Hastert to Answer Hush Money Charges

Former House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-IL), “who has been publicly silent and out of sight since he was indicted late last month, is to appear in court here on Tuesday afternoon for his arraignment,” the New York Times reports.

Politico: “A reassessment of Hastert’s leadership began in earnest following his indictment two weeks ago. In hindsight, it now seems clear his avuncular persona — even political enemies couldn’t work up much animus against the former teacher and wrestling instructor known as ‘The Coach’ — served to deter broader scrutiny of congressional misdeeds, including an Illinois land deal of his own that netted him millions.”

“A man hiding secrets like Hastert’s had a natural incentive to avoid calling out others, a lesson the speaker could have learned from his predecessor Newt Gingrich, whose efforts to take down Democrats from Jim Wright to Bill Clinton inspired his enemies to dig for — and uncover — scandals of his own.”