Posted on 07/22/2007 11:30:06 AM PDT by Clintonfatigued
Former House Speaker Dennis Hastert "has indicated to a close former aide that it is likely he will not run for a 12th term from his northern Illinois district and may even resign from Congress before his present term concludes," Robert Novak reports.
"That runs counter to widespread speculation on Capitol Hill that Hastert will continue in the House for another two years as a private member with no leadership responsibilities. Since last year's Democratic takeover of Congress moved him out of the speaker's office, he has enjoyed returning to his former specialty of energy issues as a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee."
"A footnote: If Hastert does not run, a leading candidate will be his chief of staff, Mike Stokke. Before going on Hastert's staff, Stokke was an aide for both the Illinois Legislature and the governor's office in Springfield."
(Excerpt) Read more at politicalwire.com ...
Dennis Hastert was the right person when he took over the Speakership from Newt Gingrich, but it’s time for someone else.
However, IMHO, Mike Stokke (his longtime aide) is not the right choice. Conservatives would be well-advised to support Chris Lauzen, a state Senator and CPA with an excellent record.
I connect Hastert with the same ineptness as the failed senate leadership.
The only question would be: How long will it take the party to notice that he is gone?
Good Riddance.
I suspect there will be a lot more Republican retirements besides Hastert’s, assuming this is true, the closer we get to the election.
I disagree. It was a classic case of the establishment telling conservatives to sit back, "we know whats best" and then proceeding to wreck 30 years of work we put into bringing about the GOP congress.
DITTO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I predict Jim Oberweis will reign supreme!! Over the 14th Congressional District! You heard it here first!!!
You scream, I scream,we all scream for Jim Oberweis!
William Jefferson, D-LA is deeply saddened.
Back in 2003, Lauzen (a Mexican American) was one of the few IL legislators to vote against in-state tuition for illegals. The white legislators supported the bill to show to the world that they are not racists. In fact, I know of whites who are backing Obama just to atone for America’s past sins of racism. IL whites are hopeless slaves to political correctness. I hope Oberweis doesn’t jump in to split the conservatives and allow Stokke to run away with House seat.
Last thing we need is another RINO in office.
I hope he can be urged to stay on. His district leans Republican but not overly so. The Democrats could make a race out of a special election. Rigth now we need every level head in the House that we can muster and Denny certainly qualifies.
Don’t let the door hit your fat behind as you waddle your way out, Dennis. An atrocious RINO and a poor example to our children. Hopefully he’ll display better leadership skills at his next job - assistant manager at the local Wendy’s.
While I don’t dislike Hastert, I do think his leadership or lack thereof cost us. The Senate is a den of iniquity, but the House isn’t that bad. One would have a hard time of telling it due to the invisible leadership and agenda of Hastert.
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