Dennis Hastert Won't Run For Reelection

Illinois Congressman Will Leave Congress At The End Of Current Term

(CBS/AP)  Rep. Dennis Hastert, who served as speaker of the House longer than any Republican in history, announced Friday morning that he will not seek another term in Congress.

"It was a great personal privilege and honor for this former teacher and wrestling coach to have been elected and to have served the American people," Hastert said in a press release released by his office.

President Bush released a written statement following Hastert's announcement. "I am indebted to Denny for his candid advice and strong support, and I look forward to working with him throughout the remainder of the 110th Congress," it read in part. "As my good friend prepares to move on to the next phase of his life, he has my gratitude for his distinguished service."

Hastert was scheduled to speak publicly about his decision at an event for supporters outside the Kendall County courthouse. His Plano home is located about 5 miles away.

Retirement speculation has circulated since he forfeited the powerful speaker's post when Republicans lost control of the House in last year's elections. Hastert, 65, declined to run for minority leader, taking on a role as elder statesman among Republicans.

In his release, Hastert said his accomplishments as a congressman for his northern Illinois district and as House speaker weren't his own doing, but happened because of support from constituents, friends and colleagues.

"We worked together to pass legislation to provide a service or to meet the need or those we served," he said. "We fought for our beliefs and worked to improve our communities, our district and our country."

Hastert's retirement has local Democrats starting to boast they can win another congressional seat, even as the GOP vows it won't easily give up a seat it has held for two decades. Hastert was considered by many to be unbeatable in his northern Illinois district.

"Any Democrat thinking of getting into this race does so at his or her own peril," said National Republican Congressional Committee spokesman Ken Spain.

A Hastert vacancy is the second in Illinois that Republicans would have to contend with because retiring Rep. Ray LaHood is giving up a central Illinois congressional seat controlled by the GOP for nearly 90 years. LaHood will leave when his term ends in January 2009.

National Republicans "now have to defend another open seat in a blue state where the president is incredibly unpopular," said DCCC spokesman Doug Thornell.

Thornell said a race to replace Hastert would be a "a real opportunity" for Democrats in a "competitive district." The district stretches from Hastert's Plano home south of Chicago all the way to the Mississippi River.

Some local Democrats say they might snag Hastert's district away from Republicans because the populated areas are leaning more Democratic as people migrate there from the heavily Democratic city of Chicago in search of less expensive housing. They also point to last year's election, when two Democrats from Hastert's district won open seats in the Illinois Senate that had been held by Republicans.

"Times, they have a-changed," said state Sen. Michael Noland, one of those Democrats who now represents the Elgin area west of Chicago.

President Bush carried the district in 2004 with 55 percent of the vote.

[jmurrieta1]

Goodbye Mr. Chubbers.

[sgtrds]

Hey Sarge I was on the ID card story with Guiliani and there was your old post name It was weird I tell you. He kept trying to explain he was not you, and I think it was grazingoat, not sure, but he was glad you were back thought someone shot you and whats for dinner it was surreal. Popular guy Sarge.
Posted by starleo146 at 03:17 PM : Aug 15, 2007

Popular...but lonely....(sob)...

Anyway, just about everyone knows my new name now, so I'm surprised any one would try to use it. Who knows maybe there is a new poster who is using it?

Dinner tonight is lightweight.....at least as far as preparations.

French bread, with a platter of cold cuts and cheeses. Cou8ple of bottle of cheap red wine on the side. It's too hot in L.A. to cook.

[e-mail]

[starleo146]

Posted by SgtRDS at 02:11 PM : Aug 15, 2007

Hey Sarge I was on the ID card story with Guiliani and there was your old post name It was weird I tell you. He kept trying to explain he was not you, and I think it was grazingoat, not sure, but he was glad you were back thought someone shot you and whats for dinner it was surreal. Popular guy Sarge.

[sgtrds]

Does anyone really read this off topic cr^p?

Posted by trillion1 at 07:47 AM : Aug 15, 2007

Naw, most people just treat posts from morons like lars and screen name like background noise or static on a radio. Just keep turning the dial and you'll get a clear signal that makes sense. It just won't be one from them.

[macusweil]

GOP - Greed Over principle

Well done. Yep, the old guy's pretty much made all $$ he'll ever need for two lifetimes on the backs of the US taxpayer.

Plus he was instrumental in the stonewalling that kept the Dems from winning even more seats than they might have in Nov 2006. He helped cover up the *** antics of Rep Mark Foley with the help of NY Rep Tom Reynolds until the last minute.

[ezillyamused]

Hastert probably needs the time off to get new knees after decades of carrying all that lard around.....
Posted by formrusmcsgt at 07:27 AM : Aug 15, 2007



Nah - he would do that on the taxpayers time.


What makes you think he's not. All former members of Congress and their families receive lifetime medical coverage at taxpayers expense! Ain't this a great country! If you make over $92,000/year, you pay nothing into Medicare or Social Security and these bozos get free medical for life!

[micma-2009]

lars008: Proud member of the 101st fighting keyboardist. Risking carpal tunnel everyday, so others can die in his stead.
Posted by wfbdem at 07:48 AM : Aug 15, 2007


So funny it deserves a second post.

[lostcountry1]

just another stinking rotten RAT, jumping from a sinking ship.

[realpatriot1]

Rafterman,

Lars008 is himself a tool of the Jihadists. They want to turn westerners against ALL Muslims so they can convince ALL Muslims that they are their protectors, even while they kill Muslims who don't agree with their extremist baloney.

Lars008 fights the good fight for Osama everyday.

[battyellison]

The Bush administration know that they will long gone out of office when the sh*t hits the fan!!!. They have documentation posted that Dick Cheney set up wire tappings procedures on Colin Powell to make sure he didn't disclose of their plans for anarchy. Is it true? We'll never know because Bush will give it Presidential ammunity. I wonder how in these United States of America that we can let these types of antics go on? If you pull the bottom card the stack will fall Democrats should go all out to uncover this because it would then assure them of total majorities in the house, senate and the White House and then put the whole Bush administration in Jail