I love the smell of corruption and self-righteousness in the morning

I’m a realist. I’ve been around awhile. I can evaluate political situations. I feel that I could have won the race. I just felt like I didn’t want to risk the seat and that I can do more on the outside of the House than I can on the inside right now. I want to continue to fight for the conservative cause. I want to continue to work for a Republican majority.

• Rep. Tom DeLay (R-TX)