BREAKING: DELAY QUITS LEADERSHIP...(AP Link) Now more info

[Perky]

http://customwire.ap.org/dynamic/stories/D/DELAY?SITE=CATOR&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2006-01-07-12-27-28

Full snip

By DAVID ESPO
AP Special Correspondent

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Embattled Rep. Tom DeLay decided Saturday to give up his post as House majority leader, clearing the way for new leadership elections among House Republicans eager to shed the taint of scandal, two officials said.

These officials said DeLay, R-Texas, was preparing a letter informing fellow House Republicans of his decision. These officials spoke on condition of anonymity, saying they did not want to pre-empt the formal announcement.

DeLay is battling campaign finance charges in Texas and was forced to step aside temporarily as majority leader last fall after he was charged in his home state. He has consistently maintained his innocence and said he intended to resume his leadership post once cleared.

His about-face came amid growing pressure from fellow Republicans who were concerned about their own political futures in the wake of this week's guilty pleas by lobbyist Jack Abramoff.



Missouri Rep. Roy Blunt, the party whip who temporarily has filled in for DeLay, was expected to run for majority leader.

Rep. John Boehner of Ohio, a former member of the leadership, is also likely to run.

Elections are likely the week of Jan. 30, when lawmakers return to the Capitol.

DeLay intends to remain in Congress, these officials said, and plans to seek a new term in November.



DeLay acted hours after a small vanguard of Republicans circulated a petition calling for leadership elections and citing DeLay's legal problems as well as his long ties to Abramoff.

[Botany]

1. It is starting

:party:

:beer:

:bounce:

:toast:

[BlueCaliDem]

19. Big Deal!

How many DUers believe this is some sort of victory??

I mean, Delay stepping down as Majority Leader buys us...what? An equally corrupt Roy Blunt??

That his colleagues are afraid their seats are in jeopardy just because of the Delay/Abramoff scandal is just idiotic!

I mean, have we forgotten what Stalin was once quoted saying: "Those who cast the votes decide nothing. Those who count the votes decide everything."?

It's nothing more than just another Repugnant smokescreen; red meat for Democrats and Liberals to salivate over, while the head honcho, Dubya, has yet to condemn what Delay has done; leaving his last response on the matter: "I think he's innocent..." standing.

I for one, am not going to cheer just yet--not while Arizona has just approved more Diebold machines for the upcoming mid-term elections, and California's Republican Secretary of State, has put off decertifying those machines for California!

We're not out of the woods yet, and we'd be wise to be wary of ANY concession made by this corrupt Congress and it's cronies.

[annabanana]

2. I wonder when HE woke up

and smelled the coffee?

WE all knew he was already gone...

[ChairmanAgnostic]

21. it took many visits from many agents

high ranking staffers, lobbyists, and others trooping in, giving him advice telling him to withdraw.
Ever since Abramof's plea, it has been a steady stream into his office.

[pinto]

3. Ha!

:woohoo:

[yorkiemommie1]

4. good news

i love when the Breeze has to print stories like this!

[Greeby]

5. The Hammer is officially nailed

:woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo:

:bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

[joefree1]

10. He's toast

Say hello to all the rethuglicans in prison when you get there.

[peekaloo]

6. Yet he will still seek reelection.

:rofl:

Come on Sugar Land, who's not yo daddy!

[Greeby]

11. Well remember that poll

That said 49% of TX-22 constituents would prefer an unnamed Democrat to Delay :rofl:

[Nickster]

7. So he's not able to be the Leader, but he's still ok to be a Rep??

Gee, if he has to step down from his leadership position....why is he still good enough to be a Rep? Do the right thing Tommy, step down and take a nice long permanent vacation.

[stevedeshazer]

8. Couldn't happen to a nicer guy

[MissWaverly]

9. if he had a drop of conscience, he'd resign his seat

He's done enough damage to this country. We should play Jon Stewart's "You are huring
America speech" to every last one of them including Dumsfeld and Darth Cheney.

[Perky]

12. Yahoo.....

One down 230 to go

[randr]

13. A rare chance to see repugs slingin mud at each other!!!!!!!!!!

Pass the popcorn.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

14. want butter and salt?

I just love the smell of bacon frying in the morning.

[randr]

16. You are right-that is the smell of bacon

Prime cut pure Texas swine.

[Maddy McCall]

15. No chance he'll be re-elected.

drip...drip...drip.

[seabeyond]

17. in west texas i still hear repugs defend bush, but NONE defend

delay. they say he needs to go to jail

[oasis]

18. GOP:Greedy Outlaw Politicians

[dutchdemocrat]

20. Delay has No

[bunny planet]

22. Can I get an AMEN. Thank you.

Delay is the person that held the whole 'house' of corruption together. The entire corrupt wing of the party should begin to unravel quite nicely now. Wonder how many Republicans will be left standing, not many I'd bet.