Via the NYT, a statement from Vito Fossella:
I have had a relationship with Laura Fay, with whom I have a three-year-old daughter. My personal failings and imperfections have caused enormous pain to the people I love and I am truly sorry. While I understand that there will be many questions, including those about my political future, making any political decisions right now are furthest from my mind. Over the coming weeks and months, I will to continue to do my job and I will work hard to heal the deep wounds I have caused.
Still no official word yet on whether he will resign or retire, as is widely expected.
On the web: Vino Fossella
Update (James): John Boehner is asking Fossella to make a decision on his political future over the weekend. Will Fossella bother to follow the hapless Boehner’s timetable? Remember, Rick Renzi flipped the bird to Boehner when he asked the embattled Arizona incumbent to step down earlier this year.
Given the +1 Dem PVI, I imagine we could get a non-Blue Dog addition to the caucus to balance out the ones we’ve recently added. That’s the hope at least.
This has got to be a top tier pick up now.
Fossella has a limited bank account. The crisis manager and legal help have to be costing him a bundle. I suspect he will see how his eight planned fund raisers go before ducking out. The number of fund raisers alone suggests that he has burned through most of his $248 K cash on hand. I would guess he’s paid some large retainers already. Look at how Don Young burned through a much larger cash stash. He’s probably paying DC and NY prices for the lawyers and that’s not cheap.
If sex scandal = front page news, what does this equal?
I mean, wow! I am really shocked and feel bad for the guy. Just wow.
At least pull a Larry Craig and stay around till November so voters have a constant reminder of how many hypocrites are in your party.
The woman in question was having an affair with Vito while she was working at the Pentagon as a a liason. Isn’t that grounds for an investigation of some sort?
if we can win LA-06 and hasterts old seat, a D+.01 would probably be a landslide.