Tuesday, October 04, 2005
DeLay's Additional Indictments Mean He Won't Likely Return to Power
The additional money laundering indictments against Republican Tom DeLay likely will be additional nails in his political coffin.
Republicans are moving on. DeLay is now out of his big office suite in the Capitol, moving to a regular office across the street with the rest of Congress.
Some Republicans are still being polite to him out of fear of what he might do -- you are always cautious dealing with a cornered rat. Some are circling the wounded DeLay like hyenas. But most are trying to distance themselves from him. It's fun to watch.
DeLay probably won't be Republican Majority Leader again -- there's just too much baggage now with the multiple indictments for money laundering, the ongoing investigation in to his dealings and international trips with disgraced Republican lobbyist Jack Abramoff, and just the notion that Congress is tired of being under his thumb for so long.
But DeLay's immediate problem is winning re-election. He got only 55% of the vote last time -- before any indictments. If his challenger puts up a good race, DeLay may not even be coming back to Washington, much less back to power.
Unfortunately, his legacy will live on -- at least for a while.
Republicans are moving on. DeLay is now out of his big office suite in the Capitol, moving to a regular office across the street with the rest of Congress.
Some Republicans are still being polite to him out of fear of what he might do -- you are always cautious dealing with a cornered rat. Some are circling the wounded DeLay like hyenas. But most are trying to distance themselves from him. It's fun to watch.
DeLay probably won't be Republican Majority Leader again -- there's just too much baggage now with the multiple indictments for money laundering, the ongoing investigation in to his dealings and international trips with disgraced Republican lobbyist Jack Abramoff, and just the notion that Congress is tired of being under his thumb for so long.
But DeLay's immediate problem is winning re-election. He got only 55% of the vote last time -- before any indictments. If his challenger puts up a good race, DeLay may not even be coming back to Washington, much less back to power.
Unfortunately, his legacy will live on -- at least for a while.
