That’s right. Even after knowing about Foley’s problems, the leadership talked him into running again this year.

In another stunning development, Robert Novak today reveals in his column – published in PostOpinion on Page 31 – that even after House GOP leaders knew that Foley had written an inappropriate e-mail to a 16-year-old former male page, they were still urging him to seek re-election.

Novak writes, “A member of the House leadership told me that Foley, under continuous political pressure because of his sexual orientation, was considering not seeking a seventh term this year but that Rep. Tom Reynolds, chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC), talked him into running.”

Because to the Republicans, keeping control of the House is far more important than the safety of children and the sanctity of the Page Program.

Did you hear that law enforcement? Republican leadership did not even an offer for the suspect to leave in this case – they URGED him to stay. Criminal charges should go all around on this.