Foley's
alcoholism story questioned

Congressman Mark Foley, who resigned Friday after his sexually charged communications with underage former congressional pages were reported, sought to meet with one ex-page, according to transcripts posted online by ABC News.

The full transcript reveals as never before the sexual frankness of Foley's instant-message exchanges with the page, including asking the teen for explicit details about his masturbation technique, inquiring whether his girlfriend gave him a "hand job," and informing the page of the congressman's own level of sexual excitement during the exchange. The transcript can be found on ABCNews.com.

During the posted exchange the Louisiana teen typed, "ill se ya in a couple of weeks," suggesting that Foley had made plans to meet with the former page. Foley in one exchange typed, "I miss you lots since San Diego," ABC News reported, and the former page responded, "Ya I can't wait til dc."

Foley has said he is entering a treatment program to deal with alcoholism and emotional problems, blaming his ill-conceived exchanges with the teenager on his drinking. But The New York Times reported Tuesday that "a former aide and other associates" told the newspaper "that they did not believe Mr. Foley had a drinking problem."

The Times also reported that House speaker Dennis Hastert was informed of Foley's inappropriate exchanges with the page months ago, "this past spring," by another Republican representative, but Hastert said he did not recall the exchange. The Republican leadership did say that they had asked Foley in 2005 to stop contacting one former page whose parents had complained about Foley's unwanted attentions and that after making that request they "considered the case closed," the Times reported.

While Foley's somewhat public life as a gay man in and around his Florida district has been common knowledge and reported in the alternative press repeatedly during the past 14 years, Foley has continued to refuse to identify himself as gay. (The Advocate)