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| Contributor | RP |
| Last Edited | RP Dec 04, 2006 07:02pm |
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| Category | Profile |
| News Date | Tuesday, December 5, 2006 12:00:00 AM UTC0:0 |
| Description | The half-open closet in which Mark Foley spent his life was a recipe for disaster, say those few who tried to intervene. Investigating Foley's pre-teen seduction by a priest, the "ladies' man" mask he wore in Palm Beach society, and his love-hate relationship with the gay community, the authors uncover the ambition, delusion, and hypocrisy that corroded both the politician and his party.
Everyone knew Mark Foley was gay. Everyone. And everyone who had a stake in his success—party, press, parents, staff, supporters, and pages—conspired for their own purposes to keep the closet half closed.
In 1984, when Foley ran for county commission, despite proclaiming he was a committed Democrat and outspending his primary opponent, the party slapped him down and told him, "It's not your time," according to Rand Hoch, a Democratic Party activist. Months later, Foley switched opportunistically to the Republican Party, accepting the price to his private life. At a gay party in Palm Beach Gardens in the late 80s, Foley recognized Hoch. He crossed the room, according to Hoch, and blurted, "I wish I could be out like you are and [still] involved in politics. But I can't because I'm a Republican." Hoch told him that of course he could come out, but Hoch himself didn't believe it. "Palm Beach is somewhat accepting of alternative lifestyles, but you don't talk about the gay elephant in the room," he says. |
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