Posted on 01/15/2006 7:42:52 PM PST by maui_hawaii
Freepers---
Since you guys are literally the cream of the crop of political analysis I thought I would ask your opinions about the whole DeLay situation.
For the record I don't live in DeLay's district and I haven't followed it that much at all. This post is for informational purposes only. If nothing else it will be a situational report for those interested in such a high profile race.
Several candidates have all thrown their hats into the ring...Three of DeLay's opponents — Campbell, Pat Baig and Mike Fjetland — are fellow Republicans. A fourth, Nick Lampson, is a conservative Democrat.
According to news reports:
While DeLay‘s campaign spokeswoman, Shannon Flaherty, has dismissed Fjetland and Baig with disparaging quips, she said DeLay welcomes Campbell to the race and to hearing his ideas.
From what I can gather DeLay takes Campbell seriously, and not to mention they are actually friends somewhat. Based on what I read on the net Campbell has been a long term GOP man etc etc. He's pretty conservative but he's not abrasive like DeLay is.
Having said that, another report says:
"Tom Campbell at least has Republican credentials," Fort Bend County GOP chairman Eric Thode said. "Having said that, it doesn‘t translate into one iota of support or money. He is 100 percent absolutely unknown in this county."
Here is a link to Campbell's web page. Under "platform" it gives a basis of what he's about, although its brief.
Since this is in the media all the time, here is what I got out of it thus far...
The media/left hate DeLay. At the same time his popularity isn't rampant in the really conservative district as many people believe.
With that said, the constituents will either A) vote for DeLay just to piss off the media/left or B) vote for another conservative candidate.
So, thus far Campbell seems to be viable.
Based on what little I have gathered, if DeLay goes down in the courts, who else is left?
Secondly, Campbell comes across as a 'humble conservative', not the brash and abrasive 'in your face' kind of politician that DeLay comes across as...
Any input is welcome on any and all of the candidates....
It is more likely than not that Delay is permanently impaired and his effectiveness vastly diminished. He symbolizes what is wrong in Washington and is surely guilty of questionable conduct. Campbell is similar in views and by beating Delay will go to Washington with high visibility and could be effective for his district. He is highly intelligent and impeccably honest. He is a start at restoring proper standards in DC.
Delay is by far no the only incumbent who should be ousted in either party but he is a beginning.
"Not to mention they don't like his harsh character when it comes to politics."
As for myself (since I can't speak for anyone else), I have supported Tom DeLay for all these years because (1)He has a no bullsh*t approack to doing what we elected him to do and (2)he won't hesitate for a minute to bring the "squishies" into line. His biggest "fault" is that by and large he has been the most effective conservative leader in the House in generations.
"Everyone cheered when President Bush asked for civility in politics."
And we have seen just how the members of the RAT party as well as the RINO's have treated President Bush haven't we? President Bush has repeatedly put out his hand in the spirit of cooperation only to have it slapped away. Thank goodness that we have had Tom DeLay in a position to defend our president when the "squishies" have done and/or said nothing.
Rest assured, there will be no Nick Lampson or any squishy RINO representing my 22nd Congressional District. Not if I and many others have anything to say about it.
Not that I am in the district, but it depends on who you talk to as to his faults. There are very few angels in Washington DC.
None the less I only said what I said in this post in jest. I am not defending nor supporting either or anyone in this race.
I think if Campbell wins or if DeLay wins there will be a good solid Republican in office.
Who is the RINO you are talking about anyway?
Seriously though, you sound like you are trying to make DeLay out to be some God of the Republican Party. There has been a whole heck of a lot more people than DeLay working on conservative issues than just DeLay. To think conservatism can't survive without him is BS.
I wouldn't give credit to DeLay as you have... there are thousands of people who have worked behind the scenes to get things done without much fanfare.
Anyone except DeLay is a RINO.
I am in DeLay's district, and I sure as heck am voting for him again. He truly responds to the needs of his constituents (his office actually helped my family with a situation years ago).
However, what really sealed the deal for me was reading today's Houston Chronicle article about emails and other things leaked from the Governor's office during the Katrina mess. It is a fascinating read, and was posted on freerepublic today. DeLay was very upset, worried and in constant contact with Perry's office about what was going on with the Katrina evacuees in Houston. He was especially concerned with the safety of Houston residents after what was witnessed in New Orleans. I don't think the Chronicle intended to make DeLay look good, but they sure did in my opinion.
