Posted on 05/18/2006 8:01:11 AM PDT by listenhillary
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert, a 64-year-old ex-high school wrestling coach, ordinarily is not a shouter. But according to Capitol Hill sources, he engaged in a high decibel rant last week when he met with Vice President Dick Cheney. The speaker was enraged by the sacking of his friend and former colleague, Porter Goss.
Hastert was so vituperative that a private session with President George W. Bush in the living quarters of the White House was scheduled immediately (although Hastert aides said the meeting had been planned previously). The speaker toned down his volume on the hallowed ground and did more listening than talking. But the president did not slake Hastert's wrath over the abrupt sacking of Goss as CIA director.
That wrath reflects the feeling in the House Republican cloakroom that Goss, who gave up a safe congressional seat from Florida for a thankless cleanup mission at the CIA, is being made a scapegoat for the government's intelligence mess. But Hastert's discontent goes beyond the CIA. The GOP mood on Capitol Hill, particularly the House, is poisonous. With pessimism rising over a contemplated loss of their majority in the 2006 elections, Republican lawmakers blame their parlous condition on Bush's performance.
(Excerpt) Read more at realclearpolitics.com ...
"vituperative"
What a great word.
Hastert needs to grow up
Unfortunately, his days are numbered. Russert is already calling Feinstein "Miss Speaker" .... although "Mr Speaker" may be more appropriate.
If Russert is saying it then I know it won't happen.
However, Hastert is allowed to voice is displeasure. Come on people, this is America, people are allowed to voice disagreement with the President. It is not the end of the world. Geez......
There's nothing amiss with Hasert, it's the VP who refuses to realize that there are actually three equally empowered branches of government and that neither the pres. nor he enjoys dictatorial powers. This FUBAR is merely another example of how the current White House can, and no doubt will, fail in even the most basic and simple aspects of governing.
If he did, he got it wrong. Feinstein is a senator and they don't have a "Speaker of the Senate".
You mean Pelosi...
This administration's relations with the Republican caucus are pathetic and always have been.
I agree with you wholeheartedly, what people also fail to realize is the fact that the House more clearly reflects the views of us as citizens, I can much easier express my views and speak directly to my Congressman than I can with a Senator.
It's all Bush's fault.
With the GOP congress in desrae it is some-one Elise's fault that things are as they are.
All ways shift the blame, sounds a little like Democrat rattling to me.
What ever Hastert intends to do, he had better hurry, six months isn't very much time.
I never really heard a good reason for Goss's departure. Your description sounds like a likely explanation.
I'm real sorry to hear of this tiff between the WH and the Speaker of the House especially since the administration wants their AMNESTY plan so bad. It would be a shame if Hastert stood firm against it./sarcasm
So no, it will never happen, unless fineswine is going to give up her cushy 6 year term senate job, for a 2 year rep job.
What harm was done?
Neither one of us know who the source is for sure but to me it does not really matter. For some to act like Hastert does not have a right to speak his mind, any place, any time, is just ridiculous.
I wish they would get into the Dem faces like that on occasion.
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