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Former House Speaker Seeks Graceful Exit {Hastert }
AP via SFGate ^ | 6/16/7 | DAVID ESPO, AP Special Correspondent

Posted on 06/16/2007 9:58:42 AM PDT by SmithL

WASHINGTON, (AP) -- Few politicians fall as far and as fast as Dennis Hastert, but the longest-serving Republican House speaker in history landed with his sense of humor intact.

"I do have a schedule," he laughs when asked how he fills his time in the minority and proves it by holding up a printed card that lists his day's events.

He also has a postcard-gorgeous view of the National Mall from his Capitol office, one floor beneath his former suite. "Lower to the ground," Hastert chuckles, a self-deprecating reference to the lofty position he held for eight years in an era of terrorism and political tumult.

The memories are fresh.

Looking out his office on Sept. 11, 2001, Hastert could see smoke rising from the wounded Pentagon. Several attempts to reach Vice President Dick Cheney on a secure line had been unsuccessful. The phone rang in the speaker's office and without waiting for a secretary to answer, he picked up.

Instead of Cheney, "It was some wacko, saying, `What in the hell are you guys doing in Washington. Taxes are way too high,'" Hastert, R-Ill., recalls.

"I told him he had the wrong number."

A tough partisan, he has no apologies for the time Republicans kept the House in session all night to pass Medicare prescription drug legislation bitterly opposed by Democrats.

(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...


TOPICS: Editorial; Government; Politics/Elections; US: Illinois
KEYWORDS: dennishastert
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To: SmithL

He’s probably tickled pink to be out of the loop of all the B.S.


41 posted on 06/16/2007 1:45:54 PM PDT by Saundra Duffy (Romney Rocks!)
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To: SmithL

I’d loan Hastert a good boot to the rump if he’s looking for any farewell sentiments. He must have coached the girls wrestling team, he was soooo weak. Thank God he defended Jefferson though.


42 posted on 06/16/2007 2:09:29 PM PDT by FastCoyote
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To: duckln

Some FReepers are too stupid to distinguish between the various Republican leaders. They just lash out at all of them indiscriminately.

Hastert wasn’t a good public spokesman for the party. As a leader of the Republicans in the House, he did a pretty good job. With a small GOP margin, the House passed a lot of good legislation. Bill Frist in the Senate deserves far more blame. But such complexities are beyond the minds of many on FReep.

You’re right that it would be great to lose some of these idiots.

You’re also right that Hastert was a solid conservative.


43 posted on 06/16/2007 9:44:35 PM PDT by California Patriot ("That's not Charley the Tuna out there. It's Jaws." -- Richard Nixon)
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