DeLay's resignation: behind the scenes

[chat_noir]

....

DeLay turned to confidantes on and off Capitol Hill to gauge his political future. This included discussions with such Members as Reps. David Dreier (R-Calif.), Eric Cantor (R-Va.) and Joe Barton (R-Texas), and former Rep. Bill Paxon (R-N.Y.), now a lobbyist with the firm Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld, according to several sources. DeLay’s staffers also informally polled other Members about their views. In addition, DeLay called long-time political supporters in Houston, such as Michael Stevens, to gauge their reaction to the latest events.

Former Republican National Committee Chairman Ed Gillespie, who is close to the White House, played a role in in the drama surrounding DeLay as well. Gillespie flew to Houston late last week, intent on meeting with DeLay, though Gillespie apparently never got talk to the Texas Republican.

Gillespie, who served as a House aide to former Majority Leader Dick Armey (R-Texas), wanted DeLay to know that conservatives were turning against him. Gillespie apparently wanted to tell DeLay personally that if he didn’t give up his leadership post, he would publicly come out against him, according to one DeLay insider.

By Friday, DeLay’s staff knew it would be impossible for him to hold on as Majority Leader, and told him that the “window was rapidly closing” for him. Either he would have to give up his claim to the post of Majority Leader, he was told, or be voted out.

SNIP

DeLay and Hastert, once the closest of political allies, did not speak at any time between Tuesday and Saturday morning, when DeLay called the Speaker at home in Illinois to inform him of his decision, said sources close to both lawmakers. That conversation lasted 10 to 15 minutes, and Hastert raised no objections to DeLay’s choice.

Instead, DeLay conferred several times last week with Dreier, who has been tapped by Hastert to draft and ethics and lobbying reform package that House Republicans can bring to the floor in early February.


http://www.rollcall.com/issues/51_67-Special_Issue/news/11715-1.html


access rollcall.com via www.bugmenot.com


Aren't you just a bit concerned with DeLay's contacts with Dreier????

[Richardo]

1. I'm concerned with everything he does.

I hope the good people of Sugarland throw his ass out.

[Burried News]

2. Surely DeLay has plans to exterminate somebody on the other

hand the more he fights the more he keeps the story on the front page. Like Judy Miller he has become bait. Chum's in the water.

[Imagevision]

3. Delay is so yesterday - Haster and Nay need to be exposed then

if indictments are warranted... lets just proceed and get on with it!

[OldLeftieLawyer]

4. Indeed.........

When he was indicted, his approval rating in his home district was something like 27%.

It would have taken a whole lot of maneuvering to have stolen that election. DeLay just might be relieved ..........

[Skidmore]

5. Makes Gillespies little WJ appearance this morning all the more

interesting.

[rurallib]

6. Drier doing ethics reform is like the fox

doing the security for the henhouse. And what kind of a stupid person would select such a man? Dennis (bribe I didn't take no bribe from Turkey) Hastert.