Posted on 07/09/2006 9:44:44 AM PDT by anymouse
During a pitcher of beer at the Magnolia Creek Golf Links in League City the conversation quickly turned to local politics. In particular the talked centered on the ongoing saga involving Tom DeLay and his former congressional district.
Last week, a federal judge ruled the former House majority leader’s name would have to remain on the ballot despite DeLay’s efforts to move out of the state and a declaration by the state Republican Party he was no longer eligible to remain the party’s nominee in November.
It was a victory for Texas Democrats who sued the state Republican Party to prevent the GOP from hand-picking DeLay’s replacement on the ballot. Texas Republicans meanwhile have already set in motion an appeal of Federal District Judge Sam Sparks’ decision.
No matter the outcome of that decision Don Carter has made up his mind about whom he will vote for in November.
“I’ll vote for Tom DeLay,” said Carter, who doesn’t consider himself a political activist. “What I think Tom DeLay should get back on the ballot, go back into his Sugar Land home and run.”
Not that the 63-year-old Carter is any big fan of DeLay whose recent tenure in office has been marked by a state money-laundering indictment related to campaign finances and for his ties to a lobbyist who is in federal prison for influence-peddling.
“There are some things that I don’t care for about Tom DeLay,” he said. “I’m not absolutely a fan of his. I would vote for him because I disagree with what the process is right now.
“I think for him to say ‘I am no longer a candidate,’ he has the right to do that, and I think the Republican Party should have the opportunity to replace him.”
Carter insisted his mind was not made up on supporting DeLay until Sparks’ ruling.
“If all this not happened and you asked me (who I support) right now in July I would have told you I was undecided,” said Carter.
Carter’s golfing buddy had a different perspective likening DeLay to Army Gen. George Patton.
“I compare DeLay to Patton in World War II; you might hate him, but you fight for him,” said Larry Corey. “A lot of people hated Patton, but they would fight for him.”
Carter’s son-in-law, Trey Meador, is a Friendswood resident and echoed similar sentiments. Meador, though, is frustrated with politics in general and admitted that while often voting Republican he has thought at times of supporting an independent candidate.
“Now, in 2006, I am almost tempted not to be a registered Republican,” said Meador. “Who are really representing the people? Or are their motives just to make a dime?”
Still, if given the choice Meador said he would support DeLay — or any Republican who may be on the ballot — come November despite the swirl of scandal that would assert DeLay is one of those politicians Meador is so frustrated with.
“It’s better than the alternative,” said Meador.
The alternatives in this case are former Congressman Nick Lampson, who is the Democrat Party’s nominee for the post, and Libertarian candidate Bob Smither of Friendswood.
Smither claims to be the only “fiscal conservative” on the ballot with DeLay out of the race.
Lampson’s campaign on the other hand has been careful not to gloat about the federal court ruling forcing DeLay’s name to remain on the ballot, it does not make any bones about the fact Tom DeLay is a good fundraising tool.
Lampson’s Web site features an online video game where a caricature of DeLay is the main character. And few of the Lampson camp’s press releases over the months have missed the chance to include DeLay as the target.
In short, DeLay is red meat for the party faithful.
But Robin Armstrong, the vice chairman of the Republican Party who hails from Galveston County, predicts the Democrats tactics will actually backfire.
“I think it will motivate many in our party,” Armstrong said. “Tom DeLay still has a tremendous amount of good will in the party.”
Armstrong made a point to note, despite assertions otherwise, the 22nd Congressional District remains one that heavily favors Republicans.
Still DeLay, in an interview announcing he would retire from office and move out of the state, acknowledged that support might not have been able to carry the day come November. His own polling indicated a much tighter race than he been a part of in years and that victory was not assured.
A number of Democratic election-watchers said the numbers were worse than DeLay let on and that polls actually showed the longtime congressman losing by a wide margin.
But a lot has changed since DeLay made that announcement in April. In fact, in an interview two weeks ago with The Daily News and again during a rally held in his honor, DeLay hinted he might be willing to roll up his sleeves and jump back into the race.
State Rep. Larry Taylor of Friendswood, in an interview with another media outlet, even suggested that there may be a sympathy factor going for DeLay now that wasn’t there in May.
It would not be a bad move said Armstrong who thinks many of those who were on the fence before may actually now be willing to come down on the DeLay side. He insists, though, the party will prevail on appeal and that no matter who is on the ballot for the GOP in November will have strong support.
ping
I can tell you one thing it isn't going to be that union lawyer/socialist from Beaumont!
Bttt
Run Tom run.......we need you, your guts and vision in the GOP. Screw the media and the rotgut Dems......they are poison to the USA. Get back in there and HAMMER again.
I'd guess that if the court ruling stands, DeLay will re-establish Texas residence and run the campaign of his life...nothing to lose...and a "comeback kid" reputation. Let fly, Tommy D., let fly!
Last half hour on Fox News Channel, Brian Wilson was discussing the possibility DeLay may re-enter and perhaps even win the race.
There was a humorous moment when Wilson came within about a millimeter of describing the approach as "b_lls to the wall".
I think he even got as far as saying "ba..." then he changed his mind and said "guns to the wall".
It was quite funny. :)
The Democrat candidate for Governor is currently running fourth in the polls. The Democrats are going to get spanked wildly in Texas in 2006. Delay would win easily, just as he did in the Pubbie primary!!! The voters Texas know very well the Democrat scum and vermin that sell out the USA and are getting our military folks and innocent people killed and injured while they openly enable, abet and aid our enemies!!!
I hope Tom runs and makes the dems regret their decision for many years to come.
I followed the DeLay matter pretty carefully and I cannot tell you now what Delay was guilty of doing that waas illegal.
That it was apolitical hathet job is clear. Democrats are ruthless and will stop at nothing to try to regain power.
The question we should ask ourselves is: do we want a ruthless political party running the country? Whatever happened to caring compassion?
(The Palestinian terrorist regime is the crisis and Israel's fist is the answer.)
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