Hastert says he wants two more years as House speaker (will run again)

[goobergunch]

Speaker Dennis Hastert, a close ally of President Bush, intends to run for re-election in 2004 and will seek two more years as leader of the House if Republicans maintain their majority, GOP officials said Wednesday.

Hastert disclosed his plans in a closed-door GOP leadership meeting, according to several officials who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Hastert, 61, is serving his ninth term in Congress from Illinois, and his third term as speaker. He won his high-ranking post amid political chaos nearly five years ago.

more...http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/news/archive/2003/10/01/national1852EDT0789.DTL

CALL: SAFE GOP

[Loyal]

1. He can run,

but he'll be Minority leader, not Speaker. Ms. Pelosi will be the speaker. :)

[mndemocrat_29]

4. Speaker Pelosi

Exactly!

[genius]

2. And he'll get it if we run Dean

Dean v Bush would be enough reason for everyone to stay home.

[goobergunch]

3. It's a Repuke safe seat

He's going to get another term whoever the nominee is.

[mndemocrat_29]

5. His House seat will stay in his hands

However, I think that his leadership position will be gone, because Nancy Pelosi will be speaker. He'll just have to settle for being Minority Leader.

[davidinalameda]

6. I don't see him as minority leader

he would retire from the leadership if we take back the house.

Bug Killer Boy would want to be minority leader

[mndemocrat_29]

7. You're probably right

I can't imagine him being leader. It probably would've been the same way if we'd won the majority with Newt in power.

[leyton]

8. Speaker or majority leader?

Wait a sec... I thought Nancy Pelosi was the minority leader for the Democrats. If we take the House back, wouldn't she become majority leader (Tom DeLay, I think, is the current one?) and somebody else would become speaker?

[goobergunch]

9. No

The House minority leader would become Speaker if the parties switched control.

http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2003/ROLLCALL_002.htm

[mndemocrat_29]

10. Why didn't Darlene Hooley vote?

And why did Hastert vote present?

[goobergunch]

11. Traditionally, candidates for speaker vote "present"

It was actually a bit of a controversy that Pelosi voted for herself.

As for Hooley, I'm guessing that she was sick or something.

[mndemocrat_29]

12. Thanks for the info

n/t