WP: Analysis - DeLay's Influence Transcends His Title

[Pirate Smile]

Analysis
DeLay's Influence Transcends His Title

By Jeffrey H. Birnbaum and Jim VandeHei
Washington Post Staff Writers
Monday, October 3, 2005; Page A01

For the indefinite future, Washington will remain Tom DeLay's capital. Dislodged by a criminal indictment last week from his post as House majority leader, DeLay in his decade of steering the Republican caucus dramatically -- and in many cases inalterably -- changed how power is amassed and used on Capitol Hill and well beyond.

Proteges of the wounded Texan still hold virtually every position of influence in the House, including the office of speaker. DeLay's former staff members are securely in the lobbying offices for many of the largest corporations and business advocacy groups.

But even more than people, DeLay's lasting influence is an ethos. He stood for a view of Washington as a battlefield on which two sides struggle relentlessly, moderates and voices of compromise are pushed to the margins, and the winners presume they have earned the right to punish dissenters and reward their own side with financial and policy favors.

-snip-
Most of all, DeLay stood for a blurring of the line between lawmakers and lobbyists so that lobbyists are now considered partners of politicians and not merely pleaders -- especially if they once worked for Republicans on Capitol Hill. Lawmakers-turned-corporate lobbyists such as Bill Paxon (R-N.Y.) and aides such as Ed Buckham, DeLay's former chief of staff, remain among the most influential figures on Capitol Hill -- often more involved than lawmakers in writing policy and plotting political strategy.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/10/02/AR2005100201128.html

[Bernardo de La Paz]

1. Important points for people to think about. Nominated.

[cassiepriam]

2. His evil will still be here after he is gone?

He has sown the seeds well.