U-S House Speaker Dennis Hastert says he’ll be focusing on 43 of the nation’s Congressional races this month, four of which are in Iowa. Hastert says Iowa is a pivotal state for Republicans. Hastert says Iowa’s political landscape isn’t dominated by either party, and when districts are reshuffled by reapportionment, that opens up all sorts of opportunities. Hastert headlined a fundraising luncheon in Pella today for Republican Stan Thompson of Des Moines. Tonight, Hastert will help Congressman Tom Latham raise money in Mount Pleasant. Tomorrow, Hastert will campaign with Congressman Jim Leach. Hastert has already campaigned in eastern Iowa on Congressman Jim Nussle’s behalf. Next week, House Democrat Leader Dick Gephardt will be in Iowa for three days to campaign with the Democrats in four of Iowa’s Congressional races.
