WASHINGTON -- New Jersey Republican Senate candidate Tom Kean Jr. on Friday called for House Speaker Dennis Hastert to resign over the congressional page cybersex scandal, making him the first major candidate in his party to do so. "He is the head of that institution and this happened on his watch, and Kean urges House leaders to go further by appointing an outside panel to review the matter immediately," Kean spokeswoman Jill Hazelbaker said.
Kean, in a tight race with Democratic Sen. Robert Menendez, added that if any members of the party beside Hastert or his staff are found to have covered up knowledge of the scandal, they should also resign or be relieved of their duties, Hazelbaker said.
"This disturbing situation is another reason why the public holds the Congress in such low esteem, the culture of protecting each other has eroded Congress and the public's faith in government and the system needs reform," Hazelbaker said.
Kean, the son of former Gov. Thomas Kean, has made ethics a cornerstone of his campaign. He also has publicly criticized President Bush over his administration's handling of the war in Iraq, and has also called for Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld to resign. Menendez also has called for Hastert and Rumsfeld's resignation.
Kean's call for Hastert's resignation puts him at odds with powerful members of his party, who have publicly rallied around Hastert. The speaker said Thursday he would not step down over the revelations that former Republican Rep. Mark Foley of Florida had been sending inappropriate e-mails to male teenage pages for years.
None of New Jersey's six GOP congressmen have called for Hastert to resign, although three _ Mike Ferguson, Scott Garrett and Chris Smith _ all said they support the ongoing investigations. Spokesmen for Reps. Frank LoBiondo, Jim Saxton and Rodney Frelinghuysen did not respond to requests for comment.
When asked if he would cancel an Oct. 16 fundraiser with Hastert, Garrett said until the investigations are complete he is "simply not willing to point fingers for the sake of political expediency." At least one GOP lawmaker _ Rep. Ron Lewis of Kentucky _ has canceled a fundraising appearance with Hastert.
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Resign, Mr. Speaker - Dennis Hastert must do the only right thing, and resign his speakership at once you piece of trash republicans posted 3 days ago by TLBSHOW
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