Investor’s Business Daily asks “what did Democrats know, and when did they know it?” Today IBD looks at the Democrats’ hypocrisy and sleaziness in trying to use Foley’s sick behavior to their political advantage:
It’s of course clear that Foley, a Republican representative from Florida, resigned for good cause. We don’t defend him or his inexcusable behavior — good riddance.
But it didn’t take long at all after Foley’s resignation for the Democrats to call for an investigation of the entire Republican leadership in the House, charging that GOP stalwarts knew early on that Foley, as they like to say in the rehab business, had a “problem.”
Democrats have begun losing their once-significant lead in the polls, and a mere five weeks remain until the midterm elections. Is this scandal the Democrats’ own “October Surprise,” meant to throw the GOP into a tailspin shortly before the vote?
Recent polls show Democrats aren’t doing very well on several key issues. What better way than a good, old-fashioned sex scandal to get people’s minds off such things as the importance of winning the war in Iraq, our ongoing vulnerability to terrorist attack and the necessity of keeping the Bush economic boom going?
As it is, Republicans deny knowing about the explicit text messages that Foley sent to a 16-year-old congressional page back in 2003. In repudiating Foley, House Speaker Dennis Hastert called the messages “vile and repulsive.”
Despite this, the immediate take by Democrats and much of the mainstream media was that this was a classic example of Republican hypocrisy — talking “morals” and “values” while all the time shielding a child predator. But it was nothing of the kind.
If anything, the episode reveals the Democrats’ hypocrisy about their own behavior. The fact that Foley resigned virtually within minutes of being told that ABC News had copies of his salacious e-mails and text messages indicates he at least felt shame for his actions. Can the same be said for Democrats?
Sadly, it doesn’t seem so. How else can you explain the following?
• In 1983, then-Democratic Rep. Gerry Studds of Massachusetts was caught in a similar situation. In his case, Studds had sex with a male teenage page — something Foley hasn’t been charged with.
Did Studds express contrition? Resign? Quite the contrary. He rejected Congress’ censure of him and continued to represent his district until his retirement in 1996.
• In 1989, Rep. Barney Frank, also of Massachusetts, admitted he’d lived with Steve Gobie, a male prostitute who ran a gay sex-for-hire ring out of Frank’s apartment. Frank, it was later discovered, used his position to fix 33 parking tickets for Gobie.
What happened to Frank? The House voted 408-18 to reprimand him — a slap on the wrist. Today he’s an honored Democratic member of Congress, much in demand as a speaker and “conscience of the party.”
• In 2001, President Clinton, who had his own intern problem, commuted the prison sentence of Illinois Rep. Mel Reynolds, who had sex with a 16-year-old campaign volunteer and pressured her to lie about it. (Reynolds also was convicted of campaign spending violations.)
Political parties that reside in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones. Read the rest of the editorial.
Update: Noel Sheppard at Newsbusters links to a Washington Post article that actually acknowledges and details the double-standard between Democrats, who get away with their scandals, and Republicans, who pay serious consequences for theirs.
“the NYT is nothing more than a propaganda organ for the dem party”
“I thought they were the NAMBLA/ACLU/terrorist newsletter. Those flip-floppers!”
Brian – they are really good at multi-tasking!
Hey my day is made!!!!! I got under old “pucker puss” (lee lee)’s skin. YAHOO . (or is that AOL?)
Brian,
You live in a fantasy world. So, I’m certain you do love a good fantasy.
Which of the Republicans you listed are still in office or being defended by the Republican party? To tough for you? It’s none.
Which of the Dims I listed are still in office or kept getting elected until they chose to leave on their own or staunchly defended by your scumbag party? I’m sure this one is too tough for you as well. The answer is all but one. And the one that did go to jail had his sentence commuted by your scumbag hero Clinton!
Enjoy your fantasy, because reality is way too difficult for the likes of you.
Ahh yes, the old isolate and distance tactic.
Of course. They let this crap go on since 1995! And when Foley gets his cover BLOWN, only then do all these family value republicans get all moral and outraged. I gotta tell you, this crap has been going on in DC for a very long time. I lived in the DC area for a number of years and was stunned to see top level officials dining with UNDERAGE girls on the outskirts of DC. In fact I saw one Diplomat dining way out of the way towards the Blue Ridge mountains in VA with what looked like a 13 year old girl. At first I thought it must be his daughter, but then this Diplomat kissed her like she was his sex pal. Our nation is run by pedophiles and perverts, drunk with the madness of power. I voted in opionon polls to impeach Clinton, I even donated money to get the job done. But I must say, in retrospect, at least I understand what Clinton was after. It wasn’t a sick thing. Republicans cannot claim moral high ground by fleeing now. They knew. Restoring Honor and Dignity to the White House.
Hmm, the lead article states that the Democrats are not doing very well on several key issues, such as winning the war in Iraq. It also claims that an old fashioned sex scandle is a good smokescreen from the real issue. Nonsense. The Iraq war is worth talking about if you want to beat Bush Republicans senseless. It also mentions the “Bush economic Boom” Is this like Story Time or something??? Bush Economic Boom??? Never heard of it. First the stock market crashed and 8 TRILLION dollars were lost, then the economy tanked, then sputtered along under crushing fuel prices, wholesale joblosses, as the last of American Manufacturing headed to China and the “Giant Sucking Sound” that Ross Perot decribed hit an earpiercing screech. Then the nations Tech Support relocated to India, resulting in More American jobs lost. Dispite claims of low inflation, the costs of everything rose as the value of the US Dollar declined. Start with Housing, your largest expense. You are told that high housing prices make you rich. Nonsense. Since when did OVERPAYING for something result in increased net worth?? You were all scammed. Paying out is a drain on your bank account. Your not getting rich. More lies. Gas is up, electricry, oil, is up. Medical costs and insurance is up. Auto prices and auto insurance is up, all your major expenses are up. You are paying More for phone service than you were years ago. Sure you are getting more, but could you still speak to the person 20 years ago? Yes. And it wasn’t costing you an arm and a leg. Random purchases such as electronics are down. So what, its the reoccuring monthly costs that bleed you dry. We are in the middle of a Housing Bust, and you point to the “Bush Economic Boom?” Are you people on drugs???
Check the facts folks. Wages have NOT kept up with inflation. You cannot “Spin” you way to wealth. You are being lied to.
The Iraq war is worth talking about if you want to beat Bush Republicans senseless.
Hasn’t worked for the Dems so far.
Bush Economic Boom??? Never heard of it.
Stock market hit an all time high, low unemployment, et cetera. Helluva comeback after the 9/11 inspired low point (not a crash by any rational definition).
Basically, most of the rest of your post is failed rationalizations of why a good economy should be considered “bad” because it’s not being presided over by the Democrats.