We've seen GOP'ers scrambling to distance themselves from Denny Hastert. Many have cancelled appearances with the guy. Some are calling for his resignation. Sterling Newbery has quipped that he may need to be stored in Yucca mountain because he's so radioactive.
In central Virginia, though, we have at least one exception: Representative Virgil Goode (VA-05). Virgil thinks Hastert is a real hero in this story, and in fact he doesn't think the whole episode is even a big deal.
According to the Danville Register-Bee, here is Virgil's take on Hastert and Foleygate:
Rep. Virgil Goode, R-5th, said based on what he knows now, he does not think Hastert should step down.
"He [Hastert] said in his statement he was glad Foley resigned and if he hadn't resigned then he would have asked him to."
(See this diary from Mark on RaisingKaine. Unfortunately, the bit from the newspaper is not online.
Virgil followed these comments up by pointing out that in the whole story of Foleygate (or "mastergate," as I've also seen it called),
no laws appear to have been broken (including by Foley!), so, afer all, what's the big deal?
Goode, you may remember, has previously been famous mostly as the guy who got MZM a defense contract to set up a useless facility in his district, accepting $80,000 in illlegal campaign contributions coerced from MZM employees, before the facility was finally shuttered this year. He is popular with local fundies who just may not be impressed that he is almost the only member of the House to support loudly and publicly the protector of child sexual predators that Mr. Hastert has now been revealed to be. Somehow, I don't think that Virgil is being very bright here.
Virgil's opponent? Smart, eloquent, pragmatic progressive straight-shooter Al Weed. In case you were wondering.