In
a truly astonishing move - even by today's standards - Denny Hastert has postponed the resumption of congressional business for two weeks to give Tom Delay time to deal with his legal problems, and to avoid a contentious leadership debate.
(Please forgive me if this is already posted. Let me know and I will remove it.)
More below.
House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert and his top lieutenants are seeking to avoid a divisive intra-party leadership fight. They engineered a scenario whereby the majority leader's position is being filled on a temporary basis through at least the end of the year by the number-three House Republican, majority whip Roy Blunt of Missouri, with other members of leadership taking on increased responsibilities.
In addition, Hastert has scheduled the first House session of 2006 for Jan. 31 -- after a holiday break of more than a month, and two weeks after senators are due to return to Washington. The late start gives DeLay, a Texas Republican, a greater amount of time with which to dispose of the charges, as new leadership elections could not occur until the House is back in session.
''I believe Mr. DeLay's situation will be resolved by then, and I believe it will be resolved to his satisfaction," Blunt said yesterday. ''Mr. DeLay is getting the swift movement in this case that he's asked for."
A Texas judge on Monday tossed out one of the three criminal charges DeLay was facing in connection with an alleged scheme to circumvent campaign-finance laws by funneling corporate contributions to candidates. But the judge let stand the most serious charges filed against DeLay: two felony money-laundering counts. No trial date has been set.
A sizeable group of rethugs were hoping to use the two-week period to elect a new leader in an effort to get out from under the stinking weight of scandal they will have to lug into the next election cycle.
Beset by a series of high-profile scandals, House Republicans are increasingly looking to usher in 2006 with a new majority leader to give the party a fresh start with voters that could help avert potentially devastating midterm elections next year.
The sentiments, which are starting to bubble up from the party's back benches, make it less likely that Representative Tom DeLay, whose indictment on money-laundering charges will almost certainly last into the new year, will return as majority leader.
The prospect of a high-profile trial next year involving DeLay -- on top of the resignation of representative Randy ''Duke" Cunningham last week for taking bribes, as well as investigations of other GOP House members -- has rank-and-file representatives growing concerned about their 2006 reelection prospects.
By demanding new leadership elections, Republican House members can send a powerful message to voters that they are addressing ethical lapses and are ready to move forward, said Representative Jeff Flake, an Arizona Republican. New leaders can also set a new agenda that emphasizes the party's commitment to fiscal discipline.
No Soap. Hastert lives in such fear of Delay that he would do ANYTHING to placate him. This should be a major story, which, of course, is exactly why it isn't. Some hapless nut getting himself shot in Miami is the story of the day...
Kudos to the folks at buzzflash.com for catching this.