Tom DeLay was one of the most powerful figures in Washington until recently, when a corruption scandal implicating himself and several high-key staffers. Slowly but surely, the scandal has been eroding DeLay's public support. Last year, he was forced to give up his Majority Leader post after he was indicted for illegally using funds in statewide races. Now today comes news that Tom DeLay has resigned from Congress and dropped his re-election bid for another term in office. What's surprising is the sudden nature of his resignation. Up until now he has been waging a fierce re-election battle. The most likely reason why all of the sudden he chose to resign was because his longtime Chief of Staff on Friday pleaded guilty and agreed to testify in a corruption probe investigating Jack Abramoff, a prominent conservative lobbyist and fundraiser with extensive ties to gambling interests. DeLay's links to Abramoff has been a major point of contention, one which ultimately led to the fall of one of the most powerful politicians in Washington. DeLay most likely realized that with his former chief of staff likely to testify against him that it would only be a matter of time before he himself would have to take the fall.

The Hammer being replaced by Roy Blunt has been a harsh blow to Republican solidarity. Delay was a phenomenal Whip and his loss has left the Republicans without the strong leadership it took for granted for so long.

A very minor political event in the grand scheme of things. It appears that what he did in Texas is a very questionably indictable offense, but the dems will accept any port in a storm. He's stepped down, temporarily, but I think he's probably finished as Majority Whip. There are plenty of roles for an arm-twisting, street fighter like this in national politics and I see this as a minor interruption to his influence. It didn't take long for democrats and many closet liberals in the news media to capitalize on this event, unfairly characterizing republicans as an entire party of people who don't obey the law. It's funny that Delay allocated national politics money to a state race and got indicted. Clinton accepted illegal foreign (Chinese, after selling technology to them) campaign contributions and was defended by the same people wrapping themselves in the "rule of law. " Something about a "stench of corruption, " I think. UPDATE: Nice try, mag, but my pointing out the hypocrisy of the shrieking over this incident by the people who also shrieked to give Clinton a pass (for a much more grievous violation of the law) isn't defending Delay, nor would I ever defend Delay against charges that neither I nor do many others yet understand. Anyone who forgave (or voted for) Clinton, in spite of his clear violation of the law, who now calls for the book to be thrown at Delay, is a hypocrite. Delay is a US Congressman, Clinton was the leader of the free world. Some perspective might be in order. My take on Delay is similar to my take on Clinton's legal defense: if he has done nothing wrong, there's no harm in compelling him to present evidence to exonerate himself. Only guilty people avoid taking the oath to tell the truth (or decide not to tell the truth at all!) . If Delay's guilty, he should be finished as an elected office-holder, just as Clinton should have been. And, Planetary, backhanding the illiterati (how ironic that no such word exists) seems a little harsh and uncalled for as they most likely do not utilize this medium. They can neither read nor write. But certainly keep us posted on the shifting political inclinations as detected through your left wing prism. CLARIFICATION: As is his tactic, Planetary has fundamentally changed his post, making mine a non-sequitur. His post included something resembling, "Allow me to simplify the argument for the illiterti, " which I found humorous, particularly misspelling a non-existent word, accusing some un-named members of RIA of being illiterate. It would be tough for someone who is illiterate to participate on this (or any other) website.

Interesting concept, the voting pole. I never thought the day would come in this country when when performing my civic duty required such athleticism. I am going to have to start working out and overcome my fear of heights. I'm concerned about elderly and obese people attempting to vote. I guess I will have to give them a gentle shove up the pole. It should be fairly obvious who wins the election. Can't you just see that voting pole toppling over, as masses of people collapse into a heap on the ground? UPDATE: You're welcome for the grammar/spell check, Wise. I actually was amused by the idea of Democrats chauffeuring voters to the "poles" as along as they promised to vote Democratic. I guess if a voter admitted mid-ride that he was actually a Republican, he would get dumped on the side of the road.

