Former House Speaker Denny Hastert, perhaps a bit angry that he's being represented by a Democrat in Congress, is heading back to Washington to join the law firm Dickstein Shapiro next month, which primarily lobbies for energy and tobacco concerns. Roll Call reports that, while the firm denies the deal is set, an announcement is expected on Monday.
Hastert was a ringleader in the Republicans' 2006 effort to distance themselves from the scandals of convicted GOP lobbyist Jack Abramoff, spearheading efforts to tighten the rules governing lobbyists' access to lawmakers. But that was after he got caught in the mess himself, taking $49,000 from American Indian tribes represented by Abramoff and later sending a letter to Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton urging her to act in their favor.
I wonder how John McCain feels about a powerhouse Republican with decent public standing jumping into the K Street fray?
Bruno Behrend on Sat, 05/31/2008 - 07:06
Hastert is the poster child for the decline of the Republican Party.
constansea on Sat, 05/31/2008 - 08:08
I've already read that McCain, through surrogate M. Thomas Eisenstadt, has denounced Hastert joining Dickstein. In a month that has seen McCain purge himself of lobbyists on his staff, he doesn't need another reminder of the Abramoff/Mark Foley scandals that brought down the House in 2006. McCain also is concerned that Dickstein - which also lobbies for Indian casino Agua Dulce - happens to also be a little too associated with transgenders. Sounds funny, but it brings to mind Foley again, and we all know what they say about Hastert, the former wrestling coach. This was the link I found, http://www.eisenstadtgroup.com/2008/05/30/shame-on-dennis-hastert/
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