Tom DeLay is done-for. Lashing out at “liberal Democrats” to the bitter end, his reign is over. And just as his bully tactics helped expand Republican control, so, too, does his demise play a role in theirs. With his tax provided life-time pension (don’t expect him to renounce that), he’ll stay busy as a talking-head in conservative media — unless they shun him for a while, in which case, he still may return like Newty Gingrich.
I’m chortling and trying not to crow too loudly. I despise DeLay. But, current scoundrels have lead many of us to say semi-seriously, “I miss Nixon,” so, one day, I may miss this vile pissant, too. It should be a good long time before that happens. mjh
After DeLay, a New Approach? By David S. Broder
Symbolically as well as practically, the departure of Tom DeLay from Congress signals the end of an era of Republican dominance. The question now is whether the retreat that clearly has begun will turn into a rout. …
It is almost as if [Republicans] hope that by sacrificing their erstwhile commander, they can appease the public demand for change.
As much as Newt Gingrich embodied the aggressive strategy that enabled Republicans in 1994 to break the Democrats’ 40-year grip on the House, DeLay was the man who showed them how to consolidate — and use — their new power. As whip and then as majority leader, he built the GOP fundraising and policy alliance with the business lobbies and social conservative movements, then used that leverage to impose party-line discipline on almost every key vote. …
With DeLay’s departure, the Democrats lose their most convenient symbol of abuse of power by the Republican majority — but they have not lost the issue. …
The old game of muscling bills through by rounding up Republican votes through a combination of political and financial force — the game at which Tom DeLay excelled — is over.