House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R.-Ill.), under fire for the repulsive actions of former Rep. Mark Foley (R.-Fla.) that took place under his leadership watch, said moments ago in a press conference that not only will he continue his re-election bid to Congress, smashing wide-spread speculations of an abrupt resignation, but that he will run for a fifth term as speaker if the GOP majority prevails in November.

Hastert also announced that members of the House Ethics Committee have begun an "expansive investigation" of the Foley-page sex scandal, approving 48 subpoenas for witnesses and documents.



Minutes following the conference, Republican leaders issued statements, making it clear they will stand by the speaker.

"I have tremendous respect for the exceptional leadership of the Speaker of the House," said Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R.-Tenn.). "Denny Hastert is good man, a capable leader and he has my confidence and support. Former Congressman Foley’s conduct was a disgrace, and the expectation of House leadership that he resign immediately was appropriate. Speaker Hastert's announcement today is a positive step forward to ensure that the facts are fully identified and any future transgressions are prevented."

House Majority Whip Roy Blunt (R.-Mo.) praised Hastert's leadership skills as well, hailing him as "an effective leader of unquestioned integrity."

He also tried to dispell any rumors of contention within GOP leadership.

"We all now realize that this terrible situation could have been handled differently. We are all upset; we are all horrified; but we all stand together with our speaker," Blunt said. "Those who are trying to create the appearance of disunity between myself and the speaker should know: There is not, and has not been, any daylight between the speaker and me."

House Majority Leader John Boehner also voiced "full support" for Hastert, a much stronger tone than he took on a radio program earlier this week during which he appeared to distance himself from the speaker. Boehner also expressed his approval of his colleagues efforts to strengthen the page program.

"The announcement today by Reps. Doc Hastings (R.-Wash.) and Howard Berman (D.-Calif.) that the Ethics Committee will conduct a complete, bipartisan investigation of the facts surrounding Mr. Foley's indefensible conduct is good news for our institution and good news for our nation," said the majority leader. "Such an inquiry is necessary to identify facts that must be known if we are to protect the children in this program and ensure there is full accountability for any mistakes made on either side of the aisle."

On the other end of the developing story is the recent report, headlined by Matt Drudge, that the revolting instant messages exchanged between Rep. Mark Foley and a congressional page may well be part of a prank.

According to two people close to former congressional page Jordan Edmund, the now famous lurid AOL Instant Message exchanges that led to the resignation of Mark Foley were part of an online prank that by mistake got into the hands of enemy political operatives, the DRUDGE REPORT can reveal... Developing...