DeLay Abandons Bid to Remain House Leader

[RickSp]

DeLay Abandons Bid to Remain House Leader

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Embattled Rep. Tom DeLay on Saturday abandoned his bid to remain as House majority leader, clearing the way for leadership elections among Republicans eager to shed the taint of scandal. DeLay is battling campaign finance charges in Texas and was forced to step aside temporarily as majority leader last fall after he was charged in his home state. He has been trying to clear his name and, until Saturday, resume his leadership role. DeLay's about-face came amid growing pressure from fellow Republicans who were concerned about their own political futures in the wake of this past week's guilty pleas by lobbyist Jack Abramoff. DeLay's defiant, take-no-prisoners style had won him the admiration and respect of fellow Republicans, but his mounting problems cast a shadow over the entire House.

The Hammer bites the dust.

[Scribbler1]

Now I'm waiting for the right wingers to say this is "closure" and we must move on because it's all over. We can forget about all the other crooks now.

Wasn't the Republican Party kind of an "all for one-one for all" group? Looks like rats deserting a sinking majority leader to me.

[shield772]

I think he is finally doing the right thing, his problems were casting a shadow over the party, by stepping aside he is making it possible for the party to move ahead and govern not be mired in his continuing problems, untill he is found guilty or not I will make no assumptions either way.

[tusaki]

shield772, stop being so damn agreeable ;-)

I think the republican party should do some soul searching. Weed out the corruption and really stand for what they say they stand for.

[Scribbler1]

Quote by: shield772 I think he is finally doing the right thing, his problems were casting a shadow over the party, by stepping aside he is making it possible for the party to move ahead and govern not be mired in his continuing problems, untill he is found guilty or not I will make no assumptions either way.

Thanks for validating my prediction.

I don't think the GOP will be mired in HIS problems as much as THEIR problems. Abramoff hasn't even started to sing yet. This isn't over and if the Democrats have any brains they will take everything Abramoff says and keep bringing it up all the way to the next election. The Republicans would do no less if the shoe was on the other foot.

I really don't see imminent disaster for the Republicans on the horizon, but it WILL be interesting to watch.

[shield772]

Quote by: Scribbler1 Thanks for validating my prediction. I don't think the GOP will be mired in HIS problems as much as THEIR problems. Abramoff hasn't even started to sing yet. This isn't over and if the Democrats have any brains they will take everything Abramoff says and keep bringing it up all the way to the next election. The Republicans would do no less if the shoe was on the other foot. I really don't see imminent disaster for the Republicans on the horizon, but it WILL be interesting to watch.

My understanding is that Abramoff causes problems for both parties

[Scribbler1]

Quote by: shield772 My understanding is that Abramoff causes problems for both parties

It makes sense, although it would seem to be more economical to concentrate on bribing the party in power. Either way, Delay stepping down should not be considered the end of this affair as the fat lobbyist hasn't sung yet.

What would really warm my heart is to see EVERY Republican go to jail and be quickly followed by EVERY Democrat. A little fear is good for the soul and the next crew would almost certainly watch what they do.

[Sean]

wow..all of this is adding up to trouble in 06. My question is can all of these recent events get beyond the limits on our ability to change seats via re-districting.

[bishop]

polls have shown that a democrat has a viable chance of winning delay's seat - so it's possible that the same can happen in other districts.

[underbear1]

Santorum will be just as DIRTY as Delay in the Senate. Just watch and see, he was VERY into giving his personal approval to the dozen Republican lobbyists who were in the party's favor each week, and Norquist and Ralph Reed are up to their beady little eyeballs with Abramoff too!

[bishop]

polls are also showing that santorum is going to have a hell of a time trying to get reelected in PA..

the republicans definitely are going to suffer from their up-the-ass adherence to bush. it seems to be a bit late in the game for them to distance themselves from that lame duck.

not that having democrats in power is ideal, but at this point, i'd love to see the republicans lose their monopoly over the government. (i'd rather see both of them suffer heavy losses in upcoming elections though.)

[RickSp]

Quote by: shield772 My understanding is that Abramoff causes problems for both parties

An interesting factoid.

A study by the Center for Public Integrity found that in the early 1990's, political donations from 19 major industries - including pharmaceuticals, defense, commercial banking and accounting - were split about evenly between the two parties. By 2003, the Republicans held a 2-to-1 advantage.

Go Ahead, Try to Stop K Street

The Repubs get twice as much from the trough. They may indeed be more vulnerable.

[underbear1]

Abramoff is a REPUBLICAN, and has been since his college days. Republicans OWN this scandal, and will get bit repeatedly over it, in the coming months.