Retiring, and gay, Arizona Rep Jim Kolbe has clarified his position on when he learned of issues with Foley and Pages, and what he did at the time. And as I suspected yesterday, Kolbe did notify Jeff Trandahl, House Clerk, and Foley’s office (that would likely include Kirk Fordham). Given the fact that Trandahl and Fordham are, we believe, also gay it is not unreasonable to think these two attempted to deal with Rep Foley without bringing the event to Hastert and his leadership. Remember that the Republicans are tolerant, but not enthusiastically supportive of same sex relationsips. We can all see that in their support for civil unions but not gay marriages.

So the ‘cover up’ of Foley’s problems may simply be within the gay community of staff and representatives on the Hill – not House leadership per say, since Trandahl is considered part of the leadership. Now we can look at who tried to hide the information from authorities and the real House leadership for more than a year when the story of the LA Page was leaked in Oct-Nov of last year.

As for those who hid Foley’s problems from the House leadership problem, Hastert is making the future clear to them:

“However, you know, in 20/20 hindsight, probably you could do everything a little bit better,” he said. “But if there was a problem, if there was a cover-up, then we should find that out through the investigation process. They’ll be under oath and we’ll find out.

“If they did cover something up, then they should not have their jobs,” he said.

Now, if the Democrats make the same pledge we can finish up Foleygate and get on with our elections.