Wilmette, IL - Dan Seals, Democratic candidate for the 10th Congressional District, issued the following statement about the failure of the House Republican leadership to disclose that they have been aware for months of e-mail exchanges between former Rep. Mark Foley (R-FL) and a former teenage page:
"The silence of Rep. Mark Kirk (R-IL) and the entire Republican leadership on this matter is shameful. They were more concerned about protecting one of their own colleagues in an election year than protecting the teenage boy. Putting politics above protecting our children from predators is unconscionable. Where is the outrage?
"That was their first mistake. Their second mistake was trying to cover it up.
"There needs to be a full accountability of what the House Republican leaders. What did they know? When did they know it? And why didn't they do something about it sooner?
"The disclosures about Rep. Foley is a pattern of abuse by the Republican party, from influence peddling by former lobbyist Abramhoff and Rep. Ney to Reps. DeLay, Cunningham and now Foley. It's why this leadership must change."
