What’s the Dem Holding Back?

      In “unexpected remarks,” Rep. Dale Kildee (MI), the only Dem member of the cong. page board, said the board discussed “allegations of improper conduct toward teenage pages that are unrelated” to ex-Rep. Mark Foley (R-FL). Kildee “would not say … whether the allegations involved” GOPers or Dems, lawmakers or aides. “He said nothing has been proven.” Kildee: “It was about other allegations and I’d like to leave it at that.” Kildee said the board discussed the allegations “during a conference call” 10/16.

      Kildee “spoke to reporters after testifying” before the House ethics cmte on the Foley investigation. He “would not say whether he told” the cmte about the “new allegations.” The panel is only known to be investigating Foley’s conduct and whether lawmakers and staff aides did enough to stop him (Margasak, AP, 10/17).

      Meanwhile, the ethics cmte 10/16 “questioned” the CoS to Rep. Rodney Alexander (R-LA). Royal Alexander (no relation) “defended his office’s handling of the matter after the teenager’s parents complained about Foley.” Alexander: “I’m very proud of our office. I’m very proud of our page and his family and what they’ve been through” (AP, 10/16).