Crist, the attorney general, leads [Davis] 50 percent to 39 percent in a survey for The Tampa Tribune by Mason-Dixon Polling & Research released Wednesday.

Crist has been advertising since mid-September. Davis started broadcasting commercials in Pensacola last week. Crist's higher visibility has made him the clear front-runner.

The poll, taken Monday and Tuesday, has a margin of error of plus or minus 4 points. It's an improvement for Davis since the last Mason-Dixon poll released Sept. 22. That showed Crist leading 51 percent to 36 percent.

Until recently, Charlie Crist said he was a strong believer in denying felons an automatic right to vote after they left prison.

He was equally emphatic that the FCAT tests as they are now administered are fine.

And he declared that Citizens Insurance, the state-run company that provides windstorm insurance, should be abolished.

Those stances have one thing in common: Crist has changed his position on all three.

Crist's late-season conversions, coincidentally or not, target issues that Davis has been using to make inroads into Crist's sizable lead in the polls. The Democrat has launched a series of television ads critical of Crist's position on the FCAT and has used the felons' voting rights issue to shore up support among black voters.

HD 108

"A former Miami Shores councilman has squared off against a popular teacher turned-businessman for northeast Miami's heavily Haitian District 108." "Republican faces tough race for Democratic district".

Judge Thwarts RPOF Tactic

"A Tallahassee judge blocked signs in polling places saying that a vote for Mark Foley is really a vote for replacement candidate Joe Negron." "Signs for Foley replacement can't be posted near polls". See also "Court: No Foley signs at polls", "Judge bars signs explaining candidate switch", "Judge: No polling place signs in Foley's former district", "Poll notices of Foley switch barred" and "Court: No Foley signs for voters".

The Property Tax Issue

"Polls show that property taxes are among the issues that will drive voters to the polls Nov. 7." "Property Taxes A Dominant Election Issue".

Keller

"Rep. Ric Keller of Orlando has built his reputation in Congress on two unlikely issues: college grants and cheeseburgers. Sending poor students to college and protecting fast-food joints from lawsuits aren't causes that have gained a lot of traction nationally, but they have helped the three-term Republican define himself." "From burgers to grants: Issues shape Ric Keller".

Amendments

The Tallahassee Democrat editorial board: "Nos. 6 and 7 are property-tax issues, and we recommend you vote "no" on both." "'No' to 6 and 7".

Brain Trust

"The state House, under incoming Speaker Marco Rubio of Miami, is going to look a lot like Gov. Jeb Bush's office -- at least when it comes to finance and spending matters. A Rubio spokesman said Wednesday that 18 staff members of the governor's policy and budget, economic development, transportation and health-care offices are coming over to work for the House." "Bush staff headed to House". See also "Next House speaker to hire 18 staffers from governor's team".

It Is Election Season

"Customers of Nationwide got good news Wednesday with Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty's announcement he would reject the insurer's 72-percent rate-increase request." "State rejects Nationwide's request for rate increases". See also "Nationwide loses bid for 71.5% hike".

Special Session

"Insurance special session seen as likely".

"Jeb!" Addicted To Tobacco (Cash)

"Florida collects about $829 million annually from the tobacco industry in settlement payments and taxes."

"The state of Florida, sad as it sounds, has become addicted to tobacco money," said Yerrid, who threatened to sue Bush in 2003 to force a restoration of the funding for the prevention programs.

Yerrid said he met with Bush, and the governor promised he would restore the money. That never happened.

"I was betrayed," Yerrid said.

A Bush press apparatchik said the governor couldn't recall "definitely" meeting with Yerrid, but "the governor is a great supporter" of tobacco prevention programs.

Bush, a supporter? Where have we heard that before?

CD 11

"Congressional candidate Eddie Adams is in intensive care at Tampa General Hospital after doctors discovered his kidneys shut down" "Illness Sidelines Candidate".

Osceola Voting Plan

"Judge wants new Osceola voting plan in 5 weeks".

Huh?

"Gerald Richman, a West Palm Beach lawyer and Democratic activist, is one of two prominent attorneys representing Foley. With Republicans hoping to tamp-down the political blaze caused by Foley's e-mail overtures to male congressional pages, Richman fanned the fire Tuesday when he held a news conference to announce the ex-lawmaker planned to identify a priest who he claims molested him as a young teen-ager." "Foley's Democratic Advocate".

