Our sources tell us that Mark Foley wound up backing out of the "Today" show interview late yesterday and flying back to Florida upon learning that Matt Lauer would not be doing the interview. (Lauer wasn't going to make it back from Alaska where he interviewed Sarah Palin in time, we're told.)

And, it seems Foley's former staffers know him well. One told us yesterday: "I would be shocked if it's not Matt Lauer — not because there's anything wrong with Meredith [Vieira], but this is a dream fulfilled. Matt Lauer on 'Today.' ."

Ah, this isn't the last we've heard on Foley on "Today." It's his dream, right? Matt Lauer, are you listening?

Still, the AP, though no Matt Lauer (or TV), caught up with Foley and got its interview. In part:

And while he concedes his behavior was "extraordinarily stupid," he remains somewhat unwilling to accept full public scorn.

These were 17-year-olds, just months from being men, he insists.

"There was never anywhere in those conversations where someone said, 'Stop,' or 'I'm not enjoying this,' or 'This is inappropriate' ... but again, I'm the adult here, I'm the congressman," Foley said. "The fact is I allowed it to happen. That's where my responsibility lies."

And:

A Republican won back Foley's congressional district last week after the Democrat who replaced him was caught in an adultery scandal. It's become known as "The Curse of the Mark Foley Seat."

"It's not what I had hoped would be my lasting legacy," he said, pausing to brush away tears.

So what does the man who once was such a popular figure in politics and high-society do now?

"I don't know. I don't know," he said. "I'm just going to take it a day at a time."

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