Dennis Hastert Opts for the Money
Hastert Rules Out Another Run Announcement Is to Be Made Friday, House GOP Aides Say
By Jonathan Weisman Washington Post Staff Writer Wednesday, August 15, 2007; A05
Rep. J. Dennis Hastert (Ill.), who last year became the longest-serving Republican speaker of the House, will announce Friday that he will not seek reelection, Republican House aides said yesterday.
GOP aides say that Hastert is likely to serve out the rest of his term, but that he has been considering resigning from the House this year. If he did, Hastert would trigger a special election that could give an indication of whether Democrats are continuing their political surge or whether Republicans have stanched the bleeding in GOP-leaning districts.
"If Denny ever decided to leave, his Capitol Hill presence would be greatly missed," said Ron Bonjean, a former senior aide to Hastert.
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Not to worry, Ron. Denny Hastert will be even more visible on the Hill as a lobbyist. He can't wait to sit out the clock until he is eligible.
Big bucks to be made. Those old wrestling-coach days are well behind him.
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