There are few Congressman who inspire stronger emotions in this part of Texas than Tom DeLay. You may love him or you may hate him, but it is exceedingly difficult to find anyone who is ambivalent to DeLay. His brand of Machiavellian slash & burn partisan politics is something that inspires either admiration of loathing. Personally, I come down heavily on the loathing end of the scale, but only 44.5% of the voters in District 22 shared that sentiment on November 2nd. Of course, for most people, voting Republican IS easier than thinking.
WASHINGTON - There was a day last month, as Congress wrapped up its work for the year, when House Majority Leader Tom DeLay showed what it is about him that infuriates his political opponents ó and also leaves them in awe.
During a news conference that morning, DeLay, R-Sugar Land, managed to turn the scrutiny of an ethics investigation away from himself and toward his Democratic accuser, Rep. Chris Bell of Houston.
Ignoring his three recent admonishments by the House ethics committee regarding potential abuse of power, partly based on Bell’s complaint, a defiant DeLay instead pointed to the panel’s finding that Bell broke House rules by exaggerating some claims.
DeLay proclaimed himself exonerated and the victim of an attempt at political revenge. House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi of California called him “delusional.”….
DeLay showed that day in November how he has been affected, or unaffected, by the ongoing questioning of his political activities.
He is neither humbled nor fighting for political survival. Just the opposite.
DeLay’s arrogance has now assumed epic proportions. He now apparently assumes that the rules are written for others, and the ones that he breaks? Well, he’ll just have those changed, because, as the most powerful and most self-absorbed man in Washington, he can do that.
His fellow Republicans refuse to hold him accountable, and in fact that clear his path. Tom DeLay is accountable to no one, and judging by his overarching arrogance, he clearly views that as his birthright. As a man born to rule, he cannot afford, nor can he abide, letting lesser men hold him accountable.
Republicans recently changed party rules, removing a requirement that would have forced DeLay to automatically give up his leadership post if he were indicted in Texas. DeLay and the GOP leadership also plan to change House rules in January to make it harder for members to file ethics complaints….
The main source of his latest political troubles √≥ his successful campaign to have Texas lawmakers redistrict the state’s congressional seats for this year’s election √≥ is also a huge reason DeLay is in good standing with House Republicans.
They are mindful that, had it not been for the resulting six-seat increase in the Texas GOP House delegation, the party would have suffered a net loss of House seats in the November election, Bush’s popularity notwithstanding.
“People look at that as pulling a rabbit out of the hat,” said House Appropriations subcommittee Chairman James Walsh, R-N.Y.
Until voters in my district manage to WAKE UP AND SMELL THE CAT LITTER, we will be stuck with this corrupt, venal, power-mad martinet. Sometimes, being the embodiment of Evil and Corruption is it’s own reward.
Being a Republican means never having to say you’re sorry….
