http://www.hillnews.com/thehill/export/TheHill/News/Frontpage/100406/news1.htmlPresident Bush signaled his support for Rep. Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) yesterday as the House Speaker fought to retain his gavel in the wake of an unfolding sex scandal.
The White House’s support of Hastert is a stark contrast to the controversy that upended former Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott (R-Miss.) when administration officials were working behind the scenes to promote Sen. Bill Frist (R-Tenn.).
Hastert and the president have worked closely together during Bush’s almost six years in the White House, and administration support is crucial for the Speaker to maintain his post in the face of criticism from various conservative activists.
“I fully support Speaker Hastert’s call for an investigation by law enforcement into this matter,” Bush told reporters yesterday in Stockton, Calif., during his first public comments about former Rep. Mark Foley’s (R-Fla.) electronic exchanges with former pages. “This investigation should be thorough and any violations of the law should be prosecuted.”
During his brief remarks, the president also offered the Speaker his personal support.
“I know Denny Hastert,” Bush said. “I know he wants all the facts to come out, and he wants to ensure that these children up there on Capitol Hill are protected. I’m confident he will provide whatever leadership he can to law enforcement in this investigation.”
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