As we
discussed a couple weeks ago, articulated most poignantly by
Billmon, Tom DeLay and his allies attempted to take the Republican Party hostage by hijacking the base and threatening to use it against any Republican who might turn against DeLay.
But then a few Republicans with uphill battles for re-election in Democratic states and districts decided they could use an easy "one of the good ones" headline and started slipping out the door. Santorum slipped out, albeit cautiously. Then Shays. Then Chafee. And lo, the hostages were surprised to see that there were no bullets in Tom DeLay's gun.
After being dealt three crippling blows, all awaited DeLay's vengeance. But for the massive damage done, all the ACU could muster was...
a dinner. And soon enough, DeLay was no longer making arrogant threats, instead he was groveling at the Senate asking them to cut him a break. And while Santorum's comments may not have been as harsh as headlines might have led one to believe,
this is somewhat pathetic, no?
DeLay also thanked Sen. Rick Santorum, R-Pa., for defending him Sunday on ABC's "This Week" and said that the press had twisted Santorum's words to make it seem as though he was criticizing DeLay.
What happened to the fire and brimstone that would fall on the head of any Republican who failed their vital "litmus test"?
Mike Allen writes in WaPo today...
People who are working in support of DeLay's position said the next several days would be critical, as leaders wait to see whether any other House Republicans call for his resignation.
We at the DCCC will be giving them something to think about very soon...