DeLay for OMB Job?

Paul Bedard reports that former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, currently under indictment for a variety of crimes related to bribery and malfeasance in office, is being considered to replace Josh Bolten as director of the Office of Management and Budget.

DeLay? OMB? WTF?

Even aside from the ethical cloud hanging over him, DeLay is not exactly known for his fiscal discipline.

John Hinderaker says, “If we could get the spending-hawk DeLay of the 1990s rather than the ‘no more fat to cut’ DeLay of more recent years, he’d be a good choice. No one knows more about the budget. And I’d like to see the administration show some support for DeLay.” Given that the old DeLay likely just in obstruct mode against a Democratic president, I wouldn’t hold my breath. And I’d frankly like to see less support among Republicans for leaders who besmirch the party.

Thankfully, Bedard cites “one associate” bandying DeLay’s name about and notes that “the most likely pick would be from a conservative budget association.”

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James Joyner
About James Joyner
James Joyner is Professor and Department Head of Security Studies at Marine Corps University's Command and Staff College. He's a former Army officer and Desert Storm veteran. Views expressed here are his own. Follow James on Twitter @DrJJoyner.

Comments

  1. akdfjo says:

    DeLay is not exactly known for his fiscal discipline.

    He would fit in quite nicely with Bush’s indefatigable zeal for reckless spending. Nothing can be surprising from someone whose lack of judgement is so profoundly abysmal.

  2. legion says:

    From the article,

    One associate even suggested that retiring Rep. Tom DeLay was being considered, though the most likely pick would be from a conservative budget association.

    I’m sure this is nothing more than an off-the-cuff joke by the unnamed associate. If not, I will pop popcorn and watch CSPAN for _that_ confirmation hearing.