Tom DeLay's career is over

[bluestateguy]

It's clear now that he will not be returning to the congressional leadership. The indictments in Texas are not going to just go away, and it's still up in the air if the Abramoff thing will result in new indictments of DeLay. Delay now has the political capital of the spotted owl. Maybe DeLay will be convicted, maybe he won't. I don't know, but he is damaged beyond repair now. Roy Blunt now has his job for the foreseeable future, and he's an ambitious little bugger who won't hand the majority leader post back to DeLay even if he is acquitted. Indeed, Delay might be re-elected this year. Or maybe not. He could lose. Again, I don't know. But even if he limps to victory, he'll soon find that he isn't able to be nearly as effective for his district or his party as an indicted backbencher. Even if re-elected, I predict he will only serve one more term, or resign in the middle of his next term (and that's even if he is acquitted). He surely must realize that he could make more money as a K street superlobbyist than as a backbencher in the House. And again, that assumes he does not become a convicted felon.

[fooj]

1. It's about time! One rat bastard down...

:kick:

[AlCzervik]

2. Once the link between he and Fat Jack become public, i mean the evidence

then he'll be leaving. This thing is going to get a whole lot bigger and uglier imo.

[bahrbearian]

3. There is always Bug Smashing.

[NanceGreggs]

4. Career MORE than over ...

"He surely must realize that he could make more money as a K street superlobbyist ..."

After all of the canaries stop singing, I don't think even THAT'S an option for BugBoy.

And when you're too sleezy to get a job as a lobbyist, you're really DEAD MEAT!

My prediction: He'll find Jesus while in prison, and will re-enter society as a sleezy evangelist ... which is one rung lower than a lobbyist.

[MrModerate]

6. TV Evangelist? That's one rung lower than a dead cockroach! n/t

[NanceGreggs]

7. Cockroach - Lobbyist ...

A difference without a distinction.

[MrModerate]

11. Too true -- they both scatter when exposed to light! n/t

[MADem]

19. The only K in his future is KP==he can peel potatoes in prison! n/t

[FreedomAngel82]

23. Or have a tv show on fox

[MrModerate]

5. I'd think he was too tainted for lobbying . . .

Especially if something comes of the reform movement that people are beginning to talk about. I think he'll have to be a backroom guy from here on out.

Which is not to say that he can't do even more damage to the Republic he's tried to hijack. And the K Street operation, although it may need to change its stripes a bit, is going to be a drag on good government for years to come.

[RagingInMiami]

8. Well, you know what that means

[spinbaby]

9. Forget the career

I want him in JAIL!

[Ilsa]

10. Me too. Lock him up where he can't do as much damage! eom

[bliss_eternal]

13. I'm all for that!

:applause:

Wouldn't that be great?

[Don Claybrook]

12. Just how bad will it get for DeLay and the rest?

consider:

-we've all heard for months now that once all of the Abramoff scandal is known, many Republicans will go down, they're all running scared, etc. The press has been hammering this point over and over.

-we've all seen Bush and his entire administration get away with far more than we ever thought possible. I'm far from the only person who has incorrectly posted in these pages that "this one will be Bush's downfall". We're still waiting for that, 50 scandals later.

-Intricate, hard-to-understand crimes don't sell with the American people. Sad but true. Monica kept them riveted to their televisions. Faulty intelligence to start a war that kills 100,000 puts them to sleep.

So, will this be an instance where the wheels of justice keep grinding exceedingly fine, whether the American public is paying attention or not, whether they're bored with the story or not, ultimately resulting in many Republicans losing their jobs and their freedom? Is there something much more to the Abramoff scandal that we have yet to find out about, something more compelling to the average television viewer? I'm thinking along the lines of Atta/put options/Boulis murder/etc. It makes one wonder.

As for Mr. DeLay, I'm very happy to report that I completely agree with you. Now he's just one of 435 House members, and he's damaged goods. Can he continue to bring home the bacon to Sugarland, TX? I highly doubt it. And this should eventually change the calculus of the SW Houston vote. That is, DeLay looks to be more of a liability than an asset now. I'm sure some slimy place on K street is ready to take him in.

[Don Claybrook]

15. and about Roy Blunt

Do you think he's the heir apparent, or does the rest of the GOP know that he'll be dragged down to DeLay's low place in life soon because he's just as crooked? Will they want to put someone with a "cleaner" portfolio in that spot? Who are the other factions vying for the title? I know Gingrich has aspirations, but he's of course no longer in the House and his aspirations have taken a Presidential turn. Once upon a time, I might've guessed that Duncan Hunter would go for the seat, but I think he's too wrapped up in the Cunningham scandal to assume the majority leader position. Who will it be?

[Tesla]

16. Hopefully this is our next mugshot

[proud patriot]

14. ding dong the bugman's squashed

:D

[neoblues]

17. Republican leadership to ask him to stand down...

I read somewhere where the Repub leadership is considering asking him to stand down/bow out, figuring they can salvage/hang onto his seat with another Republican... since they figure he'll likely lose in any election. Seems it might be in our interests if he were to try and run again--especially if it's true he can be beaten.

Either way, with the indictments not going away--he's it's really over for him in terms of politics, even if the fat lady hasn't finished singing.

[No Exit]

18. Jack be nimble, Jack be quick, Jack make DeLay's charges stick!

[MADem]

20. I wonder if Jackie was wearing a wire, like Duke Cunningham n/t

[No Exit]

24. God, I hope so,

because I have a feeling your random jury would have a little trouble taking the word of that sleazebag about anything!

That said, even if he wasn't wired, his e-mails will be in evidence, and they alone tell quite a tale.

[ladjf]

21. There are still plenty of roaches in Sugarland. He will find work.

[FreedomAngel82]

22. Time to party!

[DanCa]

25. Two down who's next?

Jack Abramoff and Tom Delay. Who's next?