Do you people really think at all? Hastert got the speaker's job because he was the only politican in Washington without a mistress. Do you really think he would be "in the mix" for a few bucks?

The Department of Justice issued a statement clarifying that Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) is not under investigation Wednesday evening after ABC World News Tonight reported that he was "very much in the mix" of the DOJ’s sweeping congressional bribery probe.

"Speaker Hastert is not under investigation by the Justice Department," DOJ Director of Public Affairs Tasia Scolinos said in a one-line statement.

The DOJ started releasing the statement in response to reporters’ questions around 7 p.m. Wednesday.

ABC News does it again and gives another example of why they are referred to as "The Drive-By Media".

So.... Are you going to retract your story? Secret sources versus official statements probably should be differing levels of trust, don't you think ABC?

Of course he is mixed up with this affair which goes up yo the President office

Brian,

Good job reporting the unreported. I just hope that this was not a set-up. I find it odd that earlier in the day Hasert is criticizing the Justice Dept for searching Jefferson's office, then this leak of information is put out by a senior official. Gonzales is doing things and saying things not many attorney generals have done in our nations history, and in my opinion should be investigated himself.

Hang in there and stick to you guns Brian. We believe in you.

That's it? No apology? No explanation?

Mr. Ross out to be ashamed of himself.ome explanation or apology is absolutely necessary. What kind of a reporter simply throws the DOJ statement out on a website after smearing the 4th hightest ranking person in government with intimations of a bribery scandal?

Ross should resign or be fired.

Who ya going to believe?

The corrupt government or the liberal media?

Please admit that the Hastert story was wishful thinking on your part and issue a public apology at 7pm tonight.

Don't expect a retraction anytime soon. Once known for journalistic integrety, ABC News appears to be nothing more than a shill for the democratic party. Their reporters don't seem to care about the truth unless it advances their own political agenda (or their career).

In the 70's people turned to drugs when they couldn't handle reality.
Now they turn to FOX news. Go Brian!!

I hope Hastert sue sue and sue .....

When will you liberal media lowlifes realise the American people have you identified for what you are. Brian Ross should join Dan Rather in cloud cickoo land, making stories up to make themselves look good!

I wonder if Brian helped CBS out with the 'National Guard' story, too.

zzpat said, "There's only one problem with this denial. The FBI has a policy of not commenting on investigations."

No, actually that's the problem with the leak. The denial was in response to that breach of policy.

After Stephanopoulos left sesame street and worked for Clinton he took the job w/ ABC. I wonder if he is behind this false story?

For those of you criticizing ABC and Ross, ask yourself this:

If Dennis Hastert likes some kind of Indian casinos and not others, get him to tell us what they are?

If DeLay associated have been convicted of money laundering in Texas (Money from National GOP to state GOP/TRMPAC), where are the federal charges against the national GOP?

Where is justice in America?

Hmmm.....
seems the swifties are in full swing again???
Well, the COC-GOP machinery works still perfect.

Brian Ross, how many sources do you have? How reliable are they? What was the motivation for your sources offering you this tip? If you wanted an audience for tonight's newscast, you certainly got it. Better be prepared to stand and deliver or back off, or your career will be blown to smithereens.

ABC and Brian Ross prefer to base a story on an unnamed source instead of the actual fact form the DOJ. A great example of why most hold so little faith in network news and their use of reporters' opinions instead of facts.

... and if Fox News had run a story that Nancy Pilosi was in the mix (according to an annonymous source) ...

Let's see, we'd probably hear about how it was revenge for her statements against the FBI, and how Karl Rove should go to jail because we just know he leaked the story, and curse the right-wing media, and blah blah blah.

Oh, and some guy in the back of the room would blame Halliburton.