Dennis Hastert and Tony Podesta first met in the 1960s when they traveled to Japan together for three months as part of the People to People Student Ambassador Program.
The Connection: According to Wikipedia's Dennis Hastert entry and Hastert's Oral History at the Miller Center, Hastert and Tony Podesta (who was then the president of the Young Democrats at the University of Illinois at Chicago Circle) maintained an acquaintance from their college and graduate school days.
Professional Relationship: Later in their political careers"with Hastert serving as Republican Speaker of the House and Tony's brother, John Podesta, serving as White House Chief of Staff under President Bill Clinton"the two sides had an established rapport, allowing Hastert and the Podestas to communicate directly on bipartisan legislative efforts and major policy deals.