Day: October 6, 2006

For Republicans, the blame for the ever-developing Mark Foley Congressional page scandal is always lies with someone else and is part of some vague, giant conspiracy designed to rid the world forever from the perils of GOP control.

In other words, it’s never their fault. Following the lead of President George W. Bush, who never takes responsibility his many failures ranging from Iraq to the erosion of Constitutional freedoms, House Speaker Dennis J. Hastert and his Republican cronies, point the finger of blame at "Democratic political operatives" whom they say are funded by millionaire George Soros.

First rule of politics. When the opposition hands you a ready-made campaign issue on a platter, don’t hesitate: Seize the day and run with it.

By DALE McFEATTERS

In the national capital, denials of a rumored resignation are always strongest just before the actual resignation and, if that remains the case, Dennis Hastert’s tenure as House speaker may be nearing an end.

By AMIE PARNES

By LISA HOFFMAN

By THOMAS HARGROVE

By TOM HUMPHREY

By ANNE PLUMMER FLAHERTY

Sen. John Warner on Thursday offered his darkest assessment yet of Iraq, saying the war there was "drifting sideways" without a commitment from its government to disarm militias.

By JIM KUHNHENN

Congressional Republicans, already struggling against negative public perceptions of Congress, now face voters who say new scandals will significantly influence their vote in November.