Tom DeLay’s Replacement
 |
James Joyner | Tuesday, April 4, 2006 |
Rick Hasen explains what initially struck me as an odd note in Tom DeLay’s resignation announcement: “I also intend to relocate to my Virginia property and reside closer to Washington.” I read that as code for “since I love lobbyists so much, I am now becoming one.”
While that’s likely true, it was also evidence of DeLay’s shrewdness as a politician. Under Texas election law, there’s no problem with DeLay resigning because the deadline for so doing is well in the future. However, because the primary has already been held, his name would simply be removed from the ballot, handing the Democrats a victory. But, by moving from the District, DeLay would be ineligible to run, allowing the Republican Party to simply appoint a replacement.
Of course, if the governor calls for a special election for someone to serve out the term, that would not much matter.
Hat tip: Steven Taylor
About the Author: James Joyner is the publisher of Outside the Beltway and the managing editor of the Atlantic Council. He's a former Army officer, Desert Storm vet, and college professor with a PhD in political science from The University of Alabama. He lives just outside the Beltway in Alexandria, Virginia with his wife and infant daughter.
Follow James on FriendFeed | Twitter | Digg
- None Found
There is no way that Texas patriots are going to let the partisan hack Ronnie Earle singlehandedly decide the election.
If DeLay's name is not on the ballot, true defenders of freedom will write his name in. DeLay is a national hero who stays above the fray and should not be forced out by activists prosecutors.
Yeah, I hate prosecutors that try to prosecute people for possibly breaking the law. Damn him for doing his job!
I don't know if Delay is actually guilty of the charges. But like James said, simply not being a criminal is not good enough.
Go ahead and write Delay's name in. Congressman Lampson sounds pretty good right about now.
Damn him for doing his job!
If Ronnie Earle had been doing his job, he would have taken a lesson from the fact he had to present his "case" in front of several different grand juries before he could score an indictment.
And he still didn't manage one that actually alleged a crime.
Right. I'm sure Delay is totally innocent and his decision to resign this week has nothing to do with his former chief of staff pleading guilty to corruption charges last week.
Come on. The GOP is better than people like Delay. Out with the bad seeds: loyalty is not a virtue if it's not loyalty to virtuous people.
refreshing and exactly right, this article shines like a pewter dollar in a mud puddle!
He resigned to spend more time with his family. Let's see his cousin is his wife and his mother is his father's sister. If they all show up in support he'll have 20 relatives but only 3 people will be in the room.
Sure gonna miss him.
Right. I�m sure Delay is totally innocent and his decision to resign this week has nothing to do with his former chief of staff pleading guilty to corruption charges last week.
Brian and I were talking about DeLay's being indicted. Last I heard, DeLay's chief of staff has nothing whatsoever to do with the Ronnie Earle misindictments.
The GOP is better than people like Delay.
But he makes the moonbats so mad! And I need the entertainment, dammit!
Comments are Closed
