Presidents Team Growing Frustrated by Majority Leaders Inability to Defend Himself

ABC News 'The Note' ^ | 4/17/05 | Mark Halperin

[gopwinsin04]

Check out this blind quote from Karen Tumulty's news filled article in Time Magazine. (registration required)

'The Presidents team is increasingly frustrated by the majority leaders inability to mount a defense more persuasive than blaming his problems on a liberal conspiracy.'

DeLay, says a senior Adminstration offical, 'Is handing this like an idiot.'

House Speaker Hastert faces pressure from within the Republican ranks to end the impaase with Democrats over ethics rules changes pushed through on a partisan vote in January, reports David Rodgers in the Wall St. Journal.

'Mr. Hastert shows no willingness to reverse himself but compromises are being dicussed. Privately, Republicans say the rules are a greater political worry for the party than the ethics questions on DeLay.'

'As a practical matter, Mr. DeLay's problems will persist until the impasse is resolved, since the Democrats are blocking the Ethics Committee from giving the Texas Republican a heading and a chance to clear himself.'

[TigersEye]

You think there would be ten left? I guess there's nothing wrong with being an optimist. ;^p

[CyberAnt]

What usually happens is that some RINO is caught whining and they write it as though it's coming from the President. They should know better by now - that doesn't work.

This President says what he means and means what he says. And .. WHERE THE HELL IS THE REST OF THE REPUBLICANS SUPPORTING TOM INSTEAD OF SLINKING OFF TO THE DEM SIDE OF THE ISLE AND WHINING ABOUT TOM ..???

[Eagle of Liberty]

DeLay, says a senior Adminstration offical, 'Is handing this like an idiot.

Give us a name, ABS! "Administration Official" is a pretty general term.

[atlaw]

WHERE THE HELL IS THE REST OF THE REPUBLICANS SUPPORTING TOM INSTEAD OF SLINKING OFF TO THE DEM SIDE OF THE ISLE AND WHINING ABOUT TOM ..???

What are you talking about? Changing the ethics committee rules to prevent an inquiry and stacking the committee with new and sympathetic members seems like pretty strong support to me.

[CyberAnt]

Sorry - you missed the point.

[katz]

I am sick and tired of voting for repubs if they are not going to fight for our adjenda.

[Once-Ler]

The problem here is not with Delay. The problem is with the gutless wimps who run the Republican Party at the national level. Even with control of the Presidency, and both Houses, they are totally ineffective and craven. Even with a national mandate, they kowtow to the Dems.

House speaker Hastert defends DeLay

White House Supportive of Embattled DeLay

"Tom DeLay will stay as leader," said Rep. Roy Blunt of Missouri, the No. 3 Republican in the U.S. House of Representatives. "Tom DeLay is not going to run away from a fight,"

Lott: DeLay Scandal 'Manufactured'

Rove: White House 'strongly' behind DeLay

"Tom DeLay does not stand accused of any violation of any law or rule in any forum and has never been found to have violated any law or rule by anyone." - Karl Rove

Santorum is not Against DeLay (Full Santorum Quote)

Tom Delay and Ted Nugent to Appear at NRA Convention

I just really like the last one so I threw it in.

This is media theater we are watching. The Republican party is unified behind DeLay, except for a kook, a couple RINOs, and a has-been Speaker turned talking head ratings generator. Stop listening to the rats and Lame Stream Media...they lie.