This particular affaire (the French word fittingly can mean either scandal or straightforward business) last year forced the resignation of the finance minister, Dominique Strauss-Kahn, who this year has been linked by Mrs Joly to the Elf affaire.
Rep. Thomas Reynolds (R-NY), the chair of the National Republican Congressional Committee who was among those party leaders who knew some details of l'affaire Foley as far back as last November, has an unexpected challenge for his Buffalo-area seat from Jack Davis, a well-financed businessman, who is thought to be within striking distance of victory.