It was revealed Monday that Democrat Congressman Tim Mahoney (D-Fl.), the man who replaced Mark Foley (R-Fl.) in 2007 after the latter resigned for having sent e-mail solicitations to male pages, has been caught in his own sex scandal with a former mistress who used to work for him.
Given the extraordinary irony involved in the man who campaigned on bringing back to his district "a world that is safer, more moral" now being caught in a seedy affair of his own, one has to wonder just how much attention the Obama-loving press will give to this matter three weeks before Election Day.
This seems especially important given the many weeks of constant media focus Foley's scandal was given prior to the 2006 elections, and just how much that assisted Democrats in winning back the Congress.
As reported by ABCNews.com moments ago (emphasis added, h/t NB reader Chuck Vieth, photo courtesy ABCNews.com):
West Palm Beach Congressman Tim Mahoney (D-FL), whose predecessor resigned in the wake of a sex scandal, agreed to a $121,000 payment to a former mistress who worked on his staff and was threatening to sue him, according to current and former members of his staff who have been briefed on the settlement, which involved Mahoney and his campaign committee.
Mahoney, who is married, also promised the woman, Patricia Allen, a $50,000 a year job for two years at the agency that handles his campaign advertising, the staffers said. [...]
Mahoney was elected two years ago following the abrupt resignation of his disgraced predecessor, Republican Mark Foley, whose lewd internet messages to teenage boys and Congressional pages created a national outrage.
The affair between Mahoney and Allen began, according to the current and former staffers, in 2006 when Mahoney was campaigning for Congress against Foley, promising "a world that is safer, more moral." [...]
In a February letter to Mahoney, Coleman alleged sexual harassment, intimidation, humiliation and charged that the Congressman's behavior masked a "dark and depraved personality," according to people who have seen the letter.
In reality, this issue is a perfect one for media to jump all over.
Yet, because Mahoney's a Democrat, and we're just three weeks from Election Day, it seems quite doubtful this affair will get anywhere near the attention Foley's did two years ago.
Stay tuned.
—Noel Sheppard is the Associate Editor of NewsBusters.
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
I am willing to bet
October 13, 2008 - 12:55 ET by Chris NormanI am willing to bet that:
1) this will never jump from ABC.com to broadcast.
2) Mahoney won't resign or be asked to do so.
3) Mahoney will be re-elected.
McNotObama '08
Legs
October 13, 2008 - 16:40 ET by CaringwhiteguyChris - Now that the story graces Drudge it may be getting some legs. Like you, I'm not the most optimistic, but a bit more so than earlier today. . . . . and this just in . . . the Queen Bee has jumped into the fray. http://elections.fox...
cwg, Perhaps you're
October 13, 2008 - 17:11 ET by Chris Normancwg,
Perhaps you're right. It should be noted that I think in terms of worst case scenarios, so if something better happens, I'll be pleasantly surprised, not disappointed.
McNotObama '08
This not big news.
October 13, 2008 - 12:59 ET by RangerTomThis is not big news. There's that "D" at the end of his name that makes it a non issue.
Screw diversity, celebrate competancy
Yep, must not report sex s
October 13, 2008 - 13:19 ET by kgYep, must not report sex s scandals on Democrats like Edwards, Mahoney and now Obama.
"Forget change, I want improvement!"
Tim Mahoney "Faith and
October 13, 2008 - 13:10 ET by Jack Bauer"...a seedy affair..."
October 13, 2008 - 13:14 ET by RackieIf there is another kind of affair, this enquiring mind would like to know.
Go to ABC News and listen
October 13, 2008 - 13:17 ET by Hunter12Go to ABC News and listen to this sexist pig fire this person. It's incredible.
"An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last." - Sir Winston Churchill
WOW!
October 13, 2008 - 13:44 ET by CoolShadesWOW!
Hunter12
October 13, 2008 - 13:51 ET by R D HelmI can't believe ABC actually put that on their site.
LOL-Bet its gone by this afternoon.
-Dave
Barrack Hussein Obama must be defeated.
ABC audio still available
October 13, 2008 - 14:11 ET by stratmanABC audio still available at 3P EST.
What a douche. Very punitive. You don't keep telling someone they're fired over and over, telling them you are "pissed off", and rubbing it in their face that "you don't have a job, how's that?" unless you are a vindictive a-hole.
Power-drunken, misogynistic little man.
The Dems are a piece of work this election season.
Very few Republicans (eg McCain) could lose elections given what the Libs are doing.
Is it too late to bring back Fred?
If you listen closely, his
October 13, 2008 - 14:58 ET by Hunter12If you listen closely, his complaint is that she wasn't there waiting for him so she could do her "job". She must have thought she was an actual campaign worker. If this guy is still in office a month from now, it really points out the double standard the media has for Democrats. NOW will probably be in Florida tomorrow to endorse this guy.
"An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last." - Sir Winston Churchill
Where I stand"Where he
October 13, 2008 - 13:21 ET by Chris Norman"Where I stand"
Where he was laying would have been the more pertinent information...
