Hastert visit to Clark County will not happen Tuesday

By DAVID MANN
David.Mann@newsandtribune.com

— Embattled House Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., will not be coming to town.
Republican Rep. Mike Sodrel was attempting to host Hastert at a meeting of the Jeffersonville Rotary Club next week, said Sodrel campaign manager Cam Savage.

Savage said that appearance has since fallen through because of scheduling problems.
The news comes as Hastert faces increasing pressure to step down because of his handling of the Mark Foley sex scandal.

Foley, R-Fla., resigned his congressional seat late last month after news reports emerged that the congressman was engaging in sexually explicit e-mails and instant messages with a 16-year-old congressional page. Foley chaired the House Caucus on Missing and Exploited Children.

Democrats and some Republicans are alleging that Hastert knew — or at least was warned — about Foley's behavior as far back as 2005 and did not act.
Savage would not say whether or not he would even want his candidate to be seen with Hastert, saying that was not important.

On a related note, Sodrel’s Democratic opponent issued a news release Thursday calling on Sodrel to return the $27,000 in campaign contributions he has received from Hastert.
The Associated Press reported Thursday that Hastert canceled a fundraiser also on Tuesday for Kentucky Republican Ron Lewis, currently running for reelection.

Lewis was to appear with Hastert at a $50-per-person fundraiser next Tuesday in Shelby County.

To read more on this developing story, check out the News-Tribune.