DeLay Demoted

Stepping down as majority leader.

Embattled Rep. Tom DeLay decided Saturday to give up his post as House majority leader, clearing the way for new leadership elections among Republicans eager to shed the taint of scandal, two officials said.

These officials said DeLay, R-Texas, was preparing a letter informing fellow House Republicans of his decision. These officials spoke on condition of anonymity, saying they did not want to pre-empt the formal announcement.

DeLay's defiant, take-no-prisoners style had won him the admiration and respect of fellow Republicans, but his mounting problems cast a shadow over the whole chamber.

I still don't know how I feel about DeLay. In another age, I'd say all the complaints about him added up to a case of where there's smoke, there's fire. But as the Democrats and their liberal spirit squad in the media have been so hysterically shrill and partisan about everyfriggingthing for the past five years, that old rule doesn't apply anymore.

He definitely doesn't seem to have been on-patrol for corruption, though. And perhaps he should step down even if that's all he's guilty of.

Red State Endorses... Mike Pence. And gives some good reasons not to support the other contenders for the position.

posted by Ace at 02:21 PM

| Access Comments