Sink

Another endorsement: "Florida Cabinet" ("Elect Adelaide "Alex" Sink.")

Lawsuit?

"Developers may sue over state's new limit on eminent domain".

Foley Fallout

"Foley's attorneys reveal name of alleged abuser to prosecutors". See also "Attorneys, clergy discuss naming Foley's abuser".

Posturing

"Congress still aims for sales tax break for Florida, others".

Carville on CD 13

"Democratic political consultant James Carville has seen a lot of politics in his time since coming out of college in the early 1960s. But even the Ragin Cajun is at a loss for words when trying to explain the suddenly supercompetitive 13th Congressional District."

Carville, in town to speak to the Longboat Key Democratic Club, told me in an interview later that he’s shocked that he’s even here, given the Republican edge in party registrations in the district.

Carville laughed that there’s 216,000 Republicans compared to just 154,000 registered Democrats, yet the seat is still considered a toss-up.

Remember Harris?

"Late in race and far behind, Harris rallies base". See also "Harris back on Hannity and Colmes" and "Nelson discounts his big lead over Harris".

Justice

"Now, after six years of representing state House Dist. 53, Justice is seeking an open state Senate seat, hoping to bring some balance to the Republican-controlled state government." "Justice Hopes To Bring Balance".

HD 45

"The contest for state House District 45 pits an environmental activist against an experienced lawmaker." "Incumbent, Political Novice Face Off In District 45 Race". See also "Candidates Disagree On Insurance, FCAT".

The message went out to all citizens registered at the U.S. Consul in Baghdad -- and possibly in other countries -- reminding them that, if they are Florida voters who live in the 16th Congressional District, a vote for Foley is actually a vote for his Republican replacement, state Rep. Joe Negron. ...

Officials from the campaign for Negron's Democratic challenger, Tim Mahoney, are livid over the correspondence, saying it is a Republican ploy to maintain the GOP stronghold in Congress.

"Here they go again -- Karl Rove and his crowd are interfering with another Florida election," said Charles Halloran, a spokesman for the Mahoney campaign.

Nelson Spreads the Wealth

"The Orlando incumbent just gave $250,000 to the state Democratic Party. He also asked contributors to his re-election bid to donate to three key congressional races in Florida. That request has raised $30,000 since Nelson sent the e-mail last Thursday."

Christine Jennings is among the candidates benefiting from Nelson's money-raising efforts. ...

Nelson's donation to the state party will help with voter-turnout efforts, which could boost him as well as Jim Davis, Skip Campbell and Alex Sink, running for governor, attorney general and chief financial officer, respectively.

But most eyes are on the House races. Nelson's e-mail is sending money to Charlie Stuart, who is running against incumbent Ric Keller in Orlando.

It also raised money for Ron Klein, who is seeking to unseat incumbent E. Clay Shaw Jr. in the district next to the one that had been represented by U.S. Rep. Mark Foley until he resigned in scandal last month.

Charlie's Pusillanimity Prevails

"Pusillanimity: the quality or state of being pusillanimous: lacking courage and resolution : marked by contemptible timidity".

Republican candidate for governor Charlie Crist agreed Tuesday to a televised debate hosted by newsman Chris Matthews, after the stations hosting it agreed to change the format at Crist's insistence.

The debate was to be in the style of Matthews' "Hardball" show on MSNBC. Instead, it will have a more traditional format with the candidates at podiums, giving timed responses to questions.

Starting about two weeks ago, Crist threatened to back out of the debate, planned since early this year, if it was conducted in the "Hardball" style.

Matthews wanted the two candidates, Crist and his Democratic opponent Jim Davis, seated with him at a table while he peppered them with questions.

Naming Names

"In another odd turn in the Mark Foley Internet messaging scandal, the attorney for the recently resigned congressman held a news conference Tuesday to say Foley would name the priest who allegedly molested him as a youth. But he wouldn't say when that would be." "Lawyer: We'll name priest who molested Foley". See also "Foley to ID priest he alleges abused him" and "Foley to tell church name of alleged abuser, lawyer says".

AG

"Campbell, McCollum run experienced campaigns".

GOP Foley Response "Absurd"

"The GOP attacks are based on a crucial political calculation and replicate what the party has done in the face of other recent ethics scandals, said Larry Sabato, University of Virginia political scientist and veteran observer of the national political scene."

