Posted on 01/07/2006 9:23:30 AM PST by Gipper08
By DAVID ESPO AP Special Correspondent
WASHINGTON
Embattled Rep. Tom DeLay decided Saturday to give up his post as House majority leader, clearing the way for new leadership elections among House Republicans eager to shed the taint of scandal, two officials said.
These officials said DeLay, R-Texas, was preparing a letter informing fellow House Republicans of his decision. These officials spoke on condition of anonymity, saying they did not want to pre-empt the formal announcement.
DeLay is battling campaign finance charges in Texas and was forced to step aside temporarily as majority leader last fall after he was charged in his home state. He has consistently maintained his innocence and said he intended to resume his leadership post once cleared.
It isn't the mainstream media or the Democratic Party that has placed Tom Delay's future in the hands of the Justice Department and Jack Abramoff, its Tom DeLay himself. It is Tom DeLay who went to play golf at Royal St. Andrews in Scotland on Jack Abramoff's credit card.
DeLay's former press aide has plead guilty(Scanlon) and Tom's ex Deputy Chief of Staff (Tony Rudy) is most likely "Staffer A" in the Abramoff plea agreement. There are too many people who will give up DeLay's name in order to cut a deal with the feds on serious prison time.
If anyone thinks that the Justice Department's Criminal Division isn't after DeLay, then I've got some beachfront property in Nevada to sell them. Ronnie Earle is not DeLay's problem, the Bush Justice Department is. In my humble opinion, DeLay has stepped down prior to federal indictment on bribery charges. Whether he will actually be indicted or ultimately found guilty remains to be seen in years to come. He was right to step down now however.
" I am just so desperate for a conservative Rep who loves to fight"
Mike Pence
http://thehill.com/thehill/export/TheHill/News/Frontpage/031705/gop.html
He can always run again later if he wants.
Dear Colleague:Today, I have asked Speaker Hastert to convene our conference for the purpose of electing a new majority leader, the position I have been honored to fill these past three years through the trust and confidence of our colleagues.
During my time in Congress, I have always acted in an ethical manner within the rules of our body and the laws of our land. I am fully confident time will bear this out.
However, we live in serious times and the United States House of Representatives must be focused on the job of protecting our nation and meeting the daily challenges facing the American people. History has proven that when House Republicans are united and focused, success follows.
While we wage these important battles, I cannot allow our adversaries to divide and distract our attention. I will continue to stand up for the issues I care so deeply about and work with you all on these priorities. I am constantly thankful for the support of my constituents in recent days as well as over the years they have allowed me to serve them. I will continue to work every day to fulfill their trust, and yours.
Regards,
Tom DeLay
I doubt it. Democrats will turn a blind eye to the scumbags in their party. Just like the Republicans.
Personally, in my opinion Delay was a perfect politician: Corrupt but effective.
Good riddance! Now it's time to get some true conservatives in charge.
Fox keeps mentioning Jerry Lewis as a candidate. Anyone know this congressman?
But for now, I think he is doing the right thing.
Without Abramoff, I would say let the guy stay, but I think it is time he do something as an overture. This is it.
What happens if DeLay is renominated on March 7 and then resigns from Congress in, say, July or August? Will the Republicans be able to put forth another candidate for the November 2006 general election? If not, Democrat Lampson is as good as elected, for the independent candidate Steve Stockman (yet to be certified for the ballot) would not be viable. He has already lost to Lampson in the past, and voters are reluctant to vote for independents.
If the majority in Congress can't stand up for one leader why should they be able to stand up for any leader? The rats wrote him a one-way ticket out of Washington on the liberal express, but it's the RINOs who delivered it to him.
Well said...
I'm beginning to believe the defectors over to the ranks of RINOism is becoming epidemic due to feeling defenseless from the Dems/Media onslaught. But it's their own fault, as the lack of leadership from the President down to Hastaert and Frist.
The Republicans have only ONE mode -- inertia.
Santorum is just the latest example of caving in.
Rumors and innuendo about Abramoff did the most damage to Delay. But short of an indictment of Delay in an Abramoff bribery charge, he would have survived had it not been for Earle. Unbelievable, and not fair. Still, conservatism is about the principles, not the personalities. Tom Delay deserves much credit for stepping aside.
Republicans believe in doing the right thing which is to win at the ballot box. Democrats are unable to do this so they engage in character assasination instead.
Pence will be booted if he crosses the dims. All the speaker wanna bes better be ready for the onslaught. If they think by dumping on DeLay will win them points with the media.....oh my.
So they have only themselves to blame.
After this treachery, payback will truly be hell. I'd give a lot of money to find out who Randy Cunningham visited with while wearing a wire. Pelosi, Reid, Durbin, Schumer, Clinton et. al had better be clean as the serpents' teeth they are...
Everybody needs to figure out right now that this is about principle.
Principle dictates that you do everything that you can to deny power to a party that advocates killing babies, that advocates the unilateral surrender of the US and the impeachment of a president that dares do neither.
There are some self styled principle advocates running around FR trying to undercut the GOP. It is, and always has been, about strictly and only denying power to the party that is least conservative. You will never ever ever get people as conservative as you wish. You must marshall your forces to deny victory to the opposition because that's all you are ever going to be able to achieve. And a magnificent achievement it is.
Work for and sent money to GOP congress people facing a tough race in 2006. Doing anything else is literally killing children.
And they will all get what they deserve! All corrupt politicians should go to jail regardless of party or political beliefs (I know, I know - who would be left to run the country...).
Where can we see the list of names on the petition? Anyone know?
Appropriations Chairman.He will not get it IMO.WHo else does FOX mention?
I hope that you don't vote :)
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