Hastert Finally To Resign

Dennis Hastert, whose reputation was shattered by the Mark Foley scandal under his watch as House Speaker, has finally decided to give up and go home.

The Politico - Former Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) is expected to announce that he plans to leave the House later this year, setting up the widely anticipated prospect of a special election to replace him, Republican sources on Capitol Hill confirmed.

Hastert initially planned to make an announcement Thursday, but has since scrapped that decision, according to one GOP aide. The former speaker, who announced his plans to retire over the summer, is still expected to leave the House some time in December, but the date of his departure - as well as his announcement - remains unclear.

The key here is that Dem Governor Rod Blagojevich could set up a special election to fall on the same day as the Illinois Presidential primary (Feb 5), where many D voters will come out to support favorite son Obama. Hastert may be stalling to avoid that.

As to the contenders, there's still early maneuvering.

Geneva scientist Bill Foster, one of four Democrats seeking to replace the retiring former Republican House Speaker Dennis Hastert, picked up another endorsement from a statewide office holder today.

Comptroller Dan Hynes became the second prominent Illinois Democrat to endorse Foster over likely primary opponents Jotham Stein, John Laesch or Joe Serra in the 14th Congressional District Democratic primray. State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias previously backed Foster.

Hmmm... between Larry Craig and Hastert reminding us of Mark Foley as he does his Hamlet thing (to resign now or not to resign now, that is the question), the GOP brand is going to take a few more hits, it seems. Well, it couldn't happen to a nicer party.