Cross-posted at
MN Campaign Report.
You'd better believe it - 61% of America thinks so, according to Rasmussen.
The data supports speculation that this issue could have a devastating impact on Republican prospects at the polls this fall. Even among Republicans, 31% believe the GOP leadership has been protecting Foley. Just under half (46%) of the GOP faithful believe that Congressional leaders just learned about the problem.
Not surprisingly, Democrats overwhelmingly believe that the Republican leaders have been protecting Foley for years (84% of Democrats hold that view).
Perhaps more significant politically, 69% of those not affiliated with either major party believe that leadership has been protecting Foley. Only 9% of unaffiliated the GOP leaders just learned of the problem last week. How much of an impact this will have on individual races will not be known until our next round of polling is complete.
Locally, the DFL has three congressional candidates who have made strong statements in this matter - Tim Walz has told his opponent, incumbent Gil Gutknecht, that child abuse is not a "distraction":
"Congressman Gutknecht owes America's children an apology," demanded DFL candidate Tim Walz. "By calling this scandal a 'distraction' he dismisses the seriousness of the crimes committed by his colleagues and by all child sex offenders. The sexual abuse of American children is not a distraction and ensuring the issue is addressed properly is far more important than the outcome of the election."
Wendy Wilde has called for Denny Hastert's resignation and asked her opponent, Jim Ramstad, to join her in signing a Pledge to Restore Ethics and Trust in Government:
As a mother, youth-issues activist, and voting citizen, I join other Minnesotans in being outraged by the pattern of deceit, denial and cover-up by the House Leadership. This pledge is focused on restoring parents confidence in the U.S. Congress. I am asking Congressman Jim Ramstad to join with me as one of the first signers. We are requesting that ALL members of congress and congressional candidates sign this pledge.
And of course, this entire scandal is a pitching-machine home run ball for Patty Wetterling to hammer over the right field baggy. Before this broke, I was confident that the Democrats would achieve parity in the House of Representatives - we have a great slate of candidates in Minnesota and across the country. Now, with yet another symptom of a decaying Republican corruption in Washington, I'm beginning to think that about a dozen more seats are in play across America.
November 8th should be an interesting day.