Hastert resigns his seat tonight

Hastert resigns his seat tonight

by Rick Pearson


Former House Speaker Dennis Hastert is formally resigning from Congress today.

Hastert said he did so on the advice of attorneys with the aim that a special primary election to replace him could be held on Feb. 5---the same day as the state's regular primary election, which will decide nominees for Hastert's long-term replacement as well.

Hastert said he wanted to avoid the extra costs of a special primary election by county election officials in the 14th Congressional District, which runs from western DuPage County to nearly the Iowa border. Still, those counties are likely to face extra costs for holding a special general election in late spring to fill the remainder of Hastert's term.

The former speaker said he also decided to step down now because his interests in developing new national energy policies was being sidetracked in the Democratic-controlled Congress, which is focused on the presidential election campaign.

"I wanted to get some energy policy done, but everything is being done behind closed doors on a partisan basis," Hastert told the Tribune. "You know, it seems to get tougher as we move into a presidential election year, and so I figured it was time for me to go out and live the rest of my life."

more...

http://www.swamppolitics.com/news/politics/blog/2007/11/hastert_resigns_his_seat_tonig.html#more

and one of the few places in IL that papa bear bush appeared in his re-election efforts. This will be a very interesting election to watch on Feb. 5th. If it goes blue.............:woohoo:

Dennie whines.

Wha??? Dennie should be asking for royalty payments. The partisan behind closed door gambit is Hastert's trademark.

the likely Democratic candidate would have had a shot at this seat in Nov especially if Obama would be the presidential nominee but with this special election in the spring it will be extremely difficult for him. Dennis Hastert's decision to retire a few months early has nothing to do with energy policy. This district has been trending blue and the Republican "good ole boys" around here are playing it safe.

I sure hope so!!!

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Farewell Denny. No one will miss you.

had hoped. I guess i'm giving up that any of them besides Abramoff and a couple others will ever do jail time. Hastert, Lott and Tom Delay will be out there raking in the dough...business as usual. Congress take care of it's own. Even larry Craig is still there. He will probably announce in the next few weeks and join the others as a lobbist. Maybe he can do something to get money to improve airport restrooms.

great.....lets toast to trent lott's announcement today as well! :)

YAY :)