Hastert May Face Post-Election Unrest - WP

[applegrove]

Hastert May Face Post-Election Unrest
Foley Scandal Just One of Speaker's Problems

By Jonathan Weisman
Washington Post Staff Writer
Monday, November 6, 2006; A07
found on Huffington Post

"House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert's future is in doubt even if the Republicans retain control of the House because of unease among GOP lawmakers about his handling of the Foley page scandal and what a House ethics committee investigation might conclude about him, according to several Republican aides.

House Chief Deputy Whip Eric I. Cantor (R-Va.) said last week that the House Republican leadership elections scheduled for Nov. 15 should be postponed until the ethics committee delivers its final report. House Majority Leader John A. Boehner (R-Ohio) confirmed yesterday on "Fox News Sunday" that he and Hastert have discussed that possibility. "We'll see how Tuesday goes and then we'll make some decisions."

But if Democrats seize control of the House in tomorrow's election, as many political analysts and pollsters are predicting, then Hastert is widely expected to exit the leadership stage and allow a new generation of Republican leaders to try to recapture the majority. Hastert, 64, the longest-serving Republican speaker, remains personally popular with House Republicans, but the discontent with his often lackadaisical, hands-off style is palpable.

"I believe that members have the highest regard for the speaker, his honesty, his integrity and his high ethical standards," said Rep. Patrick T. McHenry (R-N.C.). "But the last two years have been very tough for us as a majority. There's no doubt about that. Certainly we need to have a better direction, vision and drive than we've had during the 109th Congress."

...........SNIP"

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/11/05/AR2006110501102_pf.html

[louis-t]

1. I think Hastert will be gone within a month if Dems take over House

And that is looking like a fer shure thing.

[williesgirl]

2. K&R

[sinkingfeeling]

3. "..his honesty, his integrity and his high ethical standards"??? What world does

Rep. McHenry live in? If he thinks the last two years have been very tough, wait for the next couple.