Disorder in the House: Party Leaders Spar on Foley

As the midterm elections approach and with most experts estimating the Democrats are within reach of re-taking a majority in the House, Putnam called a month, "an eternity in politics."

He argued that Iraq, the economy, and the Republican record will withstand fallout from the Foley scandal.

"Americans are talking about Iraq; Americans are talking about the war on terrorism," Putnam said.

If Democrats win a majority in the House, "That would mean a Speaker Pelosi," he said. "Elections are about choices and choices have consequences."

Turning toward Putnam and pointing in his direction, Emanuel countered, "Six years of a Republican majority in the White House, in the House, and in the Senate and all you've got is fear."

Emanuel also insisted that he and his fellow Democrats were not behind the release of the Foley e-mails, stating to ABC News, "Never saw 'em. No involvement."

Putnam, who replaced Rep. Tom Reynolds, R-N.Y., as a guest on "This Week" after Reynolds cancelled his long-standing booking on the show, repeatedly argued that the Democrats were acting on a double standard.

The Democrats had stood by their embattled leaders, he said, whereas, "Mark Foley served about an hour and a half" after the sexually explicit e-mails came to light.

Reynolds, whose chief of staff Kirk Fordham resigned in the wake of the Foley scandal, is locked in a tight race for reelection.