CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 22: He prevails over three in spite of legal troubles
“I have always placed my faith in the voters, and today’s vote shows they have placed their full faith in me,” DeLay said in a written victory statement. “This race was about who can effectively represent the values and the priorities of the people in this district, and I’m proud to have earned, and overwhelmingly kept, that trust among Republican voters. Not only did they reject the politics of personal destruction, but they strongly rejected the candidates who used those Democrat tactics as their platform,” he added.
For those of you who may still be living in a cave somewhere in Tora Bora, here’s a shocker: Tom DeLay is still walking among the political living. I know…gee, what a shock, eh?
In a primary where something like 7% of registered voters turned out, this represents a victory for the undemanding True Believers, of which there are no shortage in District 22. Those of us who may have wanted to believe that DeLay would be made to answer for his political, ethical, and legal sins just found out once again that the slash-and-burn Conservatives in District 22 quite frankly don’t care about ethical representation. Yes, it’s true; wrap yourself in flag and faith and you can get away with dismembering your mother if you’re a Republican in this district.
Now it’s up to Nick Lampson to put the focus on DeLay and his immoral, unethical and illegal behavior. Get ready for a very interesting race. In political terms, the potential for collateral damage in this race will be HUGE. Will enough voters in District 22 finally toss DeLay out on his corrupt, mean-spirited ass? Or will DeLay be rewarded for wrapping himself in flag and faith and making no attempt to hide his corrupt and venal nature? Can an Evangelical Republican get away with anything because Social Conservatives see him as “one of us”? Or will voters finally demand ethical and honest representation?
Let’s just say that I’m not about to hold my breath on this one. November’s a LONG ways off….