McNotObama '08
Some differences
October 13, 2008 - 13:33 ET by mvfreemanYet, because Mahoney's a Democrat, and we're just three weeks from Election Day, it seems quite doubtful this affair will get anywhere near the attention Foley's did two years ago.
I'd say it's also because it doesn't involve an underage person of the same sex.
Maybe if the mistress was hot it would hit the airwaves (remember Elliot Spitzer?).
This might be the cover needed . . .
October 13, 2008 - 13:52 ET by bioteached. . . for The One. Think about it; they sacrafice some poor rookie in FL in order to deflect any possible coming bad news about The One. Depending on any bad information that might be out there, the Mahoney Sex Scandal may be the next big news story. It is kind of like a magician . . . look over here, so that you don't see me fooling you over there!
Lucky Mahoney
October 13, 2008 - 14:20 ET by CaringwhiteguyHe wasn't caught (at least we don't know about it yet) visiting his mistress and love-child at the Beverly Hilton. He has only put up $121,000 in hush money (so far). He hasn't had to put her up in a gated community and he hasn't had to pay a third staffer to take the fall for him.
Mahoney hasn't had to send her to the Caribbean either, as some have alleged the Messiah has done with his own bimbo.
They'll mention it, just to
October 13, 2008 - 14:46 ET by mattmThey'll mention it, just to appear objective, but they'll quickly brush it aside and focus on Palin trying to fire an ex-bro-in-law or McCain getting booed by a bunch of foaming-at-the-mouth right-wingers.....etc.
YAWN, ANOTHER DEMO ADULTERER
October 13, 2008 - 14:49 ET by reelman46Florida Democrat congressman Mahoney was talking about “family values” in 2006 as he started an affair (christian term is adultery) with a staffer…what a nice guy on the tapes…another mean arrogant adulterer. Paid her off…fired her…rock solid proof. What a sleaze. He may also be a serial adulterer like HornDog, JFK and many others. Nothing new.
Let’s see how many days the network media cover this. Oh, I forgot, morals to democrats are personal issues so don’t matter in their Party. The important thing is the proper spin-coverup so they get re-elected. That Party has no and wants no set of ethical standards like the Repubs.
Okay Pelosi, pretend Catholic, pretend “most ethical congress ever”…let’s see what you DO. Oh, can’t blame Republicans. Brain freeze. Its just business as usual for a Party that has no guilt ever. Think William Jefferson. Its just so mean to be judgmental.
(theconservativecrawfish)
Doug Schexnayder, Ph.D. (theconservativecrawfish)
I can see his new
October 13, 2008 - 15:08 ET by Hunter12I can see his new fund-raiser slogan now, "Every dollar contributed will be pledged to support unemployed women who are loosing their jobs due to continuing turn-downs, ... , I mean downturns."
"An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last." - Sir Winston Churchill
A democrat sex scandal?
October 13, 2008 - 14:55 ET by paulejbpaulejb
Oh come on, we all know that only republicans can have a sex scandal. In the democrat party infidelity is a requirement for office. So let's just move along.
Simple math...
October 13, 2008 - 19:36 ET by El__KabongSex scandal+ (D) label = Resume enhancement!
(thanks, Rush!)
New slogan: "Faith and
October 13, 2008 - 15:22 ET by Richard RomanoNew slogan: "Faith and Family, and a little coochie on the side."
RR...lol... Culture of
October 13, 2008 - 15:28 ET by bigtimerRR...lol...
Culture of Corruption is only repeated ad nauseam with the msm if you have an 'R' next to your name...
This too wil pass with the msm...maybe a little mention here...a little there...there will be no sense of urgency to get this person unseated and on and on it goes.
If repubs don't speak out...oh well.
'"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
What is this guy, 12 years
October 13, 2008 - 16:07 ET by HockeyKidWhat is this guy, 12 years old?
Also, funny how ABC cuts off the recording just as she's getting to the part about WHY he's really firing her...
Right now on Google News (8:46pm EST)
October 13, 2008 - 19:52 ET by eucher...there are a whopping 162 news stories about this political topic.
To put it in perspective, there are right now 215 news stories about pre-sale orders for the Android phone, 381 about the new "Marcia Brady" memoir, and 712 articles about Tony Roma's broken finger.
How many news stories do you think were on Google about Mark Foley 2 years ago? How many blaring front page headlines?
Wasn't the Foley ordeal
October 13, 2008 - 20:07 ET by msh1973Wasn't the Foley ordeal just a few weeks away from that election?
Anyway, I was just listening to Mark Levin, he actually played audio of a taped conversation between Mahoney and Allen (she taped the phone call herself). It was very enlightening, Mahoney wasn't very happy and he said some very bad words. Of course he is a Democrat so all is forgiven by the msm and his cohorts in Congress.
msh
October 13, 2008 - 20:13 ET by BlondeThis is so ironic, in so many different ways.
This clown is Mark Foley's "successor"....Yeah, right!
Shawnee....where are you?
