A Scramble To Fill Vacuum Left by DeLay

Washington Post ^ | 9/30/05 | Jim VandeHei and Amy Goldstein

[Crackingham]

House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert told Rep. Tom DeLay yesterday that DeLay will keep a prominent leadership role even after his indictment, a pledge that came as the powerful Texan's departure as majority leader touched off a scramble by other Republicans hoping to gain influence from his absence. The new majority leader, Rep. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), moved into his new Capitol suite, consigning DeLay to smaller quarters for rank-and-file members across the street at the Cannon Office Building. But Hastert, at an early-morning meeting, assured DeLay that his reduced status will not mean sharply reduced influence in running the caucus and setting the party's course for the 2006 elections, Republicans familiar with the session said.

As DeLay fights charges that he was involved in a fundraising conspiracy, Hastert told him that he will remain among the speaker's closest advisers.

SNIP

"Members know this is a very difficult moment -- if we don't hang together we fall apart," said Rep. Tom Cole (R-Okla.).

To stave off leadership races that would expose political and philosophical fissures inside the party, Hastert has persuaded members to buy into his short-term plan to allow Blunt take over DeLay's job by acclamation, in case the Texas Republican can return. Blunt also retains his position as majority whip.

But short-term harmony came at a price. In private conversations with GOP lawmakers, he promised to revisit the new leadership structure in January, and to allow new leadership elections if 50 members sign a petition calling for changes.

"I don't think anyone expects Mr. Blunt to hold two positions for the next 15 months," until the next Congress begins, Wamp said. "I believe that means having an election to have a separate person for each position in leadership."

[msnimje]

I predict Delay will have his case heard in three weeks and it will be thrown out as it is baseless. He will be back as leader by November 1.

[ez]

The new majority leader, Rep. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), moved into his new Capitol suite, consigning DeLay to smaller quarters for rank-and-file members across the street at the Cannon Office Building.

The juveniles are just loving every second of this..."Delay had to move to a smaller office, snicker..."

[Prophet in the wilderness]

I also see the Liberals/Democrats coming out of this looking worse, and vindictive, and the American public will disdain them even more.
I don't see this plan that the Democrats scammed up to make the Republicans look bad to gain any steam, but, on the contrary, it will backfire on the Democrats.
We will even gain more seats in the House and Senate next year.
The American public is sick and tired of the Liberals/Democrats/MSM games and failed ideology.

[donozark]

Not Boehner. He has tied up Right-to-Work legislation for years. NRTWC.org has tangled with him for a long, long time.

[jmaroneps37]

This will turn out to be another "National Guard Service" situation. Earle will be sorry he did this.

[meyer]

I wouldn't be in too big a hurry to fill the void - I suspect that this will end quickly, hopefully with a certain vindictive democRAT in Texas landing in jail.

[Piquaboy]

He still will be ruined as the MSM and the Rats will bring up this none suit all the time.

[msnimje]

The American public is sick and tired of the Liberals/Democrats/MSM games and failed ideology

You know it is weak when the Liberals start saying it has no basis just a few hours after the indictment is announced. Every hour it seems more pundits are piling on against this thinly veiled partisan attack.

[Prophet in the wilderness]

Just add another notch in the failed attempt ( once again, by the Liberals/Democrats ) to gain power again.
Remember ? GOD is on the throne, and GOD is in control.