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The resignation of Rep. Mark Foley (R-Fl) for sexually suggestive e-mails to congressional pages has topped the news all weekend. Jay Fawcett, Democratic candidate for the House seat in Colorado’s 4th Congressional district is calling upon House Speaker Denny Hastert to resign:
Let’s summarize: Hastert has turned a blind eye to sexual harassment in his own party, he is supporting an unqualified candidate for a position in a time of war that directly deals with the oversight of that war. If this is family values and national security we are all in a lot of trouble.
Get ahead of holiday shopping this year!Gift 12 issues of 5280 magazine for just $16 »Hastert should immediately step down as Speaker and call for a formal investigation of the events surrounding former Congressman Foley. As a Veteran, I put my life where my mouth is and served this country. Let’s see if Hastert and Lamborn have the guts to do the same.
I think this story has legs. Coming the month before the November elections, the last thing the Republicans need is another scandal. But, will it play with Colorado voters? I have my doubts. I think Coloradans care about the War in Iraq, immigration reform and the new torture bill, but to ask them to link those issues to a Republican who committed personal transgressions is a stretch.
Given the numerous mis-steps of Republicans and President Bush during the past four years, it’s a wonder to me the polls don’t show a landslide movement towards change. But, they don’t. Whatever the outcome of the November elections, the results and reasons for them surely will be studied for years to come.
Yet, I can’t help but think that Colorado’s congressional races will be decided by voters who care more about issues than the politics of personal destruction. We’ll soon see if I’m right.