DeLay, who denies wrongdoing in the Washington investigation, referred to Abramoff as “one of my closest and dearest friends” during a trip to the Northern Mariana Islands in 1997. On Feb. 6, he wrote to his constituents stating that “the notion that Abramoff was a close friend who wielded influence over me is absolutely untrue.”
Interesting, isn’t it? Tom DeLay, perhaps the most corrupt, venal, and mean-spiritied Congressman ever to (dis)grace the state of Texas, understands the central reality of his reign: his constituents really don’t care that he is an embarrassment to them. No, all that matters is that DeLay wrap himself in flag and faith and act as if he is above the fray. The moral of this sad tale: being a Republican means never having to say you’re sorry…for anything. The sad reality is that Tom DeLay could be shown buggering goats live on the Fox News Channel, and few Republicans in this district would bat an eyelash.
DeLay is facing three large obstacles to his re-coronation in November, though these hurdles are harly insurmountable. The first is the Jack Abramoff scandal. The early indications are not promising, since DeLay has been able to openly lie to his constituents about his relationship with Abramoff with no repercussions. Of course, it’s still early, and there’s still hope that the truth will embarrass and damage DeLay.
The second hurdle is the US Supreme Court’s review of the Texas Legislature’s Congressional redistricting at the behest of DeLay. A ruling is expected by July, and if this travesty is ruled unconstitutional (and no one should be holding their breath that this will be the outcome), the resulting sideshow may well derail DeLay. Then again, it remains to be what the fallout will be here in Texas if DeLay’s redistricting is overturned. Stay tuned….
DeLay’s third hurdle is his Democratic opponent, Nick Lampson. No offense to Richard Morrisson, but DeLay will finally be facing a tough, well-financed campaigner with a proven Congressional track record. No one could ever reasonably accuse Lampson of being a Liberal Democrat, but he can claim the ethics, decency, and integrity that DeLay has never possessed.
There is another hurdle, of course, and this one will be faced by Nick Lampson. When your Republican opponent is supported by undemanding, intellectually and morally vacant trolls like the denizens of District 22, what can you do?
Fort Bend County Treasurer Cliff Terrell, a DeLay backer, said he hopes Earle will “see the futility of trying to scapegoat Tom DeLay for something that really didn’t happen.”
“On the Abramoff case, we will have to wait for the investigation to see what it proves. Certainly, (DeLay) knew Jack Abramoff, but I don’t think he was involved in any illegal activities,” he said.
Perhaps Nick Lampson’s biggest challenge in running against Tom DeLay is finding a way to deal with the willing suspension of disbelief that runs rampant in District 22. Normally decent, ethical, and moral people are, for some undecipherable reason, willing to completely overlook Tom DeLay’s corrupt, venal reign. Is it DeLay’s ability to effectively wrap himself in flag and faith? Or is it something more serious? Could it be that the slash-and-burn Social Conservatives in District 22 really don’t much care about anything except their narrow agenda? Are they really willing to overlook the fact that their hero is a corrupt thug willing to lie to them in order to remain in power? Clearly, the answer to these questions would seem to be a resounding “yes”.
Silly me; I’d always thought that Christianity valued honesty and integrity.
WE DESERVE BETTER.
