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DeLay, Gingrich support Hastert for House speakerDecember 19, 1998Web posted at: 6:06 p.m. EST (2306 GMT) By Ann Curley/CNNWASHINGTON (December 19) -- Following a meeting of House Republicans Saturday, House Majority Whip Tom DeLay (R-Texas) declared his support for Rep. Dennis Hastert (R-Illinois) for speaker of the House. Hastert told reporters that outgoing House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Georgia) also offered his support for Hastert during the House GOP conference meeting. Republicans held an organizational meeting after the unexpected resignation of Speaker-designate Bob Livingston (R-Louisiana) during the House impeachment proceeding against President Bill Clinton Saturday morning. DeLay confirmed that House Republican leaders are trying to set a date to gather old and new House members back together, to select a new candidate for House speaker. Although it is possible that members could gather as early as next Tuesday, leadership sources have indicated that it is more likely that House Republicans will gather on January 6 to choose a speaker candidate. Some of the names that have been bandied about as candidates include: Hastert, Rep. Chris Cox (R-California), who briefly ran against Livingston in November, Rep. Bill Archer (R-Texas) and Rep. Steve Largent (R-Oklahoma). Hastert put out a written statement declaring his candidacy, saying, "My sense of duty now calls me to serve our free nation by seeking a position of great responsibility -- that of speaker of the United States House of Representatives." Archer said he will not seek the speakership. Cox was vague but did not rule out his candidacy. Largent refused to comment on a possible bid for the position. |
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MORE STORIES:Saturday, December 19, 1998
Reaction to impeachment mixed, emotional DeLay, Gingrich support Hastert for House speaker Clinton appeals for 'reasonable' compromise What's next in the impeachment process? Livingston bows out of the speakership Poll: Public still prefers censure Transcript: Clinton reacts to impeachment vote First lady delivers pep talk to Democrats White House says GOP's strategy is to get Clinton to resign House roll call: Article I House roll call: Article II House roll call: Article III House roll call: Article IV Clinton radio address: U.S. is vigilant on Iraq GOP radio address: Iraq shouldn't stall debate |