Foley Scandal: 10 Things Republicans Hope Won't Happen Next
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First, let's get real about the stakes involved. Here's George Stephanopolous:
Right now it's a category 3 hurricane and it's picking up steam. Republicans all across the country are getting questions about it. But here's the key question: Did any Republican leaders know about those x-rated emails? ...If they did, it's game over. The leadership will have to resign. It will cost Republicans control of Congress. As one top GOP aide told [Stephanopolous] -- 'the place will burn down.'
So here are 10 Things That The Republicans Better Hope DON'T Happen Next:
- Foley does a "tell-all" interview, specifically detailing his dealings with House Leadership. [Note: today he's gone into alcohol rehab, so the immediate risk is mitigated somewhat.]
- Speaker Hastert, Majority Leader Boehner, and the others (Blunt and Reynolds) turn on each other in an effort to cover their asses.
- House Republicans scatter during recess and start shooting off their mouths about what they know.
- The traditional media keeps the story alive...with more salacious emails and IMs emerging.
- No, wait -- it would be worse if they had stories about the Leadership, what they knew and when they knew it. In other words, staffers start shooting off their mouths.
- Foley's campaign funds rot in his bank account instead of being turned over to charity. Ditto, for any money Foley gave to other House members.
- No one in the Christian Right says jacksh*t about Foley or the way the House Leadership handled the fiasco. Or, worse yet, the Christian base is so turned off that they stay home in November.
- Bush says something ambiguous about Foley and/or the House Leadership response. Worse yet, he says something stupid (or worser -- he looks stupid).
- High-profile Republicans (Tony Snow, Dan Bartlett, Mary Matalin, et. al.) shrug it off -- "After all, everyone does it!"
- The Democrats smell blood in the water and pounce -- in every single district race.
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