In a move that for the immediate future will give Democrats a sense of victory, Tom Delay has announced he will not seek re-election this November.

Delay certainly understood that the campaign would be a rough one. He’s also an experienced student of the numbers and realized that for the first time in 22 years he would have a real fight on his hands. But he also realized that fight wasn’t about constituents of District 22, but rather Delay himself. There’s sure to be much speculation surrounding his decision…

But I think it just insures a Republican keeps the seat. His opponent, Nick Lampson has already been defeated down here and was only campaigning on the “Tom Delay is evil” mantra. His primary issue is gone now… and considering the only thing Democrats want to do is gain a majority in Congress so they can abuse their power by trying to impeach the President, I’d say insuring a Republican win is as important as anything Delay could do as a Representative himself.

Update: I’m hearing local rumblings that a couple of Republicans that will likely compete for Delay’s vacant seat are Harris County Judge Robert Eckels and Sugarland Mayor David Wallace. I’ve met both men and would be happy with either as Delay’s replacement.

Others:
Gateway Pundit says Delay’s move will encourage more Democrat politics of personal destruction.
Michelle has a roundup of articles.

1. YES, Virginia, there IS a Santa Claus! Bye Bye, Tommy. Don’t let the door hit you in the a$$ on the way out! Adiós, Au Revoir, Sayonara, Ciao, auf Wiedersehen, adeus and Bye Bye! I tried to warn you….what goes around comes around…but you wouldn’t listen! That’ll learn ya, durn ya!

   Comment by Nita Rene — 10:50 pm
   

2. DeLay to resign from the House

   The big story of the day is Rep. Tom DeLay’s announcement that he will not seek re-election afterall this fall and will resign from Congress, presumably in May:
   WASHINGTON - Succumbing to scandal, former Majority Leader Tom Delay intends to res…

   Trackback by Sister Toldjah — 9:32 am
   

3. […] Here’s the original news story on DeLay’s retirement (via Blogs For Bush). Make no mistake: DeLay took one for the team here. With the shadow of the Earle circus hanging over him, ole Tom had a tough reelection fight and with the climate of left-inspired Bush hatred that is engulfing American politics, this is race we can’t afford to lose. Texas Rainmaker expands But I think it just insures a Republican keeps the seat. His opponent, Nick Lampson has already been defeated down here and was only campaigning on the “Tom Delay is evil” mantra. His primary issue is gone now… and considering the only thing Democrats want to do is gain a majority in Congress so they can abuse their power by trying to impeach the President, I’d say insuring a Republican win is as important as anything Delay could do as a Representative himself. […]

   Pingback by Scrutator » you haven’t seen the last of Ole Tom — 9:34 am
   

4. […] Also, another GOP take: Texas Rainmaker. […]

   Pingback by Capitol Annex » More Blog Coverage — 12:38 pm
   

5. The politics game continues…

   Delay’s incredible journey from house majority leader to leaving political office is a big victory for the democrats; nobody, regardless of affiliation, can deny the influence he wielded in effectuating the current administration’s brand of conservative ideology. He was a neocon’s neocon, and his exit from office is part of the death knell for this branch of the Republican party.

   Another Republican is likely to carry the district. But they won’t wield the power and influence or same ideology as Delay; someone like Eckles will be far more centrist.

   Ultimately, I would guess that democrats will gain seats in the house and senate but still not gain a majority, and this is actually in the democrats’ best interests. As the minority, they can continue sniping at the President for the next two years until the 2008 election This administration seems to bungle just about everything it touches, so it shouldn’t be hard for them. Staying in the minority would also keep the dems away from a potentially self destructive censure/impeachment battle.

   Comment by heyzeus — 12:49 pm
   

6. The DeLay Factor

   It certainly marks the end of an era for a well respected and loyal Republican spanning some twenty one odd years, and marks the fall of “yet another victim of the Democrats’ politics of personal destruction–the only politics they know.”

   Trackback by All Things Beautiful — 2:01 pm
   

7. After the Clinton years and the Swift Boat business it would almost be funny to listen to Republicans whine about “the politics of personal destruction” if it wasn’t so hypocritical.

   DeLay is about to be indicted, not by anybody from the “Democrat Party” but by Federal prosecutors in the Bush Justice Department. His top aides have already admitted to conducting a criminal enterprise from his office. The man is a crook and it will soon be proven in court.

   Comment by Pug — 4:06 pm
   

8. A great new website has been launched where folks can go and express their appreciation and support for a man who has given decades of his life to public service.

   ThankYouTomDeLay.com

   Comment by ThankyouTomDeLay — 4:06 pm
   

9. Leaving the house, without Delay

   I have kept quiet on the whole Delay matter till now, as the man deserves his day in court before any presumptions of guilt or innocence, and the truth is too clouded.  Some on the left have vilified him fairly mercilessly, and some…

   Trackback by Leaning Straight Up — 7:32 pm
   

10. Leaving the house, without Delay

    I have kept quiet on the whole Delay matter till now, as the man deserves his day in court before any presumptions of guilt or innocence, and the truth is too clouded.  Some on the left have vilified him fairly mercilessly, and some…

    Trackback by Leaning Straight Up — 7:32 pm
    

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