Air America News reports Hastert refuses to resign -- Good.

[Armstead]

Air America reports that Hastert has refused to resign.

I say good. If this sets off a war among the GOP leadership, it will be a wonderful thing to watch.

And even if the internal calls for his resignation fade, Hastert has become a living breathing symbol of what is wrong with the GOP. His continued presence as the Speaker of the House will be a negative reminder to all of those grass-roots GOP social conservatives of the amoral Bozos that are in charge of their party these days.

[swag]

1. A nice plush punching bag. A symbol of GOP moral turpitude.

Hang in there, Denny!

[bryant69]

2. There it is - particularly this Republican Congress

they see no evil, hear no evil, and consequently think not at all.

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[goodhue]

3. has he had this morning's press conference already?

[Armstead]

5. Not yet -- This is from a news item on Air America

[Crankie Avalon]

4. Why would he resign? In his way, he's done as "good" a job as Rumsfeld.

[cynatnite]

6. He's damned either way...

If he stays, he's a reminder and the story keeps going. If he quits, it's as good as admitting guilt. :evilgrin:

[HereSince1628]

13. Why would the story go away? It involves more of the leadership

than Hastert. The aftershocks are still happening.

There is no advantage to Hastert in resigning at all. And as the cover-up is more and more revealled Hastert's resignation would do little to calm things down.

IMO, they're going to be forced to wait until the shit-storm passes until the clean-up can begin.

It may end this week as the supply of pages willing to come public is exhausted...and then again if their revelations trickle out it may not.

Currently it looks to me like it's going to be a big part of the Sunday morning talk shows, which will keep it alive into next week.

[cynatnite]

15. The ethics probe begins today, too...

The only advantage I can see in Hastert resigning is if it gives the appearance the repukes are cleaning their own house. :shrug: It's just a guess.

I do think this story will keep it's legs for a good two weeks.

Oh, and yeah...lot more leadership. I won't be surprised if we see one or two more resignations even if Hastert doesn't quit.

[npincus]

7. NBC Today whoring for GOP

their theme was "Hastert fights back" with the caption "Can GOP Bonce Back?". Already positing a happy conclusion (victory snapped from the jaws of defeat) for the GOP rather than exploring the fact of what happened in this very sick, perverse saga. Who gives a shit whether the GOP can bounce back? Can the victims of this pervert bounce back? NBC politiczes a sex crime.

Big f*cking surprise.

[WilliamPitt]

8. He's giving a press conference today

[hatrack]

9. Agree - let him sit and suppurate and spread his pus party-wide

The moaning and groaning about imaginary Democratic conspiracy theories doesn't hurt, either!

[bdamomma]

10. They are eating their own

every dog/s have their day. Let's stay focused guys, they are just doing this to themselves with no help from the Dems. They keep the Dems out of everything anyway, so this mess is all a Repig mess.

Yes!!!!!!!!! and maybe Hastert should just stay because more and more stuff will come out.

[deadparrot]

11. Good.

The longer Hastert stays where he is, the less determined the right wing looks to root out problems.

[malaise]

12. Perfect n/t

[cboy4]

14. Every GOP analyst I've heard has said Hastert is done. Period.

It's only a matter of who's going to inform him and when he chooses to step down.

I did hear one person say he may stay on through the elections, with the promise he will not be speaker afterwards.....if the GOP remains in power.

[madokie]

16. seems the ones doomed to resign always say they won't just before

they do. My take is he will be gone before the weekend