http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/nation/4223137.html
Congressman's e-mails to teen raise possible issues for GOP
Six-term Rep. Mark Foley, 52, is being forced to explain a series of e-mails he sent in 2005 in which he asked the page his age and requested a photo.
The e-mails, copies of which were obtained by the Los Angeles Times, indicate that the teenager then complained to another congressional staff member, noting: "Maybe it is just me being paranoid, but seriously. This freaked me out."
In another e-mail sent to the page, Foley said of a second teenager working on Capitol Hill, "He's in such great shape."
A Foley spokesman acknowledged the congressman sent the e-mails. But he said they reflected nothing more than an innocent interest in helping young people.
"It was encouragement for a person who was interested in politics," said Jason Kello, noting that the page had written Foley a thank-you note after his service was over. "This is character assassination in the worst," Kello said, blaming the campaign of Foley's Democratic opponent, Tim Mahoney.
The Mahoney campaign released a statement Thursday disavowing any involvement.
Mahoney, a businessman new to politics, was widely believed to be a long shot for Foley's seat, but the e-mails have become news in the district; the NBC affiliate broadcast a story about them Thursday.