"The pattern is to take a problem defined as belonging to you and make it a problem of both parties so it ceases to be an issue for voters," Sabato said, adding that Republicans "have to find a way to take the 'R' off the end of Foley's name and make this a 'D-R' scandal."

The GOP response is similar to its reaction after the scandal over lobbyist Jack Abramoff, convicted of bribery: Republicans sought then to portray Abramoff as having given money to politicians of both parties in roughly equal amounts.

In fact, independent analyses show Abramoff never gave directly to any Democrat and that his political committees had given far more to Republicans than to Democrats.

Sabato said that in this case, any accusation by either party about donations by the pro-Studds and pro-Crane donors is "equally ridiculous."

"It's such a stretch." He said. "The whole thing is absurd."

Davis Moves North

"Davis campaigns in the Panhandle".

Politics First

"Bush said Tuesday he canceled the Oct. 31 Cabinet meeting at the request of fellow Republican Attorney General Charlie Crist to let him campaign for the Nov. 7 election." "Governor cancels Cabinet meeting for Crist".

Supressing The Vote

"Mistaking a single number on a driver's license or reversing the month and day of a birth date could keep untold numbers of residents from registering to vote this year." "New rules block some from voter registration".

Laff Riot

"Charlie Crist, who has raised many millions from the big businesses that traditionally support Republicans in his run for governor, has also made the centerpiece of his campaign his eagerness to confront some of those same businesses on behalf of average Floridians." "'Populist' Crist, Davis swapping traditional roles".

Felon Flip-Flop

Charlie flip-flops:

Republican Charlie Crist has switched his position and joined Democratic opponent Jim Davis in favoring restoring the civil rights of all felons automatically after they have served their time. Until recently, Crist opposed automatic restoration.

CD 13

"The candidates running for the 13th Congressional District have shown little hesitation in buying their own television ads. But getting both Democrat Christine Jennings and Republican Vern Buchanan to take free air time to debate has proven far more difficult. Buchanan and Jennings have yet to agree to meet for any further televised debates." "Jennings, Buchanan won't spar on TV". See also "Jennings aims for the middle".

Harris

"Harris: I'll sell house to get campaign cash". See also "Latest report shows Harris far behind in funds raised".

"Shining Sun"

"To assure accuracy and transparency, Volusia County Supervisor of Elections Ann McFall will require early-voting ballots to be fed into machines only in public and institute other significant procedural changes." "Shining sun on voting process".

Loophole

"Want to learn who's donating millions for those party ads for Crist and Davis? Thanks to the Legislature, you can't, till days before the election." "Big political ad buyers can hide in a loophole".

Oozing Through The Process

Steve Otto: "Up in the northern reaches of Hillsborough County, where U.S. House District 9 stretches to like a rubber band from Pinellas County to the edges of Plant City, try to find Gus The Lesser, son of retiring Mike Bilirakis and the favorite in that election. If you do happen to catch a glimpse, you can be sure opponent Phyllis Busansky is nowhere around. Bilirakis has managed to duck the former Hillsborough commissioner for months, and if he can survive the one and only debate, he's likely to be home free. The reason that it is so easy to ooze through the process, as always, is money." "It's Time For Pol-Pickin' Season Again". See also "For U.S. Congress: Busansky, Castor, Brown-Waite And Putnam" ("Republican Gus Bilirakis is low-key and unassuming. Democrat Phyllis Busansky is a dynamo.")

Stupid Is ...

As stupid writes. We have long been used to Mike Thomas shilling for the RPOF, which is his right. Words like this come right out of the RPOF playbook and magically appear in his columns, like the one yesterday:

Democrats go with state Sen. Skip Campbell, a notorious stooge for business interests who seems ill-prepared for the race.

Dumb As A Box Of Rocks

Scott Maxwell:

I've said for a while now that Davis' best hope may be for Crist to blow it big-time with some high-profile error in one of the debates. And that's still a possibility -- 'cause Charlie sure can sound dumb sometimes.

Crist's latest faux pas came last week, when he was talking to The Tampa Tribune's editorial board.

Crist was talking passionately about his problems with Davis when he said: "I have an opponent who's a nice man, but damn it, you know, he's my congressman, and he didn't show up."

Crist's point had power because it was personal.

Unfortunately, it was also wrong.

Crist's congressman, as the nice folks on the Tribune's ed board pointed out, is fellow Republican Bill Young.

