Foley scandal tops campaigns nationwide

updated 8:49 a.m. ET Oct. 4, 2006

WASHINGTON - Democratic candidates seized on a disgraced congressman's explicit messages with underage boys — and House Republican leaders' handling of the situation — to argue that voters should toss the GOP from power.

Their Republican rivals, in turn, are distancing themselves from former Republican Rep. Mark Foley.

"His unspeakable behavior should subject him to the strongest punishment under the law," Republican Rep. Michael Fitzpatrick, in a tight re-election race in Pennsylvania, said in a letter to House Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Ill.

Like a growing number of Democrats, Fitzpatrick's opponent, Patrick Murphy, called for Hastert's resignation, and challenged the GOP incumbent to seek the same. "Their willingness to look the other way during such despicable activities speaks to their character," Murphy said of House leaders.

Foley's abrupt resignation Friday — as reports surfaced that he had written salacious instant messages to teenage boys who once worked as House pages — shifted the focus of congressional races five weeks before midterm elections.

Disclosures continued Tuesday when Foley's attorney, David Roth, announced in West Palm Beach, Fla., that his client is gay and was molested between the ages 13 and 15 by a clergyman.

Scandal takes center stage
In the days since Foley resigned, talk of national security and the Iraq war has been replaced by the scandal — for Republicans and Democrats. Control of Congress is at stake, with Democrats needing to gain 15 seats in the House and six in the Senate to take control after a dozen years of Republican rule.

"I'm hopeful that five weeks out, that it's a news story for a week or so and then it will die down," said Ted Welch, a Republican fundraiser in Nashville, Tenn., a state with a hard-fought Senate race. Welch said the GOP base in Tennessee sees the Foley matter "as just another mistake that Republicans have made, not dealing with it when they first learned of it."

Democratic Rep. Harold Ford Jr., faces Republican Bob Corker to replace retiring Majority Leader Bill Frist in the GOP-leaning state, and the party's base voters are crucial to Republicans keeping the seat.

‘We have a story to tell,’ Hastert says
Hastert said the party won't be deterred in trying to argue for maintaining congressional control.

NBC VIDEO Scarborough discusses scandal Oct. 4: "Today" show anchor Matt Lauer speaks with ex-U.S. Rep. Joe Scarborough, host of MSNBC's "Scarborough Country," about the state of the GOP Today show

"We have a story to tell and the Democrats ... in my view have put this thing forward to try to block us from telling our story, to try to put us on defense," the speaker said in a radio interview with conservative talk show host Rush Limbaugh.

In races across the country, Democrats are working to make their case for change by arguing that the Foley scandal is symbolic of a Republican Party in power too long.

"Whether it's knowledge of intolerable conduct within the House or warnings about the war in Iraq, this Congress just doesn't want to face reality, much less hold anyone accountable. They'll say and do anything to hold onto power," said Paul Hodes, a Democrat challenging GOP Rep. Charlie Bass in New Hampshire.

Said House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.: "They're shaking in their boots because they didn't tell us. They're scared to death because they didn't tell us, because it's totally their responsibility. They know it and they admit it."

MORE FROM POLITICS

Politics Section Front

Obama prodded to fix ailing airline industry Palin's book tour steers clear of major cities How would the House abortion limits work? Of bats and billions: Following stimulus funds Jobless claims fall to lowest level since January Source: U.S. envoy objects to troop increase Official: Obama rejects war options For Obama, defining China is a challenge Obama heads to Asia, economy on his mind Sources: Reid eyes payroll tax rise on high earners   Politics Section Front   Add Politics headlines to your news reader: