[Grut]

Hm... term-limiting leadership positions was the 'pubbies original work-around for not term-limiting members of Congress as per the Contract With America. Apparently the CWA is another one of those famous government deals that're binding only so long as they're convenient.

[Paleo Conservative]

Apparently the CWA is another one of those famous government deals that're binding only so long as they're convenient.

But Republicans have also change the job description. The House speaker had previouosly been the most powerful position in the House. Now the Speaker is just a figurehead. All the real power is held by the Republican leadership. Republicans just want to keep a genial figurehead speaker who doesn't create problems the way Ginrich did.

[rightwing2]

Hm... term-limiting leadership positions was the 'pubbies original work-around for not term-limiting members of Congress as per the Contract With America. Apparently the CWA is another one of those famous government deals that're binding only so long as they're convenient.

This is outrageous! Hastert is a moderate who needs to move aside for the more conservative House Majority Leader Tom DeLay. We need a more principled Speaker of the House who will stand for conservative Republican principles and not cave to the RATS. This sounds more like the rank in file in the HRC are just happy not to have Newtie as a weapon to be wielded by the RATS to defeat them in the elections.

[reformed_democrat]

Before you all decide to storm the Capitol and hang the Speaker out to dry, you might want to read the entire LA Times article. Especially this paragraph:

Other prominent House Republicans appear to be backing Blunt's proposal. One GOP leadership aide predicted it would pass overwhelmingly. Hastert has said nothing about it.

Speaker Hastert neither requested this nor instigated it. The GOP rank and file respect him and the work he's done. They also know that there's no one who could replace him. No one with the votes, and no one with the power the man has.

If Hastert steps aside (as you all hope he will), there will be a huge uproar with the RINOs and right-wing-nuts jockeying for position. Some congressmen, like Blunt, have the foresight to avoid this.

If you want to see a real bloodletting in '06, that's your business. But understand -- the Republicans are just barely holding themselves together and fending off the democrats. Get Jennifer Dunn and Ron Paul tearing into each other, and you can kiss the conservative agenda goodbye.