Tom! Say it ain't so!

[Relbeek Einre]

True. And the Reps have done the same in reverse, to be sure.

[Akhbarali]

I agree with Embar but as he states there is more than the one reason he cites. There is political fallout from either course of action and they are probably still assessing which will hurt less in the long run. The House is much more sensitive to immediate political pressure because of the two year election cycle so political calculations are going to weigh as heavily as ethical ones in their decision to support, oppose or remain quiet.

Loyalty is also an issue. As "dirty" as DeLay looks more than a few Republicans feel indebted to him for his support in obtaining or retaining their seats. Although Congressmen often seem like a feckless bunch there is loyalty to power and effective leadership. He might be a scumbag but he was a damned effective one when it came to electoral success and forwarding the agenda of the more conservative wing of the party.

Finally fear is a very real issue. Nobody wants to be seen as the first to jump off the ship if he does beat back the charges. Mix polical calculations with a sense of loyalty from some and fear from others and you get inertia. That is why he is still leader of the House and will be for a while longer I suspect.

Akhbar

[Relbeek Einre]

What I find dirtiest about him is the tenacity with which he clings to his power - previously embattled speakers Gingrich and Wright simply stepped down when the writing was on the wall. DeLay, to his added disgrace, simply had the ethics rules changed so that he wouldn't have to step down - and tried to do so on the sly.

That, to me, is the most frightening thing about the whole affair.

[vaulos]

To be fair, the Democrats aren't exactly making it easy for him to step down. I mean, how many criminal complaints does he have filed against him atm? And probably only half of them are actually legitimate!

[Relbeek Einre]

Rsak, is that you?

[vaulos]

Take your time...find the joke.

[Ddrak]

I laughed.