And this comes after another editorial-board interview earlier this year in which Crist was talking about the importance of the FCAT when he revealed he didn't know when the test was given or what constituted a passing score.

Realizing this, you have to imagine Davis is salivating about the upcoming debate, which is supposed to feature a free-flowing discussion moderated by MSNBC tough-talker Chris Matthews.

Free Publicity

"So, Max Linn, was it all just a political stunt? No way, gubernatorial candidate Linn said Tuesday about landing a private plane on Interstate 4 last week. 'It was one of the most traumatic experiences of my life.'" "Candidate wished for none of this free publicity".

Scrutiny Required

"5 ballot items invite scrutiny".

Presumptious

"With their man Charlie Crist awash in donations and continually besting Democrat Jim Davis in the polls, the Pinellas Republican Party is already planning the inauguration bash. Party chairman Tony DiMatteo has booked 50 rooms at the Holiday Inn Select in Tallahassee, where he and other party members plan to celebrate Crist's inauguration as governor on Jan. 2." "Crist supporters book rooms".

The conservative Florida House, a reliable bastion of anti-tax Republicans, already declined to pass the centerpieces of Crist's plan earlier this year when they were offered by GOP lawmakers.

And fiscal leaders in the House said it would be very difficult to enact Crist's tax cuts while still paying for the voter-mandated limits on class sizes that must be in place by 2010.

Unlike Gov. Jeb Bush, Crist has said he won't lead efforts to revise the class-size reduction amendment to make it less expensive.

The "Special Interest" Party

"When it comes to handing out campaign cash this year, the state Republican Party is first in the hearts of Florida's special interests."

State elections records show the Republicans have taken in $27.9 million in contributions this election season, most of the big donations coming from corporations. That's nearly double the $15.1 million going into the Florida Democratic Party's coffers.

Davis

"Democrat Jim Davis, clearly needing to maximize his support from South Florida's Democratic strongholds, picked up the endorsement Sunday of the Palm Beach Post." From the endorsement:

"Republican gubernatorial candidate Charlie Crist and Democratic candidate Jim Davis differ most on the two issues that matter most to Floridians: education and property insurance. Mr. Crist would continue the wrongheaded, failed policies of his predecessor. Rep. Davis would transform them."

Negron

"Bush tries to make Negron household name". See also "Governor touts Negron on coasts".

Oh Pleeez ...

"That Lee could emerge from the Senate's biggest smack-down with Bush not just unscathed but with a near unprecedented primary endorsement is, according to his supporters, a testament to the Valrico senator's political prowess." "Maverick Lee cites Senate savvy". See also "Tom Lee the maverick".

As if Jebbie was going to sit this one out. If anything, the endorsement shows that the RPOF is afraid of Alex Sink.

Amendment 3

"Amendment No. 3 fails to safeguard public interest". See also "Florida voters to cast ballots on several important amendments in November".

Storms-Gorham

"She's a seasoned veteran of the political arena who has been campaigning since the mid-1990s. He's a newcomer to politics who was motivated to run to ensure a solid future for his 3-year-old daughter." "Political Veteran, Newcomer Square Off In State Senate Race". See also "For State Senate: Berfield, Gorham, Joyner And Crist" ("A politician who would rather pick a fight than find a solution is unlikely to find success in Tallahassee. The district would be better served by Stephen Gorham, a conservative Democrat making his first run at office.")

Charlie and Mark

"With politicians everywhere scrambling to wash themselves of Foley's tainted cash, "Why is Charlie Crist holding onto Mark Foley's money?" the Democrats asked Monday." "Following Foley's money".

Lawsuit

"The Florida Democratic Party filed a lawsuit Friday in hopes of keeping notices out of polling places that would inform voters that ballots cast for former U.S. Rep. Mark Foley will count for fellow Republican Joe Negron. The eight county elections supervisors who will record the outcome in the 16th Congressional District agreed this week to print a notice that would be posted at registration tables and handed to voters who had questions about the race." "Democrats sue over notices about ballot".

Shaw-Klein

"As the campaign between U.S. Rep. Clay Shaw and Democratic state Sen. Ron Klein enters its final weeks, both men are trying to land independent and undecided voters." "Shaw, Klein vie for indies, undecideds".

Chicken Charlie

"Charlie Crist and Jim Davis will meet in a televised debate Oct. 24 on PBS, but it’s still up in the air whether they’ll have another debate Oct. 30 hosted by Chris Matthews of NBC’s Hardball."

