Part Two: Dennis Hastert: The Longest-Serving Republican Speaker of the House
Summary
This episode of Behind the Bastards examines the political career of Dennis Hastert, focusing on his rise to become Speaker of the House and his role in passing the Contract with America. The hosts discuss his early involvement in the House banking scandal, his mentorship under Newt Gingrich and Tom DeLay, and his close ties to the insurance industry. The narrative highlights how Hastert’s “bipartisan” reputation masked his influence in dismantling social safety nets and his eventual selection as Speaker following the scandals surrounding Robert Livingston and Newt Gingrich.
Topics discussed
Intro, sponsors, and host banter
Introduction to Dennis Hastert and his rise
Hastert's wealth and House bank overdrafts
Mentorship under Robert Michel and Newt Gingrich
Tom DeLay and the Republican war hawks
The Contract with America and legislative strategy
Consequences of the Contract with America
Hastert's classic cars and personal life
Hastert's role in healthcare and lobbying
The Clinton impeachment and moral hypocrisy
Hastert becomes Speaker of the House
Post-9/11 era and the Patriot Act
The Hastert Rule and increased partisanship
Alleged bribery regarding the Armenian genocide
Child abuse legislation and the Abramoff scandal
Earmark fraud and the Prairie Highway
The Mark Foley scandal and Hastert's resignation
Post-Congress lobbying and new allegations
Hastert's guilty plea and prison sentence
Conclusion and final sponsor read
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