Foley Scandal Rattles GOP In Congress

(CBS)  There is no getting around it: The unraveling of the page scandal could be the undoing of some House Republican leaders, if not the party's hold on Congress, CBS News correspondent Gloria Borger reports.

Congressman Mark Foley has left the premises to undergo rehab for what he called "alcoholism and related behavioral problems" as the FBI and Florida officials begin investigating his contacts with a young male page.

But on Capitol Hill, one senior House Republican tells CBS News that this scandal "could be the congressional equivalent of Katrina."

"Our base is moral conservatives, and we look like a bunch of hypocrites who just didn't want another scandal before the election," he adds.

Today, Republicans named a new candidate to replace Foley, but winning is a long shot. Increasingly, angry Republicans are asking if their leaders knew about this matter more than a year ago — and if they circled the wagons as part of a cover-up to keep a seat?

Republican Shelly Capito, R-W.Va., is demanding an answer. "Certainly, I'm outraged," she says. She's one of the three members in charge of Capitol Hill pages and says she was kept in the dark.

"If there was a concerted effort to keep Mr. Foley in Congress for whatever reason, political or otherwise, then I think that will come to light in the FBI investigation," Capito says.

Republican politicians could be asking the toughest questions.

Some religious conservatives have House Speaker Dennis Hastert in their sights. The speaker defended himself today, saying he didn't know of the more explicit e-mails until last week.

But Republicans ask how their leaders could have been so passive about a Foley e-mail to a young male page that even the leaders themselves described as "overly friendly."

"I mean, it's just an inappropriate relationship. It should have set off signal bells right from the start," says Vin Weber, a former House Republican leader.

There should have been signal bells — particularly since Foley chaired the House caucus working against sexual predators.

And there's an irony here, too. If Republicans had informed Democrats and law enforcement of this matter, they probably could have protected themselves politically, and a serious investigation would already be under way.

[jbsilvey]

I%u2019m glad that you are covering the Foley news event, but I think you need to refocus on the real problem %u2013 adult *** men preying on young boy.

Because of my looks, I was pursued by *** men from the time I hit my mid-teens until mid-twenties. Foley is just one in a million.

You should drop the politics and focus on the real problem.

[tarquinius2]

This is being blown way out of proportion. So he's ***, who cares?

HE IS NOT A PEDOPHILE. He's not even an Ephebophile. Last time I checked 16 was the age of consent for boys in about half of the states, including Florida. Even if it wasn't I don't think talking dirty is a crime. I'm not a Republican by the way.

[testo751]

Where are all of these self righteous Republicans who impeached President Clinton for having consexual *** with an adult?

This guy is a criminal. As a father I am appalled that any of the GOP leadership team remains in place. It is very apparent that holding onto the Republican Majority was more important than protecting our children from a pedophile.

[chefrc]

This is like Cheney poaching birds in Texas, Foley will get a slap on the wrist and sent home.

[diamtool]

dear cbscrash,
if YOU also don't know the DIFFERENCE between a child and an adult please back away from your computer, or maybe run for congress for the GOP.
normal people have no problem with this.
sorry you are confused.
maybe you and foley could do group therapy together to figure it out.
JUST STAY AWAY FROM MY KID!

[mjv2944]

GOP must mean Guard Our Pedators. Phoney, Phoney Phoney. Where is the great converative religious right at now. Talk about screwed, the whole lot of them are in big trouble at the poles, and its about time. We definitely need and complete change, only hope that those who are runnibg are watching and learning, its time we took back America.

[sceppos]

Tolerating Foley%u2019s actions is unacceptable. Tolerating Foley%u2019s actions to support a political agenda is criminal.

[Syndicate]

If the teenage boy in question had killed several people he would be considered an adult and probably executed. Yet if an adult says the wrong thing to him then he is a child and the adult has commited a crime. wich is it? Are they adults or children?

Re-enactment of IM's- Video Link..

http://one.revver.com/watch/71754/format/flv/affiliate/0