07 January 2006
Republicans Vow "No Delay" in Choosing House Majority Leader (v1.1)
DeLay Gives Up Bid to Reclaim House Post
If you're positive they can't prove anything, deny everything and act as if nothing is happening.
If there's a chance they might prove something, deny everything and make minor concessions to appearances.
If there's a real good chance they might prove something, deny everything, step down from leadership positions you hold, "in order to prevent partisan attacks from harming the Party".
Once they definitely can prove something, resign quickly, take "full responsibility" (Reagan style, which shields any other perpetrators, means nothing, doesn't cost you anything, but sounds good), try to keep any of your fellow Party members from getting caught, and act as a target for all your fellow Party member's holier-than-thou protestions of wonder that any member of their Grand Old Party would do such a thing...
Shocked, simply shocked.
¶ 11:41 PM
Rep. Tom DeLay, the defiant face of a conservative revolution in Congress, stepped down as House majority leader on Saturday under pressure from Republicans staggered by an election-year corruption scandal.Ah, politics.
"During my time in Congress, I have always acted in an ethical manner within the rules of our body and the laws of our land," the Texas lawmaker told fellow Republicans in a letter informing them of his decision.
Still, referring to criminal charges he faces in his home state, he added, "I cannot allow our adversaries to divide and distract our attention."
[snip]
Democrats, eager to take control of the House in November, reacted to DeLay's announcement with studied indifference.
"The culture of corruption is so pervasive in the Republican conference that a single person stepping down is not nearly enough to clean up the Republican Congress," said Rep. Nancy Pelosi of California, the Democratic leader.
Added Rep. Rahm Emanuel of Illinois, chairman of the House Democratic campaign organization: "With the permanence of their special interest philosophy, a change in the Republican cast of characters simply doesn't matter."
[snip]
[O]thers suddenly calling for change were more moderate Republicans who could face difficult re-election campaigns this fall.
New Mexico's Heather Wilson was among them.
She said three of DeLay's "former senior staff members have admitted or have been implicated in corrupt and illegal activities to get money for themselves by influencing legislation. Whether or not Mr. DeLay was involved himself or knew this was going on, he is responsible for his office."
If you're positive they can't prove anything, deny everything and act as if nothing is happening.
If there's a chance they might prove something, deny everything and make minor concessions to appearances.
If there's a real good chance they might prove something, deny everything, step down from leadership positions you hold, "in order to prevent partisan attacks from harming the Party".
Once they definitely can prove something, resign quickly, take "full responsibility" (Reagan style, which shields any other perpetrators, means nothing, doesn't cost you anything, but sounds good), try to keep any of your fellow Party members from getting caught, and act as a target for all your fellow Party member's holier-than-thou protestions of wonder that any member of their Grand Old Party would do such a thing...
Shocked, simply shocked.
¶ 11:41 PM
