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GUEST: John Nichols, co-founder of Free Press, author of many books including the forthcoming, “The Genius of Impeachment,” and a writer for the Nation Magazine

Last Friday, Florida Republican Congressman Mark Foley abruptly resigned after allegations surfaced over inappropriate emails and instant messenger conversations between the congressmen and teenage male pages. Last Thursday, ABC News reported on email exchanges between Foley and a former 16 year old congressional page where the congressman asked for his photograph. The next day, ABC followed with further details regarding instant messenger conversations between congressmen Foley and teenage male pages that were much more sexually suggestive. Last Saturday, House Republican leaders issued a joint statement calling Foley’s folly “an obscene breach of trust.” House Speaker Dennis Hastert said that he was surprised when the allegations first surfaced. However, two Republican Congressmen have noted that they alerted Hastert’s office regarding the 2005 emails. The scandal over Congressmen’s Foley has provoked accusations that there has been a cover-up by House Republican leaders. An editorial published in today’s edition of the conservative Washington Times called for Hastert’s resignation. Meanwhile, Mark Foley, who co-chaired the Congressional Caucus for Missing and Exploited Children, checked himself into an alcohol treatment facility.