More from same article:
“He is just an all-around good, solid guy and a very skillful legislator,” said Gov.-elect George Ryan, who was Illinois House speaker in 1981 when Hastert began his political career as a state legislator. “He’s a down-to-earth, common-sense guy who gets along with everyone and always keeps his word. Denny did so well in Springfield that it wasn’t surprising that he became the go-to guy in our congressional delegation.”
I suppose a guy who could be exposed would get along with everybody. He’d also keep his mouth shut about other people’s crimes. He would be the perfect guy to enforce “honor among thieves.”