[ncountylee]

Bergergate, Rathergate, Schumergate, Nukegate etc. and the Republicans can't find the spine to attack the real culture of corruption.

[Wombat101]

Sorry. Can't agree with this assesment at all.

DeLay didn't drop out because of a lack of spine on behalf of the GOP; he dropped out because he couldn't possibly win with this thing hanging over his head (regardless of whether or not the allegations are true). DeLay is the poster child for the democratic (small 'd' intentional) mantra of "culture of corruption". After a decade of such allegations, you have to arrive at the ppoint where you start to believe that at least some of this stuff is due to more than over-ambitious DA's and partisan attacks.

Personally, I believe that DeLay is probably guilty of something, whether it rises to the level of a prosecutable crime is another matter altogether. He did the right thing, though.

[Cicero]

The real surprise of the DeLay debacle is that his fellow Republicans allowed him to be ripped apart by Democrat-friendly media piranha - without firing a shot in return.

Amen. When the Republicans imposed a rule on themselves requiring leaders to step down if indicted, they were being stupid, stupid, stupid.

First of all, the Dems refused to follow suit, so they crippled themselves without gaining any advantage over Dem corruption.

Second, it was an open invitation to corrupt Dem prosecutors to indict, however falsely.

Third, it's only possible purpose, to make themselves look squeaky clean, actually has had the opposite effect. It gives the news media ammunition. "Hey, DeLay stepped down from the leadership. He must be guilty of something!"

The spineless Republicans have allowed this very dangerous and disadvantageous political axe to continue hanging over their heads for fear of media criticism. Hey, jerks, you already have media criticism, and this self-imposed "rule" is feeding the fire.

Finally, whatever you think about DeLay, what ever happened to party loyalty and solidarity? He hasn't been convicted of anything, and he probably won't be. He is probably less guilty of fudging around with campaign funds than any of the Democrats in the House. Certainly less guilty than Pelosi, for instance.

This is the guy who fixed the map of Texas and got the 10 extra Republicans into the House which the party was owed, by finally doing away with the old Democrat gerrymander. Some gratitude.

[Digger]

Carl is correct on facts. What is missing is the WHY these aren't investigated. Until someone can prove this theory wrong I have stated for over a decade that this corrupt "Two-Party Cartel" (which is owned & run by the elites who desire & demand that no true conservative agenda ever flourish because it is against their best interest)will always sell out the middle class taxpayers over the large corps & the hands-out crowd. The middle class people MUST get organized & take time off of work to show really who has the most votes. (even sometimes the votes aren't as important to these pols as the graft & money they take from the elites). I do know that if you keep voting these same people in you will get the same results. And again as I have stated since GW was elected that when he leaves the SC will NOT be of a conservative majority. I almost guarantee this because the elites will not allow it.

[pabianice]

Folks, get ready for a Dem-controlled House in January, followed by Articles of Impeachment against Bush. Then roll forward to a full retreat from Iraq as 2008 approaches.

If the Repubs are too gutless to defend one another, perhaps they should get what they deserve.

[AmusedBystander]

Tom Delay is a victim of Tom Delay.

[listenhillary]

Ping

[Tarpon]

Until the dino is dead and buried, the scare will remain.

[deport]

Typical Limbacher pontificating IMO. I think the answer lies more within the bounds of District 22 in Texas than nationwide or what the national media thinks.