Senate candidates Ben Cardin and Michael Steele have weighed in on the sexual e-mails Florida Rep. Mark Foley sent to teenage boys.
Cardin called on Tuesday for the resignation of House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert and other Republican leaders if they had knowledge of the “disgusting and inappropriate” e-mails.
Steele also issued a strong statement, saying: “Anyone and everyone in a position of authority and responsibility who knew of this problem and failed to take it seriously or fully investigate it must be held accountable.”
Cardin said: “The Republican leadership must recognize that protecting our children from sexual predators is far more important than covering up embarrassing political situations. There was no excuse for remaining silent.”
Cardin also faulted the Republican leadership for not informing Democrats about the inappropriate e-mails.
“As soon as leading Republicans heard of these offensive e-mails, Democrats should have been informed so that an open, bipartisan investigation could take place,” he said.
Steele said: “I have two teenage boys, and I am just plain disgusted by this. This matter must be fully investigated and I don?t care where that leads or what kind of political fallout may result.”