Looking over this list of major events of 2005 is a newly elected Supreme Court Chief Justice, that happens, what about every ten or twenty years, I would say that is fairly important. Hurricane Katrina batters New Orleans as well as batters the foundations of local, state and federal agencies bringing forth the resignation of the head of FEMA. Terrorists attack London and a well-loved Pope dies. These are events that have changed lives, as well as the course of history. Now, comes another allegation of a politician on ethics violations. I will give a couple of extra stars on this one for according to Donald Ritchie, a senate historian, never before has there been a member of Congress in a leadership position who was indicted while holding that position. I found this statement by Mr. Delay to be quite ironic considering the charges facing him, this is a statement made in 1995 on campaign finance reform. The time has come that the American people know exactly what their Representatives are doing here in Washington. Are they feeding at the public trough, taking lobbyist-paid vacations, getting wined and dined by special interest groups? Or are they working hard to represent their constituents? The people, the American people, have a right to know...I say the best disinfectant is full disclosure, not isolation. I agree Mr. Delay; the best disinfectant is full disclosure. Will this ever happen, I highly doubt it. Is he guilty of these allegations? This remains to be seen. Am I surprised at these charges? I think the word disgusted is more apropos. Mud slinging will ensue from both camps, as is the norm. The real issue here is not just about another politician who might or might not be corrupt, but of two warring camps that have desires for partisan control who have lost sight of a government of the people, by the people and for the people, but one of a government being run by a bunch of self-serving bureaucrats.

I could care less about Tom Delay.

Not earth-shattering news. . .Hey Tommy, you aren't in Texas anymore. . .

As soon as this happened, the bs started rising to the top. If there is any evidense supporting the accusations, it hasn't shown up yet. I'm sure this will be dragged out as long as possible, until it actually starts to hurt the people it supposedly benefits. People will get sick of hearing accusation with no proof.

If Delay truly is the corrupt politician he is being made out to be than cheap sensationalism won't be necessary. And before the DNC does otherwise they should take a close look at the questionable practices by their own politicians. UPDATE: Well, Magellan, as I have stated several times before I come from New Jersey...the home of a virtual one party system where not too long ago a governor had to resign not simply for being gay but rather as a result of very suspicious governing practices. For one, he appointed a government employ after only eight months on the job to become a homeland security aide (not to comforting, as you can imagine). The icing on the cake was that the employ wasn't even a U.S citizen. Then of course there was the pay-for-play and extortion scandals that were operated by our governors supporters and important fundraisers in the NJDC. Last time I heard McGreevy is living in a bachelor pad somewhere in central Jersey. You could also look at a former New Jersey senator, maybe you've heard of him...Robert Torricelli? He dropped out of a senate race with Doug Forrester when he saw that evidence was mounting that he accepted bribes, kick backs, and was involved in a campaign finace scandal with David Chang. Chang's in prison now...Torricelli's back in his mansion. I'm more the willing to cut the crap, Magellan. Because I and many other New Jersey citizens have had to shovel it for far too long...

I don't think Delay should be punished based on the punishment given to Trent Lott. I also don't think that the excuse that Clinton was ethically challenged should be used to defend this man, EO. Seems to be the knee jerk response from the far right every time one of their own acts unethically or incompetently. Why can't we just call a failure a failure, a cheat a cheat, a criminal a criminal? Why does it always have to be, "but what about Clinton/Reagan/Al Quaeda/ etc? We have laws, moral standards, etc. They should not be relative to the least common denominator. And Mr. Political, if you know of law breaking democrats, i suggest that you bring it to the attention of the authorities. What could that possibly have to do with Delay allegedly breaking laws regarding campaign finance? I think Delay should be punished based on his breaking the law (if in fact he did so). Can't we cut the crap for a little while?

It isn't obvious at all that this is a questionably indictable offense; in fact the evidence seems quite to the contrary. He created a political action committee in Texas (Texans for a Republican Majority(TRM)) that helped to launder money from corporations to be given to Republican candidates running for the state legislature in 2002. By doing this, TRM violated a century-old state law that bans the use of corporate money for campaign contributions. Since this is an organization he established and one which he has a major involvement in, it follows that he should be held responsible for its lawbreaking practices. This was not an allocation of national political money. The $190,000 check was given to the Republican National Committee which was then provided, by Mr. Delay's aide, with a list of names to which it should be allocated to. It seems straightforward that a law was broken and that the organization that broke it was created and overseen by Tom Delay. So, he should be held responsible. However, this is not as signifigant as half of the list so it loses 2 stars; but the indictment is fair.

They got rid of Trent Lott for practically nothing... it's only fair to get rid of Delay for this!