Foley story isn't going away with resignation

Congressman Mark Foley (R-FL) resigned Friday after it was publicized that he wrote sexually charged e-mails and instant messages to teenagers in the House of Representatives page program.

Majority Leader John Boehner (R-OH), and Rep. Tom Reynolds (R-NY) reportedly informed House Speaker Dennis Hastert about the matter months ago. He and other GOP leaders in the House are now trying to deflect criticism now that didn't do enough to pursue it.

Rather than launch an investigation Friday, the House referred the matter to the Ethics Committee to see if an investigation is warranted. TPM passes on this statement today from Congressman Dale Kildee (D-MI), the Democratic Member of the House Page Board:

"As the Democratic Member of the House Page Board, any statement by Mr. Reynolds or anyone else that the House Page Board ever investigated Mr. Foley is completely untrue.

"I was never informed of the allegations about Mr. Foley's inappropriate communications with a House Page and I was never involved in any inquiry into this matter.

"The first and only meeting of the House Page Board on this matter occurred on Friday, September 29 at approximately 6 p.m., after the allegations about Mr. Foley had become public."

As to the politics and how this impacts the election for Foley's seat, Florida law allows Republicans to name a replacement to serve in his place if he wins. As Rick Hasen points out, the fact that Foley's name remains on the ballot is going to work against that effort.