Delay with 62% in the Texas 22 Republican primary. A good thing?

[Pacifist Patriot]

Okay, when I first saw the results my jaw hit the floor. 62% of Republican voters just gave graft and corruption the green light. Hard working men and women endorsed a man with an overinflated sense of entitlement to represent their interests. There is something wrong with this picture.

On the other hand, we're talking about only registered Republicans who bothered to turn out to vote in their primary. I can't find the numbers but I'm going to assume for my peace of mind that this was a low turnout primary and those who did show were diehard Delay supporters. Everyone else was holding out to vote for his opponent in November.

I hope.

[Sammy Pepys]

1. yeah, it was only a Rep primary

If it had been the general election, that would've been something.

[rkc3]

2. I believe he had won with more than 80% of the vote in previous

primaries - that's a number that stuck with me after an NPR story earlier in the week.

[FreedomAngel82]

14. So this is a good sign than

[redqueen]

3. I think it's a great thing.

Can you think of an easier candidate to beat? The guy reeks of corruption. I think the turnout was due to those who are opposed to him just staying home. I know lots of republicans that started doing that in '04.

[SteppingRazor]

4. DeLay obviously wasn't worried about the primary...

He barely compaigned, and he spent the night of the election with a roomful of lobbyists. He (and most folks watching this election) always knew the primary was in the bag. It's the general election where DeLay will face Nick Lampson. And while DeLay didn't campaign much in the primary, he was forced to spend enough money so that now, Lampson has more in the bank than DeLay, $1.4M to $1.3M

[grytpype]

5. Of course it's good, we want to run against DeLay

in the general. He's severely damaged goods, you want to run against a new guy?

[tridim]

6. 62% of a small turnout of TX Republican primary voters

38% of those Republicans voted against him, many of whom will vote against him again in the general election.

[theoldman]

7. It goes to show that the party faithful will vote for a crook.

They just close their eyes and ignore the facts. I would not be surprised if he wins.

[kenny blankenship]

8. They knew they were giving graft and corruption the green light BEFORE

Delay was brought up on actual charges. Why should they change now?
Republicanism in its modern form is all about saying, I DON'T GIVE A FUCK ABOUT YOU, YOUR LAWS, AND MY SO-CALLED "DUTY TO MY FELLOW MAN."

At the center of all principles and policies of latter-day Republicans is the naked assertion of greed and dominance. Their ideal of "Liberty" is being beyond laws, or better yet that the laws should exist ONLY to oppress their hated enemies.

Delay is indicted? ALL THE MORE REASON TO PROUDLY VOTE FOR HIM, if you're a true Republican.

[Doctor_J]

9. It has been said that * would have to rape a young boy on the WH

lawn in broad daylight to get impeached. Well, if Delay were caught doing that, he'd still keep his seat in a landslide.

[chaumont58]

10. Doesn't surprise me. I think Cunningham could have won again

if he wasn't in jail. But, then he didn't choose to run.

[AlinPA]

11. No, that is a republican district and they love him there. To me it means

most r's support him there, so he should win the election in November. After their voting for him in the primary, it is hard to see them shifting to a Democrat.

[aaronnyc]

12. It's definitely good news

Whenever nearly 40% vote against the incumbent in a primary - the incumbent will be in for a tough reelection fight. Delay was not going up against anyone with formidable political experience or a lot of cash - so 38% of GOP Primary voters were motivated to go to the polls only for the purpose of expressing their displeasure with Delay. One would figure that a good portion of this 38% who did not vote Delay in the primary will either stay home during the general election or vote for the Democratic alternative; if this happens Tom Delay is in huge trouble.

Remember, Delay only got 55% of the vote in 2004 - before all of the scandals came to light. So, he really isn't all that popular in his own district. Now, he is facing a better and more experienced candidate; if Lampson can run a decent race I believe that he has a good shot of knocking Tom Delay out of Washington.

[FreedomAngel82]

13. Do you know what he has gotten in the past?

[aaronnyc]

15. 79.8% in 2004 n/t