Without Delay

GOP House members have finally shown some gumption. Charges of corruption (and Abramoff connections) surrounding Tom Delay (R-TX) have forced House members to call for new leadership elections. Delay had been the House Majority Leader since 2002 but was forced to step down because of GOP-created rules against members being in the leadership while under indictment.

The smell of corruption has been pervasive since Delay was indictment by Ronnie Earle in September, a Democrat District Attorney (regardless of party, partisanship taints the legal system with elected prosecutors). Democrats (or more accurately, liberals) dislike Tom Delay almost as much as they dislike the President or Vice President. He earned the nickname 'The Hammer' by keeping the GOP membership in line while enduring scorn from the minority.

It is baffling that the GOP allowed week after week to pass while Delay fought to retain his political power. He should have immediately stepped down or been asked to step down. If he is innocent, the matter would have evolved into a positive; he could claim he was attacked by a partisan and then make a glorious return after justice was served. Moreover, this return might be to House leadership, but only for a limited time (if he so desired). Any position within the government would be within reach, including a run for President (that last part may be a stretch). If he had magnanimously stepped down, then beaten Earle at his own game... Oh the possibilities...

Or the GOP could have shown some party integrity and demanded the strictest of moral standards from their party leaders. But alas, The Hammer was to powerful to topple until today.

Question for readers - Does anyone know the exact date of indictment?