Holy shit. From Roll Call: Hastert comes out against Hayden nomination

[Robbien]

http://americablog.blogspot.com/2006/05/roll-call-speaker-hastert-comes-out.html
From Americablog:

Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) has come out against the nomination of Air Force Gen. Michael Hayden to head the CIA, calling the ousting of former Rep. Porter Goss (R-Fla.) from the agency’s top post “a power grab” by John Negroponte, the director of national intelligence.

Hastert’s opposition to Hayden is not based on any personal reservations about the nominee. Rather, Hastert is concerned that installing a top-ranking military official at the “CIA would give too much influence over the U.S. intelligence community to the Pentagon.”

“I don’t know anything about him. He has never darkened my doorstep,” Hastert told reporters on Monday in Aurora, Ill., when asked about Hayden. "I don't think a military guy should be head of CIA, frankly."

[mdmc]

1. GOP! GOP! Stand up for democracy!

:kick:

[Cooley Hurd]

2. WOW!!!!

:wow:

K&R!

:wow:

[Richard Steele]

3. Chair-fight aboard the Hindenberg, eh? nm

[tridim]

7. Eventually one of them will light a cigarette

and the explosive gasbag will come crashing down.

[Justice Is Comin]

4. Just what we needed

more infighting. Man the hoses and the water valves. She's gonna be a gusher.

[Mr_Spock]

5. fascinating

I'll love watching them all cave-in and fall into lockstep during the next week or so :D

[tridim]

6. "I don't know anything about him"

One would think that the House Speaker would know that Hayden doesn't understand the basics of the 4th Amendment. Then again, I'm not surprised.

[Robbien]

8. I wonder if this is just a ploy by Hastert

Hastert was blindsided by the Goss/Hayden move and he is signaling his displeasure at the WH. If he's not kept in the WH loop, Hastert is going to make waves.

[nevergiveup]

11. I totally agree with you. Dennis is getting pissed

that he is continually being shut out of White House decisions. He also has a sharp/formidable opponent this fall. He will not lose in this solidly Repub district but he is probably going to have to get his fat ass in gear for a change.

[Dr.Phool]

9. That's pretty big of him

Since he doesn't get a vote anyway.

Somebody toss the flounder a snack.

[LSK]

10. maybe hes scared of loosing his seat

[kerry-is-my-prez]

15. That's what it's all about to them....

n/t

[C_U_L8R]

12. the republican ranks are busting apart

appears that chimpie's political capital has all run out.
What will be the final desparate act in this Shakespearean drama?

[cascadiance]

13. He's campaigning for *'s job in 2007! :)

He's probably seeing the writing on the wall and perhaps wants to be "part of the deal" when Bush and Cheney are brought down! Maybe he thinks if he shows opposition to Bush and Cheney now, he won't be on the impeachment gravy train for later for his questionable fundraising issues with Turkish nationals.

[tinrobot]

14. One problem

If Bush/Cheney are impeached, it will be by a 2007 Democratic Congress and Hastert won't be in the line of succession.

[cascadiance]

20. I guess he figures the earlier he starts the better! :)

Maybe looking to take over in 2006!

[AlCzervik]

16. republicans coming out against any Bush nom always makes me nervous

and totally skeptical.

[liberal N proud]

17. I am sure the regime will change his mind before there is a vote

[kerry-is-my-prez]

18. He's from Illinois which is a blue state (for Kerry 54.6%)

n/t

[Disturbed]

19. "He has never darkened my doorstep,”

That's quite a negative statement. He knows nothing about the man yet that statement sure seems that he does know something.

[Wabbajack]

21. His Seat is safely Puke though

[mohinoaklawnillinois]

22. Frankly, I think "Fat" Denny is having a little hissy fit..

It's obvious he wasn't asked for his opinion before the Hayden announcement. Don't worry, he'll fall in line, just like he always does.
Dennis Hastert has always been a "good" German...

[onehandle]

23. Proof that this is a setup.

Congress is "distancing" themselves from Bush.

This is a Rove ploy.