A Note From the Editors

There still seems to be some confusion about the order of events related to our coverage of Rep. Mark Foley and his email exchanges with teenagers he met through the congressional page program. Let me try to clear this up.

In November of last year, we were given copies of an email exchange Foley had with a former page from Louisiana. Other news organizations later got them,too. The conversation in those emails was friendly chit-chat. Foley asked the boy about how he had come through Hurricane Katrina and about the boy's upcoming birthday. In one of those emails, Foley casually asked the teen to send him a "pic" of himself. Also among those emails was the page's exchange with a congressional staffer in the office of Rep. Alexander, who had been the teen's sponsor in the page program. The teen shared his exchange he'd had with Foley and asked the staffer if she thought Foley was out of bounds.

There was nothing overtly sexual in the emails, but we assigned two reporters to find out more. We found the Louisiana page and talked with him. He told us Foley's request for a photo made him uncomfortable so he never responded, but both he and his parents made clear we could not use his name if we wrote a story. We also found another page who was willing to go on the record, but his experience with Foley was different. He said Foley did send a few emails but never said anything in them that he found inappropriate. We tried to find other pages but had no luck. We spoke with Rep. Alexander, who said the boy's family didn't want it pursued, and Foley, who insisted he was merely trying to be friendly and never wanted to make the page uncomfortable.

So, what we had was a set of emails between Foley and a teenager, who wouldn't go on the record about how those emails made him feel. As we said in today's paper, our policy is that we don't make accusations against people using unnamed sources. And given the seriousness of what would be implied in a story, it was critical that we have complete confidence in our sourcing. After much discussion among top editors at the paper, we concluded that the information we had on Foley last November didn't meet our standard for publication. Evidently, other news organizations felt the same way.

Since that time, we revisited the question more than once, but never learned anything that changed our position. The Louisiana boy's emails broke into the open last weekend, when a blogger got copies and posted them online. Later that week, on Thursday, a news blog at the website of ABC News followed suit, with the addition of one new fact: Foley's Democratic opponent, Tim Mahoney, was on the record about the Louisiana boy's emails and was calling for an investigation. That's when we wrote our first story, for Friday's papers.

After ABC News broke the story on its website, someone contacted ABC and provided a detailed email exchange between Foley and at least one other page that was far different from what we had seen before. This was overtly sexual, not something Foley could dismiss as misinterpreted friendliness. That's what drove Foley to resign on Friday.

I hope this helps clarify a bit about what we knew and when we knew it.

Scott Montgomery

Government & Politics Editor

Comments

Why do you keep calling me a DEM? I am an independent...

You continue to support the party of corruption... I don't support either party...

So you don't know very much...Your rant was a waste... Continue to vote Republican... Dumbass...

Regarding the St. Pete Times criticism:

Republicans are just p'oed that they got caught with their pants down.

Literally.

457

i never said i vote only for republicans did i dumbass?. i vote for both r's and d's. you say your and indipendant? so who do you vote for? not too many independdants elected to office so you either vote for d's, r's, both, or you dont vote. so?

You said and I quote:

"the differance is that i am a life long goper"

GOPEers vote Party line if you do not you are LIAR... well that is what GOP'ers are good at eh?

I will VOTE for anyone that is not in the GOP!! Not that it's any of your business..

caught in your own shit eh???

507

i am a life long goper just as you are an independant. not all in the gop vote straight party. not all dems vote straight party.

but lets see, you said "I will VOTE for anyone that is not in the GOP!!" that only leaves dems to vote for. so are you saying you vote straight party democrat?

When was the last time you voted??

Dem's & Repugs are NOT the only thing on the ticket... You are a dumbass!

Keep posting I like to show how stupid GOP'ers are...

Republicans and GOP are not the same - GOP vote the ticket you are a liar!!

507

by the way, lets see...you have called me a dumbass, a liar, and a perv supporter. i did lower myself to your level by calling you a dumbass after you called me one. why do you feel the need to use such tactics? i am certain that if you were face to face with me you would not speak that way so why do you feel you are allowed to on here? you feel free to hide behind your computer while insulting me in that fasion. why dont you give me your phone number and address and i will drive to your house and see if you have the courage to speak to me in such a manner.

