Posted on 05/27/2007 5:07:42 PM PDT by Clintonfatigued
Former House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) will decide in a few weeks if he is going to seek another term, the Sun-Times has learned. Hastert, 65, is considering retiring, said chief of staff Mike Stokke. "I think that is a possibility," Stokke said.
Stokke said Hastert "believes he needs to let people know by the next recess," referring to a congressional break in August.
Hastert, who was the longest-serving GOP speaker before the Republicans lost the House in 2006, would be tempted to run again if he had work remaining on energy, health care, trade and anti-drug issues, Stokke said. Hastert, who had gall bladder surgery this year and lost 60 pounds, was persuaded to run last time by President Bush. He was first elected to Congress in 1986 after serving in the Illinois House.
(Excerpt) Read more at suntimes.com ...
About time, big guy.
Hastert was a good legislative tactician — he got results — but a poor spokesman for the party. We badly need both.
I wonder what our chances are of holding his seat.
Dennis Hastert was the right man when he was chosen, but it’s time for him to return home.
Based on what I know, state Senator Chris Lauzen would be the best choice to succeed him.
Hastert was a politician who became corrupt and gave the republican party a black eye by promoting the notion that a search warrant couldn’t be written on congressmen short of the supreme court writing it. Just screw all that separation of powers and checks and balances stuff. As far as I am concerned he can go wherever Nifong goes, and they will be appropriate company for one another.
The IL-14 is a GOP friendly district. We should hold it with no problem.
That’s true, but it’s important that the right Republican wins, not just any Republican.
Oberweis might be interested in the seat as well along with IL House Minority Leader, Tim Cross. Given the conservatve mood against amnesty now, Oberweis could use that anger against Lauzen by pointing out his Mexican heritage.
> The IL-14 is a GOP friendly district. We should hold it with no problem.
Here’s hoping you get a conservative into the seat, and not merely a democrat with an (R) by his name.
I agree, we don’t need any more Mark Kirk “republicans”.
Problem is, Overweis doesn’t have much credibility. He started out an establishment RINO (compared pro-life activists to the Taliban in 2002), than flipped to conservative populist.
Chris Lauzen is a consistant conservative, based on what I know about him.
I don’t live in Illinois, but I’d trust Oberweis more than Judy Topinka, who is the female Rudy Giuliani.
You are lying. Hastert is a Basta**
Like all other Politicians he betrayed his district and became a fat cat only devoted to himself. His disgraceful behavior and hiding the sex scandal warnings that harmed an intern.
Thank God he is going. He is a disgrace!!
Good post. I agree completely.
Hastert sided with the Democrats in supporting the notion that a corrupt congressman’s office is safe harbor for him to hide evidence and run a criminal operation. Buh-bye, Hastert.
Thank You!! I could not have said it better!
With folks who praise Haster it is no WONDER the Republican Party is screwed up! I dispise ass Kissers!
Bad news, good news. He would never retire if he thought the Republicans had a chance to reclaim the House in the next election. The good news is the quicker the Republican Party sheds itself of dead wood like Hastert, the quicker the turnaround can occur.
Thanks for handling the Foley situation so skillfully, Denny. Why didn’t you just endorse Pelosi? /DrippingSarc
Well-said, but it won’t do a great deal of good if Hastert is replaced by a younger version of himself.
Goodbye pudgy...let’s get some fresh new staunch conservative replacements in the GOP.
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