From Davis, who has agreed to the second debate: "Charlie Crist refuses to appear in public with me or Daryl Jones. ... And Charlie Crist is apparently refusing to have a second debate because he doesn't want to have to answer questions from me. So, I don’t like to mention the president's advice often because it’s usually wrong, but when he’s right I like to refer to the president. As the president said, 'You can run but you cannot hide.'"

Clark Visit

"Retired Gen. Wesley Clark, who ran for president in 2004, is campaigning Tuesday with Democratic congressional contenders Christine Jennings and Tim Mahoney." "Visits from wanna-be and former presidents continue".

Desperate in CD 13

"Vern Buchanan’s tough race for Congress from Florida’s 13th District—the Sarasota-centered seat being vacated by Katherine Harris—has become the cause celebre. Vice President Dick Cheney showed up Oct. 7 to raise money and give a short speech for Buchanan; next week, the campaign has announced, President George Bush is coming. " "Bush To Stump For Buchanan". See also "Area race heats up; president will visit".

CD 22 Cash

"Klein has spent $2.7 million on the race and has $492,906 remaining, but is expected to get a home-stretch cash infusion when former President Bill Clinton headlines a fundraiser on Friday. Shaw, who has raised $3.9 million, is in slightly better shape, with $1.8 million in the bank." "Big money in the Dist. 22 race".

"Dead in the Water"

"With three weeks until Election Day, U.S. Rep. Katherine Harris has less than $1 million in the bank, an amount that leaves her Senate campaign all but dead in the water, according to political analysts." "Nelson, Harris money". See also "Nelson In The Money".

UBC Endorses Crist

"Charlie Crist was in Tampa this morning to receive an endorsement from the Florida Carpenters Regional Council, a union representing some 5,000 active and 6,000 retired carpenters, piledrivers and millwrights statewide." "Crist Gets Carpenters’ Nod".

would, of course, cost local governments plenty in revenue, but the governor doesn't have to pay for local governments. See how clever that is? Gov. Bush thought of that first, though. As they cut state taxes, he and the Legislature increased how much local "effort" - which means property tax - school boards are required to make. The state covered losses from its tax cuts with property tax revenue that school boards have to take the blame for. Mr. Crist's contribution to the squeeze play would be to make it harder for the school districts to get the money.

I've long held that no one should be allowed near the nuclear trigger if he can't pronounce nuclear, but a corollary may be more important: Nobody should be allowed near a budget if he can't do the math.

Charlie Crist told a newspaper that he's angry that gubernatorial rival Rep. Jim Davis has missed votes in Congress because Davis is supposed to be representing Crist. But Crist's St. Petersburg home is actually in the district of U.S. Rep. C.W. Bill Young, a Republican from Largo, not in the district of Davis, who represents a Tampa district.

Mahoney 48, Negron 41

"The poll also shows Mahoney holding a slim lead over state Rep. Joe Negron, the Republican candidate filling the campaign vacancy left by Foley, 48 percent to 41 percent, with 11 percent still undecided. Foley's name will remain on the ballot, with any votes cast for him going to Negron. The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points. Maryland-based Research 2000 conducted the telephone survey of 600 likely voters in District 16 Wednesday through Friday for the newspapers." "Poll says Democrat leads in former Foley district". See also "Poll: Mahoney leads but scandal fallout is limited", "Poll: Foley seat leaning toward Dem". See also this earlier story: "Democrats sue over notices about ballot".

Sink

"The Democratic candidate for finance officer is a political newcomer but a business insider." "Sink's resume reflects gains, losses".

Who Knew?

Betcha didn't know that Charlie "led a successful fight to stop oil drilling off Florida's coast." To put it far too politely, "That's stretching the truth. Back in April, Crist was among several elected officials who wrote letters opposing a federal plan to allow oil drilling off Florida's coast. Crist's Democratic opponent, Jim Davis, has been much more involved in the federal issue as a member of Congress." "Crist radio ad stretches the truth".

Another Crist Flip-Flop

The other day, the Tampa Trib caught Charlie in yet another flip-flop: "Charlie Crist said Friday he favors automatic restoration of voting rights for felons who have completed their sentences, an issue that has been controversial in Florida since the 2000 election. That's a switch for Crist, the Republican candidate for governor. A month ago, he said he favored streamlining the process for restoring voting rights but didn't call for automatic restoration of rights." "Crist Would Let All Felons Vote".

