Hastert announcement imminent?

From the story (via Archpundit):

“I will probably make that announcement in the middle of August,” Hastert said in a brief interview last week. Despite speculation in Washington and at home that he will not seek a 12th term, Hastert declined to indicate which way he was leaning.

That doesn't make the timing of the announcement seem nearly as certain. However, Cal Skinner at Illinois Review writes that Hastert is planning an announcement Friday at the Kendall County Courthouse.

The word is that letters are being sent out by the Congressman inviting supporters to the Kendall County Courthouse on August 17th at 10 AM. The missives give no indication of whether Hastert plans to run for another term or hang up his hat.

Let's hope this is true and Hastert does have something -- anything -- to say this week. It's time for an answer.

*** UPDATE

So, we'll get our answer in a couple of days.

Staffers at Hastert's office confirmed that an announcement will take place Friday morning on the steps of the old Kendall County Courthouse in Yorkville, but would not elaborate on what decision the congressman has made.

However, some area Republican leaders Monday suggested -- off the record -- that Hastert would not seek re-election.

If he decides to retire, expect to see a quick flurry of political obituaries. Some will be glowing; others will accuse Hastert of supporting an unpopular president during an increasingly unpopular war.

One perspective on Hastert's time in office describes the former House speaker as "a great manager, but not a visionary leader".

Like a good manager, Hastert knew when to press his chairmen, and when to lay back and let them manage their committees. Under his leadership, the House passed and Congress enacted President Bush's tax package, the Patriot Act, extension of Trade Promotion Authority, the Partial-Birth Abortion ban, intelligence reform and multiple free trade agreements -- along with the legislation needed to fight the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and the war on terror. In many of these cases, it was party discipline in the House that allowed enactment of many of these pieces of legislation in forms that conservatives ultimately supported. Had the Republican majority not been so united, major pieces of legislation would have foundered more often. Hastert deserves credit for much of this.

The disappointment for conservatives of course, is that there's no balanced-budget amendment, or enhanced rescission (line-item veto), ethics overhaul, or other such reformist legislation on the list. That's what marks Hastert as a great manager, but not a visionary leader.