FOX says Hastert is doom for GOP

So four dozen subpoenas have been approved by the House ethics committee in the Foley case and already the first mystery is unveiled: Is Hastert a recipient?

Doc Hastings, the head of the ethics panel, a republican, refuses to say, but Hastert's spokesman says that Hastert has not "received" a subpoena... though he is "willing to testify." Or: a subpoena has most likely been issued.

Doc Hastings, it should be noted, was Dennis Hastert's choice to replace former chairman Joel Hefley (R-Colo.) about a year ago, just as Hefley was dealing with an ethics charge against Hastert's master, Tom DeLay.

Nevertheless Hastings assures us that the investigation "will go wherever our evidence leads us." Mmmhmm.

In the other news universe, Fox highlights a poll suggesting that Hastert's presence could be a real bummer for the GOP come November:

"The data suggests Americans have bailed on the speaker," a Republican source briefed on the polling data told FOX News. "And the difference could be between a 20-seat loss and 50-seat loss."

Other Republicans, however, continue to stand by Hastert.

Rep. Doc Hastings of Washington, who runs the House ethics committee, offered his unabashed support during a briefing on ethics panel activities.

"I think the speaker has done an excellent job," Hastings said, later adding that his remark "is not related to the matter at hand here."