Charlie will apparently say anything to cut into the Black vote: "Crist's overtures to black voters may find some success".

Jim Who?

Yesterday, Orlando Sentinel writers John Kennedy & Jason Garcia reminded us that "An overwhelming 57 percent of registered voters don't recognize Davis, according to the survey of nearly 1,000 Floridians by Quinnipiac University. ... Davis says there's a silver lining in those numbers -- he's got more room to grow." "Davis still draws blanks from voters". See also "Davis in Brevard, Orange counties today" and "Davis Takes His Campaign To Crist Country".

More: "Davis developed image as 'reasoned persuader' instead of arm breaker".

Biography of an Empty Suit

"His path was charmed from the start -- a youth spent water-skiing and serving on the homecoming court."

His polite, easy manner made him eminently electable since the day in 1968 when seventh-graders chose him as homeroom representative.

It was as if political handlers vetted every step of his upbringing, charting a solid path with only the mildest hint of adversity: He threw some passes for the high school football team (but shared quarterback time with another player); he smoked pot "once, maybe twice," in college (but regrets it); he finished law school (although he didn't practice much law); he lost his first election but sent flowers to the victor, and he landed in statewide politics by writing a well-timed letter that caught someone's eye.

Friends and family agree that Crist seemed destined to win elections. Yet few in his intimate circle can point to ideas or events that drove the man who might be Florida's next governor to seek a life in politics.

Party Hack

"During her time in Congress, the Longboat Key Republican has closely followed her party leadership, voting with President Bush 95 percent of the time, according to the HillMonitor, a nonpartisan Web site that tracks the voting records of lawmakers. Of the 205 votes she cast on issues important to the president, she opposed him 10 times. During that same period, she voted with the Republican majority 94 percent of the time, supporting lower taxes, conservative social causes, the war in Iraq, an extension of the Patriot Act and a constitutional amendment to ban flag burning." "Harris a GOP stalwart in Congress, on stump".

See also "Katherine Harris turns to God in bid to unseat frontrunner U.S. Sen. Nelson".

Bi-partisan?

Who writes these headlines: "Bi-partisan group runs Crist ads"?

CD 9 Cash Disparity

"The summer series of GOP VIP's (Cheney, Hastert, Pres. Bush) helped Republican Gus Bilirakis pull in more than twice as much money as Democrat Phyllis Busansky, campaign finance reports filed this weekend show. Between July 1 and September 30, Bilirakis reported receiving $625,000 while Busansky's total was about $247,000. Bilirakis' higher campaign spending did little to close the cash gap: at the cycle's end, he had $1.46 million cash on hand, compared to Busansky's $537,000, according to FEC records." "Dramatic cash gap in District 9". See also "Phyllis Busansky".

Amendments

"At polls, you'll decide on 6 amendments". See also "Amendment 3 Wrong To Shield Constitution From Majority Rule", "Amendment 8 Too Restrictive" and "Tax Break For Wounds Misfires".

While Jebbie Fiddled

"Census Bureau findings have confirmed what South Floridians already know all too well. Many of us pay more than we can afford for housing, more so than in other places around the nation. The housing crisis here is so acute that many essential workers are moving to lower-cost areas." "Life in paradise becoming too costly".

The NRA, A RPOF Front Group

"NRA backs Crist campaign".

Shaw-Klein

"U.S. House candidates Clay Shaw and Ron Klein each raised about $10,000 a day during the latest fundraising period, but new reports filed Sunday showed Klein burning cash faster than Shaw, leaving the incumbent with more money to buy TV ads during the crucial final weeks of the campaign." "Shaw, Klein intensify efforts to win U.S. House District 22".

Insurance Fixes

"Michael Peltier: Candidates offer different fixes for property insurance crisis".

Foley Fallout

"The Catholic Diocese of Palm Beach is right to ask Mark Foley and his attorney to identify the clergyman who they claim sexually molested the former congressman almost 40 years ago. Attorney David Roth made the allegation during an Oct. 3 news conference shortly after Foley's resignation from Congress. Mr. Roth said a member of the clergy had molested his client between the ages of 13 and 15 but offered no other information about the identity or religious affiliation of the abuser." "If Foley was abused, he should name abuser".