Hastert Must Not Resign

House Speaker Dennis Hastert has never been my favorite politician, though in my opinion, he's also far from the worst. But as the incredibly strange Foley fiasco continues on, it's important to be mindful of the facts.

Democrats almost immediately began conflating newly emerging IM messages with the far less damning emails which launched the story, emails Hastert apparently never saw and might not have been able to do too much about, even if he had. A Speaker is not a babysitter, after all - and nothing in those emails made it clear that Foley was a sexual predator. The FBI and the MSM both confirmed that with their non-response during the summer.

Now, as an increasing number of allegations against Foley surface, it is important that individuals remain true to principle and understand that there is no way the Speaker, or anyone could have known that any new IMs or emails existed when this political soap opera began.

If Hastert were to resign now he would, in effect, be capitulating to nothing more than the Democrat's desire to secure an unearned political victory. Recent history proves they've been hard pressed to secure same at the polls. It makes absolutely no sense to give one's opponent a victory they've yet to prove themselves capable of winning on their own.

If the Republican base is frustrated with its currently sitting politicians for anything, it is most likely a sense that they have not always strongly adhered to certain principles which they were elected to uphold. To toss principles, and more importantly, facts away right now for political expedience would not represent turning things around and starting fresh. It would be one more exercise in spineless political maneuvering in hopes that perceptions might be improved.

The last 30 days before an election is not the time to dissemble and hope against hope that you can half win. It's a time to coalesce around solid principles and fight the good fight together until the end. The Democrats are desperate for a victory. Given recent history, they should be. And that's fine.

But Republicans should make them earn it come November. Giving them one for nothing now is no way for a political party to prove its worth.

Comments

[Felix]

I agree with you entirely. Hastert must not resign!

With Hastert gone, the best I think we could manage would be about a 25 seat gain. But with Hastert in place as a big fat juicy target, I think we could possibly see a 45 seat gain.

Keep on bringing the GOP down from the inside, Riehl! You're doing a heckuva job!

[Warrenb]

No sorry but you're both quite wrong...The Bastert Hastert must resign....Unbelievable that you guys think he should stay SIMPLY based on your political agenda....If he murders his friend, should he stay too because they Republicans might lose some seats? Hah!!!

You Republicans make me sick. Just when oh when will you ever take RESPONSIBILITY for your actions? Blaming others including BLAMING DEMOCRATS for your stupid mistakes is NOT taking responsibility.

WOW I've been away for a while...This site is becoming (or is already) a GOP platform if there ever was one...Why don't you get some Fox News advertising...I'm sure they'd be happy to help you out...

[Geek, Esq.]

Yes, a man who says he'll take full responsibility and that the buck stops with him, and then angrily proclaims that he did absolutely nothing wrong and deserves no blames, is the epitome of strong leadership.

He's your version of Rafael Palmeiro.

[paul a'barge]

capitulating to nothing more than the Democrat's desire

This is not about winning an election. This is about making certain that at every moment of our lives, we are not DHIMMIcRATs.

Thus, this is about being different from DHIMMIcRATs, about cleaning our house and being willing to be moral people.

Hastert must go, and he's just the first. Reynolds is next.

[kate]

there is no proof that hastert did anything wrong. i think dan said it right earlier, the man is not a babysitter. a handful of so called (cough cough) conservative purists joining hands with barking moonbats in calling for resignations while we are fighting a war on terror is dangerous.

[jim]

When a cause that you've believed in has let you down, because it turns out the leaders were jsut telling you what you want to hear...I know that can be hard to take.

But that is what the situation looks like.

When he was just asked to *explain* what ABC initially found, Foley resigned in less than an hour. Since then none of the other House Republicans have done anything but offer excuses or point fingers.

They have let you down. They told you that they cared about doing things right, about standing up for morality and American values, and things that matter in particular to conservatives.

And from their actions it is clear that they do not.

They do not deserve your defense. It is clearer than ever that they lied to you. Look, don't feel bad about it. Everyone's been fooled by someone, at some time or another. This gang came in with the most extensive, smartest, and best-funded PR that the world has ever seen!

But hold them accountable for their actions. Otherwise the GOP won't *ever* be what they told you it would be: a party that stands for accountability, and for personal responsibility.

And stop making excuses for them. They're grown-up men. They made their decisions, and they shuold face the consequences.