Posted on 02/23/2006 4:38:42 PM PST by SolidSupplySide
U.S. Rep. Tom DeLay was likened to Stonewall Jackson, Lyndon Baines Johnson and a courageous World War I officer today as members of the Texas Republican congressional delegation joined the former House majority leader to endorse his re-election.
The unusual display of GOP solidarity was remarkable for DeLay, who is aggressively campaigning for re-election to the seat he has held comfortably for 22 years. This year he faces a contested primary March 7, and if he wins, a credible candidate in Democrat Nick Lampson in November.
"He's got a contested primary; that's why we're here," said U.S. Rep. Joe Barton, R-Ennis.
DeLay, R-Sugar Land, resigned his leadership post as he became embroiled in an ethics scandal involving lobbyist Jack Abramoff and faces trial later this year on felony money-laundering charges.
The Republicans took turns singing DeLay's praises as a selfless leader who not only helped get them elected, but also won Republican majorities in Congress and the Legislature, and brought home the bacon for NASA, the port of Houston and other local needs.
U.S. Rep. Henry Bonilla of San Antonio likened him to LBJ, the former Democratic president from Texas, for "altering the political axis in our state."
U.S. Rep. John Carter, who represents the Central Texas Hill Country, likened DeLay to a World War I lieutenant who led his men out of a trench into battle and is "willing to have a target on front and back saying, 'shoot me first.'"
And U.S. Rep. John Culberson of Houston said DeLay was like Stonewall Jackson, willing to take the shots on behalf of the GOP troops.
Bonilla noted that such an event was unprecedented in a primary season and was a signal of the loyalty DeLay has engendered in Washington.
A Lampson spokesman saw it differently, recalling that Vice President Dick Cheney also headlined a fund-raiser for DeLay last year.
"He's had the vice president bail him out, and now he's got to have the delegation prop him up. That's got to be humiliating," Mike Malaise said.
Tom Campbell, DeLay's primary opponent who set up an RV outside the GOP rally, said the event proved he was making inroads.
"I understand loyalty," Campbell said. "But it's important for us as a party to move through this fog of scandal."
DeLay hugged his wife, Christine, as he thanked the group.
"The Democrats are picking a fight with the wrong delegation," he told a small crowd.
"He's got a contested primary; that's why we're here," said U.S. Rep. Joe Barton, R-Ennis.
WOW ! ! !
Go, Tom, Go!
Ping
"U.S. Rep. Tom DeLay was likened to Stonewall Jackson,"
Wasn't Stonewall Jackson shot in the back by his own troops?
Go, Campbell, Go!
Tom was my State Rep his first term and showed me around the Capitol in Austin. Some of us were a little wary of him at first -- we were afraid he was going to be a RINO. Just goes to show that first impressions can be very WRONG.
I certainly hope he is re-elected. He has been a fine asset in Congress for the whole nation.
You're wasting your time. This anti-DeLay loser, "maui_hawaii", is not about to come out on positive DeLay news.
I agree with you. Campbell is an opportunistic, backstabbing hack.
No. Wikipedia's take:
He was shot accidentally by his own troops at Chancellorsville and died of complications a few days later.
Forget it. That's my voting district.
Tom DeLay has my vote.
"He's got a contested primary; that's why we're here," said U.S. Rep. Joe Barton, R-Ennis.
Something must have changed recently. From an article appearing in late December . . .
Fort Bend County Republican Party Chairman Eric Thode described Campbell as a credible candidate but one with low name recognition taking on a popular incumbent."He (DeLay) has represented us well, and I am confident he will be re-elected in the primary," Thode said Wednesday.
Thode said Campbell is not well-known among people active in the local GOP parties.
"He has no viable group of supporters," Thode said.
I guess Tom Campbell is viable now!
I voted for Campbell this morning.
While Campbell may not be able to pull this off, I will make a prediction. Campbell will do relatively better in the more conservative parts of the district. Campbell will have a better showing in conservative Harris and Brazoria counties than he will in the more centrist Ft. Bend County. (I'm leaving Galveston County out because it is such a small part of the district and actually gave a Democratic majority in 2004. It is not a good sample for judging a GOP primary.)
Both Campbell and DeLay are from Sugar Land, so hometown favorites don't impact my prediction.
Consider your vote nulled by mine or the other way round.
In your dreams! This just shows which candidate has the respect of other Congressmen. I haven't heard of any showing up to voice their support for Campbell.
"He's got a contested primary; that's why we're here," said U.S. Rep. Joe Barton, R-Ennis.
That's logical. Wouldn't be any need to show support or endorse a candidate in a primary race when there is no opponent. But since there is an opportunistic candidate that has shown up, the big boys with the experience are demonstrating which candidate deserves to be taken seriously. How you jump to the conclusion that it shows fear of Campbell is puzzling.
What impact upon the General will Stockman have? How will he do against Campbell, then Delay? Will it be enough to let Lampson come in the winner?
Well, I'll add to your vote. I went to the polls today with three neighbors, and we all voted for DeLay.
Thank you and your neighbors!
When DeLay isn't aggressively campaigning, they say "he doesn't care, he doesn't want our vote, he takes voters for granted", and when he does campaign, they say "see, he's running scared!"
Backstabbing RINOs.
I don't recall this kind of event in previous primaries when DeLay has been opposed. Something has changed. I wonder what . . .
In the latest polls, Stockman is pulling 10%. Interestingly enough, that is the same percentage by which DeLay trails Lampson.
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