Hastert is very proud right now. He got the first endorsement of the campaign from a local newspaper: The Northwest Herald. He's so proud, he posted it prominently on the
front page of his website. He also posted it
on his "blog". However, there is no link back to the NW Herald's site.
So, why am I posting about this? Follow me below the fold for some laughs.
I had seen that "article". It wasn't really much of an article. For those of you who don't want to click through to Hastert's site, here it is as posted on his site:
...House Speaker Dennis Hastert deserves to be re-elected in the 14th Congressional District.
It is important to draw a distinction between Hastert the congressman and Hastert the Speaker. There is no doubt that Hastert has been a tremendous congressman. He has shown leadership on many local issues. And most importantly, Hastert has tackled the area's transportation needs.
He has worked diligently to get more bridges across the Fox River. And he has been a supporter of the Prairie Parkway. He has delivered millions of dollars in transportation funds. Most importantly, despite a rise to national prominence, Hastert has remained in touch and connected to the 14th District. He remains accessible and listens to the needs and concerns of his constituents.
Hastert's opponent, Democrat John Laesch, holds views that are not in step with most of the residents of the 14th District.
We endorse Hastert's re-election.
Now, here is the article as written on the Herald's site:
Despite recent events, House Speaker Dennis Hastert deserves to be re-elected in the 14th Congressional District.
It is important to draw a distinction between Hastert the congressman and Hastert the Speaker. There is no doubt that Hastert has been a tremendous congressman. He has shown leadership on many local issues. And most importantly, Hastert has tackled the area's transportation needs.
He has worked diligently to get more bridges across the Fox River. And he has been a supporter of the Prairie Parkway. He has delivered millions of dollars in transportation funds. Most importantly, despite a rise to national prominence, Hastert has remained in touch and connected to the 14th District. He remains accessible and listens to the needs and concerns of his constituents.
Hastert's opponent, Democrat John Laesch, holds views that are not in step with most of the residents of the 14th District.
We ednorse Hastert's re-election.
Notice any differences? Hastert played editor on their article. Apparently, he did not like the reference to "recent events." So, he began his version with an elipse instead. He also did not like the fact that they misspelled the crucial word in the article: endorse. (Although, he might want to let his blogger know about that one... apparently s/he didn't get the memo about the misspelling.)
Now, I had remembered some comments to that article. The NW Herald allows readers to comment blog-style on their editorials, and I thought I remembered some less-than-friendly remarks. Apparently, Hastert saw them to, because there is no link back to the original article. Read it here. Some of the comments are really wonderful, and certainly do not indicate that John is out of touch with the district. On the contrary, it seems Hastert is the one who is out of touch.
For those who don't want to click through, here are some of the highlights from the comments:
"YOU MUST BE JOKING ! As life long republican and resident of McHenry County, it's guys like the "Sweaty Restler" who have given my party a black eye..."
"I am curious. In what way the views of Mr. Laesch are not in step with most of the residents of the 14th District? Last I heard was that over 42% in his district support him and he was an unknown before now. "
""Despite recent events?" Are you kidding me? Regardless of Hastert's leadership in congress, due to recent events, he should step down now. "
"It is time for Dennis Hastert to go into retirement. I find him to be, quite simply, an embarassment. I need to wipe my hands on my jeans every time I shake his hand. As for this, "He has delivered millions of dollars in transportation funds." Sure, millions into his own pockets. He is no longer my representative. I've decided to give the kid -- John Laesch -- my chance. And, the House is going to be Democratic controlled. It will be far more valuable for the district to have an energetic new Democratic representative -- one who that Party wants to protect -- representing us than a discredited Republican who will lose power due to his enabling a Republican Sexual Predator. I've voted Republican in the past ... but not this November! And, I can't understand how any thinking person can do so either."
Those are my favorites, but you really should read the rest.
Hopefully, the rest of the local papers have been paying attention to the NW Herald's folly and to the polls.
And, of course, I can't write a diary that mentions John without a contribute link. We are only $3,000 away from breaking the $100,000 mark on our Act Blue page. Let's make that happen tonight!