Where are all the dems who had their knickers so twisted over a couple of e-mails....hmmmm...
Even Popeye is "going to look into it"....yeah, right....when pigs fly.
Hopefully this will net us one more (R) in Florida, msh.
David Gregory, do you know which damn network you lie for? ~ Uncle Jimbo, @Blackfive
bigtimer and Blonde,Just
October 13, 2008 - 20:53 ET by msh1973bigtimer and Blonde,
Just makes me so mad that the Republicans are such wimps! I was always told to fight fire with fire.
I had an idea for a Republican ad.. a montage of all the Dems on Capital Hill (in their own words) stating that there wasn't a problem Fanny and Freddie and then finish with something like: Are these the leaders you want in Washington?
Or another one with Hillary and Biden in their own words saying how Obama is not ready to be President. Finish with: Even Democrats don't think Obama is ready to be President.
Just a thought.
msh...and you last though
October 13, 2008 - 20:58 ET by bigtimermsh...and you last though is an excellent one...
tha'ts funny I feel like you and posted the same phrase about fighting fire with fire elsewhere too...
I tell you, this namaby-pamby bowing to the pressure of the msm and sticking the conservatives out here in the eye is getting old...
Two steps forward...ten steps back it seems to be with this pathetic canpaign so far.
For heavens sake...fight back.
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
bigtimer, The msm and the
October 13, 2008 - 21:44 ET by msh1973bigtimer,
The msm and the Obama team thinks that they have this thing wrapped up...why am I reminded of the tortoise and the hare.
msh.. Rahm Emanuel,
October 13, 2008 - 20:29 ET by bigtimermsh..
Rahm Emanuel, Pelosi's second in command (whom I despise) is behind some of or all of the pay-off to Allen along with the in-the-know in the party that know all about this themselves...
I just heard the tape too.
Something better happen over this...
Of course...nothing in the msm will, nothing did to Rangel, or Franks, or Dodd or Reid and all their dirty dealings...sure I have left some out...Jefferson is another.
...the hypocrisy is maddening...the silence from the repubs is infuriating to me at times.
When are they going to learn to fight back in unison...
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
267 news articles so far
October 13, 2008 - 21:00 ET by balboa267 news articles so far according to Google.
CBS Evening News --
October 14, 2008 - 00:25 ET by Noel SheppardCBS Evening News -- nope!
NBC Nightly News -- nope!
World News with Chuckie -- nope!
PBS NewsHour -- nope!
From what I can tell, although this was first announced early this afternoon, CNN first reported it on "Lou Dobbs Tonight" at 7PM!
You were saying, B?
Absolutely
October 14, 2008 - 06:24 ET by JerryAbsolutely disgusting.
Let's reverse the situations.
If Foley were a Democrat, no mention would have been made, and if the Republicans brought it up, they would have been branded as hate-mongering, homophobes, constantly meddling in someone's "personal sex life".
If Mahoney were a Republican, he would be hounded for 2 months with front page stories about the "culture of hypocrisy", until forced to resign.
DON'T LET THE MSM WIN. Vote Republican in ALL races and make sure every Conservative you know votes!
When asked if he went to war with Iraq to derail the impeachment vote: “I don’t think any serious person would believe that any President would do such a thing." - President Clinton (Dec 1998).
I can't get ABC to load, went to YT,,,, ABC is a dud
October 13, 2008 - 21:17 ET by upcountrywaterYT clip, dang she was on a roll when the tape ended
CLIMATE CRISIS
IranianUranium
This will be reported and then cast aside.
October 13, 2008 - 21:26 ET by pbthinkerThis story will be reported. Not like the Foley story was reported, but it will be reported. Since I live in Foley's district and Mahoney's district, I'll be watching the PB Post to see how many front-page stories they do on this. My guess, one.
Pelosi has done the one thing that will give the press a free ride on this, she'll investigate it. Of course, to investigate it, he has to get re-elected, my isn't that a tricky thing. Now, however, she'll look the media in the eye and say "I handled it, we're going to investigate." and they'll say, "OK".
How about Rahm Emmanuel? He's known about this since June of '07? He's been trying to keep this quiet and help Mahoney win the election. Just imagine if Republicans had done that for Foley. The fact is, they found out about Foley in the morning and he was gone before sunset. Democrats? All they care about is power, they'll keep their Chairmen, who get questionable loans, they'll keep Charlie Rangel, who has rental property, he makes money off of, that he doesn't even know about.
If any of these people were Republicans, they'd be reviving the "culture of corruption" mantra from 2006, just to help the Dems get more seats. Now, however, you'll hear a whine, then a whimper, then nothing. The Libs control the media.
Democrats: Stuck on Stupid since 2000.
Yep pbt... I have posted
October 13, 2008 - 21:39 ET by bigtimerYep pbt... I have posted same sentiments, some above you here..sadly you are right...
At least Fox has been reporting this tonight on various shows so far. ...but this too shall pass...like all the dem scandals have.
Thank goodness for the determination and non-stop investigation and news on Fox about ACORN/Obama eventually.
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh