After coming under fire for allegedly covering up Mark Foley’s scandal, Speaker of the House and 14th District Rep. Dennis Hastert was forced to actually campaign to win his district seat.

But, as reported in a recent Chicago Tribune article, sources close to Hastert are saying the NIU alumnus is interested in a future Japanese ambassadorial position.

If he is to vacate his post in lieu of an ambassadorial job, it shows Hastert cares about his constituents enough to abandon them for an easier job when his party loses control.

At the Oct. 31 White House press conference, Press Secretary Tony Snow was asked about the possibility that Hastert would become the ambassador to Japan, to which he answered that he had not heard that rumor.

It’s always convenient for a good press secretary to have bad hearing.

In Hastert’s autobiography, he states his desire to someday become the ambassador to Japan.

It’s common for a speaker to not seek reelection or leave his office early after losing their elite status, but that doesn’t make the process any less despicable.

As an elected representative in Congress, one has an obligation to the people who elected him. This lack of local focus is one part of why the Northern Star did not endorse Hastert. As speaker, Hastert held substantial congressional power, with the potential to bring home pork. Though the Democrats now have control, Hastert could have wielded considerable power to help the people of the 14th District.

Just Tuesday, an investigation was requested from the Department of Justice in reference to a land deal in which Mr. Hastert made millions.

The federal highway bill from 2005 and the resulting Prairie Parkway land deal may have helped Denny bring the bacon home along with the pork for his constituents.

This may be a reason Hastert is so anxious to leave his district, but his actions show his selfish motivations. A public servant, he is not.