First there’s this:
ANSWER: They’re both albatrosses.
Indeed, the Houston Chronicle has finally spit out what many are are quietly asking:"Proof Tom DeLay is now politically radioactive?"
Although the GOP has left enough loopholes in ethics regulations to make a succcessful lawyer proud, the House GOP’s recent action reversing itself on a plan that would have protected The Hammer could hardly be interpreted as a sign that the House GOP leader’s power is on the ascent. Here’s what the Chronicle had to say:
Monday’s stunning reversal by U.S. Rep. Tom DeLay, R-Sugar Land, and the Republicans in Congress on the so-called DeLay Rule caught all by surprise, including those of us in the midst of the effort to hold politicians accountable for these types of actions.
But it shouldn’t have. There are three reasons why DeLay caved on the provision, which was enacted by the House Republican conference back in mid-November and was designed to protect him if he gets indicted for his role in the on-going investigation into corporate fund-raising in Texas politics: constituent anger; a measurable rebellion among House members that emboldened House Democrats; and the growing sense that DeLay is becoming politically radioactive.
Prediction: If The DeLay Saga continues with new embarrassing chapters, GOPers in the House may have to choose between "Us…or Him."
Guess which one they’re likely to choose?
Joe Gandelman is a former fulltime journalist who freelanced in India, Spain, Bangladesh and Cypress writing for publications such as the Christian Science Monitor and Newsweek. He also did radio reports from Madrid for NPR’s All Things Considered. He has worked on two U.S. newspapers and quit the news biz in 1990 to go into entertainment. He also has written for The Week and several online publications, did a column for Cagle Cartoons Syndicate and has appeared on CNN.