The Rude Pundit has a post on DeLay that's so good I almost made a whole post just to let our readers know it's out there. Really. Stop reading TLC right now and go read it.

Now, there are probably dumber congresspeople than DeLay; and right-wingier; and meaner; and more corrupt. (Although I suspect he'd be a serious contender for all those distinctions.)

But wow! When you combine all of his characteristics, it's like The Perfect Storm of all that's wrong with American politics. He's like a caricature, except that he can move under his own power.

He must be a thousand times meaner even than he appears, then, for the GOP not to have disowned the man so far. Because he must seem like a liability a lot of the time, perhaps even when he's doling out checks.

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DeLay's BS is/ was reported on many many moons ago. Why is this getting traction now? Once again, the story continues to grow and now the smoke is a five alarm fire. What now? This will get put out, with minimal damage. DeLay will walk into the sunset (insert whistle theme of the Good the Bad and the Ugly) making millions and laughing as he deposits it in the bank. The Republicans are the rank and file of hypocrisy and steadily continue to get away with it. Troll comment welcome, but look at the Medicaid benefit and who walked from the capital straight into a coushy position with a beneficiary of the bill. Look at the fact that Repubs want to do away with evolution and teach creationism. Look at the rewriting of ethics rules simply to protect the very man that breaks them with his every action. Every one is in someone's pocket. The Dems are as well, but the party who came into power touting the will to clean up DC has stank up the city more than my ol' man can do after a pot of red beans.

DeLay will survive this because the Dems and the MSM DO NOT HAVE THE BALLS to finish the job DeLay so blatantly started.

Our ENTIRE congressional process is laughed at over the pond and we are too fcukin arrogant to see that the Amerikun empire is crumbling at a record pace because of GWB and the sycophants called the Republican party rewrite every treaty, break every law, and just make up sh** to continue their strangle hold on the American citizen. I'm gettin hoarse screaming at the sheeple.

By the way, WTF will Condi do with China and Taiwan? China is poised to invade, Europe plans to re-open ties, and all we can do is throw rocks and shoot bb guns at Syria.

Brazen lawlessness and flouting of the rules are transgressions worn as badges of honor by Republicans. Democrats won't accomplish much by yelling "Look over there, in the House, a crook in a leadership position!" The citizens voting for and supporting DeLay and his ilk are emboldened and hardened in their backing when Dems attempt to call such conduct into question. Picture the beaten, bloodied and abused wife that attacks the investigating police office after a neighbor calls 911. Her husband may be a beastly criminal but by God he's HER beastly criminal and you'd better take those cuffs off him NOW!

DeLay's "minor heart problem" a couple weeks ago was probably ground work for a "health reasons" retirement should things get stickier than they are now. He knows he's a crook, and so do all his colleagues and so does Bush/Rove. The mere fact that they all have chosen him to lead them tells you all you need to know about the whole lot of them. DeLay is what they all "want" to be...above the law, powerful and wealthy by other peoples money. He will step down if it gets too hot, but he'll never admit guilt or be found guilty by the sorry group of people he "leads", namely the House GOP.

We absolutely need to trot the spectre of Delay out all over the country... The Republican House leader's record of corruption could be enough, all on it's own, to hand Congress back to us.

Enron was the top contributor to Kay Bailey Hutchinson's campaign in Texas. Two years in a row if I am remember right. It's public knowledge.

Ever notice how the corruption and depravity seem to feed on the physical appearance of the corrupt and depraved.

Is it me or has the man's appearance truly degenerated into that of a bloated fat-cat who has become addicted to the power.

I'm thnking Henry Potter in It's a Wonderful Life.

Enron was the top contributor to Kay Bailey Hutchinson's campaign in Texas. Two years in a row if I am remember right. It's public knowledge.

And shame on her for it.

Is it me or has the man's appearance truly degenerated into that of a bloated fat-cat who has become addicted to the power.

It's not you.

It's public knowledge.

If last year's election and the lack of movement on Gannongate prove anything it is that public knowledge in post 911 America is an oxymoron, with the emphasis on moron.

Delay ain't going nowhere, the GOP ain't gonna cut off that TX oil money. Without a noise machane of their own the Dems. are powerless to shout above the corporate whores posing as newspeople. I hope next years midterms prove me wrong but I doubt it. Cynical, hell yeah I'm cynical.

"DeLay is one of the only people I can think of who makes Tony Soprano look noble."

Hell yeah. Tony Soprano at least has something of a conscience and geniunely feels guilt for his actions. DeLay? Hell no, everything's okay, since he's right with Jesus (though I don't think that peace-loving hippie would get along too well with the Exterminator). Hell, as long as we're talking about HBO characters, compared to DeLay, Al Swearigan from "Deadwood" looks like a big, cuddly teddy bear.

Good to see this. We need to keep it up. I can think of no greater albatross to the GOP than DeLay. The man represents the absolute worst elements of the modern GOP. You think Gingrich was bad, this guy absolutely freaks out ordinary Americans (partially, I think, because every photo of him seems to have that red-eye effect, which gives him a Satanic look).

Annnnnnd -- an UPDATE:

From the WaPo, getting around to reporting last year's news today: " THIS MAY NOT sound like news, but the House of Representatives is now an ethics-free zone."

Well. OK, then.

Is it me or has the man's appearance truly degenerated into that of a bloated fat-cat who has become addicted to the power.

No, you are not the only one who noticed the facial changes. Just as bitterness will make a young women's face look hard and unattractive, depravity will transform a face because it reflects what is in the heart.