Kennedy, it's Clinton's fault..blah blah..

Dude you are a ditto head pure & simple! there is no debate with you! You are a GOP rush limbaugh, Sean Hannity Repug!!

you deserve nothing less... You are a liar!

Hey 5:12

I dont want to get in the middle but do you mean you always votes for the person that loses? You vote libertarian, green, reform? I have not seen them elected to much. An ind sen from NH, jesse ventura in MN.

More GOP Fear Tacticts! LOL you don't scare me old man!

what is wrong with you cant you read? i never blamed clinton or kennedy! i was making a point about lumping the many with the actions of a few.

I vote on principle something that GOPers don't have, Its not about winning its about voting for whats right. I do not always vote indy or Dem or Rep, I used to.. Reps will not get my vote this year not a one...

You are not the person that keeps bringing up Kennedy on previous threads...? sure...

then give me your address and phone number and i will come to your house and see if you have the courage to speak to me in such a way when we are face to face. its easy to have courage when you dont have to look the other person in the eye. so come on. i will get in the car right now and go where ever in the state you are. right to your home turff. you can have all your friends there to give you courage. have whomever there you like it doesnt matter to me. you treat people disrespectfully because there are no consequences to your actions. i am waiting.

THE WHOLE REPUBLICAN PARTY IS CORRUPT IF YOU VOTE FOR ANY OF THEM YOUR ARE A SUPPORTER...PERIOD!

5:21 the only kennedy i brought up was rep kennedy who drove his car into the capitol while drunk. thats it. no other kennedy referance from me.

LOL - OK you give me your address so I can come see you...I will gladly tell you to your face you are a liar.

OH now it's all coming back eh? the only Kennedy I brought up? I am done with you ditto head! You have a nice day now you hear???

the whole dem party is corrupt too. both parties are corrupt

Vote Dem & vote War profiteers & corruption!

Support our Troops!

Oh Wait that's right Hailburton is A Republican Org.... Ok Vote Dem to vote OUT War profiteering and The Doolitles GOP Corruption!

Republicans are the CURRENT Corrupt party vote them out!

Everyone knows that most reporters are simply put LAZY about researching facts. Here for example is a rumor that a hard working reporter can verify, there is RUMOR that Pitts and Lee were PAID for their miraculous conversion, the rumor number is 10K each, now lets see if a hard working smart reporter will go get the facts.

12:07 PM
want some cheese with that whine?
you rethugs are so desperate and perverted, Christian my A$$

05:31 PM
just more rethug desperation
nothing to see here just move along

05:24 PM
yea that's right just say, Well it is both parties so the public will ignor how evil, hating and corrupt the GOP is

05:21 PM

just more proof how hateful you rethugs are

[Zhombre]

All this anonymous crap is the product of small, cowardly minds. You are idiots jabbering like primates and to hell with you all.

You need a sig to understand what is being posted? I say you are the Jabbering Primate!

How come with Republicans the outrage is never about the actual deed but rather the fact they got caught and exposed?

5:42, interesting how quickly you dismiss this, why, it doesn't fall into your theme??? cleary, if a smart hard working investigative reporter simply start asking some questions to Pitts, Lee and perhaps Davis and Smith campaign staff they may stumble upon a major story based on the rumors....what you says...dems would NOT want this to be true...of course they wouldn't. Now would a smart reporter PLEASE DO YOUR JOB AND START ASKING QUESTIONS!

There is a rumor that a hard working reporter can verify, there is RUMOR that Pitts and Lee were PAID for their miraculous conversion, the rumor number is 10K each, now lets see if a hard working smart reporter will go get the facts.

NO the outrage is at the 'Liberal Publication' that printed the abuse of power! too funny! They hate to get caught, They dont care about the deed...

[Ron Mills]

#
Washington, DC – Yesterday, Florida Republican Congressman Mark Foley resigned from Congress when sexually inappropriate emails and instant messages he sent to a teenage boy came to light. While the shocking exchanges produced an immediate uproar that cost Congressman Foley his job, at least one member of the House Republican leadership had known about the situation for months and did nothing about it: New York Republican Congressman and chair of the National Republican Congressional Committee Tom Reynolds.

