Foley should have been gone a long time ago.
    Anyone who saw the original emails should resign immediately.


  8. Will+OBGYN+for+Food Says:

    If they resign now this will go away.


  9. semanticantics Says:

    I’m trying to enjoy my lunch and then I read “Foley’s taint”. BLECH.


  10. Jay Randal Says:

    GOP Reps Pimping Pages In DC
    2nd of October 2006
    by Jay Randal

    “GOP Rep. John Shimkus let Foley spend ‘a lot of time’ with Pages, including private dinner with one, after GOP knew Foley was a problem.”
    (Americablog.com 10-1-06)

    Every Democrat in Washington, DC, would be wise to read that story on Americablog.com, and demand that a full investigation of Rep. Mark Foley occurs, as well as who in the GOP helped him to molest Pages?

    Foley not only sent sexually explicit emails, and IMs, to underage male Pages, but he also met some of them and took them out to lunch or dinner in his BMW car and purchased them gifts, so did he have sex with them?

    Shimkus apparently helped Foley to hook-up with the young Pages, and gave him information about them, and this cozy relationship of pimping Pages has been occurring for the past 5 years, so who else is involved?

    The voting electorate are going to demand answers to those questions, so the House and Senate membership are on notice, so do real investigation and not cover-up!

    ( Jay Randal, political activist and writer in Stone Mountain, Georgia.)

    PS: Contact your Reps and Senators in DC and give them Hell.


  11. Karim Says:

    There’s an understatement–”Foley’s taint”.


  12. ForTruth Says:

    I know the Foley issue is well up front here, I am tired of getting grossed out though.


  13. BigCynic.com Says:

    >This meeting … simply reinforces the
    >notion that the House leadership is more interested in protecting themselves
    >politically than protecting the children under their care.

    Great comment … If only actual Democrats would come out and say that and with the sort of self-righteous indignation that the Republicans would employ if the shoe were on the other foot.


  14. ForTruth Says:

    Seeing that picture of Denny doesn’t help much either.


  15. Joe Sixpack Says:

    Jesus. Either TP needs to get a better photo or that ugly-assed fat old bastard needs a new hair stylist.


  16. s Says:

    How, from any perspective, does Hasert expect to get away with holding a meeting and excluding the Democrat member of the Page Board? It all reminds me of one of the last scenes in Mutiny on the Bounty when the cap finally starts revealing his true insanity……..Republicans are on a sinking ship and it’s looking more and more like the house of mirrors. CRAZY


  17. Texas+Juice Says:

    WHY is Hasert having meetings excluding Demorcrats re: the Foley/page issue. WE know why, he is trying to cover GOP congreesional arse. Republicans, being the MORAL party should have none of this, call the GOP leadership to the mat, make them explain why they covered for a pedophile, a GAY (big GOP no no) one at that! I mean asking a 16 year old about “spanking it…”. this is incredulous! Now he (Foley), is looking for more underage “monkey” in rehab. Give us a break.

    Texas Juice


  18. blogenfreude Says:

    dxwoods - exactly - as soon as I read that I thought: “poor choice of words.”

    At Agitprop, we’re serving this up with a big scoop of schadenfreude.


  19. oldtree Says:

    they can’t have a congressional meeting about a child sex scandal and include the democratic members. film at eleven, 10 central


  20. dlet Says:

    I remember when Hasert was so against the FBI going into Jefferson’s office to gather evidence. He was scared of the law coming into publicaly owned buildings further justice. Now we know why. He was and probably still is hiding illegal activities of his fellow colleagues….maybe even himself.


  21. John the Elder Says:

    It is called CYA. Lie, lie and lie again but all costs to save the GOP and our majority and control…CYA


  22. unitynow Says:

    Impeach Hastert! He’s as big a criminal as Foley in all of this! He’s a corrupt fraud with his own skeletons from the past. He’s the one who needs to be investigated by the Democrats - and IMMEDIATELY!


  23. unitynow Says:

    Hastert looks like a putrified, lying blowfish!


  24. unitynow Says:

    The House Leadership is all about covering their own butts (CYA) and protecting the nation’s children from predators! That’s clear!


  25. big+papa Says:

    Stop inbreeding NOW!

    Vote the Repulsivescum basta*ds OUT!


  26. unitynow Says:

    did I say “and protecting the nation’s children from predators”??

    They’re all about NOT protecting our children from predators, that’s what’s crystal clear.


