Tom Delay, former Congressman and much-feared "Hammer" for the Republican Party, has written a book. A disappointing whine of self-pity, actually, and nothing worth your time, attention, or money. In brief, DeLay wrote a warped, bitter perspective on the present political condition, a paranoid delusion where he is at no fault but everyone else, from opponents to his (former) closest friends, is to be blamed. I find myself troubled to discover that a man who did so much to help lead the 1994 Republican Revolution, should now prove to be so petty, disloyal, and shallow.
I wrestled for a while about what to write here. Tom DeLay did a lot of good for the nation and for his district while he was a Congressman, and for that he deserves respect and thanks. But that hardly excuses his present conduct and arrogance, so common among many men and women on the Hill. But there is a point where Republicans, especially, should remember not only their worth and value but also their limits and responsibilities, including the so-often-ignored duty to take orders from the leadership for the advancement of promised legislation, and party discipline in order to prevent the opposition from playing divide-and-conquer in order to gain power. Of course, even though I was saying this last year, it was ignored in preference of personal feuds and individual empire-building. DeLay's lie that President Bush is "compassionate ... but no conservative" is not only popular among men inclined to excuse their derilection of duty, but also those many people who love a television camera more than remembering their promises to their constituents.
The Democrats do not seem inclined to do a better job of governing than the Republicans, but that is hardly the goal we should seek. Reaching, then defending a party consensus for the nation's needs is more than just a nice idea; it is the essential mission which must be pursued right now. And unfortunately, before that can happen the GOP needs to sit its members down, point out Tom DeLay, what he was and what he has become, and explain clearly that the DeLay of 1994 helped create greatness, while the DeLay of 2006 helped tear down the party. It is well past time to clean house of egotists and unaccountable mandarins.
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Comments (4)
I was interested in reading... (Below threshold)1. Posted by Drago | March 23, 2007 10:43 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
I was interested in reading DJ's assessment of Delay's book as I listened this very evening to Delay on Michael Medveds radio show.
It's hard to reconcile DJ's review with what Delay had to say this evening.
In fact, Delay could not have been more contrite. He spoke at length about all of his failings as a leader, how the Republicans (and he) squandered the advantages they were given, as well as his personal failings.
I heard him whine not one whit. When several callers called in to tell him that he screwed up, he completely, without caveat, agreed.
I was actually surprised as I thought he might spend sometime attacking others who have taken him to task. Maybe he does in his book, but he sure didn't do much of that on the radio.
I wonder if that's because having to speak directly into the mike makes attacking others less easy than simply plopping some words down on a page.
You know, sort of how it's easy to attack in the most vicious of ways bia blog-commenting, when you might never proceed in that blunt a way if you were speaking to someone in person.
1. Posted by Drago | March 23, 2007 10:43 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on March 23, 2007 22:43
2. Posted by Jim Addison | March 24, 2007 1:03 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
It's really pretty easily explained: the book was undoubtedly heavily ghost-written, and the writer was trying to exonerate DeLay from the various accusations and to pump up his reputation.
Most of D.J.'s criticism is of DeLay's actions as Majority Leader. While there is room for argument on whether some of those steps were good or bad, there is no question of the fact they were implemented.
Instead of attempting to reform the Washington culture, DeLay merely sought to substitute Republican lobbying firms and influence-peddlers for the vanquished Democrats. This set the stage for the eventual fall, because the promised reforms fell upon the reefs of privilege - business as usual, meet the new boss, same as the old boss.
Thus no meaningful budgetary reform ensued. The huge market gains and economic progress allowed the budget, pre-9/11, to move into surplus without reforms, so they weren't undertaken. Red pork is as greasy as blue pork.
2. Posted by Jim Addison | March 24, 2007 1:03 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on March 24, 2007 01:03
3. Posted by bill | March 24, 2007 11:22 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
I am not sure heaping blame on Delay accomplishes anything, nor does Delay's attempt to lay blame at the feet of others.
A much better place to drop the blame is lack of Conservative leadership at the top of the party, and for that, Bush must take the blame. Yes I know that he said he was a compassionate Conservative, not the real deal, but he should have moved right instead of left when he got elected -- Especially as the media and the Democrats tag teamed him on a daily basis.
If we do not get a unifying elected head of the party at the national level soon, the movement Conservatives will just drift away from the country clubbers. That leader does not necessarily have to be the President, although that would be best, a Congressional leader could emerge ... Like McConnel.
3. Posted by bill | March 24, 2007 11:22 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on March 24, 2007 11:22
4. Posted by spurwing plover | March 26, 2007 11:49 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
The trouble with liberals and the left they think more goverment is the cure for everything
4. Posted by spurwing plover | March 26, 2007 11:49 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on March 26, 2007 23:49