GregsOpinion.com

Yeah, the Chronicle is a liberal paper allright. They've really got it in for Tom DeLay, don't they?

Compare: Despite criticism, DeLay undaunted - Houston Chronicle
(as of this writing, the Dan Patrick crowd has yet to crank on this ... what does that tell ya?)

There was a day last month, as Congress wrapped up its work for the year, when House Majority Leader Tom DeLay showed what it is about him that infuriates his political opponents ? and also leaves them in awe.

And contrast: Doubts Over DeLay - National Journal

The continuing legal and ethical woes of House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, R-Texas, have produced a palpable foreboding -- plus some drawing of the knives -- among House Republicans. Even as they bask in their recent election success and prepare for possibly far-reaching domestic policy changes during President Bush's second term, House Republicans are shadowed by the many questions surrounding their majority leader. Of greatest concern, though hardly the only problem, is the continuing criminal investigation in Texas that resulted in the September indictments of three of DeLay's close associates.

Kuff notes some unintended comedy on the part of Houston's biggest DeLay lackey:

Next year, when the House votes on a national retail tax, a balanced budget amendment and other pet projects of House Republicans, DeLay will get the credit, said Rep. John Culberson, R-Houston.

HA! The House is going to vote on a Balanced Budget Amendment? Great, let's see the numbers, fellas! I mean, here you guys are saying how the markets are going to applaud more borrowing in the name of covering transition costs for Social Security privatization, and you have the temerity to suggest to anyone that you're the party of balanced budgets? Sheesh ... how stupid do they think the public is? Oh wait ... I guess that was answered with the support for a national sales tax. By all means, please vote on that one ASAP. Really, I can't wait for the national GOP to fall on that sword.

Via Kuff's comment linkage, I see erstwhile Patrickite Kevin is offering something of a flip-flop from the party line ... doesn't he read the memos?

Here's Martinez on defeated Representative Chris Bell (D):

The redistricting caused Bell to lose in the Democratic primary, and he later filed numerous charges against DeLay with the ethics committee, emphasizing allegations of improper campaign fund raising.

The voters caused Chris Bell to lose in the redrawn district he ran in. The redrawn district was not as friendly to Bell as his former district, but voters decide elections.

Funny ... wasn't the one of the rationales behind the need for redistricting that the existing map was too favorable for Democrats? I mean, didn't the voters elect the representatives then, too? Why did we need to redraw the map at all when the fate of Congress has been in the hands of the voters all along? Odd how voters elect Representatives under a GOP-drawn map, but maps elect voters under a Democrat-drawn map. Yet another masterful Kevin Whited quote to remember.