  27. katy Says:

    just found this on shimkus’ site… interesting, but not surprising:

    Shimkus Supports Higher Fines for Indecent Broadcasts
    June 7, 2006 | Congressman John Shimkus voted to increase the fines for broadcasting indecent material by tenfold. The House approved a bill on June 7 that previously passed the Senate, so now President Bush has the opportunity to sign this measure into law. More »
    http://www.congress.org/ congressorg/ webreturn/ ?url=http:/ / www.house.gov%2Fshimkus


  28. Exley Says:

    A TPM reader raises an EXCELLENT point:

    “Once ABC got hold of the e-mails, it took them one day to flush out the IMs. That’s what an actual investigation looks like. The Republican leadership simply didn’t want to know how bad the Foley situation was. That’s just as morally negligent as if they had started digging and found the IMs.”


  29. Joe Sixpack Says:

    did I say “and protecting the nation’s children from predators”?? They’re all about NOT protecting our children from predators, that’s what’s crystal clear.
    Comment by unitynow

    Actually you had it right the first time only turned around: The House Leadership is all about covering the nation’s children from predators while protecting their own butts.


  30. IraqVet Says:

    Okay, are we expecting something else from Hastert?

    Oh, a full competant investigation maybe?

    Where is the FBI? or other investigative branches to get to the bottom of this?

    Oh, that’s right! We have DUMBYA and the boys there…Don’t worry, they’ll probably make a law to properly define what is a pedophile so we can make sure the law is applied correctly…

    BUSH IS AN IDIOT!


  31. Badmoodman Says:

    Joe6: “Either TP needs to get a better photo or that ugly-assed fat old bastard needs a new hair stylist”. - - Stylist? I’m pretty sure Denny uses a local barbershop near Plainfield, IL., called “Ed’s Gas, Cash & Slash.”


  32. Bluedog49 Says:

    Hastert is such a big, fat, no-necked troll. Amazing that they’re trying to scare their base with pictures of Nancy Pelosi.


  33. Bill Says:

    You KNOW there is much more to this than they let on. Otherwise, why the very abrupt resignation? Certainly, they could deal with emails, no matter how nasty.

    Also, I think the cynical turn of Foley going into rehab for alcoholism is just opprobrious. Rove intends for ‘folks’ to think “okay, he’s an alcoholic,” and forget the fact that Foley’s a pedophile, or worse!.


  34. Joe Sixpack Says:

    Where is the FBI? or other investigative branches to get to the bottom of this?
    Comment by IraqVet

    Someone else on another thread here has already mentioned the push for the FBI investigation, noting that way the Bush Administration, Tony Showjob, and Hastert and congressional Republcian leadership will be all be able to dodge any questions until after the November elections by siting the “ongoing investigation.”


  35. Sharon Cox Says:

    Good Morning Katy and all……This disgusting mess just add’s more shit on the ever increasing pile of bull shit bush’s administration….It’s getting beaten to death and spun over by the minute by the press and reich winger’s…Next the victoms will be called guilty..Sick basterd’s running our country, liers, theives, murderers and pedaphiles…..America has fallen and hardly a wimper any where about the real issues, war’s and the dismanteling of our constitution..

    Come on T.P. ….We are still requesting a thread on the terrible bill’s passed last week….You know the ones that have help make bull shit bush dictator in charge…..Not likely he will declare any in his group are terrorest and put them in gitmo…..Well Foley is a terrorest against young boy’s woulden’t that apply.? Blessings, we realy need them now.


  36. DieNowForPeace Says:

    “It’s insane! This guy’s taint!” - Mr. Show


  37. RUCerious Says:

    Yo, Denny! Here’s a sure fire “way to protect kids” from your pedo buddies - Freakin resign!


  38. Joe Sixpack Says:

    #34 corrections: line #1: delete “here”; line #2: delete “way”; line #3: change “Showjob” to “Snowjob” and delete “and Hastert”; line #5, change “siting” to “citing.”

    I’m usually critical of a troll for the same sloppy posting. I’m out of here for a beer.


  39. PatrioticLiberalChristian(PLC) Says:

    If I was the Democrat who was not included, I would announce my own meeting, to exclude the Republicans. Then I would actually hold the meeting, write up any conclusions and recommendations and distribute them to the press. Then I would challenge the Republican majority to take the report into account.


  40. Navy+Vet Says:

    Why is it every time a polition get in troble he has a drinking problem or a gambeling problem. Is this suppose to excuse thier conduct. To me they have two problem instead of just one.


  41. Exley Says:

    #40 Navy+Vet….Because no one takes responsibility for their own actions anymore….Everyone wants to play “victim.”


