It now becomes clear why he was made Speaker of the House. The Democrats had the goods on him, and were able to control him.
“It now becomes clear why he was made Speaker of the House. The Democrats had the goods on him, and were able to control him.”
Recall that under Hastert’s leadership of the House, Frist’s leadership of the Senate, and George Bush’s presidency (first 6 years), the nation went from a balanced budget to running annual deficits of over $100 million per year. Hastert’s House was infamous for runaway earmarks such as the $200 million bridge to nowhere in Alaska. The new about Hastert’s predator instincts may provide some explanation for why the Republican House overnight went from fiscal responsibility under Gingrich to trying to outdo the Democrats on spending. What I still don’t understand is why George W. Bush would not reign in the irresponsible spending with a veto or two. Was Bush also compromised?