Here’s the list of publications and public figures who have called for Hastert to resign his leadership position over his handling of the Foley scandal. Hastert’s speaking momentarily, we understand, although it sounds unlikely he will forfeit his gavel.
We aren’t including those, like conservative leader Paul Weyrich, who have called for his resignation but later switched their position. No flip-floppers allowed.
If you know of others we’ve left off, let us know. The list so far, after the jump.
Media
The Washington Times â “House Speaker Dennis Hastert must do the only right thing, and resign his speakership at once.”
The Los Angeles Times— “Dennis Hastert should resign as speaker of the House of Representatives.”
New Hampshire Union Leader — “. . . U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert decided to play the victim. It is not the first terrible decision Hastert has made as House speaker, but it should be the last.”
Hartford (Conn.) Courant — “We join the growing chorus saying that House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert must step down.”
Salem (Ore.) Statesman Journal — “Show House Speaker Dennis Hastert the door.”
The Lebanon (Ind.) Reporter — “House of Representatives Speaker Dennis Hastert, an Illinois Republican, should do two things today: Remove his fingers from his ears, and then resign from Congress.”
Human Events, conservative magazine — “I think he has to do this for the team, he has to step down.”
Deseret (Utah) News — “Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert has been having problems finding the right words to discuss the scandal surrounding Rep. Mark Foley. Allow us to put a few words in his mouth: ‘Ladies and gentlemen, today I resign my position as speaker of the House.'”
Pundits
Michael Reagan, conservative commentator â “Any member of Congress who was aware of the sexual emails and protected the congressman should also resign effective immediately.”
David Bossie, president of conservative organization Citizens United â “Speaker Hastert had knowledge of Congressman Foleyâs inappropriate behavior and chose to protect a potential pedophile and powerful colleague over a congressional page.”
Tony Blankley, former Newt Gingrich spokesman and WashTimes editorial page editor — “It has been excruciating watching Republicans. . . trying to defend Mr. Hastert. Better to take a stand on principle and elect a new speaker for the last three months[.]”
Lawrence Kudlow, commentator, CNBC’s Kudlow and Kramer — “Mr. Hastert should resign now.”
Maggie Gallagher, conservative columnist â “With great power comes great responsibility. Memo to GOP House leaders: Have the decency to accept responsibility and resign from leadership. Or come November, I vote to let the other side put their bums in charge.”
Ruben Navarrette, columnist, San Diego Union-Tribune — “Hastert must resign.”
Elected Officials
Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) — “[I]t is clear that there was knowledge of improper, immoral, and possibly criminal behavior, and the leadership did nothing about it,” she’s quoted as saying in a statement from her office. “That leadership should go[.]â
Rep. Stephanie Herseth (D-SD) — I believe that Speaker Hastert should resign.â
Tom Kean, Jr. (R) – NJ state senator and U.S. Senate aspirant – “New Jersey Republican Senate candidate Tom Kean Jr. on Friday called for House Speaker Dennis Hastert to resign over the congressional page cybersex scandal[.]”