According to the Associated Press, Congressman Reynolds’ spokesman confirmed that Reynolds had been informed by another Congressman that the boy had complained about Foley’s inappropriate communications “months ago.” According to the report, the allegations first came to light in late 2005. [AP, 9/30/06] It appears that Reynolds did not tell authorities about the emails or take any step to discipline Foley, apparently choosing instead to sweep the matter under the rug to protect the Republican party’s dwindling chances of retaining control of the House of Representatives this November.

“Congressman Reynolds’ inaction in the face of such a serious situation is very troubling, and raises important questions about whether there was an attempt to cover up criminal activity involving a minor to keep it from coming to light before Election Day,” said Democratic National Committee Communications Director Karen Finney.

“We need real answers to important questions about precisely who knew about these activities and when they knew it, whether other current or former pages were victimized by Congressman Foley, why the Republican House leadership was prepared to adjourn without at the very least referring this matter to the ethics committee, and what corrective action if any Congressman Reynolds and the rest of the Republican House leadership took. Failing to answer to these questions would send a terrible message to the parents who entrust their children to the care of the Page School and send them to Washington to serve Congress.”

#

5:42, interesting how quickly you dismiss this, why, it doesn't fall into your theme??? clearly, if a smart hard working investigative reporter simply start asking some questions to Pitts, Lee and perhaps Davis and Smith campaign staff they may stumble upon a major story based on the rumors....what you say...dems would NOT want this to be true...of course they wouldn't. Now would a smart reporter PLEASE DO YOUR JOB AND START ASKING QUESTIONS!

There is a rumor that a hard working reporter can verify, there is RUMOR that Pitts and Lee were PAID for their miraculous conversion, the rumor number is 10K each, now lets see if a hard working smart reporter will go get the facts.

There is no THEME you are only here to distract from the fact that your REPUBLICAN Congress Critter got caught with his hand in well I wont go there..

Save your righteous indignation for.... Bill Clinton, I bet you did didn't you? LOL you repugs are a pathetic lot!

06:01 PM
Just more desperate desperation
please stop hiding like a coward that you are, post you REAL email you ReThug

6:03, From what i read above, I disagree a backdoor deal which included payoff for support would also be a MAJOR scandal of epic proportions. I for one do hope that there is a investigative report that will share any impropriety of exhanging of money regarding Pitts and Lee.

Johnson for Congress 2006!!!

607p - sure loser.. what ever

06:07 PM
commenting on your own post
very desperate very devious
the blogs name is Buzz that does not mean your buzz
so knock it off you phony

[BoilerGOP]

This blog has become a complete joke with nothing but hyper-partisan hacks.

Foley is a disgrace, and should be punished for any wrong-doing. PERIOD.

What the hell does this have to do with any other republicans? NOTHING. Many of the other republicans only knew about emails, not those disgusting IM's.

Did William Jefferson represent all democrats? Did Patrick Kennedy represent all democrats? NO.

Cut the sh*t, and stop this. We are supposed to be discussing political ideas, not slandering each other, and stereotyping entire political parties.

BoilerGOP you are a hack!

Corrupt Republicans in the House have assinged a child abuser (Foley) to be on a the Child Abuse Committee. isn't it only fitting that the GOP has assigned the Foley matter to the Ethics Committee, Chaired by none other than the ethically challenged Tom Davis.

The same Tom Davis who is a member of the Abramoff 65. The same Tom Davis who is investigating Abramoff. The same Tom Davis that has so far protected fellow Republicans from the full light of a real investigation. The same Tom Davis who works hand in hand with his "lobbyist" wife. The same Tom Davis we can count on to protect the GOP culture of corruption. The same Tom Davis has now been given the assignment to protect the GOP from child abuse charges.

GOP corruption.. protectiong our young....

Truth Hurts eh? BoilerGOP??

65 GOP Congressmen connected to Jack I plead guilty Abramoff....

No??.... we need ideas???...
I have an idea!!!

Vote out the Republican party!!!

What will happen to Foley now? Will he be prosecuted? Will the Conservative Christian Right give him the treatment to cure him? A regular citizen would be doing the perp walk by now. I would like to hear John Walsh calling him names on America's most wanted like he does the other pedophiles.

