The King of the Culture of Corruption is going---he knows the Dems will kick his butt out in '08, and doesn't want to serve his constituents if he can't do it from a position of power.  Good riddance.

Maybe he's playing "pup tent" with Larry Craig.

Must be another scandal in the wings, and he's getting out of Dodge before it hits.  Abramoff and the Foley/congressional page scandals couldn't do it, so perhaps it's a real doozy that the GOP doesn't want center stage during the regular elections.  I agree with Class Warrior - good riddance to a useless waste of oxygen.

Hes probably leaving early, possibly before another type of sordid republican sex scandal comes out about the big ugly gasbag. Or will it be corruption of some kind? Shall we take bets? Hmm... why would he be leaving early?

Is that called triangulation?

Don't fool yourselves. The Republicans aren't just incompetent, they are also devious. By forcing a special election they are expecting a low turnout except for their hard-core supporters and the Republican candidate will have a better chance. If they wait for the general election the democratic turnout will be greater.  They never want to compete on a level playing field.

The ship is sinking, everyone to the lifeboats!!!!

Hastert is clearly corrupt, that much we know.  He's probably getting out of Dodge early so he can lawyer up and prepare to defend himself from the myriad charges that are in store for him once we have a functioning Justice department in this country again (if that ever hapens).

Hastert has a strong following in a district that is heavy Republican so does not really need to worry about re-election.....Having said that (in my opinion)
hastert had arrived at the position of speaker of the house by throwing aside principles and voting along straight party lines even when he knew it was not in the best interest of the country....hense the man is a phony;glad to see him go...Hastert you have not served us (or yourself) well...

First he was resigning and then he wasn't? Are he and leisure suit larry craig related? Those rascally republicans sure are flip floppers

The King of the Culture of Corruption is leaving a sinking ship (or should that be spelled SCHIP?).  Good riddance. I'm sure the pedophile Foley he covered for for so long wishes to thank himm for his service to his country.  

Candidate Joe Serra Comments on Hastert Resignation

GENEVA, IL – October 18, 2007.  Mr. Hastert’s announcement that he will resign is shamefully, one year too late.  While Mr. Hastert was Speaker of the House, he had an abundance of knowledge regarding Congressman Foley’s lewd and criminal behavior and chose to protect a potential pedophile and powerful political colleague over a congressional page.   Mr. Hastert was negligent for not taking the evidence that he had fully into account and ordering an investigation - or he deliberately looked the other way for his friend and political ally.   In either case Mr. Hastert is finally doing the right thing.





Joe Serra’s position on Child Molestation Laws

Child Molestation Laws need to be toughened.  Child molestation and child sexual assault is the most rapid growing violent crime in the United States.  

Sexual offenders who prey on children are the vilest of all offenders.  A strong message must be sent to these offenders that they must seek treatment or suffer the consequences when caught.  Just as importantly, I want to send a message to mothers and fathers indicating that I

understand their concerns and fears and I am taking steps to contain and control this heinous

crime.



As your representative I will strongly advocate for the following



·         Upon conviction of a second offense, a child sexual predator will receive life in prison.

·         Death of child while committing, requires a mandatory death sentence.

·         I will work to have crimes of a sexual nature against children to become Federal Offenses, enabling the courts to hand down harsher sentences and avoid early releases.

·         I will advocate much longer sentences and advocate a two strikes law enabling our courts to put Sexual Offenders and Sexual Predators away forever upon conviction of their second offense.

·         I advocate Sexual Offenders and Sexual Predators to be fitted with permanent monitoring devices upon their release enabling law enforcement officials to track their whereabouts anywhere in the country.

I think its pretty obvious why Hastert is retiring.  But, you need to read between the lines.  He has lost 60 lbs.  People of his age and lifestyle don't just go on a sudden health kick and get in shape.  He has health problems, most likely pretty serious.  But, being the ever loyal member of the sociopathic set he is timing his quitting date to force the governor into calling a special election, where repubs have the best chance of winning.  Its pretty clear, if he quits now, a democrat would win the seat on the date of the Ill. primary.  If he could hang on till next fall, a democrat would win in the 08 general.  He is trying to pass on his pork to one of his cronies.

It is funny that he is denying the rumor, yet it came from his own staff.

Stark is right and is not afraid to tell what American people agree with. It's an outrage that Bush keeps spending money on a war we don't want and refuses to help his own country. I feel like Stark. Bush doesn't care about the soldiers killed. He wouldn't make this stupid sacrifice. He knows it's a lost war but is too egotistic to stop it. Bravo to Stark!!!!

Mr.Hastert will not retire until he has a sense that his position of power in the party will be retained by a able republican in his district. Who may not currently live in the district.His influence in Washington will be missed by the people he represents. The District has been farily conservative and will remain that way with the Midwestern values the future candidate the republicans will offer.

I couldn't agree more with Mr. Serra.

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