CNN is poring over every titillating detail of the scandal surrounding former U.S. Rep. Mark Foley.

National news agencies are hyping the Foley scandal 24 hours a day in an all-out feeding frenzy, at the expense of real news. ABC broke the story Sept. 28. It’s old news.

The media seems to think this sex scandal is more important than real news. First, the scandal bumped Bob Woodward’s book off as the top story of the week. This week, this stale story is getting more air time than an important news story like North Korea testing a nuclear bomb.

The media is relentlessly demanding House Speaker Dennis Hastert’s resignation. Apparently, they are having an impact on public opinion. According to a CNN poll conducted Friday through Sunday by Opinion Research Corp., 52 percent of the 1,028 adults interviewed think Hastert should step aside. Thirty-one percent said they think he should keep his post and 17 percent had no opinion. The election is less than a month away and Hastert’s seat is probably safe.

Why is the media so focused on Hastert? He didn’t molest any little boys. The predator resigned from congress, said he was sorry and checked himself into an alcohol rehabilitation clinic. Foley is the villain here, not Hastert.

Hastert denies having knowledge of the content of the e-mail. After all, he’s not an investigator or a police officer.

He is a very busy man. He oversees the U.S. House of Representatives and controls the Republicans’ legislative agenda. He doesn’t have time for rumor mongering. Rep. Rodney Alexander (R-NY) told Hastert of a complaint of improper e-mail communication from the parent of a former congressional page. Second-hand reports like this are just hearsay. It’s not enough evidence to do anything. There’s no proof of a crime to trigger an investigation. He delegated the complaint to an aide and forgot all about it.

We do not know what the facts are. Everyone suspects Foley had sex with male minors, but there is no proof yet. Many in congress have confessed hearing rumors and witnessing inappropriate behavior, yet none of them did anything to alert law enforcement.

Illinois’ 14th Congressional District is very fortunate to be represented by the Speaker of the House. Hastert has a great deal of clout and influence. We cannot replace a leader like that.

Liz Baxter is an opinion columnist for the Northern Star.