[maggief]

Hastert served on Hillary’s healthcare task force in 1993.

Coincidentally, in 1995 Hastert rose to Chief Deputy Whip, the same year Stevie died of AIDS. Jolene confronted Hastert at Stevie’s Funeral.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/govt/leadership/stories/hastert122198.htm

Plain-Talking Hastert Poised to Be Speaker
December 21, 1998

“There is not a breath of scandal associated with Denny,” said Brad Goodrich, deputy executive director of the Illinois GOP, referring to the marital infidelity that drove Livingston from the speakership even before he formally accepted it.

Just to be certain, Rep. Donald Manzullo (R-Ill.) asked Hastert Saturday the question on many lawmakers’ minds.

“I looked him right in the face and said, ‘Can you withstand the scrutiny?’‚” recalled Manzullo, one of the social conservatives who regarded Livingston as severely tarnished. “He said, ‘Yes.’‚”

[kiryandil]

Fascinating.