I don't think I've ever seen a talk show host like Bob Schieffer try to contain himself and not laugh at his guest. Rep. Lahood, who was on to deflect criticism for Hastert's handling of the Foley scandal, listed three other Republican scandals as a defense that Denny is doing a heck of a job.
Lahood: Look at, I give Speaker Hastert high marks for strong leadership. He took care of Tom DeLay, his best friend. When Tom was having ethical problems, the speaker went to him and asked him to leave. When he appointed Duck Cunningham to the intelligence committee, he went to Duke and made sure he wasn't on the intelligence committee after it was disclosed he took 2.3 million dollars. And when Bob Ney was appointed chairman of the House administration committee, he was appointed by Speaker Hastert. Speaker Hastert went to him and told him to step down from that committee after the Abramoff disclosures. Hastert has the ability to take on these big ethical challenges that our party has faced...
Bob: But, but..."chuckle"..what you're saying when you list all that Congressman is that he did appoint some of these people who turned out to be crooks. So doesn't he have something to answer for there?
I mean have you ever heard of a defense like this in your life? I rolled off my couch in laughter listening to this list of criminals in Hastert's midst. Tom Delay did not just leave because Hastert said so by the way. They tried to change the rules to keep him on. Now that's great leadership for sure. Delay went kicking and screaming,,,