Hastert out as Leader of Republicans
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By krempasky Posted in Congress — Comments (21) / Email this page » / Leave a comment »
The bandaid ripping continues on the other end of Pennsylvania Avenue as Hastert has informed his colleagues that he will not seek his leadership post again.
Below the fold, Rep. John Shaddegg's announcement of his candidacy for Minority Whip.
SHADEGG ANNOUNCES RUN FOR MINORITY WHIP
Congressman Says Election Results are not a Referendum on Republican Principles, but a Rebuke of the way Washington has conducted itself
PHOENIX, AZ - Today, Congressman John Shadegg (R-AZ) released the following statement:
"I am deeply disappointed by last night's election results. After being a part of the Republican majority in the House of Representatives since its inception 12 years ago, I am saddened to see it come to an end. I am proud of our many accomplishments. Over that time, we balanced the federal budget for the first time since 1969, reformed the welfare system and enacted the largest tax relief legislation in American history."
"Twelve years ago, we took control of the House of Representatives for the first time in half a century. It was an historic achievement, and it was possible because we stood for the principles the American people believe in: a smaller federal government, lower taxes, greater individual freedom, and - above all - reform. Unfortunately, over time, Republicans stopped acting like Republicans and we ceded our reform-minded principles in exchange for a seemingly tighter grip on power."
The historic Contract with America made this pledge:
"We propose not just to change the [House of Representatives] policies, but even more important, to restore the bonds of trust between the people and their elected representatives."We must rededicate ourselves to that task. We also said we would end:
"government that is too big, too intrusive, and too easy with the public money," and begin "a Congress that respects the values and shares the faith of the American Family."
We were right then and we are right now.
"Last night's election was NOT a revolution, nor was it an endorsement of a true or real Democrat alternative. It was a rebuke of the way Washington has conducted itself as of late. This past year, we were presented with many opportunities to act decisively, but instead we wavered in our responsibilities. Yet in defeat there is hope, and now we are presented with an opportunity to reevaluate, unite, and change course."
"It is for these reasons, along with the urging of my colleagues that I have decided to run for Minority Whip. Now is the time to return to the ideals that swept us into a governing majority. The Democrats that were elected yesterday do not represent the reform that Americans want. They do not stand for a strong national defense, nor do they stand for fiscal restraint. They will not end pork barrel spending or reform the earmarking process, and they will not change the way Washington works."
"The campaign to take back the majority begins today. I have no doubt that we can reclaim our rightful place as the governing party of reform and individual empowerment, but we must begin with a renewed vision for this Conference now."
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Hastert out as Leader of Republicans 21 Comments (0 topical, 21 editorial, 0 hidden) Post a comment »
I'd still love to see Shadegg as leader (oops, nearly wrote Speaker there... hard habit to break) and Flake as whip, but I can live with Pence and Shadegg.
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If you're seeing shades of gray, it's because you're not looking close enough to see the black and white dots.
It takes a big man to know when to step aside. Good luck to him as a back bencher. Now, who is going to be the front runner to take over???
The Real Deal
www.therealdealonline.blogspot.com
needs to be in leadership somehow. I really hope she runs and wins. We need a woman to counter Pelosi who is actually compotent
Should be interesting to see if the Dems keep the House Rules which term limit committee chairs and the Speaker.
I think they are Republican caucus rules. A product of 1994. Dems also don't have a rule that and indicted member must step down from leadership or chairmanship positions. Watch how that doesn't change in the Dems rush to clean up Congress.
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Develop alternatives to existing policies and keep them alive and available until the politically impossible becomes the politically inevitable. Milton Friedman
The strength and weakness of Denny Hastert was that he was a conciliator. He pulled the Republican groups together in tough times, and when they were very divided. Representatives were quoted as saying that no one could have done the job better.
However, that is exactly the wrong attitude to take with Democrats. Politics is war fought by other means, and party leaders have a duty to attack the other party, and to defend theirs from attack. Hastert clearly failed in that, probably because of the same attitude of compromise. One low moment was when he spent his strength defending a crooked Democrat from a valid search warrant, while, as we now know, Nancy Pelosi was stacking up scandals like Foley to be released as October surprises.
As for the Foley scandal, only time will tell just how badly Hastert handled the situation. There have been leaks saying that the ethics committee has some very negative information.
when he spent his strength defending a crooked Democrat from a valid search warrant
Well, Cold Cash J. retained his seat. Now Pelosi can deliver on her promises to lead "the most ethical congress in history".
Oh wait though...I think that ethics thing only applies to republicans.
If one of ours is even said to be under investigation, he loses the election. No such rules apply to the other side. We're played on a severely tilted field here.
He didn't get 50%... in his freezer
Just as every cop is a criminal, and all the sinners saints - Sympathy for the Democrats
I am glad that Hastert is out, but I am surprised with the glee about this and the opposite w/r/t Rummy.
Just as every cop is a criminal, and all the sinners saints - Sympathy for the Democrats
Chucking Rummy out with the garbage represents a promise broken. Hastert stepping down after this year represents a promise kept.
That's the difference.
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If you're seeing shades of gray, it's because you're not looking close enough to see the black and white dots.
But his time was up. He took a near impossible situation after the Gingrich-Livingston implosion and maintained the majority for close to a decade longer. So I think Speaker Hastert deserves our thanks while he's out the door.
VIVA PENCE!
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"As nations can not be rewarded or punished in the next world they must be in this."
- George Mason
but he was partially (mostly) responsible for leading us down the spending path to oblivion...so, good riddance! Sorry, just a bit bitter tonight...
Hastert did an okay job as speaker. He wasn't Newt, that's for sure. I blame Delay for most of the failings of the GOP house for the past several years.
As for Rummy - no great loss as far as I am concerned.
It's true Hastert has ultimate responsibility as the man at the top. But traditionally the speaker is less partisan while the majority leader and especially the whips are the flaming partisans.
Maybe with Delay gone there was no one left from the Gingrich era to fill that role, and really take it to the Democrats. It is good that others in leadership are leaving too.
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Develop alternatives to existing policies and keep them alive and available until the politically impossible becomes the politically inevitable. Milton Friedman
Nancy P totally tooled him over William Jefferson.
The lack of judgement in defending Jefferson against a lawfully executed warrant on evidence of corruption demoralized so many good people and still ticks me off. He had the perfecxt chance to point out that Republicans toss out corrupt people, while dhimmies keep them around. He blew that politically, ethically, and in every other way possible.
He did not miss many opportunities to miss an opportunity.
His blinking when he got played over Foley was shameful. Instead of saying, "hey!" the guy was a creep and when we found out,he was out, and that is that, he danced and twisted and acted like he had done something wrong, when apparently he had not.
He could have defused their sleazy little surprise but instead fed it for weeks past its natural lifespan.
And he should have been trumpeting the economy as the huge Republican success it is. And and and......
With respect to Hastert stepping down, this conservatives says, "good riddance and don't let the door hit you on the way out." It's time for some real conservatives to begin running the House GOP.
As articulated at length in my diary this morning, this acute failure of leadership is the cause for much of our dismay.
That is also apparently the case for much of our populace.
Shame
hashad a face and one side of it was Hastert."Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori"