Hastert's game plan foiled in sending in sub for leader

[jbfam4]

Hastert's game plan foiled in sending in sub for leader
http://www.suntimes.com/output/sweet/cst-nws-sweet30.html
September 30, 2005

LYNN SWEET SUN-TIMES COLUMNIST
The coach had some trouble executing his plays. House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) did have a game plan in place to provide for a leadership transition once Rep. Tom DeLay (R-Texas) was indicted Wednesday and forced to step down as majority leader.

It's just that he was blocked by a powerful group of conservative members -- and House Whip Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), who told Hastert in a personal appeal he did not want to be eclipsed, even temporarily, by a placeholder who would take DeLay's job.

Hastert apparently did not anticipate that talks from his team with Rules Committee Chairman David Dreier (R-Calif.) about filling the void created by DeLay's indictment would provoke a backlash.

When the speaker did, he pivoted, quickly restored order and rallied the troops behind him and DeLay -- for the time being.

[SpiralHawk]

1. A sub?

Does that mean he's a "top" or a "bottom"?

Guess we best inquire of the Bush White House, since they are the Official Jeff Gannon experts on these matters.

[skids]

2. "substitute leacher" n/t

[Orrex]

3. They should mount a probe immediately

To identify the thrust of this issue, penetrating to the very bottom, if necessary.

[Demeter]

4. The Nice Thing About Promoting Blount Is...

he gets to show his corrupt incompetence now, when the mood for cleaning House is strong, and get swept out with today's trash, instead of lurking in the shadows for some future bout of erring-do.