  42. numfar Says:

    I’m noticing something…the trolls aren’t defending these asshats…could it be the trolls have a little more character than their masters?

    Next thing you know, the trolls will be thinking for themselves.


  43. Sharon Cox Says:

    #42 numfar, we can only hope……Blessings


  44. w mast Says:

    Ben Franklin was right; a people who give up essential freedoms for temporary security, deserve neither freedom nor security. That’s why living outside the USA lets one see the disaster that is occuring with our (former) republic. Thankfully there are bloggers who give some sanity to the rest of us. However 59 million were stupid before, I doubt that’ll change


  45. rightlinx.com » Blog Archive » GOP Leadership in Damage Control Says:

    […] Others blogging about Foley today include Think Progress, Outside the Beltway, Balloon Juice, Texas Sparkle, Wizbang Politics, Ace of Spades, Confederate Yankee. […]


  46. e_five Says:

    I blame the liberal media, activist judges, Hollywood, Charles Darwin, and the Defeat-o-crats.


  47. Sexual Politics » Blog Archive » Gingrich hubris on Foley Says:

    […] Dennis Hastert, who heard about the emails in 2005, is now holding hearings to protect the House pages, as reported on Think Progress. Democrats are not invited to participate though, they might ask why it took Hastert so long to start protecting the underage pages. Politics before everything, even protecting minors. […]


  48. RUCerious Says:

    For those of you who are espousing impeach Hastert…
    Once elected, a representative continues to serve until the expiry of his term, death, or resignation. Furthermore, the Constitution permits the House to expel any member with a two-thirds vote.
    Remember, this assclown is two bullets away from being President…


  49. unitynow Says:

    I’ve read that Hastert knew about Foley’s inappropriate contact with Pages back in 2001. If he cannot be impeached, then he needs to be “retired early” or expelled. This country cannot afford to have “predator enablers” in positions of high leadership; that is, if we are to have any credibility left on the world stage.


  50. Marie Says:

    Even in the face of an imploding scandal on the party, Hastert still has the arrogance to not invite the Democratic member of the Page Board.
    That’s akin to Sensenbrenner, turning off the lights and slamming down the gavel in the middle of the Democrats’ (Conyers) meeting last year.


  51. rich Says:

    the new rome with our own “NERO” Dentist Hastert. with our all new/old torture cambers. does the house have there own sodom & gomorra? and if so i want one.


  52. Wayne A. Schneider Says:

    Can TP post the phone number to Hastert’s district offices so we can call them and urge them to tell Hastert to resign? Can we also get e-mail links to any local newspapers in his area so we can all write and urge the people in his district not to send him back to DC? Can TP help us by finding some phone numbers to local talk radio stations in his district that might be talking about this so we can phone in with our opinions?

    Time is running out. We have to convince the people who sent him there the last time that it’s in our nation’s interest that he not come back. (And not just the nation’s interests, but the Congressional Pages’ interests, too.)


  53. paul Says:

    dennis hastert: mark, it has come to my attention that you have sent an e-mail to a page asking him how he was doing and asking him to send you a picture. you’re fired, you sick bastard. oh, the humanity!


  54. Uncle_Ho Says:

    Hastert coddles child molesters.

    G.O.P. = Good Ole’ Pedophiles.


  55. Uncle_Ho Says:

    Wayne, Hastert has a web site. http://housegov/hastert I think. I sent him an e-mail similar to my post at #54 above. snort. :-D

    ain’t I a stinker? heh, heh.


  56. Marie Says:

    #52 Wayne
    Happy to oblige as they all hear from me regularly:
    fencepost@dailyherald.com

    ctc-TribLetter@Tribune.com

    Letters@suntimes.com


  57. PatrioticLiberalChristian(PLC) Says:

    Caption: “I swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help me, God. Really, God, help me. I’m going to need it. Don’t let them hurt me. Bwwahhhhhh.”


  58. unitynow Says:

    To dialogue with this resident troll is to lower yourself to his level - that of utter and dismal repugnancy. His schtick is become quite boring to those of us who post here.


  59. Wretched+Refuse Says:

    THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A LOOOONNNNNNNGGGGGGGG TIME

    http://www.thelawparty.com/FranklinCoverup/franklin.htm


  60. ReidBlog Says:

    The sound of shoes dropping…

    Lie: “No one knew that Mark Foley had an issue with pages…”
    Truth: warnings about Foley go back, among pages and in the halls of Congress, at least five years. Oh, and apparently, the FBI knew about him too,…


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