The story broke a couple days ago that Congressman Mark Foley, whose homosexuality has been the worst kept secret in Washington for many years, had sent disturbing e-mails to a 16-year-old former congressional aide. The e-mails included asking how the Louisianan was doing after Hurricane Katrina, what he wanted for his birthday (six months before the kid's birthday) and, most ickily, asked for a photo by e-mail. Now, after further reports that Foley IMed sexually explicit messages to other young aides, the congressman has resigned.

The incumbent from District 16, Foley was a shoo-in for re-election. Now, his district will almost certainly go to Democrat Tim Mahoney -- another nail in the coffin for Republican hopes of holding onto the House in November. Check out Mahoney's web site here.

ex-congressman Mark Foley, alleged big fan of little boys

Hopefully, Mahoney will be smart about this and just let the news play out without slinging any of his own mud. He doesn't need to, and it's not exactly the best way to ingratiate himself to his new constituents, the lion's share of whom are Republican.