End of the line for the Bugman

No, the picture doesn't have anything to do with the Bugman, Tom DeLay. When I get really sick of it all, a victim of news overload, a head down to the park and feed the squirrels. They know I'm coming somehow, I don't know how, but they come running when I approach their little community in the cedar and Douglas fir. They don't ask for much, just a peanut or a little piece of whole wheat bread. I feed them and they entertain me. A good deal for both of us.


Now for Tom Delay. The Bugman has no friends. He built his power on a foundation of fear and intimidation. Even his "allies" hate his guts. He may be on his way to becoming the new benchmark for corrupt politicians. CNN reported yesterday that if the election were held today he would lose to his Democratic opponent. The Washington Post reports that his "friends" in the congress are quickly becoming the fair weather kind.
Likelihood of Battle Increasing Over DeLay's Future as Leader

A Texas judge's decision to let stand a felony indictment against former House majority leader Tom DeLay (R-Tex.) has emboldened the congressman's opponents and raised the likelihood that one of the architects of the House GOP's rise to power will not be returning to the leadership, lawmakers said yesterday.

Acting House Majority Leader Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) sought to reassure members that DeLay will return to prominence, telling reporters he still believes DeLay will beat the charges before an election to replace him is necessary. If an end to DeLay's case is in sight next month, members will not petition for a leadership shake-up.

But yesterday opponents who have remained largely anonymous began to speak out.

"If it becomes clear in January that the trial is not going to start for several more months, I think there will be a call from members to hold elections," said Rep. Ray LaHood (R-Ill.). "We can't simply muddle along with this interim arrangement and think we can accomplish the major things we want to accomplish. And we need to get this off the front pages of the newspapers for those members in close districts."

He added, "It's pretty clear it's not going to be resolved in January."

Rep. Charles Bass (R-N.H.) released a statement demanding that leadership elections be conducted as soon as possible: "The House Republican Conference should now elect a permanent leadership structure for 2006, so that we can move forward with a positive agenda that focuses on issues, not personalities."

As the midterm elections approach it is obvious that ethics issues are going to be a major part of the campaign. Between the trial in Texas and the dark cloud of Jack Abramoff Tom Delay is looking increasingly radio active.

The likelihood of a showdown next month over DeLay's political future seemed to increase as House Republicans returned from a two-week break and assessed the damage from the mushrooming scandals. During their absence, former DeLay aide Michael Scanlon pleaded guilty to bribery charges and promised to cooperate with a federal corruption investigation. Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham (R-Calif.) tearfully confessed to accepting millions of dollars in bribes from defense contractors with ties to several other lawmakers, including DeLay.

[......]

But by January, opposition to DeLay's return is likely to become more public, LaHood said, as other investigations move closer to the former majority leader, especially that of Republican lobbyist Jack Abramoff and Scanlon, his business associate.

"Scanlon, I'm sure, is singing like a canary," LaHood said.

Right now Tom DeLay's worst enemies may be his allies who were kept in line by DeLay's threats and intimidation. He's down right now and his former "friends" see this as an opportunity to take the bully out.