When asked whether Alan Keyes, Maryland resident and radio talk show host, was selected simply because he was black, Rep. J. Dennis Hastert responded:

"I was out of town when that happened."

[Meet the press, Aug. 8, 2004]

Well, Mr. Hastert, Representative for Illinois' 14th District, Speaker of the House, aren't you paid not to be out of town when things like this happen? Don't you have an interest in nominating good candidates for office, rather than making the most cynical choice possible?