Hastert remembers Rostenkowski as the product of an era

The longtime suburban Republican House speaker remembered Dan Rostenkowski as an intimidating and influential colleague but also one who failed to adapt as politics changed.

Dennis Hastert, of Plano, pointed out that he and the late Chicago Democrat shared a birthday - Jan. 2 - but the 14 years and party politics separating them yielded markedly different leadership styles.

Speaking from his vacation home in Wisconsin, Hastert reminisced Wednesday about entering Congress in 1987 when Rostenkowski, a 36-year congressman and longtime chair of the Ways and Means Committee, "was at the pinnacle of his power."

"You couldn't get anything done if it dealt with Illinois or Chicago or tax matters unless you went with him," Hastert said. "He came from the time of kings. ... In my time, I was dealing with five-vote margins, a little different type of situation."

As a freshman lawmaker, Hastert remembered meeting with an Illinois delegation of representatives and senators once a month.

As the meetings were run by Rostenkowski, former Democratic Sen. Alan Dixon and Republican Rep. Bob Michel, "I'd sit there and listen to those guys talk about policy," Hastert said.

"Some things they couldn't agree upon, but at that time there was a good feeling among them."

Still, Hastert spoke of being ultimately intimidated by the man who had "power supreme."

He described an instance when he and several Republican colleagues made an appointment with Rostenkowski to discuss an aspect of Social Security that they had hoped to change.

"After four weeks of trying, we finally got an appointment," Hastert said.

Walking into Rostenkowski's office, Hastert described a darkened room, with the congressman's desk elevated above several office chairs.

The only light in the room shone behind his desk, illuminating a painting of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt.

"We told him about the changes," Hastert said. "He looked at us, pointed over his shoulder with his thumb and said neither he nor FDR (would ever approve). We never got it changed until after we took the majority."

Hastert said he believes Rostenkowski will be remembered as a Chicago legend along with former Mayor Richard J. Daley and others.

"He certainly was someone who knew what he was doing. He had power, and he used it. But he was also a victim in palace politics. He could have left Ways and Means to try and make a run for speaker, but he didn't. ... Time passed him by," Hastert said. "That's ultimately how he got in trouble. People stay in Congress for a long time; they don't adapt that well."