THREE DAYS BEFORE the Republican primary, I drove into Fort Bend County to survey the political landscape. I expected to find evidence that DeLay was fighting for his political life. But as I drove around, there was no sign that he was running for reelection—literally. Dozens of candidates for local offices had posted their campaign placards at major intersections, but as I navigated through the county on U.S. 90A, and then onto Texas Highway 6, DeLay’s name was nowhere to be found. Nor did I come across a billboard displaying his likeness. No rallies were scheduled. No public appearances. I turned into the sprawling Sugar Creek subdivision and headed down a major artery. Aha! A DeLay yard sign. And another. After half an hour of driving, my count reached 21. It occurred to me that perhaps DeLay did not want to remind the people of his home county that he was on the ballot, lest they be reminded to vote against him.