As I’ve said before, I’m no fan of Tom DeLay, but after seeing his confident smile on his mug shot yesterday, I gotta admit, I admire his political skills, just as I admire those of his chief political nemesis of the 1990s–Bill Clinton. Democrats are now gnashing their teeth at this Republican’s pose. It’ll be hard for them to use this image as a “campaign prop.”
The folks at the Democratic Underground are absolutely apoplectic, with one guy suggesting DeLay received “special treatment.” (Thanks to Malcontent‘s adorable Robbie for the tip.) One reporter
He looks in the photo like a proud member of Congress who might just have won the lottery, not one indicted on charges of money laundering. The photo looks like it could have been taken anywhere.
And that was just the point.
(Via Drudge.) His pose reminds me of the confidence then-President Clinton showed when allegations first surfaced in January 1998 that he lied under oath about his relationship with Monica Lewinsky. As the story was breaking, that Democrat was preparing to deliver the State of the Union address. Given the allegations, many thought he should cancel the speech.
Such suggestions notwithstanding, Clinton stood firm and confidently strode into the House chamber that night to deliver his speech as planned. As I recall, he looked presidential and seemed unfazed by the allegations. So delivering that State of the Union address, Clinton saved his presidency. With the American people watching on live television (perhaps there was an increased audience due to the whiff of scandal), he made it appear that, despite the accusations, he was continuing to do his job — focusing on issues of national concern.
Clinton, like DeLay, is a master of the political game. It’s interesting to note that both men (Clinton largely through his surrogates) have gone after the prosecutors leveling charges against them, Clinton’s people badmouthed Kenneth Starr, DeLay taking on Ronnie Earle.
Despite my lack of enthusiasm for Mr. DeLay, I find myself rooting for him in his current troubles, have even considered making a token contribution to his legal defense fund. And all this makes me wonder about Democratic support for Clinton in the 1990s. Maybe they weren’t so much rallying to support their man as relishing his fighting spirit against charges leveled by his (and their) political adversaries.
-Dan (AKA GayPatriotWest): GayPatriotWest@aol.com
Any comment on the fact that the arrest warrant was issued by a judge who made donations to Texas Democrats and MoveOn-dot-org? (The reason the DeLay legal team is petitioning for his removal from the case.)
Rush noted the other day that the media would use the photo in any story about DeLay from now until he died. He just denied them that.
Brilliant.
Too bad it doesn’t have him giving the finger to the libs.
No babies, we are NOT denied — we’ve got the arrest warrant, remember? Want to see it? Queer’s got it.
“It’s the mo-a-st wonderful time of the year…”
Funny, there were arrest warrants for almost all of the Tulia defendants as well…..and it didn’t make THEM guilty. Indeed, on review, THEY were acquitted….and the people who, um……faked….evidence to get those warrants were indicted and convicted. 🙂
Ronnie Earle may have a rude surprise when he finds out you only get one jury in a criminal trial, given it took him three to indict DeLay……
#3
Maybe you have the evidence against DeLay? Ronnie Earle sure doesn’t.
GPW DAN,
Hey, we’re on the same page this time!
I have no use for Tom Delay. But I don’t want him railroaded by a partisan prosecutor who’s making a crime out of political differences. As I understand it, the law Earle is basing the charges on wasn’t even on the books when the alleged “crime” occurred.
The Texas Bar Association and the State Supreme Court should bring up Earle on ethics charges. When he screwed up the original indictment from Grand Jury Number 1 he went “shopping” for a Grand Jury that would issue a second indictment.
The mainstream media has all but ignored an interview with the 76-year-old foreman of the first Grand Jury. He said he decided to indict Delay before hearing any of the “evidence” because he was disgusted with some of the political ads that were aired in the last campaign. I don’t think he even understood what the indictment was about.
It would be good for both the House and the GOP to have Delay retired. But not this way.
Yeah, Jack, we pretty much agree on this one. The interesting thing is that, in the end, it may actually help DeLay rather than hurt him.
And Queer in #3, what are you going to do with the judge’s order to dismiss this case?
While I appreciate the willingness of some GayGOPers to distance themselves from DeLay, I don’t find anything heartening in his game-playing. Innocence or guilt aside.
Avoiding the mug shot, smartly not doing the perp walk in cuffs, being staunch in his opposition and defense of innocence, the smear effort against Earle, untold press availability for pro-DeLay figures, and the near gleeful and glib ‘tude of DeLay for the sound bites doesn’t help him in my book one bit.
The guys I know who do political operations 24×7 and live by these little inside inside inside the ballpark moments for political types LOVE DeLay’s approach. He’s exactly what the political operatives and handlers want when the chips seem down –attack, attack, attack.
And the press love it –it sells well. The bloggers like it for the same reason… comments up the wazoo.
But there’s something inherently distasteful about DeLay’s game playing that was equally disgusting with SlickWillie’s depends-on-what-is-means moment… or HillaryC going on the morning talk show circuit saying the charges were just a right wing conspiracy.
DeLay’s approach and demeanor in this may help him win the case –but it says a lot more about his character… which I thought was OK before all this… and now it’s got me thinking “sleaze bag”.