(from a cross post at Citizen Kane blog)
As House Repubs fall all over themselves to kick/praise DeLay (et tu, Newt?) and jump into the leadership race, it looks like the Speaker's getting a coupla boots to the head too. How will the Speaker fare?
ABCNews
writes "House Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., is reported to be vying for consideration" for DeLay's post. But looking at the larger picture one can't help but wonder if DeLay's resignation and the ongoing "DeLay effect" on upcoming House elections will spell trouble for the Speaker. It looks like right now it's anyone's game.
SJ Mercury News reports although some in the House (like Jeff Flake R-AZ) are calling for broader leadership changes (read: Hastert), "a top leadership aide" says Denny's job is not for sale. Rep John Sweeney argues Hastert's ideas (or, perhaps, his ties to DeLay and the big lobby machine) are just soooo yesterday, and the GOP needs something "fresh"-a-licious. Now even the beloved press casts a jaundiced eye in Denny's direction: Boston.com says Hastert's move to DeLay the reopening of Congress was a move designed to "keep the party's divisions under wraps."
Ignoring Hastert's pleas for "Serenity, Now!", Flake, Bass and Sweeney take the opportunity to set up the big revival tent and shout "Reform!" (including an end to earmarks in bills), say it's time for "soul searching", and warn Hastert's fate could be tied to how he responds to calls for reform. "It really depends on how willing the speaker is to align himself with a reform agenda," Flake said. Boston.com elaborates:
Flake said the party needs a full debate about its future and the caucus would benefit from electing a leader who represents a clean break with the current regime. He said he has made no commitments.
"Speaker Hastert wants a united front," Flake said. "But we really can't have that here, because we need the candidates to put together a reform agenda, and say, 'Here's the course correction that I envision.' We don't just need new leaders; we need a course correction, and unless we have it, we're going to be in the minority."
I guess Flake understands that when Merriam-Webster's online dictionary cites "Integrity" as the #1 looked-up word in 2005, something's gotta give. Maybe Hastert will make an offer for more House Ethics classes in exchange for being able to keep his job. I bet he'd even pop for coffee and donuts.
So, will Hastert be sucked under by GOP House members' calls for reform?