It looks as though we have a choice of "Creeping Socialism" or "Rampant Socialism". One way or another we get there. On a bus or a jet plane..........
Doesn't Delay have poor poll numbers in his Republican-heavy riding, the 22nd District?
It would be a good way to send a message to the party if an independent conservative (say, the Conservative Party candidate) would run against Delay and the Dem, during the '06 midterm elections.
A more notable example of this manoever is when Bill Buckley's brother, James, ran for US senate, from New York. He actually won, in 1970, became a Republican, and lost his re-election in '76. But it goes to show, it can be done. In the worst case scenario, if the Dem beat Delay and the conservative third party candidate, it would be *no lose* whatsoever. That guy is doing serious damage.