DeLay to withdraw from congressional race

AP ^ | Aug. 8, 2006, 1:51PM | DAVID ESPO

[AmeriBrit]

Politics is a dirty game, it always has been and probably always will be just as this is not a perfect world we live in. If you've ever expected anymore than that then you've either been fooling yourself or led a very sheltered life.

As things stand right now, we have to accept the good with the bad until such time we can filter some of the bad out just to keep the Republican party in power. We must NOT let the democRATs take over the House or Senate and if that means voting for a RINO or someone with a few smudges on his record, then so be it. Anything is better than handing it giftwrapped to the left.

[deport]

Why couldn't a GOP candidate run as an independent?

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I think the filing deadline has long since passed. It was between the end of the Primary and some 45 days or so afterwards [not sure of the exact time].

[gumboyaya]

Look I have no beef with you personally but your continued pattern of negativity leaves me no other recourse but assume you are what you are. I would apologies profusely if at anytime you would show any condemnation of Lampson or support for a true conservative. So far you consistently show anti conservative subtleties that reflect what I believe you may very well be, a democrat operative. I believe your record of posting will bare me out.

[Congressman Billybob]

If Texas law is like that in other states, the "write-in" option is not wide open. Mickey Mouse cannot be elected, even if he draws the most votes. Instead, a write-in candidate must qualify for that status, minimal qualifications, in order for his/her votes to be counted officially.

A Texan who knows local election law can confirm this.

Congressman Billybob

Latest article: "Stupidity about WW III: 'Here's your Sign' "

Please see a new statement on running for Congress, here.

[1035rep]

Bookmark

[SolidSupplySide]

Look I have no beef with you personally but your continued pattern of negativity leaves me no other recourse but assume you are what you are. I would apologies profusely if at anytime you would show any condemnation of Lampson or support for a true conservative. So far you consistently show anti conservative subtleties that reflect what I believe you may very well be, a democrat operative. I believe your record of posting will bare me out.

Perhaps you need to scroll up to post #55.

Eagerly awaiting apology.

[NonValueAdded]

Too bad. Re? electing Tom would have been a nice poke in the eye for the libs.

[gumboyaya]

Nice touch but no apologies at this time.

[anymouse]

Sounds like typical Lamestream agi-prop. The Quorum Report source is highly suspect and usually gets it wrong.

[The Old Hoosier]

Did you read the article? Hey, you were WRONG about this. And yet you're STILL running around attacking FReepers who just post the truth.

DeLay is withdrawing, they're doing a write-in campaign. Now go get a life.

[The Old Hoosier]

It's very official, he's off the ballot. The following is an email from Tom DeLay:

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Earlier this year, I resigned from the U.S. House of Representatives and became a resident of the State of Virginia to establish my new business, and where I now legally reside, pay taxes and vote.

This decision was and is irrevocable, which I made clear from Day One.

My action was taken in accordance with Texas law, federal precedent and common sense. I felt it was my duty to allow Texas Republicans to choose a new candidate for the Fall Election Ballot.

In November, voters in the 22nd District of Texas deserve a choice between candidates who actually live in the District, between a Republican and Democrat, and between those two people whose names should appear on the ballot.

Unfortunately, the Federal courts have slammed the door shut on a fair ballot choice between two 22nd District residents representing our two major parties.

The court ruling allows a Democrat – who just moved into this community – to have his name appear on the ballot, but denies the Republican Party the opportunity to place a District Republican resident on that same ballot.

Voters should be concerned. While judges are denying Texas voters a fair choice this Fall, the courts allowed the Democrat Party in New Jersey to withdraw Robert Torricelli and substitute Frank Lautenberg in a similar case just weeks before the 2002 U.S. Senate election.

As a Virginia resident, I will take the actions necessary to remove my name from the Texas ballot. To do anything else would be hypocrisy.

I strongly encourage the Republican Party to take any and all actions necessary to give Texas voters an up-or-down choice this Fall between two major party candidates.

[The Old Hoosier]

Not really, Houston doesn't want or need to import Salt Lake.

But DeLay's people should have been smarter about what they were doing when they went through this whole thing.

[mwl1]

This is one seat down the tubes, one sure Democratic pick-up.

If DeLay wanted out, he should not have run in the primary.

The whole thing stinks.

[The Old Hoosier]

I wouldn't bet on Lampson right now. The district is very heavy Bush, and you can win a write-in campaign if you own the district and you're willing to spend the money.

[mwl1]

I dissent. Please advise the last time that a member of the House was elected on a write-in ballot.

[Sans-Culotte]

does any DeLay primary voter think they did the right thing? Any?

I was a DeLay supporter, and used to admire his courage and the good works of both DeLay and his wife, Christine. However, this business of waiting to resign/withdraw until he had defeated all Republicans in the primaries is madness. I guess the Republican party wants Lampson to win for some reason?

[Flyer]

You been here yet?

[The Old Hoosier]

From Wikipedia:

In 1930 Republican Charles F. Curry, Jr. was elected to the House as a write-in from Sacramento, California. His father, Congressman Charles Curry Sr., was to appear on the ballot, but due to his untimely death his name was removed and no candidate's name appeared on the ballot.
Democrat Dale Alford was elected as a write-in candidate to the United States House of Representatives in Arkansas in 1958.
Republican Joe Skeen was elected as a write-in candidate to Congress in New Mexico in 1980.
Independent Ron Packard was elected to the House in California in 1982 and was the only write-in candidate to defeat the candidates of the Democratic and Republican parties. He immediately aligned himself with the Republican party after the election.
Democrat Charlie Wilson, the intended Democratic candidate for the 6th Congressional District in Ohio, did not qualify for the ballot because only 46 of the 96 signatures on his candidacy petition were deemed valid. The Democratic Party continued to support Wilson, and an expensive primary campaign ensued. Over $1 million was spent by both parties. Wilson overwhelmingly won the Democratic primary as a write-in candidate on May 2, 2006 against two Democratic candidates whose names were on the ballot.

Let me add one more: DC Mayor Anthony Williams was re-elected in a write-in campaign.

Of course, write-in victories are rare, but that's partly because serious write-in candidates are rare.

[gumboyaya]

Look pardner I'm on the ground down here in 22. The last thing I'm going to do is rely on an article from Time or AP. I talked directly to DeLays office and they denied the validity of this article. DeLay may very well not run regardless of the consequences but the opinions coming forth on this issue indicate a strong spin of negativity. Your opinion of my intelligence quota may be correct but I will not let my district fall into the hands of a liberal democrat. Rumors often come true and I have no doubt that DeLay would rather not run but until I hear it from his mouth to my ear I intend to vote for DeLay.

[perfect_rovian_storm]

Oh yeah, well I got an email from Tom saying he was staying in the race.

No offense, but I don't consider your word official either.