Hastert's motives make perfect sense
Remember earlier this year when House Speaker Dennis Hastert called the the office of Democratic Congressman William Jefferson unconstitutional? We all thought out loud, "Why would a Republican Speaker defend a Democratic Congressman?" We now we have the answer.
As Hotline Blog's John Mercurio writes, Hastert wanted to so no such raids on Republicans could take place right before the election. Did Hastert know the Foley and Weldon scandals would unfold this year?:
Much was made of Hastert's unusual decision to side with House Dems in 5/06 and criticize the FBI raid of Rep. Bill Jefferson's (D-LA) Rayburn House offices. Why was Hastert siding with Min. Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), and against the GOP-led Bush admin. But has anyone drawn a connection between Hastert's defense of Jefferson and the Mark Foley scandal?In other words, was Hastert defending Jefferson against the FBI in 5/06because he feared that a legal precedent would be set, allowing the FBIto raid offices like, say, Foley's and perhaps, Weldon's?
I'm not big on conspiracy theories, and this is certainly not one.
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