BY MIKE CETERA
There's been chatter for some time that former House Speaker Dennis Hastert plans to quit Congress before his term his up. A new report on The Politico appears to add fuel to that fire.
A story on that site references a number of other stories suggesting Hastert will quit in November, which would force a special election.
Why would Hastert do this?
From the story:
A shortened special election campaign would likely benefit the candidates with the highest name recognition and the deepest pockets. Among Republicans, that status belongs to dairy owner Jim Oberweis, who has run unsuccessfully in three previous statewide bids for governor and for the Senate.Conservative state Sen. Chris Lauzen is Oberweis’ main challenger, but he has feuded with Hastert in the past. Several Illinois Republicans speculate that Hastert’s decision to resign stems from wanting to help Oberweis win the nomination.
Human Events also has the story.
A general election would have to be held within 120 days of the vacancy, according to the story.
In any event, a special election would entail a much briefer campaign, which would favor the more well-funded candidates. That would be businessmen Jim Oberweis (R) and Bill Foster (D).
Hastert has been coy about who he wants to succeed him. Perhaps this answers the question.
Not only is there something inaccurate about the story, but why does the Beacon, with all of its overpaid editors and writers, have to resort to stealing stories from other sites instead of doing your own reporting? What's the matter? Won't the Hastert people talk to you guys after you tried to tarnish him with that land deal that turned out to be nothing while you looked the other way on the Bigelow and Weisner land scam?
Poster Roger - Bob Novak reported this in his newsletter. Other news organziation and sites are picking up and advancing on his reporting. Novak is considered a GOP insider and he correctly reported Hastert's retirement weeks ago.
Cross-posting is normal for blogland...and really, isn't it good we know where Cetra and Parro are gettnig their information.
But Roger, you do raise a good point...why do Hastert supporters leak like a colander? Why doesn't Hastert just tell us himself? I wish we knew...
Hastert just wants to avoid a true patriot like my friend Chris Lauzen from taking the seat.
Never fear, Chris will win anyway.