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	The Foley Scandal ... By Michael Sneed Chicago Sun-Times October 6, 2006 http://www.suntimes.com/news/sneed/86274,CST-NWS-sneed06.article Sneed hears rumbles that House Speaker Dennis Hastert has been advised to form an independent oversight committee to investigate the blossoming congressional page sex scandal engulfing former U.S. Congressman Mark Foley. The oversight committee, which would be patterned after the lay review boards formed by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops that dealt with the shocking priest sexual abuse scandal involving minors, is being whispered as a possibility by Washington wags. The big question: Sneed hears that former Chicago FBI chief Kathleen McChesney, who headed the investigative unit of the Catholic Church's lay review board, would be willing to lend her expertise to the ongoing probe. Stay tuned. Begorrah! Outgoing U.S. Ambassador to Ireland James Kenny and gorgeous wife, Margaret, have pulled up stakes in the auld sod and are finally home for good. So Sneed got the first response once they hit home plate. • • First things first: What's the first "ting" the Kennys can't wait to do now that they are back? "Have a cheeseburger," chirped Margaret over lunch Thursday. "And Jim will want to see a Bears game." • • Next up: What will they miss most about Ireland (besides the people)? The world famous golf courses. "Jim loved the links," said Margaret. The Kennys' first official job back in America: "We're hosting the homecoming dance at Loyola Academy, where our son, Casey, goes to school." So much for rest and relaxation. Governor gab ... Is there an omen in a hotel room? • • Translation: Gov. Blagojevich and GOP rival Judy Baar Topinka were headquartered in the same Decatur hotel before Monday night's debate . . . but challenger Topinka was in the hotel's "Governor's Suite." A mu$ic note ... Question: How much does it take to get Sheryl Crow, James Taylor, Chris Isaak and native son rockers Chicago on the same stage? • • Answer: At least $12 million . . . which is what Sneed hears Lexus paid for the star-studded lineup at the car company's Wednesday night bash for its auto dealers at Buckingham Fountain . . . which also included John "Seinfeld" O'Hurley and Joan Rivers as emcees. Each performer did a few songs of their own and came together for a finale of Taylor's "How Sweet It Is." White House derby ... Kerry's korner: Those of you wondering if U.S. Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) will make another run for the presidency, here's some food for thought. Kerry is hitting town at the end of October to dine with former supporters -- and gauge their interest in backing him for another run. • • Rudy's run: Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who's traveling the country for GOP candidates -- and drumming up support for a possible presidential bid, headlined a Thursday fund-raiser at Chandler's in Schaumburg for GOP congressional hopeful David McSweeney. I spy ... Motley Crue frontman Vince Neil dining in the upstairs cigar bar at Mike Ditka's eatery. . . . NFL legend Joe Montana and wife, Jennifer Wallace, celebrating their daughter's 21st birthday at Boka with Montana's former teammate, Dwaine Board. . . . Rocker Chris Isaak and top toque Charlie Trotter supping separately at Alex Dana's Ballo . . . Super Bowl shufflers Richard Dent and Gary Fencik, White Sox pitcher Neal Cotts and actor/Chicago native Adrian Zmed have all made the rounds at Landmark recently. Sneedlings ... Today's birthdays: Elisabeth Shue, 43; Matthew Sweet, 42, and Dr. Mary Moran, ageless.
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