DeLay Tells Republicans Not to Panic

Former Majority Leader Tom DeLay doesn't have much credibility these days but he's telling Republicans not to panic. But first he wants to assure his supporters that it's just a coincidence three of his ex-associates have pleaded guilty to corruption charges. USA Today has the story:

Former House majority leader Tom DeLay said he's "disappointed" in three ex-associates who pleaded guilty in a federal probe of political corruption, but he said their admissions "doesn't mean I knew" of their efforts to bribe Congress.

The Texas Republican, who is resigning his House seat Friday, told USA TODAY that he was surprised by revelations that Tony Rudy, a former top aide, and Jack Abramoff, a former lobbyist and longtime political supporter, tried to buy influence with lawmakers.

(snip)

The former No. 2 House leader criticized his Republican colleagues for "panic, depression and woe-is-me-ism," and predicted they will lose control in November "if they continue the attitude they have right now."

Tom DeLay, who faces legal problems of his own, is just shocked, SHOCKED, that some of his former associates are not as honest and trustworthy as he is. DeLay has the same problem as House Speaker Dennis Hastert—he's unable to explain how so much curious legislation got passed under his very nose. Or why so many Republicans are under investigation.

TPMMuckraker has a who's who of names showing up in current Washington scandals (the list needs some updating but with so much going on it wouldn't be fair to hold it against them). They also have some biographical background on Tom DeLay; here two paragraphs to remind us of his recent history:

Tom DeLay was elected to the House of Representatives to represent Texas' 22nd District in 1984. He came to real power in the wake of the 1994 Republican Revolution, when he was elected Majority Whip. He'd served as deputy whip since 1988. When Dick Armey retired in 2002, DeLay was elected Majority Leader. DeLay earned the nickname "The Hammer" for his aggressive arm-twisting on close votes and for taking revenge on those who failed to fall in line.

In 1995, DeLay helped launch the K-Street Project, an effort to purge K Street lobbyists of Democrats. DeLay's former staffers would become some of the most powerful crossovers from the halls of Congress to K Street. Among them are Ed Buckham, Tony Rudy, and Michael Scanlon.

I've been a Democrat for many years but I can remember a Republican Party from years ago that had higher standards than what we're seeing in this era. The Republicans have lost their way—and it's time to send them home.