Hammer blows

[RedEarth]

Hammer blows
GOP leaders paid their last respects to the fallen House leader -- then fled the press. But Democrats want to talk about Tom DeLay until November.
By Michael Scherer



Apr. 05, 2006 | The leaders of the Republican Congress -- aka the House that Tom DeLay built -- gathered Tuesday afternoon in a crowded Capitol hallway outside Speaker Dennis Hastert's office to pay their last respects. "Tom DeLay has been a great friend and ally, and he will be missed," said Rules Committee chairman David Dreier of California. "We owe him a great deal of gratitude," Majority Leader John Boehner said. "Tom DeLay clearly is a politician who has been driven by ideals," said Majority Whip Roy Blunt.

The men stood before a half dozen television cameras and more than 20 print reporters, who had squeezed into a space as wide as an elevator for a press conference. The event had been advertised as a chance to question Hastert and others about the issues of the day, including immigration and the budget. But Hastert was a no-show, which should have tipped off the press that something was amiss. The resignation of Rep. Tom DeLay, it seemed, had thrown the leadership for a loop. The business of Congress could not continue as planned.

After eulogizing their fallen colleague, the remaining Republican leaders offered a few bland words about the work ahead. Then, before a single question could be asked, Rep. Boehner announced abruptly, "Thank you, all." The leadership of the nation's largest deliberative body turned in unison and fled down the hallway, as the press corps jeered. "Wait a minute, fellas," one reporter called after them. "What's the point? What's going on here? What about the questions?"

There would be no questions. Perhaps it was a show of respect. The king had fallen, and now he needed to be mourned. "I am grieved at the loss of a great champion of the values I hold dear," said Rick Scarborough, a Baptist minister who recently compared DeLay's plight to the crucifixion of Christ. "The House Republican Conference is losing a powerful conservative voice," declared Rep. Tom Reynolds of New York, who is leading the Republican effort to maintain control of the House in 2006.

Just two months ago, Reynolds had gathered journalists in the conference room of the National Republican Congressional Committee to tell America that DeLay was indestructible. "Tom DeLay is going to win his election," he told reporters on Jan. 27. But on Monday, DeLay told Time magazine that he was no longer sure he could pull off a victory. "This had become a referendum on me," DeLay said. "So it's better for me to step aside."



http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2006/04/05/delay/print.html

[EST]

1. This just shows what idiots some people are.

We do not need DeLay to talk about. There is so much corruption to be exposed that he won't be missed!