Its kind of like the NFL... you have players that have been great for years... but thats just it... been great for years.
There comes a time when you trade a star and get a rookie for the next generation.
Personally I started this whole thread as a neutral discussion.
Now I will express my opinion...anyone who stays in DC for 20 plus years is getting over the hill.
I think if anyone tainted DeLay, it was DeLay. Screw that prosecutor. Who gives a damn about him. The left does dislike DeLay and there is no BS about that. Because he engenders so much hate against him it makes him ineffective. He's already lost his position of leader. That no nonsense bloodletting style of knocking heads cuts both ways.
That didn't happen because everyone else is a RINO. Its because he shot himself in the foot.
While he did have an illustrious carreer thats great. I admire it. If it goes on another 2 years or 10 years thats ok.
Still though, from the sounds of it DeLay is making himself out to be the king. Kind of like Terrel Owens.
Talking to people who post things like DeLay is the best at everything kind of thing...I don't get a good taste about that. What about those thousands and hundreds of thousands of people that work in their districts to get things done? If the DeLay camp doesn't start to recognize then they need to retire.
We will have to see what DeLay actually says. You are a poster on the internet and not a spokesman, but I can say that the conservative shift nationwide is bigger than DeLay.
From the smells of things not only DeLay but many others on both sides of the isle get up in DC and start taking special interest money and they start contorting politics in the way it shouldn't go.
Example being, lets be tough on China. Lets take the President of Taiwan to a baseball game... sure thats cool by me.
But as soon as someone whispers that we might should get tough economically on China, the Wal Mart money flows, the vote cuts across party lines and common sense gets kicked out the door.
Not to mention all that is done under the hat of being a 'true conservative'...and everyone else is a unionist RINO pig if they don't like so and so's opinion.
Please keep in mind I am not knocking DeLay totally but some of this stuff is going over the top IMO.
Post #106 is where I actually started to post some of my own opinions, check it out.
No where am I saying that DeLay is all the way some SOB. Nor am I saying he didn't help people. Thats not it at all...
None the less aim some posts to the others on the thread that support DeLay and see what they say. Of course they are going to call you a RINO because in their mind anyone not named DeLay is a RINO.
I don't like that brand of politics, but thats the way it is.
All I ask of ALL is that this thread has been level headed thus far and I ask that it remain such :o)
Have you ever been around Congressman DeLay? "God status?" That's not the DeLay I have met over the years.
I have talked to Congressman DeLay at different things over the years like town hall meetings, phone banks and other places. He is super approachable.
I'm not up for a big flame war on this (because I am going to hit the hay in a minute), but I am just saying as a constiuent, he's a good guy.
The article is called "Perry staffers' email recorded Katrina turmoil." It was on the front page of the Chronicle, and it was posted on FR today under that title.
I have been here since 1998 (lurking even before that), and I have never started a thread by posting an article, and I don't know how copy and post a link.
I'm pretty much a loser on the computer guru skills.
I try to shy away from taking personal potshots at people so I am willing to personally give him the benefit of the doubt.
I am not a flame warrior at all. I am all about civility and open discussion.
You need not worry about getting flamed by me.
Thanks.
Flame wars are not my cup of tea either.
Take care.
Then type a href="www.yourlinkhere" with < > around it, include the quote marks.
After the second > type a word like 'Link' or whatever and close it all up with < /a>
Thanks. Someone showed me that oh I think back in 99. Since I don't post as much as I used to, I forgot it.
I see you got here in 2002. FR was awesome during the Clinton years (although the Clinton years were horrible), because we were all on the same page. This was a great place to come and vent our disgust over the hideous Clintons! I think I stayed mad for 8 solid years, but FR and all the freepers got me through it.
Which I don't doubt at all. I have met my share of politicians and most have good traits about them, even some Dems that I don't care one whit for their politics are ok on a personal level.
What it sounds like to me though is A) he's been there entirely too long and as a result the gravy train has his telephone #. B) He's not the start all and end all of Republicans. Someone else could do his job just as well and with similar basic values. In fact I think someone else can be more effective, especially now. C) Its might be time for the next generation to get primed for a long carreer.
I have actually been here longer than since 2002. Thats when I got a new nickname.
Please check out post 100 or any of the other posts before you keep on flaming me.
No flaming here - just pointing-out to the rest of the forum who & what you really are.
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