As details continue to emerge regarding former Rep. Mark Foley's alleged penchant for underage male Congressional pages, Republicans are increasingly worried about bad press for the party as a whole,-particularly with crucial midterm elections right around the corner.
The repercussions thus far have been severe and widespread, especially considering that Foley's resignation took place just last Friday.
Increased pressure from both sides of the political spectrum, as well as a heated editorial in The Washington Times calling for the prompt resignation of House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.), has made it clear that the Republican Party has much to fear as a result of Foley's follies.
Such sexual misconduct, by Foley or by anyone, is disgusting and reprehensible. But as long as there have been politics, there have been political scandals: Foley's indecencies are not implicit with his political allegiances.
The impending potential firestorm recalls the backlash suffered by the Democratic Party, particularly former Vice President Al Gore, in the wake of the tumultuous scandal surrounding Bill Clinton and former White House intern Monica Lewinsky.
Though Foley's conduct carries far wider implications, it's important that partisan squabbling does not impede a detailed and objective review of the situation. It is imperative that a full investigation into which, if any, of Foley's colleagues in Congress knew to what extent the inappropriate conduct occurred.
Fellow Republicans may indeed be responsible for ignoring information that could have threatened the well-being of their party at the expense of pages' safety.
In the meantime, it is important for voters to cast their ballots according to the Republican Party's legislative record, not its latest dirty laundry.
While the allegations in question are understandably unsettling and disconcerting, the Republican Party deserves the patience of their supporters while a careful, bipartisan consideration of the facts is conducted.
Any doubts about the party should be stemming from two leading Republicans who left Congress this year: former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-Texas) and Randy "Duke" Cunningham (R-Calif.).
DeLay, sullied by ties with now-disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff, and Cunningham, now in jail after pleading guilty to accepting millions of dollars in bribes while in office, raise far broader doubts about systematic problems with integrity in the party.
The Tufts student stands in a unique position in a world where the excitement of scandal often blinds the public into a state of unreason.
While the campus is a virtual hotbed for political discussion, debate, and activism, Foley's folly and the quick backlash surrounding it serves as a reminder that self-restraint and a duty for fairness reigns supreme over the temptation to engage in immediate political rivalry.