[BoilerGOP]

You moron,

Just b/c people worked with Abramoff did not mean they were corrupt. SOme were, others were not. Dumass.

"GOP culture of corruption" That is nothing than a liberal hyper-partisan hack line from idiots like Pelosi. Go crawl back into your hole at the dailykos.

Gripe all you want, we are gonna have a republican governor here in FL, and it wont be any closer than 6 points, and probably 9-10 points. Keep bringing up false general allegations, and Crist will keep cruising to his clear victory.

06:54 PM
morons with no Brains and nothing to say usw curse words in every other word they use
if the shoe fits wear it MORON

[Ron Mills]

Time ignores other scandal in Foley conflagration

http://mediamatters.org/items/200609300006

A September 30 article by Time reporter Tim Padgett on the resignation of former Rep. Mark Foley (R-FL) left out key facts that give the scandal national relevance. Absent from Padgett's article is any mention of the disclosure, reported by The Washington Post and Roll Call, among other outlets, that the House Republican leadership has known for months about emails reportedly sent by Foley to a 16-year-old-male congressional page.

Padgett reported that Foley quit the day after ABC News broke the news that Foley allegedly sent the page emails that were, in Time's words at the top of the article, "possibly inappropriate." ABC News reported after its initial story on September 28 that there were emails and instant messages, some of which it posted on its weblog several hours before Padgett's article went up. Padgett suggested that the reason Foley resigned so quickly might not have been because "there might be similar e-mail or instant messages lying in the hard drives of other teens in the capital," but because the communications expose Foley as gay, rumors of which he had "frequently worked to squelch." But the content of the emails and instant messages itself suggests yet a third possible reason for Foley's resignation, which Padgett apparently dismisses as insufficient -- their content indicates that a member of Congress in his early 50s was reportedly engaging in sexually explicit communications with one or more underage charges of the House of Representatives. Foley reportedly sent sexually explicit communications to one or more minors, but Padgett is apparently taking the position that the reason Foley resigned is "just as likely" to be that he has been exposed as gay.

While Padgett reported Republican concerns about losing Foley's seat in what was considered a safe Republican district, he completely ignored reports that the House Republican leadership apparently engaged in a months-long cover-up of Foley's alleged actions. According to Roll Call:

At least four Republican House Members, one senior GOP aide and a former top officer of the House were aware of the allegations about Foley that prompted the initial reporting regarding his e-mail contacts with a 16-year-old House page. They include: Majority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio), National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman Tom Reynolds (N.Y.) and Reps. Rodney Alexander (R-La.) and John Shimkus (R-Ill.), as well as a senior aide to Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) and former Clerk of the House Jeff Trandahl.

Boehner strongly denied media reports late Friday night that he had informed Hastert of the allegations, saying "That is not true."

Reynolds refused to comment.

Shimkus, who chairs the page board, and Trandahl, who administered the program, met with Foley in 2005 after learning of Foley's e-mail exchange with the former page by Alexander. Shimkus released a detailed statement Friday night.

House sources said that Foley denied any improper sexual activity when confronted by Shimkus and Trandahl. Their information only included some August 2005 e-mails that contained no references to sex or other improper behavior, and not the other messages that have been reported by ABC News.

According to a senior House GOP leadership aide, Hastert's office was informed of the interview shortly after it occurred, but Hastert himself was not told.

While Roll Call has Boehner flatly denying that he had informed Hastert of the matter, according to the Post, Boehner has given conflicting statements about whether he talked with Hastert, as Joshua Micah Marshall of the blog Talking Points Memo noted. The Post reported that Boehner initially said that he informed Hastert of the matter when he learned of it in the spring, but then Boehner "later contacted The Post and said he could not remember whether he talked to Hastert." So Roll Call and the Post have reported Boehner apparently saying three different things: he talked to Hastert, he can't remember whether he talked to Hastert, and he did not talk to Hastert. Time makes no mention of the issue of whether the speaker of the House was informed of Foley's alleged conduct.

Yes, the potential loss of Foley's seat to a Democrat could bear on whether the GOP loses its majority in the House in November. But beyond the scandal's implications for Foley's seat is the significance of the action or inaction of the current House leadership. Padgett's article simply ignored this issue.