I don’t think I’m going “haywire,” Jpod, although I’m always open to persuasion by you. I’m not, incidentally, for a Hastert resignation over the Foley matter, and have said so. I think you’re right that a resignation would be very bad for the Republicans, although that’s not the reason I’m against it: I don’t think the case on the merits yet justifies his resignation.
But I also think that Hastert ought to admit that this was not handled well, rather than continuing to defend that handling–as you are also doing. To say that no more excuses Foley’s behavior than faulting the police for botching an investigation would excuse the criminals they were supposed to investigate. And Hastert could have done more–he could have had his staff, say, try to read the emails in question!–and should have.