Illinois' Hastert details decision to leave - He discusses personal advantages to being out of the speaker's chair as he prepares to end his long congressional career

Excerpt:
"Rep. J. Dennis Hastert on Thursday said he had felt like a "prisoner" of his office as House speaker, unable to enjoy the camaraderie of his fellow lawmakers.

As Hastert prepares to formally announce today his decision not to seek reelection to the Illinois seat he first won in 1986, he reflected on a political career in which he became the longest-serving Republican speaker.

After the 2006 election gave Democrats the majority, ending Hastert's eight-year reign as speaker, he lost the trappings of a grand office, plane service to and from Washington, and the security detail provided to the second in the succession line to the presidency (after the vice president)."

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