Novak reported a while ago that Hastert would resign November 6th.  Novak was right about not running again, and he is not the only one reporting this line of thinking.

The resignation of Hastert's COS this week is also seen as a sign Hastert will quit soon.  And his COS is not the first inner circle type to quit in the last few months....spokespeople and other aides have also quit recently.

Then of course you have our district being pulled into the Duke Cunningham saga this past week when Hastert was given a subpoena by one of the contracts that bribed Cunningham.  Hastert and the other lawmakers given subpoenas all claim ignorance as to why they were singled out. 

And finally...Alan Greenspan took it to Hastert in his book and a gazillion interviews this week.  Bascially Greenspan blamed Hastert directly for the many of our economic woes for his 'runaway spending.' 

All of this coupled with the long running 'rumor' that Hastert is not happy not being in charge.  I am also unable to verify he has actually sponsored or co-sponsored a single bill in this Congress.  His activites in Congress have dropped off considerably.  He was highly motivated during the global warming and SCHIP issues earlier this year, but now we see/hear almost nothing.  His Congressional website is a bare and of very little use to constituents.  Just try to figure out what Hastert's pet project/bill is...and good luck. 

Gear up fellow Dems...we might have a special election on our hands.  I'm studying the various Democratic candidates, I hope you are too.

The AP gets a quote from Hastert...same qutoe he gave right before he announced he wouldn't run again...LINK

WASHINGTON (AP) - U.S. Representative Dennis Hastert says he hasn't decided whether he'll vacate his Congressional seat before his term ends in January 2009.

The Illinois lawmaker said last month that he would not run again for the seat he's held since 1986. His decision came about eight months after he lost his post as longest-serving Speaker of the House.

When Hastert starts scoffing, you know you have approached the truth...

LINK

Hastert and his spokespeople do an awful lot of scoffing...from the Prairie Parkway raising his property value to covering for Mark Foley to running for re-election, it almost seems a certainty that whatever they scoff eventually turns out to be true.

Why doesn't he just save us and all seven candidates the trouble and make clear his intentions?

Hey Rob - Great letter in the Ledger-Sentinel about this. Too bad the Forum section is not available on line or I'd link to it.

Don't wanna get too kissy-kissy here, but I've always been impressed with your ability to look both right and left when forming your opinions. It gives a lot of credibility when you're not veiwed as an ideologue.

Jim Lausier

Thanks Jim, I've honestly struggled to understand why he might quit.  Today I think we got another piece of the puzzle.

LINK

I hope I'm wrong...I want a full election season.  But my money is on Novak and his sources.

Jim, your comments remind of a good story from about a few months back...

My wife yelled out to me that the Mayor of Geneva was on the phone.

I walked to the phone expecting a prank call.  But in fact, it was Kevin Burns.

He had read one of my letters to the editor regarding Hastert's inability to decide whether to run again or not.

Anyhow, after listening to his pitch, I informed him I was a Democratic Precinct Committeeperson and probably wouldn't be supporting him.  He told me he was the most moderate Republican candidate and I appeared to be moderate too, and therefore, if I changed my mind, to give him a chance. I assured him I wouldn't be changing my mind, but told him I very much respect his ability to reach out to strangers based on a letter in the paper and wished him well.

I think a person showing that kind of effort is just what we need in Washington.  Other candidates have reached out to me (John Laesch is the most recent example) as well, and there is a long way to go.  I'm waiting to see just how hard they are all willing to work for my vote.  That is why this is my favorite time of year...