Consider this an Open Thread for now. I plan to have a substantial post on this topic tomorrow.
Do you think Dennis Hastert will resign before or after the elections?
My gut says that there is no chance he weathers this political storm. His attempt to cover-up Mark Foley’s behavior is part of a pattern of corruptness from this Speaker. At least he has made his money while he could – he will leave the House a much richer man.
He will not resign. He will go down with the ship. Unfortunately, fat floats and so does….never mind. I’ll be rude on my own blog. >:)
How ’bout Joe Scarborough ripping the GOP a new one last night? You know things are bad when he’s trying to grab the steering wheel of the bus running over Hastert.
Much as it pains me, I feel Hastert will hang on. The sorts of investigatin necessary will happen after the election, and the Right media will start falling in line with the Party line (nothing to see, Homosexual predator, we’er shocked, shocked, Bill Clinton got a Blowjob)..He might not be reelected, however. I hope I’m wrong here.
Wonkette and others report that the Foley messages were leaked by a disgusted Justice Dept. offical who was reacting to AG Gonzalez’s refusal to pursue the matter. Dems need to begin a “What did Albertto know and when did he know it” line of attack…
And a funny from the comments section at Atrios:
“‘the Christian Coaliton says they are behind Hastert.’
Well, no wonder I didn’t see them!–Sidd Finch”
Why should he resign? He wuz jez another victim of the gay-hating liberal entrapment artists…dang them and thar hot young boy slaves!:*
He won’t resign, and probably won’t be forced out…good news for democrats! Almost as good as keeping Rumsfeld…nothing helps the left more than the stubbornness of the right in sticking by their ethically squishy front men. Now it’s coming back to haunt them, and all I can say is, BOO! :d
Put me down for w/in the week. Today Fordham, tomorrow Reynolds, next week Hastert, et al.
Gingrich, then Livingston and now Hastert. That’s 3 strikes you’re out for the Washington Moralists.
Robbie, you have to stop being so civil here! :d
Mr. Bill, I didn’t know about AG Ali G’s involvement in squashing this thing. So much for going after predators! huh! =p~
Jeremiah, I think it was a trap set up by Bill Clinton to take the family values Congress down.
Group Captain, I think politically its better for the Dems if he hangs on…but as a parent I have to think that I don’t want the Speaker of the House being a guy who protects sexual predators.
Hmm..which way to I go…its politics vs. morality. :-b
I have no idea which way this wind will blow. The thing is, from what I have read (Washington Post article) is that it was I have no idea which way this wind will blow. The thing is, from what I have read (Washington Post article) is that it was “the worst kept secret” that people (republicans) knew about. Not just Hastert. Also, Foley’s constituency apparently knew about it as well. We’ll see, wouldn’t it be ‘funny’ that if anything that could make the situation favourable for the Democrats this coming election would be the ‘gay/predator’ issue, rather than the war which cost thousands and thousands people their lives, increased terrorist activity the world over, destabilized a big chunk of the world, and serious questions re. the aforeknowledge and possible abetting of this administration with the 9/11 event..truts people to vote when it really counts! (not)
Ingrid
I believe that he is no longer a shoo in to be reelected, but his challenger is a lightweight in regards to Hastert, both literally and figuratively. Whether or not Hastert can survive the next 5 weeks, and reelection, judging from his physical state, leads me to believe he might croak any second.
Well, good luck John Laesch, I hope you show him the door.
http://www.john06.com
Hey, so whats with everyone calling Hastert “Toast” now!
First Carville then Stephanopoulos!
I think at this point Hastert is burnt toast! >:/
By the way, if I neglected to mention it. Hastert is toast. I give him until this weekend. The GOP wants to get rid of him as soon as possible to contain this. However, I think others will also go down: Boehner is next, and Reynolds may go sooner.
Ingrid is right. All this death in Iraq and no one gives a crap. Man found with live boy – all hell breaks loose.
That’s because we can’t do shit about Iraq but we can kick the sexual predator coddlers out of Congress one at a time. I say Hastert is outta here by Friday afternoon and others will follow.
Mash, is that rude enough for you? :d
I’d rather be civil here and other blogs because I’m a guest. After what happened to you and Ingrid the other night I turned off comments on my blog and ratcheted up the rudeness. These people do not want civil discourse, so I’m denying them a chance to respond to my posts. >:)
Did you see the comparison by Rep. Shay between Foley\’s antics and Chappaquiddick? Really, beyond the pale IMO, and handled well by Shay\’s opponent. It\’s sad to think that to defend themselves against the possibility that they, too, have moral failings, the Republicans have to go fishing all the way back to 1969 to find amunition.