I just saw the weekend "McLaughlin Group." The "Group" was unanimous: DeLay is finished. This was taped a day before DeLay decided to forfeit a potential return to the majority leadership. None of the panelists think that DeLay can survive the year. Several said that they think he will bow out of the race by the summer, even presumably if he is again the Republican nominee.
The "Group" also said that the public will blame the Abramoff scandal exclusively on Republicans. Even though Democrats have accepted Abramoff money too, it is Republicans who may be involved in bribery allegations that Abramoff will unveil to prosecutors. Morton Kondracke, only a "moderate" liberal, predicted that the Democrats would gain control of Congress in November. Not even former Gingrich aide Tony Blankley would defend DeLay in any form.
Why shuold he? Why should anyone?
Congratulations, Tom. You woke up with fleas.