Does DeLay have to resign from the House?

[LiberalEsto]

Should people be demanding that he resign from Congress now?

Or should we wait for conviction?

What do you think the chances are of forcing him out of his seat?

[usregimechange]

1. Now!!!

[rpannier]

2. No I don't want him to resign

He seriously damages the puke party from the hill.

[TroglodyteScholar]

3. Slim chance of him getting forced out fully...

But I'd welcome it...

[rodeodance]

4. He only got re-elected last time by 55/45 in a very RED district.

[rodeodance]

5. No, he does not have to resign. I think most think he is too valuable to

force him out.

[Dogmudgeon]

6. Nope

Only if he's convicted, and I think there is even some wiggle room if he is.

GOP rules dictate he can't hold a position of party authority while he's under indictment. That's about it. But in real-life terms, he's been crippled, and all the enemies he made within his own party have probably begun circling for the kill.

--p!

[Stinky The Clown]

7. The technical answer is 'no'. And as a practical matter, we're far better

off with him there. He is the POSTER BOY for campaign ads all across the country and we are better if he's still around.

And you know DAMN well he'll still be runnin' shit. And you know damn well that will soon be public knowledge.

All that works in our favor come the 06 cycle.

[LiberalEsto]

8. Working for Change has a campaign to force DeLay out

http://www.workingforchange.com/activism/action.cfm?itemid=19676


I think it's six of one, half a dozen of the other. It would tarnish the entire rethug party if one or more of their congressional leaders resigned in disgrace.

[Igel]

9. No, he doesn't, and

to do so would set a bad precedent. If he were to be forced out simply because he's indicted.

Dem DA gets grand jury to indict repub congressman. --> he must resign. No conviction, just enough evidence to indict, a lower standard. Indictments aren't easy to get, by any means, but to some extent it varies by jury. And then what happens if he's found innocent?

Next year, some repub DA gets a grand jury to indict a dem congressman. Do we argue that it's not hypocrisy to say the rules only apply to some people? To one party? And if our guy were later found innocent, would we have any legitimate claim to whining rights?

[spindrifter]

10. Let us not forget

the greatest principle of our criminal justice system: innocent until proven guilty. It actually applies to the big shots as well as the little people.
Of course, people may be successful in pressing for his resignation in that he says he is going to mount a vigorous defense against the charge against him, so he will undoubtedly be too distracted with his personal business to pay proper attention to the work of the House on behalf of his constituents.