Wednesday, September 28, 2005
Cracks in the Edifice
Tom DeLay's indictment, coming on the heels of the announced investigation into Bill Frist's sale of stock, marks the further degeneration of the Republicans' grip on power. DeLay will fight this indictment to the bitter end - it's doubtful that anyone will be able to persuade him otherwise. The question is how many other Republicans he will take down with him. How many other representatives will be tainted by association with Jack Abramoff and the other sleazy characters with whom DeLay has allied?
Who are the replacement leaders? Will DeLay's removal from power entail a civil war within the House GOP? Tensions tend to bottle up under a stable, tight leadership; with the Hammer on the sidelines, ambitious lieutenants may find themselves with a rare opportunity.
The ongoing collapse of the GOP's leadership affords Democrats with an opportunity to make 2006 an historic year - even with the gerrymandered state of things. The myriad failures of Republican governance only become clearer by the day; it remains for the opposition to deliver a concrete alternative message.
Who are the replacement leaders? Will DeLay's removal from power entail a civil war within the House GOP? Tensions tend to bottle up under a stable, tight leadership; with the Hammer on the sidelines, ambitious lieutenants may find themselves with a rare opportunity.
The ongoing collapse of the GOP's leadership affords Democrats with an opportunity to make 2006 an historic year - even with the gerrymandered state of things. The myriad failures of Republican governance only become clearer by the day; it remains for the opposition to deliver a concrete alternative message.
