Centerfield

Well, David, it gives me a rush to see the Bugman in a bind, too.
;-)

But by now, it's like "The Perils Of Pauline" (The Devices of DeLay?). No matter how deep the &^%8, somehow he always gets tossed a rope before he drowns. I heard Rep. Mark Souder say a few weeks ago "Well, yes, Tom has a few ethical troubles, but we can't be too hard on him, because he's such a good fundraiser."

Now, think about that for a moment.

Try to imagine it's 1998, and a Democratic representative had said that about Clinton. And then imagine how high and how quickly he/she would hanged, and all the Democratic party along with him/her. Scary, no?

This jihad against Delay is pointless. Even if it is successful and he is removed it doesn’t help Democrats because there are 200+ Delay wannabes waiting in the wings. If the Democrats are reduced to depending on this kind of shit they (we as I am one too) are in deep shit.

When is it ever pointless to pursue the truth? When did exposing to the light of day unethical, and in some cases, illegal, activity become pointless? If the GOP wants to be the party of values, then they have to live up to those values, or be taken down by them. Is that pointless?

If truth, justice, and yes, the American way is "pointless", then heck, just call me pointless...

It is pointless because it is not going to help the party. I highly doubt that this investigation or any political investigation is motivated by truth, justice, or the American way. It is an attempt to score political points by making the other side look bad and it won’t work, at least not the way it should.

Alf,

Do you mean that every investigation is pointless, or just the ones involving DeLay? If the former, then heck, let's close all the police departments, shutter the FBI, and shut down all the various labs, offices, etc. associated with them. We'd have to barricade ourselves in our own homes (and there wouldn't be much to watch on TV), but think of all the money we'd save!!!!

If the latter, then let's remember that some things need to be done even if it doesn't help us in particular. That's why we have society, religion, politics, etc. Keeping a sleaze like DeLay around just because investigating him won't help you in the short term is like refusing to turn in the serial killer living next door just because there's no reward posted for him.

Principle aside, that Speaker DeLay should be investigated because he's in all probability done something[s] immoral, unethical, and illegal, he should be investigated for two other reasons.

1. He may be innocent. This has all come so far, that I would imagine for the Speaker the end is closer than the beginning, and he should just make a break for it, if he has nothing to hide.

2. It actually *is* good for the Democratic party, America is a nation of soundbites, they don't know, or want to know, the details of DeLay's sordid activities, they just want to know that he's been a bad boy, and that someone is taking him to task. By being that someone, Democrats score points with those of the "value" crowd whose minds aren't made up. So, at best, the Dems score points across the nation, and at worst, DeLay will face a more contested election in Sugarland, from either another Republican candidate or Lampson, the Democrat whose distract was merged into his during the "redistricting" of Texas. I think that last would be proof enough of the existance of irony for me.

To show dirt on DeLay, you actually have to show dirt on DeLay, not those loosely associated with him. And in a criminal trial, not a civil suit. Otherwise it's just frothing for the faithful.

The Texas investigations aren't getting much press because the media is well aware that the prosecutor in the case hasn't got the evidence to indict, and likely never will, and that he's a rabid Democrat. While Earle has a reputation for being a no-favors prosectuor, his public comments on DeLay don't help his image.

Those wishing for a DeLay indictment would find their time more profitably spent watching the investigations swirling around Jack Abramoff.

Define "loosely associated" for me, because I fear my definition may differ.

He doesn't have to be guilty of anything in the court of public opinion, just linked to enough people. Isn't this what the GOP pulled on President Clinton? Maybe it didn't bring him down, but it sure gave him a black eye. The difference is, the Democrats are looking to bring Speaker DeLay down, and they might just have a chance.

You're absolutely right about Abramoff, however. The more dirt they dig up on him, and associate him with Speaker DeLay, the better for them.

There are three levels here. 1.Principle. On Principle, Speaker DeLay should be investigated. 2.Legality. What he's actually guilty of, is less clear, as such things always are. 3. Strategy. Strategicly, going after Speaker DeLay is smart of the Democrats, they turn him into the lignting rod of congressional corruption and overreaching, and project upon him all the failings of an almost canonized President Bush, who, apparently, is rubber to the Democrat's glue.

Ultimately, maybe it comes down to revenge. The Democrats are [right or wrong] going to go after Spaker DeLay the way the Republicans went after former Minority Leader Daschele, and they're going to do it in such a way, by attacking DeLay's activities, that there isn't a direct opponent for him to counter attack, other than a vast leftest conspiracy.

It's actually fairly clever. Nobody said politics was pretty.

Daschle lost at the ballot box. Good luck with DeLay at the ballot box.

I have no problem with Delay being investigated. If he's dirty, it's good for the nation for the truth to come out.

The irony is that many of the Dem's who are doing the loudest braying and fingerpointing are neck deep in the mire themselves.

I also note that the people who are pointing fingers at Delay because of his association with Abramoff don't seem to have given Hillary much greif over David Rosen and Aaron Tonken.

I mean you'd think that having your former national finance director under Fed. inditement and a major fundraiser already serving a 5 year prison sentance would be worthy of a little finger pointing wouldn't you?

I'm ever the optomist. Thanks to redistricting, there are more Democrats in DeLay's district, and in 2004, my boss, a staunch Red, said he voted against DeLay, so maybe others will have wised up?

I can hope. And maybe Santa Claus will finally show up, right?

Ya never know. Run a strong candidate against him and let him keep opening his mouth in public, and ya just never know. The party leadership may love him, but he's not exactly loved by his fellow GOP congresscritters. They don't call him "The Hammer" for nothing.

I actually think former Representative Lampson has a chance, and the irony of it all would be too much for me.

Speaker DeLay losing his job to the guy who's district he helped destroy. I live for those things.