Nobody knows how the Mark Foley scandal will develop, but it could be wildly disruptive to the Republican Party. It's not just that it puts us in position to win Foley's district, where his name will still be on the ballot even though the votes will go to someone else. Tom Reynolds, who runs the NRCC (the House Republican campaign fund) was among those who knew about Foley's creepy behavior a year ago. He's also in a surprisingly competitive race -- a recent poll had him leading Jack Davis only 44-42, with a Green getting 8%. The Green won't actually be on the ballot, and Davis has money. I wonder if there's a possibility of Reynolds suddenly getting selfish with the NRCC cash, and depriving Republicans across the country.
Then there's speaker Hastert. If his image gets tarnished too much for him to hold a leadership position, will other Republicans be plotting to fill the power vacuum? That can't be what you want going into a midterm election.
